Pope Francis has announced the start of a Year of Prayer, a significant spiritual initiative leading up to the 2025 Jubilee.
This year, beginning on January 21, is a call to Catholics worldwide to deepen their prayer lives in preparation for this monumental event. The Jubilee, set to start on Christmas Eve 2024, marks a time of grace and pilgrimage in the Church and coincides with the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.
In his address from the Apostolic Palace, the Pope emphasized the essential role of prayer in personal and communal life. “Prayer is the breath of faith; it is its most proper expression,” he said, highlighting its significance in connecting believers to God. The Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization will provide materials to assist Catholics in participating more fully in this spiritual journey.
Pope Francis also expressed his concern for global peace, particularly urging prayers for unity among Christians and for conflict-ridden regions.
This Year of Prayer isn’t just about spiritual preparation for the Jubilee but also about rediscovering the power of prayer in today’s digital age. Archbishop Rino Fisichella, speaking about the year, noted that it’s a time to learn how to pray effectively in our current times.
Besides prayer guides, the Vatican plans to set up a ‘School of Prayer’ under Pope Francis’s direction. This initiative will offer various encounters to understand and experience different prayer forms.
With an estimated 35 million pilgrims expected to visit Rome for the Jubilee, the city is undergoing significant preparations. However, this Year of Prayer reminds us that spiritual renewal is at the heart of the Jubilee’s significance, offering a chance for personal and communal growth in faith, hope, and charity.
Pray with Pope Francis!
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