Pilgrims of Hope: Prayer Service for the 2025 Jubilee

"…And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope that will never disappoint us. All of this happens because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with love." (Romans 5:4-5)

INTRODUCTION

On December 24, 2024, Pope Francis ceremoniously opened the Holy Door of Saint Peter's Basilica ushering in the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope. Deemed 'Holy' because it calls all those who enter through it to walk in holiness, the opening served as a prelude to the countless pilgrims of hope from every continent and language who will visit St. Peter's Basilica during the Holy Year.

Hope is a vital component of serving Jesus's healing ministry. Optimism alone isn’t enough to transform hurt into hope. Rather, hope requires that we lean forward in faith, trusting in the unknown, the "and yet," over and over — against all reason. It requires precise attentiveness so that even the smallest of forward movements can be perceived.

READING

As we pray together in this designated season of hope, we recall our own vocations to serve. How does this excerpt from the Shared Statement of Identity speak to how you understand your work in the world?

We work to bring alive the Gospel vision of justice and peace. We answer God's call to foster healing, act with compassion, and promote wellness for all persons and communities, with special attention to our neighbors who are poor, underserved, and most vulnerable. By our service, we strive to transform hurt into hope.

QUIET REFLECTION

You are invited to share one personal hope you hold for this time together.

INTERCESSIONS

Please respond: May our service transform hurt into hope.

With hope as a companion, we pray to find belonging and solidarity in our vulnerability.
May our service transform hurt into hope.

We pray for our fragile environment and each of us who inhabit it, soften our hearts so that mercy will imprint itself on us. Empower us to engage in the world with similar mercy.
May our service transform hurt into hope.

We pray that our work may move our hands and hearts to build together an enduring community rooted in God's love.
May our service transform hurt into hope.


CLOSING PRAYER

Let us pray —
God who walks with us:
As we lean into the work to which we’ve been called,
keep our eyes on the horizon,
that we might see beyond
to the enduring hope,
to the “and yet” that you promise us.
We make our way together:
steady our steps,
awaken our awareness,
give us the vision to see your goodness in the signs of hope around us.
Transform our hurts, O Tender One,
that we might offer the light of hope to those in our care.
AMEN


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