Hope does not disappoint. (Rom 5:5)
February 11, 2025
Hello Everyone –
With this brief quote from the Letter to the Romans, Pope Francis opened the document that details his vision for the Jubilee Year that is currently underway. In fact, we are already a month and a half into this time that the Holy Father envisions being a “moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus.”
Already in February 2022, Pope Francis began preparing the soil for the Jubilee when he wrote: “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.” He went on to say: “The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire.”
In upcoming editions of The Branches, I will expand further on the potential this Jubilee Year holds for each of us and how we can muster the courage to approach the future — with an open spirit — with a trusting heart — and with far-sighted vision.
In the meantime, might I suggest two tangible activities?
First, take the time to visit one of the five pilgrimage sites designated by Archbishop Emeritus Jerome Listecki for this holy year:
- Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukee
- Basilica of St. Josaphat, Milwaukee
- Archdiocesan Marian Shrine, Milwaukee
- National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians (Holy Hill), Hubertus
- Schoenstatt Shrine, Waukesha
Second, join me in regularly praying the Jubilee Year prayer given to us by Pope Francis:
Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within
both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever. Amen
As I do for you, please pray for me,
Most Reverend Jeffrey S. Grob
Archbishop of Milwaukee
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