When the bond between heaven and earth is broken, even prayer is not enough.—Baal Shem Tov, 18th century spiritual leader and mystic rabbi
Knowing that several school families are heading to Rome over the summer this seemed like a good time to look at the Jubilee year that was inaugurated Christmas eve by Pope Francis last year.
A Jubilee year, is a Holy Year that is meant to re-establish a proper relationship with God, others, and all of creation. “It is a year of forgiveness of sins and also the punishment due to sin...A Jubilee year is above all the year of Christ, who brings life and grace to humanity.” as stated on the Vatican’s website.
As part of this many of the faithful will make pilgrimages, in particular to the Holy Doors in the Vatican and Rome. The preeminent Holy Door is at St. Peter’s Basilica, but St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome also have official Holy Doors. For the rest of us dioceses around the world have designated special places of pilgrimage and prayer within their diocese. These other sites around the world remind us that wherever we are when we make a pilgrimage we can “renew the gift of hope within us, surrender our sufferings and our concerns,” and be filled with hope as Pope Francis said.
Wherever your travels take you over the summer keep an eye out for the designated Jubilee parishes in that area, including Holy Name of Jesus—the Jubilee room here opened last month. Wherever we are we can rediscover the beauty of being Jesus’s friend; as the Jubilee prayer says “May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth.” Amen.
Showcasing SHA talent: Jack in 5th is packing up his friends and heading off to some Jubilee sites in our diocese.
God bless,
Mrs. Alhadef
4th grade Aide
Campus Minister