Vincent OBANIYI | Communication Officer, Catholic Diocese of Oyo.

 

As the Catholic Church embarks on the Jubilee Year of Hope, we are invited into a sacred season that speaks directly to the heart of our time: A time wounded by war, fear, injustice, and spiritual fatigue. Yet in the midst of all these, the Church boldly proclaims: There is still hope.

 

A Jubilee, rooted in Biblical tradition, is a year of release, renewal, and return—a time when prisoners were set free, debts forgiven, and the land restored. Today, the Church asks us not to return to old routines but to step forward with new eyes, new courage, and new faith.

 

A Light in the Darkness

 

Pope Francis has called all the faithful to become “Pilgrims of Hope”—people who walk by faith, carry peace into broken places, and offer forgiveness in a world that often chooses revenge. This is not a hope based on circumstances, but one founded in Christ—the One who conquered death and never abandons His people.

 

Pope Leo XIV: “Let the Church Be a Lighthouse of Hope”

 

In his recent address, Pope Leo XIV offered a profound reminder of the Church’s mission during this Holy Year:

 

“The Jubilee Year of Hope must not be confined to liturgical rites or symbolic gestures. It is a sacred responsibility. Let the Church rise as a global lighthouse of hope, especially for the youth, the forgotten, and those who see no future. Let every Christian become a sanctuary of mercy, a witness to peace, and a voice of hope.”

 

His words are not only for Bishops or Clergy, but for you and me—ordinary Christians called to extraordinary love.

 

Open Doors, Open Hearts

 

Across the world, Holy Doors are opening, welcoming pilgrims into sanctuaries of grace. But more than stone and structure, God wants the doors of our hearts to open—to mercy, to reconciliation, and to renewal.

 

This week, take time to reflect:

 

Where have I lost hope?

 

Who needs encouragement from me?

 

What part of my life needs a new beginning?

 

 

A Time to Begin Again

 

The Jubilee Year of Hope is not just a Church celebration—it’s God’s personal invitation to start over, to believe again, to walk in the light. Whether you're strong in faith or struggling quietly, this year is for you.

 

May we all carry this hope into our homes, our communities, and our conversations. Let us be the ones who remind the world: Hope is alive, because Christ is risen.

 

Hope has a name—and His name is Jesus.