On International Education Day Catholic Schools join together to become ‘Pilgrims of Hope’
Excitement is building in Catholic schools across England and Wales as they prepare to embark on a journey as “Pilgrims of Hope” for the United Nations’ International Education Day.
On Friday 24th January 2025, thousands of children and young people will join in a host of activities to celebrate Jubilee Launch Day for Schools and Colleges across England and Wales.
CAFOD staff have seen an unprecedented demand for resources – over 150,000 prayer cards have been sent out and many more ordered, along with nearly a thousand Jubilee banners to hang up outside. Ready-to-use multi-media classroom resources have been made available online, put together by a unique collaboration including CAFOD, Catholic Education Service, Catholic Social Action Network, and Catholic Youth Ministry Federation.
A special Launch Day film featuring children’s ‘Voices of Hope’ has been produced for use in assemblies and classrooms, alongside an interactive map to help children and young people to explore the theme of Hope, while discussing how to take action towards their ‘Jubilee Pledge’ later in the year.
St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary School in Hartford, Cheshire is one of the schools taking part in the Jubilee celebrations.
Headteacher, Justine McEniff, said: “The children and staff at St Wilfrid’s are excited to begin our Jubilee journey as agents of change. We are looking forward to joining the launch assembly and celebrating through prayers and actions throughout the year.” Pupils at St Wilfrid’s will be joining the parish of St John Vianney in Northwich, going on retreats, mini pilgrimages with a nearby high school, and already has a banner – proudly displayed on the school gate.
Pope Francis has spoken throughout his papacy about the importance and potential of young people – encouraging them to have hope, be courageous, and live with joy.
Monica Conmee, Head of Education at CAFOD, said “Pope Francis asks us to be signs of hope for others, by putting Catholic Social Teaching into action. Children and young people have a vital role in this, joining together to make change happen, bringing signs of hope to an unfair world. We’re delighted to walk alongside schools and support them as they journey through the year.”
A video message, recorded for the launch by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Primate of England and Wales, invites children and young people to “enter deeply” into the Jubilee Year: “2025 is a Holy Year for the Church throughout the world, and I’m delighted that all our schools are preparing for it. Hope is a very important virtue in a world of great uncertainty, trouble and suffering.” Referring to the Jubilee logo, Cardinal Nichols added, “It shows people walking in solidarity together, and reminds us that we are all pilgrims, with Jesus as our guide and with the hope that He gives us as our anchor.”
The Year of Jubilee is a tradition that dates back 600 years, celebrated every 25 years today. Jubilee years are an opportunity to reset and relaunch – to forgive past wrongs and cancel debts.
25 years ago, with support from the last Labour government, the historic Jubilee 2000 debt campaign secured more than $100 billion of debt cancellation for the world’s poorest countries. Jubilee 2025 is an essential opportunity build on that achievement, reform global debt structures and prevent future crises.
Pope Francis officially launched Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 on Christmas Eve, when he opened the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Special doors have also been opened in Catholic dioceses all around the world.
How can schools get involved?
Schools are invited to celebrate the Jubilee 2025 Year of Hope together throughout the year, and especially on the following 3 days:
• Launch day – 24 Jan 2025 – embark on a shared journey and mark this Holy
Year as a significant and memorable moment.
• Pledge day – June/July 2025 – make a Jubilee Pledge, a long-term
commitment to the common good and look outwards, advancing justice and
harmony.
• Celebration day – 21 Nov 2025 – celebrating all that was achieved together
during the Jubilee year and looking to the future with hope!
- Schools can visit jubilee-schools.org.uk for online resources
- Outdoor banners for schools and churches are available at: shop.cafod.org.uk