“Pilgrims of Hope” in the light of the assumptions of the Jubilee Year and the pastoral program of the Church in Poland for 2024/2025

Abstract

“Pilgrims of Hope” – this is the slogan of the pastoral program of the Church in Poland for 2024/2025, fits into the context of Pope Francis’ initiatives, the Jubilee Year 2025. The inspiration for this motto were the words of the Holy Father, who emphasized that the Jubilee should restore a climate of hope and trust, especially in the face of recent difficult experiences, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing armed conflicts in the world. Pilgrimage is interpreted as an active search for God, which aims not only at personal salvation, but also at the fulfillment of the evangelizing mission. The key role of a Christian in the 21st century is to be: “the salt of the earth and the light of the world”, which is associated with his responsibility for shaping moral and spiritual values in society. The biblical images of salt and light indicate the need to actively influence the environment through the testimony of life, and not only the theoretical proclamation of faith. The examples of contemporary saints, such as Carlo Acutis and the Ulma family, illustrate how a life in accordance with Christian values can be a practical witness of hope in the face of contemporary crises. Their example is an inspiration for Christians of our time, who face the challenge of being witnesses to the Gospel in the complex realities of the 21st century.