Three Essence Elements of the Jubilee Year

In this most special jubilee year, each of us are invited to renewal and revival. Regardless of where you are at on the journey of faith, it’s never too late to turn back to Christ. Here are three essential areas to help us foster a closer connection to Christ and one another this Jubilee year.

1. Repentance: Making Room for Hope in Our Hearts

Repentance clears the way for Christ to take His rightful place at the center of our lives, allowing our hearts to become open to true hope. As we reflect on our lives, we ask God to help us identify and root out anything that draws us away from Him. This honest self-examination creates space for the love of Christ to pierce us and heal us, especially in the deepest places of our pain and suffering.

For those seeking to enrich their experience of the Sacrament of Confession, try the Tabella Confession Kit, which includes several examinations of conscience, and other helpful tools to prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

2. Prayer: Strengthening Our Connection with Christ

Prayer deepens our relationship with Christ and opens our hearts to receive the hope He brings. When we dedicate time to prayer, we’re better equipped to confront life’s challenges and carry that hope everywhere we go. Prayer is the bridge between our human limitations and God’s almighty love, allowing us to find the hope of the resurrection in even the most painful situations of life.

To support your prayer life, explore Tabella’s series on prayer by Sr. Lucia from the Sisters of Life or the series on hearing God’s voice by Fr. David Dodd, TOR. Both series come with free guides to help you deepen your prayer practices, allowing for a more contemplative experience to take your prayer life to the next level.

3. Community: Sharing Hope with Others

Hope thrives within community. As we grow in hope, the Holy Spirit calls us to share that hope with others. This Jubilee reminds us that we don’t journey alone; rather, we are bound together as pilgrims, supporting one another as we move forward toward our true home in Heaven.

Encourage community gatherings centered on prayer, service, or fellowship. While not everyone will be able to make a pilgrimage to Rome during this Jubilee, each of us is invited to become a pilgrim of hope in our local community. Whether it is reaching out to a fellow parishioner to get a cup of coffee after Mass, financially supporting someone your know who is going through a hard time, or simply interceding for the Church at large, pursue whatever opportunities available to love God and your neighbor throughout this year.

Each of these elements reflect the essence of the Jubilee year—a time for renewal, reconciliation, and deepening our relationship with God. Let’s come together as one Church, as we continue to observe this most special Jubilee year.