By Father Paul Kam Po-wai
On 9 May 2024, Pope Francis issued the Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee Year 2025, titled “Hope Does Not Disappoint” [Romans 5:5]. In this letter, the pope announced the celebration of the Jubilee Year in 2025, a grace calling for hope in the world. This includes prayers, proposals, calls to action, and the announcement of new meanings for the Jubilee Year, such as opening a holy door in prisons, with the theme of “Pilgrims of Hope.” He encouraged us to not only celebrate within the church but also to go out and celebrate with everyone, especially our most vulnerable brothers and sisters.
As the Jubilee Year 2025 is coming to an end, how have we celebrated over the past year? How have we spent it? Have we taken on the role of “pilgrims of hope” and shared hope with others?
During this Jubilee Year, many of our parishioners have organised various pilgrimage activities. Some have travelled to Rome to pass through the holy doors designated by the pope, including those at St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, and the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, while others have visited nine designated pilgrimage sites in the Diocese of Hong Kong.
After the pilgrimage, we should pause and reflect: were we part of a joyful pilgrimage group or did we encounter the Lord during our journey? Through prayer, receiving the sacrament of reconciliation, participating in the Eucharist, praying for the pope’s intentions, did we seek grace for ourselves and the salvation of souls in purgatory?
In the diocese, nine sculptures have been placed at designated pilgrimage sites: “Homeless Jesus” at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Cheung Chau, “When I was Hungry and Thirsty” at St Joseph’s Church in Fanling, “When I was a Stranger” at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, “When I Was Naked” at Our Lady of Joy Abbey, “When I Was Sick” at St Joseph’s Chapel in Yim Tin Tsai, “When I Was In Prison” at St Anne’s Church in Stanley, “Sheltering” at St Thomas Apostle Church in Tsing Yi, “”Hold it Together” at St Francis of Assisi Church in Shek Kip Mei, and “Be Welcoming” at St Andrew’s Church in Tseung Kwan O.
When we went on pilgrimage, did we see these as beautiful works of art, or did we contemplate through these sculptures, pray for all who suffer, and encounter Jesus?
During this Jubilee Year, we organised many activities to care for disadvantaged communities in society through prayer and action, urging everyone to work together to provide support and hope for those in need, particularly in the eight areas identified by the diocese: the elderly, prisoners, children and families, youth, medical staff and the sick, creation, immigrants and refugees, and the poor. Over the past year, did we arrange any meaningful activities, or walk alongside the vulnerable in our everyday lives, offering them hope? How do we continue this mission?
Brothers and sisters, in 2026, our diocese will celebrate its 80th anniversary with the theme “Messengers of Hope.” Let us continue the grace and spirit of this Jubilee Year, share hope through our lives, prayers, and actions as pilgrims of hope becoming messengers of hope.
