(ZENIT News / Rome, 01.31.2024).- From February 1 to 4, 2024, more than 300 representatives of the different forms of consecrated life from over 60 countries will meet in Rome: one religious, one member of a secular institute and one consecrated woman of the Ordo Virginum from each country. This opens a new stage in the journey toward the Jubilee of 2025. This meeting and the rich exchange of relational experiences will translate into a mandate to return to their countries as signs of reconciliation between men and women.
«Pilgrims of hope, on the way of peace» is the theme of the Jubilee for Consecrated Life to be held in Rome on October 8 – 9, 2025. Consecrated men and women want to reflect on the great need for peace, so urgent in our time. This is a response to Pope Francis’ invitation to create through the Jubilee journey a climate of hope and trust as a sign of rebirth, which all humanity desires.
«Dearest consecrated men and women, let us immediately enter this pilgrimage together, bringing the true hope that is in our hearts and for which our lives are in service», said Card. João Braz de Aviz, prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
The program will be developed through four major themes: Feb. 1: «Believing in Hope»; Feb. 2: «Growing in Charity»; Feb. 3, «With the Strength of Faith»; and Feb. 4, «Witnessing to Hope». To enrich the dialogue, a number of representatives of the Roman Curia’s Dicasteries will also be present including Fr. Paulin Batairwa Kubuya, SX, Subsecretary of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, F.M.A., Secretary of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development.
The jubilee is an event of great spiritual, social and ecclesial significance, an important time when God’s people ask to experience God’s forgiveness and mercy. Jubilees throughout Church history have marked, like milestones, the ecclesial journey. Consecrated men and women are also called to be witnesses and prophets of hope and peace, particularly on the occasion of the upcoming jubilee.
