St James's celebration of the Jubilee

In January 2025 St James's launched the Jubilee year at St James’s. It was wonderful to see the school full of the colours of the Jubilee year logo. We began the day with a celebration of the Word, led by some of the Mini Vinnies. The day was then filled with activities. The children all created their own class or individual prayers to add to their prayer journals, created art pieces inspired by the Jubilee theme of hope and went on a mini pilgrimage to three prayer stations around school. To end the day, we gathered again to share our creations, and to sing a special song for the Jubilee – the Song of Hope by One Life Music. We look forward to continuing to mark the Jubilee year with further events throughout the year.

What does the Jubilee celebrate?

Since 1300, when Boniface VIII initiated the first Holy Year, initially occurring every hundred years, then adjusted to every fifty years, and eventually settled at every twenty-five years, the celebration has been regarded by God's holy and faithful people as a unique grace. It is marked by the forgiveness of sins, notably through indulgence, which is a full expression of the mercy of God. Pope Francis has decided that the Jubilee of 2025 will have the theme 'Pilgrims of Hope'.  It will be a year of hope for a world suffering the impacts of war, the ongoing effects of COVID-19 pandemic, and a climate crisis. Follow the news and participate in the initiatives through the links on the Diocese of Westminster website.

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven,

may the faith you have given us

in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,

and the flame of charity enkindled

in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,

reawaken in us the blessed hope

for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us

into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos

in the sure expectation

of a new heaven and a new earth,

when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,

your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee

reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,

a yearning for the treasures of heaven.

May that same grace spread

the joy and peace of our Redeemer

throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed,

be glory and praise for ever.

Amen