Let’s Mark 2025 Jubilee Year as “pilgrims of hope on the path of peace”: Burkinabe Episcopal Vicar for Consecrated Life

He also called upon the people of God to grow their faith through the fostering of solidarity, and to cultivate a coherent witness to Christ, the world’s only Savior. 

“The motto of Consecrated Life is to always hope and to always inspire hope,” the Burkinabe Catholic Priest said.

He challenged the Consecrated to mark the 2025 Jubilee Year by manifesting their commitment towards helping the needy in society, championing universal fraternity, and preserving the environment.

“May your vocation be a source of hope and renewal for the Church and the world,” he said alluding to the theme of the 2025 Jubilee Year.

Pope Francis officially launched the 2025 Jubilee Year on the Eve of Christmas 2024 with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica of Rome.

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Announcing the start of a Year of Prayer on 21 January 2024 in preparation for the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, the second in his Pontificate after the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2015, the Holy Father said that the yearlong initiative will be “dedicated to rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer in one’s personal life, in the life of the Church, and in the world.”

Months later, on the Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ on 9 May 2024, the Holy Father solemnly proclaimed the upcoming Jubilee Year 2025 at a ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica, during which he delivered the Bull of Indiction of the planned Jubilee, “Spes non confundit” (Hope does not disappoint).

The Jubilee Year provides the people of God across the globe an opportunity to participate in various planned jubilee events at the Vatican and in their respective Episcopal Sees and ICLSAL.

In his opening remarks during the February 2 celebration, the Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Apostles Parish underscored the significance of the World Day for Consecrated Life for women and men Religious.

“Inspired by Christ’s overwhelming gift, they aspire to give their lives completely and follow in His footsteps,” Fr. Paul Tiga Zangré said.

Fr. Zangré highlighted three objectives of the day, saying, “First, to give thanks to God for the gift of consecrated life; second, to deepen the understanding and appreciation of this vocation; and third, for consecrated persons themselves, to celebrate and reflect on the wonders God has worked in their lives.” 

He invited the Consecrated to “contemplate their divine calling, recognize the radiance of God’s beauty in their form of life, and acknowledge their irreplaceable role in the Church’s mission.”

After the Eucharistic celebration, the Parish of Our Lady of the Apostles hosted an exhibition showcasing the charisms and apostolic works of various religious communities.

The Diocesan celebration served as a prelude to the worldwide celebration of the Jubilee of Consecrated Life scheduled to take place from 8-9 October 2025 in Rome. Activities during the international event include pilgrimages to the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul, the crossing of the Holy Door, and an audience with the Holy Father.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.