Gaudate Sunday: Finding Joy in Christ

Sunday 15th December 2024

On this Gaudete Sunday – the third Sunday of Advent – we light the pink candle on our wreath and are invited to reflect on the Advent theme of Joy.

This Sunday, we take a short hiatus from the sentiment of repentance and preparation of the season as we are given a glimpse into the joy we find in the manger with the infant Jesus.

Whether we consider the Magi, who travelled many miles to pay homage to the new-born king, or the shepherds who left their flock in the dead of night to see proof of what the angels told, Christmas is a beautiful reminder of our life-long Christian pilgrimage of searching: searching for the happiness we find in Jesus alone.

This searching, however, is not limited to this festive season, but is at the heart of our day-to-day life as Christians – whether it’s our journey to church for Mass or Adoration, our journey away from the distractions of modern-day life to spend quiet time in prayer, or a journey we make to a special place of pilgrimage. However big or small this act of searching, it is constant reminder of the life-long search for the joy we find in Christ.

St Augustine of Hippo reminds us: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” With these words, St Augustine is keen to highlight that despite all that the world promises us, it is in Christ alone that we find the key to true happiness.

Jubilee is a wonderful reminder of this timeless truth; inviting us – wherever we are – to step away from the distractions of the modern world and renew our own search and journey to find the joy of Christ in our lives today; a search symbolised by the theme of pilgrimage.

Pilgrimage

A key aspect of the Jubilee is the invitation to go on pilgrimage. More than just a journey, a pilgrimage is not simply about changing destination but changing our hearts and minds. The act of going on pilgrimage – whether that is a great distance or even just a quiet room at home – symbolises the desire to leave behind all that separates us from God and to seek new ways to grow ever closer to him as we journey through the pilgrimage of life.

In celebration of this Year of Jubilee, our Diocese will be offering a range of pilgrimage opportunities, here on our doorstep as well as overseas.

In addition to a range of local pilgrimage opportunities in our own Diocese, pilgrims will also be travelling to Rome and Lindisfarne in this Jubilee Year. Our Youth and Young Adults Ministry team will be accompanying young adults on their own pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee of Youth, while our annual pilgrimages to Lourdes and Walsingham return once again with a special focus on the Year of Jubilee.

To find out more about our Diocesan pilgrimages and to stay up-to-date with any announcements, please visit the Diocese of Salford’s website at https://dioceseofsalford.org.uk/news/jubilee-2025/pilgrimages/

Out and About in Salford Diocese

A helpful guide to churches and sites of religious interest across the Diocese has been created by one of our Diocesan priests in celebration of this Jubilee Year.

Mgr John Allen has carefully curated this book of local pilgrimage walks to be explored by individuals, families, and parish groups at their leisure.

All proceeds from book sales will be donated to Caritas Salford.

Find out more about the book and how to buy your copy at https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/PilgrimBook

Pilgrim Passport

Create new family traditions this Jubilee Year with our Pilgrim Passport. This family-friendly guide to all six of our Designated Churches includes a range of facts, activities, and prayers for you to explore together as a family, while charting your progress by collecting stamps for each of our churches.

Simply visit one of our Designated Churches from January 2025 to pick up a copy and begin.

Tagged | Jubilee 2025 | Pilgrimage