21 Jan 2025 | |
The Goal of an Active Faith |
The 2025 Jubilee began in Advent 2024 and will run until the Feast of the Epiphany in 2026.
Although this is a global celebration, Pope Francis invites the Catholic churches throughout the world, to mark the Jubilee in their own unique way and we look forward to sharing a whole range of different activities, events, and resources with you during the Jubilee year here in school.
We have planned events to celebrate the Jubilee Year and to journey through this time together in joy and hope.
What is a Jubilee Year?
Jubilee years are a time of newness. They have been celebrated throughout the history of the Church, but their roots go back to the Old Testament, when the Israelites were commanded to celebrate a jubilee every 50 years. Beginning with the blowing of a ram’s horn—the yobel, from which the word jubilee comes—on the Day of Atonement, it was meant to be a kind of ‘reset’ or ‘refresh’ for their relationship with God and with each other. Debts would be forgiven, misappropriated land returned, slaves freed, and the land given rest. It was a reminder for the ancient Israelites that nothing was absolutely theirs—not even the Promised Land.
In the Catholic Church, a Jubilee Year is a special year of forgiveness and reconciliation, in which people are invited to come back into right relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation. A Jubilee Year is celebrated by the Church every 25 years.
Pope Francis has invited Catholics to renew our hope and discover a vision that can "restore access to the fruits of the earth to everyone". We are also invited to rediscover a spirituality of God's creation in which we understand ourselves as "pilgrims on the earth" rather than masters of the world.
In the Bible the Jubilee Year occurred every 50 years and involved the cancelling of debts, a period of rest for people and the earth, and land being restored to the landless. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus makes clear his own mission is to bring Jubilee. In the synagogue at Nazareth he reads from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, proclaiming the year of the Lord's favour.
Characteristics of the Jubilee
PILGRIMAGE - We are called as pilgrims to set out on a journey and to cross boundaries. This journey does not only change places physically, but also brings transformation and spiritual growth.
THE HOLY DOOR - By crossing the threshold of the Holy Door, echoes the words from St John’s gospel: “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved.” By choosing to pass through the Holy Door shows that we are ready to follow and be guided by Jesus.
PRAYER - There are many reasons and ways to pray, but at the root of prayer is the willingness to open ourselves to God's presence and His unconditional love. Jesus taught us the importance of prayer and how to pray.
LITURGY - The liturgy is the public prayer of the Church, with Mass at the centre. In the Eucharistic celebration, the Body and Blood of Christ are truly received uniting us with Christ.
PROFESSION OF FAITH - The profession of faith is the identity of the baptised person. It expresses the main truths that a Christians accept on the day of their baptism and shares with their Christian community for the rest of their life.
RECONCILIATION - The Jubilee year signifies reconciliation, urging us to place God at the centre of our lives. We are called to prioritise Him in every decision and action we make.
INDULGENCES - The Jubilee Indulgences is a manifestation of God's mercy, offering a way to free our hearts from the burden of sin.
Sacred Heart Celebrations throughout the Jubilee Year
January 2025
Launch Day 24th January - a time in assembly together to reflect, pray and commit ourselves to follow God’s guidance. (The Holy Door and Profession of Faith)
March 2025
Flame Youth Conference, Saturday 15 March 2025 (Pilgrimage).Sacred Heart UK schools will be joining 10,000 young people in the OVO Arena, Wembley, on 15 March 2025 for the return of the CYMFed Flame Congress -the largest Catholic youth event in England & Wales! Taking place in the Jubilee Year, Flame 2025 has a very special mission… to raise us up as unstoppable pilgrims of hope along with the whole Church in this great global pilgrimage to the Father’s Kingdom! Featuring epic testimonies, inspiring young talent, music, and so much more, this is not something to miss out on. We have 20 tickets priced at £15.00 - Years 10 – 13 students only. If you would like to attend this amazing event - see Ms Neckles. More information can be found here: FLAME – CYMFed
May 2025
Laudato Si Day - Hope Bags - reaching out to those in need within our community. We as a school community, will get involved in creating and distributing these gift bags to people in need, which can be filled with inspirational items such as Scripture verses, prayer cards, other small tokens of faith.They can be distributed to the housebound or sick in the community or within our local parishes.
June 2025
September 2025
The Jubilee Prayer
Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.
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.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.
Amen
How can you as individuals, families, and communities of faith, celebrate the 2025 Jubilee?
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