By Christina Bagaglio Slentz
The year 2025 marks several momentous occasions in time.
We will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ “Laudato Si” encyclical in May, inviting us to reflect upon our efforts to care for our common home. This teaching of our faith draws heavily upon the Franciscan tradition. At the heart of this tradition is St. Francis of Assisi’s “Canticle of the Creatures,” a song composed near the end of the saint’s life, praising God through all of creation and recognizing our common kinship with all the world. This year is the 800th anniversary of this composition, certainly a cause for great rejoicing.
Finally, our Church practice of observing a jubilee year will take place in 2025, beginning in Rome on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2024.
Pilgrims of Hope
The word “jubilee” comes from the ancient Hebrew word for a ram’s horn, which was blown to signify the start of a jubilee year, known as “the year of the Lord’s favor,” announced every 50 years as a time of emancipation and restoration. Prisoners were granted freedom, debts were canceled, the poor were given land, and the people and the land were allowed to rest as fields were left fallow.
Today, we announce a jubilee year every 25 years, continuing to honor a year of the Lord’s favor in meaningful ways. Jubilee 2025 calls us to embrace a pilgrim identity of journeying toward hope.
Crossing the Threshold
To begin this special year, Pope Francis will open five holy doors in Rome as we cross the threshold of the new year. Though we cannot all be in Rome, we are invited to spiritually cross the threshold of these doors, recognizing ourselves as pilgrims wherever we are. How might we do this, and how might we understand this moment of celebration in relation to our ongoing celebrations of the 800th anniversary of St. Francis‘ “Canticle of the Creatures” and the 10th anniversary of “Laudato Si”?
One suggestion is to abstain from meat on every Friday of the year, giving our Sister, Mother Earth, a rest from the intensive production of meat. Another way to practice this tradition might be to take on spiritual practices that set our hearts aflame with love for God and our brothers and sisters.
Perhaps no one knew love for God with such a fervent heart as St. Francis. His “Canticle of the Creatures” was written at the end of his life when he was very ill. Still, he praises God with gratitude for all that he sees. How might we set our hearts a flame in a similar way? How might we respond to His love by entering into deeper relationship with our earthly family, brothers and sisters all?
Finally, with each trip around the sun, we are invited to make resolutions. If you are inspired by the 10th anniversary of “Laudato Si” to learn more about how you can care for creation in response to this gift, Creation Care Ministry will be offering numerous opportunities. Our introductory workshop and “Laudato Si” Action workshop will be held at the diocesan Pastoral Center at the end of January and early February. Register here.
