A Jubilee Year of Hope

This year, the Catholic Church celebrates a profound and sacred moment: the Jubilee Year.

Here, our director Patrick O’Dowd, tells us more about this special ‘Holy Year’ and why it is a time of renewal, reflection and recommitment to our shared values and to the flourishing of all God’s creation. 

The Jubilee Year is rich in symbolism and offers a powerful theme of hope, reminding us that no matter how challenging life may feel, God’s promise of grace and restoration is ever present.

In our charity, we see this Jubilee as a timely opportunity—not only to celebrate our work but to deepen its impact on the lives of those we serve, particularly here in Greater Manchester and Lancashire. The Jubilee Year offers us a path forward to address the pressing needs of our communities, to repair relationships strained by division, and to nurture an environment of inclusion and compassion.

What the Jubilee Year means:

The Jubilee Year traces its roots to biblical traditions of restoration: a time when debts were forgiven, land returned and justice renewed. For centuries, it has symbolised liberation and reconciliation, calling people to renew their commitment to God and to each other.

The theme chosen by Pope Francis for the 2025 Jubilee is Pilgrims of Hope. It is an invitation to journey together with open hearts and renewed faith, trusting in God’s promise of renewal even in the midst of adversity. This theme speaks to the universal longing for a brighter future and resonates deeply with the realities faced by so many in our region – families struggling with poverty, individuals navigating the harsh realities of homelessness, and communities grappling with the scars of discrimination and disadvantage.

Hope in action:

Hope is not just a sentiment; it is a call to action. We’re committed to making this Jubilee Year a time when hope translates into tangible change for people in need. We’ll continue our work to support those experiencing the trauma of poverty, providing support to families and individuals, seeking to ensure that no one is left behind in their search for dignity and stability.

For those without a home, we’ll expand our efforts to provide not just accommodation but pathways to long-term independent housing, emotional healing, and community integration. We’ll aim to build-up accessible and inclusive communities where all voices are heard, respected and uplifted.

The Jubilee reminds us that every person is a bearer of God’s image, deserving of love, dignity, and opportunity. Our Christian faith compels us to respond to their needs with compassion and with practical solutions that restore hope and rebuild lives.

Renewing relationships – a call for unity:

2024 was not without its challenges. In many of our communities, tensions have arisen over issues of identity, inclusion and belonging. Yet, the Jubilee Year offers a chance to reset – to heal divisions and commit to honest, respectful dialogue.

Here in Greater Manchester and Lancashire, we hope that the Jubilee will also be a platform for renewed engagement across faiths, cultures, and generations. We’ll continue our work with local parishes, schools, community groups and voluntary sector groups and organisations. Our hope is to continue to foster open conversations and collaborative initiatives that strengthen the bonds of mutual understanding and trust.

Renewing our commitment to creation:

The Jubilee Year also calls us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world. As stewards of creation, we recognise the urgent need to care for our common home, especially in the face of environmental challenges that disproportionately affect those experiencing poverty, those fleeing environmental disasters and those at risk of modern slavery. In 2025, we’ll intensify our efforts to promote sustainability, reduce waste, and engage communities in practices that honour and protect the earth.

Our hopes for the Jubilee Year:

As we step into this Holy Year, our hopes are bold, to ensure that no one feels forgotten or left behind and that everyone we encounter is given support and a message of hope; that communities which are divided by misunderstanding or conflict can come together in dialogue with shared purpose and that, through collective care, we can ensure that future generations inherit a world free of poverty and where the environment is safeguarded.

The coming year is a gift to us all. A chance to pause, observe, discern and act. A time to renew our relationships and where we can build a future where hope, dignity and justice prevails.