February 1, 2025 | The Catholic Church of St. James the Younger

Pilgrims of Hope Retreat Presentation

Spes Non Confundit
Hope Does Not Disappoint

“May the Jubilee be a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the “door” (cf. Jn 10:7.9) of our salvation, whom the Church is charged to proclaim always, everywhere, and to all as “our hope” (1 Tim 1:1). … Often we come across people who are discouraged, pessimistic, and cynical about the future, as if nothing could possibly bring them happiness. For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope. God’s word helps us find reasons for that hope.” [Paragraph 1]

A Word of Hope

Paul wrote his letter to the Romans, not to a congregation that he helped establish but one which he wanted to travel to and spread the Word of God there as well.
The Holy Spirit is constantly at work to renew and confirm our hope, both us as individuals and our collective efforts within the Church.
Church has always considered itself a “pilgrim Church.”
An important part of hope is patience, which is sorely lacking in our modern information-age society.
Paul refers to God as “the God of all patience and encouragement” [Rom 15:5], and patience is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

A Journey of Hope

The first jubilee was celebrated in the year 1300, although special days of jubilee and indulgences were practiced before this.
A pilgrimage is an essential part of any jubilee, as the search for meaning is always a part of the human quest.
The sacrament of reconciliation is an important starting point.
The next great celebration of the Church will occur in 2033, marking the 2,000^th anniversary of the death and resurrection of Christ.
This jubilee will end on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6, 2026

Signs of Hope

The Second Vatican Council observed: “In every age, the Church has the responsibility of reading the signs of the times and interpreting them in the light of the Gospel. In this way, in language adapted to every generation, she can respond to people’s persistent questions about the meaning of this present life and of the life to come, and how one is related to the other” [GS 4].
Despite our problems, there are people of good will who foster peace, encourage life and families, seek meaning in life beyond material possessions, care for the sick and imprisoned.
Christ saw himself as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s promise of a year of God’s favor [Is 61:1-2].
The Jubilee should inspire the Church to reach out to the young people, the migrants, the elderly, and the poor.

Appeals of Hope

We pray especially in this jubilee year for economic and environmental justice for the world's poor countries.
We remember that this year is the 1,700^th anniversary of the first great Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, remembering that the Church has always come together in synods to adapt to a changing world and to promote unity in Christ.
So we pray for unity among all Christians especially during this year.

Anchored in Hope

The Apostle Paul encourages us to “rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, and persevere in prayer” [Rom 12:12].
I believe in life everlasting: the basis for Christian hope.
Christ’s death, burial, resurrection: the proof of that hope.
Baptism: the gift of that hope.
Saints and martyrs: testimony of that hope.

Anchored in Hope

Love: the basis of human happiness and the reason for our hope.
Mercy and indulgence: the end result of our hope at the end of our earthly pilgrimage.
Mother Mary: supreme witness of hope.
The anchor: symbol of stability and security that gives hope during the storms of our lives.

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Deacon Tim Papa