Beginning the Jubilee of Hope
Wednesday 8th January 2025People across the diocese came together to welcome in our Holy Year of Jubilee with a solemn Mass, led by Bishop John.
The Mass took place on Sunday 29th December at Salford Cathedral’s Temporary Church, beginning with a small procession to herald in this special year of grace which takes place just once every 25 years.
Following the procession and declaration, the congregation continued with the celebration of Holy Mass – which coincided with the Feast of the Holy Family.
In his homily, Bishop John paid tribute to this beautiful feast, highlighting it as the foundation of our faith – where we find hope in the love of those closest to us.
Turning his attention to our own diocese, Bishop John acknowledged some of the big changes taking place across the diocese and how these challenges of change can encourage us for the year ahead.
He said: “I’m very pleased that we should be opening our Holy Year in our pre-fabricated temporary cathedral.
“That would suggest that we know about repairs and renovations; we’re not afraid of the challenge of change. We can change, we can adapt – challenges we’re facing here in our own diocese with restoration of our cathedral but also our diocesan synod.
“And Jubilee years are an invitation, more than that – a challenge – to take stock of who we are, how behave, the principles we have, what Gospel values we may have neglected and need to be renewed.”
Bishop John continued by challenging each of us to consider what this Jubilee year might be asking of us as individuals, families, parishes, and schools – as well as in our own diocese and the Church globally.
With a thought for the many sufferings of our brothers and sisters around the world, Bishop John encouraged us to consider the Jubilee theme of “Pilgrims of Hope” and how we can share the hope that is the very foundation of our Christian faith with the “wounded world” in which we live.
The bishop then drew our attention to another key word in Pope Francis’ theme: the word “pilgrims”.
He said: “That word suggests an idea of motion; something that is happening, developing, and moving – a journey.
“We are all on a journey of hope and of faith and we should not be afraid to see the challenges that that may present because in all things, we are guided and strengthened by our loving Father, through the example of His Son, and by the grace and power of the Holy Spirit.
“So, let’s see what the Jubilee Year can say to each one of us, to our communities, to our diocese, to our Church, and to our world. And let’s be prepared for a challenge – because if we have a challenge, we also have the grace to live that challenge to the full.”
Following the Mass, an anchor – the powerful symbol of this year’s Jubilee – was left in the temporary church, where it will remain for the rest of the Holy Year.
The Holy Year of Jubilee began on Christmas Eve and will end on the Feast of the Epiphany 2026.
To find out more about the Jubilee and how we are celebrating in our diocese, you can visit our Jubilee Page here or download our Jubilee Booklet here.
Tagged | Bishop John | Diocese | Jubilee 2025
