Jubilee Year 2025
Pope Francis calls on the Church to embark on a fundamental change of direction when it comes to evangelisation, no longer relying on past structures and actions but to read the signs of the times and act passionately in proclaiming the unique message of the Gospel that brings joy to all people who receive it with an open heart.
He says: “I dream of a ‘missionary option’, that is, a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channelled for the evangelisation of today’s world rather than for her self-preservation.”
YEAR OF PRAYER
On the First Sunday of Advent, we begin the YearofPrayer. From Advent 2023 - in preparation for the Jubilee Year 2025 - there will be a whole year focused on prayer and personal encounter, a special opportunity to delve into prayer in its many forms and so deepen our personal relationship with Jesus.
Each month there will be a different prayer theme, with resources and reflections too! Head straight to https://www.dioceseofnottingham.uk/yearofprayer
to find out more and download your first monthly reflection.
Evangelii Gaudium – Preparing for the Jubilee Year in Faith and Prayer
Evangelii Gaudium Sunday calls us to be joyous in proclaiming our faith. “Evangelii Gaudium” is Latin for “Joy of the Gospel”. The day supports the work carried out by the Mission Directorate on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference.
A key focus of work for the next few years is responding to Pope Francis’ calling of a Jubilee Year in 2025 with the theme Pilgrims of Hope. The Holy Father has invited the whole Church to prepare for the Jubilee in the two years prior through: ·
Reflecting on the four Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council in 2023.
Deepening our prayer life, with a special focus on the Lord’s Prayer, in 2024.
To support the Church in England and Wales in this important initiative the Mission Directorate has produced a series of videos on the four Constitutions which reflect on the Liturgy, the Word of God, the Church and on its role in the modern world.
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/evangelii-gaudium-sunday
A range of resources is being prepared for the Year of Prayer in 2024 which include a course on the Lord’s Prayer from small groups for Lent, encouragement to try different ways of praying from the tradition of the Church. The Mission Directorate will be supporting the Jubilee co-ordinator appointed by each diocese.
Reflecting on the Great Constitutions of the Second Vatican
In preparation for the Jubilee Year 2025 Pope Francis has asked the Church to look again at some of the documents of the Second Vatican Council.
Sacrosanctum Concilium, the constitution about the liturgy;
Dei Verbum, the constitution about scripture;
Gaudium et Spes, the constitution about the Church in the world;
Lumen Gentium, the constitution about the Church.
Bishop Mark O'Toole, Lead Bishop for Evangelisation and Discipleship, calls on us to explore the constitutions of Vatican II in preparation for the Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope.