Steps along the journey for Jubilee Year

By Fr Donald Chambers

In this article, I offer a step-by-step guide to various groups for celebrating Jubilee 2025 Year as a rest stop on the Synodal journey.

Step One: Each member reads and silently reflects on the following excerpts from the previous article entitled ‘Jubilee Year 2025: A Spiritual Rest Stop on the Synodal Journey’, published in The Catholic News August 11:

• “In the same way that a journey necessitates periodic rest stops, the Jubilee Year can be likened to a spiritual pause along the Church’s synodal journey. With the theme Pilgrims of Hope, Jubilee 2025 reminds the Church… [of God’s desire] to reignite the flame of hope extinguished by the challenges of our hurricane-like world.”
• “There are three primary reasons why rest stops are essential. First, lengthy journeys often lead to… fatigue, causing individuals to lose sight of their initial purpose and goals. Therefore, rest becomes necessary for reflection and restoration. Second, unhealthy habits may develop, impacting personal well-being and relationships. Third, it is vital to recalibrate, and mend broken relationships, as they pose a significant risk to achieving collective goals.”
• “For Jubilee 2025… [it] is a time… to rest, reflect, and renew.”
• “As we anticipate the jubilee year, every pastoral initiative during this period must find its roots in the Church’s identity as a synodal Church. Utilising… Conversation in the Spirit can help parishes, families, and religious communities discern the best ways to celebrate Jubilee 2025.”

Step Two: Review the matter for discernment

How can the synodal Church celebrate the Jubilee Year as a graced moment to reignite hope through resting, reflection, and renewal? Sometimes, we become frozen in routines and lose sight of the purpose of the mission.

• Rest slows us down to contemplate Christ’s presence in our actions.
• Reflecting is paying attention to God’s saving actions in the mission of the Church.
• Renewing is putting into action God’s calls to restore a broken relationship with Him, my neighbour and nature.