Pope Francis ushered in the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope on December 24, 2024, by opening the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica. He officially declared this year of jubilee with a papal bull, titled, “Spes Non Confudit,” meaning “Hope Does not Disappoint”. The year-long celebration will end on January 6, 2026. BETTY AMUKPO tasks some children on how they will celebrate the Jubilee year. They respond thus:
‘Go on a local pilgrimage’
The Jubilee year 2025, with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope” is a time to re-establish relationship with God, each other and creation. As Christians, we should go on a local pilgrimage, choose an act of penance, pray to the Holy Spirit, go to confession and strive to be persons of hope. Leviticus 25:11-12 states, “In a Jubilee year, you shall neither sow, nor reap what grows of itself, nor gather the grapes from the undressed vines. For it is a Jubilee and it shall be holy to you, you shall eat what it yields out of the field.”

• Umennadi Francis Chibunna
‘Participate in communal worship and service’
To celebrate Jubilee 2025 as “Pilgrims of Hope,” I will participate in communal worship and service. Isaiah 61:1-3 emphasises proclaiming good news and bringing comfort. I will also join in community prayer meetings (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) and volunteer for local outreach (Matthew 25:35- 40). Additionally, I would highlight reconciliation, as Leviticus 25:10 calls for restoration. This jubilee can renew faith, inspire hope, and strengthen bonds within the community, reflecting God’s love and grace.

• Arnold Akalezi
‘Host community outreach’
To celebrate Jubilee 2025, Pilgrims of Hope can: – Proclaim liberty to all (Leviticus 25:10). – Rest and rejoice (Leviticus 25:11-12). – Reflect on God’s goodness (Deuteronomy 8:17-18). Host worship services, community outreach, feasts, and debt forgiveness initiatives, demonstrating Christ’s love and freedom.

• Agbo Josephine
‘Remain in state of grace within the period through the Sacrament of reconciliation’
Levitus 25: 10 states, “This fiftieth year you shall make sacred by proclaiming liberty in the land for all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when every one of you shall return to his own property, everyone to his own family estate.” Jubilee year 2025 was declared open by His Holiness Pope Francis on December 24, 2024 and was subsequently declared in my local Church on December 31, 2024. I hope to celebrate this year’s Jubilee firstly by making a daily prayer for the success of the jubilee. And: – Burn out the candle for the inauguration of the jubilee in my parish. – Assist my fellow students in school who are in need as my corporal work of mercy to gain indulgence. – Be an Apostle of Hope the theme of the Jubilee year. – Make effort to visit and adore Jesus at the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. – Endeavour to visit Holy Cross Cathedral during the holidays within the year. – I shall endeavour to remain in state of grace within the period through the Sacrament of reconciliation.

• Munachimso Emmanuella Okasi
‘Arrange talks on Jubilee theme’
A Jubilee Year is traditionally proclaimed by the Universal Church every 25 years. It is a particular year set aside to encourage the faithful to embark on pilgrimages, to repent of their sins and forgive the sins of others, and to renew a focus on the spiritual life. In the Hebrew tradition, as recorded in Leviticus, a Jubilee was celebrated every 50 years with the freeing of slaves and the forgiveness of debts. There are many ways to celebrate Jubilee 2025 as a Pilgrim of Hope, including:
1. Prayer: Start a prayer group in your parish or deanery, pray the Rosary as a school community, or pray the Jubilee Prayer regularly
2. Pilgrimage: Make a pilgrimage to a local holy site, your own parish, or a designated destination like Rome.
3. Celebration: Hold a Jubilee celebration or party, or arrange talks on Jubilee themes Project: Participate in a parish or school project, such as a garden tidy up or litter pick.
4. Leave a gift: Leave a lasting impact with a gift in your Will.
– Giving special focus to the Lord’s Prayer during Mass.
– Participating in missions.
– Supporting the Global Solidarity Grant.
– Supporting World Mission Sunday.
– Supporting the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl.

• Okononfua Bryan
‘Taking part in all the Archdiocesan and Deanery programmes outlined for the Jubilee year’
Jubilee Year is traditionally proclaimed by the Church every 25 years. It is a particular year set aside to encourage the faithful to embark on pilgrimages, to repent of their sins and forgive the sins of others, and to renew a focus on the spiritual life. I will be celebrating it by actively taking part in all the Archdiocesan and Deanery programmes outlined for the Jubilee year, draw closer to Christ in the confessional, forgive others and ensure that my spiritual life is in accordance to God’s commandments. Romans 5:5 states, “And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

• Patricia Oche
‘Embark on Charity walk tagged ‘Hope Walk’
Celebrating Jubilee 2025 as Pilgrims of Hope will be a momentous occasion. Inspired by Leviticus 25:10, which proclaims liberty and new beginnings, we will come together to rejoice and make a difference. Our celebration will begin with a festive gathering, complete with music, dancing, and food. A bonfire will follow, where we will share stories of hope and inspiration. The next day, we will embark on a charity walk, dubbed the “Hope Walk,” and conclude with a picnic in the park. This jubilee will be a time to unite, have fun, and positively impact our community. As Pilgrims of Hope, we’ll embrace the spirit of freedom and new beginnings.

• Blossom Akalezi