Every 25 years, the Pope declares a Jubilee (Holy) Year, a time of forgiveness and reconciliation in which people are invited to renew relationships with God. On 26 December 2024, Pope Francis declared a Jubilee Year with the theme Pilgrims of Hope – an invitation to celebrate the hope of our Christian faith. 

I think the theme of hope is especially pertinent this year with all the unrest in the world, but also in our own lives too. Hope is something that every human feels. For me, hope has been the thing that helped me through some of the darkest times. Now that I’m a student again, I’m hoping that I will be able to pass my degree (hopefully with great marks), and I also have hopes for what the future may bring. 

Many people will make a pilgrimage to The Holy Doors in Rome, which can be found within the four major Papal basilicas: St. Peter's Basilica, the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the Basilica of St. Mary Major, and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. The Pope only opens the doors during Jubilee Years and pilgrims make the journey to them to feel a strong connection with their faith and seek spiritual renewal. 

In Leeds Diocese, Bishop Marcus Stock has designated ten Jubilee Churches in response to Pope Francis' encouragement to embrace the historic tradition of pilgrimage. For example, St Mary’s Church in Halifax has been named as a Jubilee Church, and the prayer group I am part of – ‘Rejoice in Hope’ – will relocate there for the year. Chapels inside prisons across West Yorkshire have also been designated places of pilgrimage, allowing prisoners to participate too. 

The Diocese of Leeds Youth Service has also created a travelling canvas featuring the Jubilee Year’s logo which is now making its way to schools in the diocese and will be hosted at Leeds Trinity’s Main Campus in Horsforth between Friday 7 and Sunday 9 February. The University’s logo will be added to the banner to mark its observance of the Holy Year, before it is transferred to its next destination. 

On the Friday, staff and students from Notre Dame Sixth Form College will deliver it to the Main Campus in time for a short liturgy. Starting at 12:00pm and open to all, the liturgy will include a welcome from Hannah Hayward, Coordinating Lay Chaplain at Leeds Trinity University, before talks from Professor Charles Egbu, Vice-Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University, and Dr Ann Marie Mealey, Director of Catholic Mission at Leeds Trinity University. Dr Mealey will discuss Education for Hope, the motto of the Directorate of Catholic Mission, and how hope is central to supporting students and colleagues to develop personally, spiritually, academically and professionally. 

The Year of Hope, which will conclude on Tuesday 6 January 2026, is a universal call to seek signs of hope around us. I find hope in news of good deeds, which restores my faith in humanity amidst current worldwide issues. Working here at Leeds Trinity University, I and all the Chaplaincy hope to support students who come seeking community and belonging, offering them the optimism they need for their futures. 

Danielle Roman is a Chaplaincy Administrator at Leeds Trinity University.