Rome, Italy. From February 1 to 4, 2024, more than 300 delegates of Consecrated Life from around the world, coming from over 60 countries, gathered for a preparatory meeting for the Jubilee 2025. The call included a religious brother and sister, as well as a member of a secular institute and a consecrated woman from the Ordo Virginum of each nation.
The Claretian Missionaries accompanied this significant ecclesial event, with representatives from various parts of the world: Fr. Gabriel Isaías, CMF, from Angola, Br. Henry Omar Hernández, CMF, from Honduras, Br. Ezequiel Takaya, CMF, from Argentina, and Fr. José Enrique G.R., CMF, from Rome, who worked alongside the Communication Team of the Dicastery.
This meeting marks a new stage on the path towards the Jubilee of 2025, aimed at sharing experiences and missions, with the purpose of returning to their respective countries with the task of continuing to be agents of reconciliation among peoples.
The motto for the Jubilee for consecrated life, “Pilgrims of hope, on the path of peace,” reflects the urgent need for peace in our times. This motto responds to Pope Francis’ call to create, through this jubilee journey, an atmosphere of hope and trust as a sign of the rebirth that all humanity longs for.
The event’s program was developed around four main themes: February 1 focused on “Believing in hope,” offering a synodal space to share and reflect on the different territorial realities; February 2, “Growing in charity,” featured plenaries accompanied by Father Paulin Batairwa Kubuya, SX, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, and Sister Alessandra Smerilli, FMA, secretary of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development, culminating with a Eucharist in St. Peter’s Basilica presided over by Pope Francis on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the Day of Consecrated Life; February 3, “With the strength of faith,” was dedicated to a day of community pilgrimage through the Roman basilicas and churches, where participants shared testimonies of faith; finally, February 4, “Witnessing hope,” concluded with a final evaluation and the delivery of the commission to the participants.
This Jubilee represents an event of profound spiritual, social, and ecclesial importance, where the people of God seek to experience divine forgiveness and mercy. Throughout the Church’s history, jubilees have marked milestones on its path, and similarly, consecrated persons are called to be witnesses and prophets of hope and peace, especially in this upcoming Jubilee. The Claretian Missionaries continue to be committed to the Church on this journey.
Source: Bro. Ezequiel Takaya CMF, participant from Argentina.
