From Jubilee to Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope and Witnesses of Faith

As the Catholic Church prepares to celebrate the 2025 Jubilee of the Lord under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” the recent extraordinary jubilee honoring St. Arethas and his Companions, celebrated in the Arabian Peninsula in 2023-2024, takes on deeper significance. Together, these two jubilees bridge centuries of faith, linking the courageous witness of St. Arethas and his fellow martyrs with a renewed call for the faithful to live with courage and hope today. The jubilee of St. Arethas served as an excellent springboard for the Jubilee of the Lord, emphasizing that true Christian hope is inseparable from faith and steadfastness—a powerful message, especially for Christians in the Arabian Peninsula, where St. Arethas made the ultimate sacrifice.

St. Arethas: A Martyr’s Legacy of Hope Amid Persecution

St. Arethas is remembered for his unwavering faith amid violent persecution. Leading his Christian community in Najran, he stood firm against the pressure to renounce Christ, choosing martyrdom over abandoning his faith. His life and sacrifice serve as a timeless example of the hope that sustains the Christian soul, even in the face of death. St. Arethas reminds us that hope rooted in faith is courageous and unyielding, anchored in the promise of eternal life.

The extraordinary jubilee of St. Arethas offered a moment of reflection for Catholics, especially in the Arabian Peninsula, on the depth of Christian hope. As they celebrated his memory, the faithful were called to consider their own faith journeys, inspired by St. Arethas’ courage. His example reveals that hope is not a passive state; it is an active, courageous choice to trust in God, even in life’s most difficult moments. In this way, the jubilee of St. Arethas prepared the faithful to enter the 2025 Jubilee of the Lord with renewed hearts, ready to walk as pilgrims of hope in a world that deeply needs their witness.

The 2025 Jubilee of the Lord: A Call to Pilgrimage as an Act of Faith and Hope

The 2025 Jubilee of the Lord, under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” invites Catholics around the world to embrace this same spirit of steadfast hope. Declared by Pope Francis, this jubilee envisions a global celebration of renewal, grace, and unity in Christ. The theme “Pilgrims of Hope” emphasizes that, like St. Arethas and his Companions, we are all journeying toward God, drawing strength from the promise of His mercy and love.

The call to become “Pilgrims of Hope” resonates deeply with the legacy of St. Arethas. Just as he and his fellow martyrs journeyed with courage toward their final encounter with God, today’s faithful are invited to walk with conviction and purpose, trusting that their own trials will lead them closer to Christ. The Jubilee 2025 encourages each Catholic to adopt St. Arethas’ courage, turning life’s challenges into acts of faith and hope that reflect the strength of their relationship with God.

Pope Francis has often referred to the martyrs of the Middle East, those who have suffered and died for their faith, as an unfathomable source of hope. In the face of persecution and violence, these martyrs, like St. Arethas, stand as a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of faith. In the context of today’s struggles in the Middle East and other parts of the world, their example reminds us that hope is not defined by circumstances, but by an unwavering trust in God’s providence. Their witness of faith continues to inspire and build the Church, offering a profound and enduring source of hope for all Catholics, particularly in times of trial.

A Shared Pilgrimage: Catholics in the Arabian Peninsula as Bearers of Hope

For Catholics in the Arabian Peninsula, these two jubilees represent a unique and powerful invitation to embody the message of hope and witness. The jubilee of St. Arethas, which celebrated his martyrdom and fidelity, provides a foundation of courage and strength. Now, the Jubilee of the Lord builds upon this foundation, calling the faithful to become “Pilgrims of Hope” in a land where Christian witness often requires quiet strength and unity.

St. Arethas’ example resonates profoundly with Catholics in this region, who are invited to draw courage from his story and live as contemporary witnesses of faith. United through prayer, reflection, and acts of service, the faithful in the Arabian Peninsula can embrace their pilgrimage with a renewed spirit of hope, inspired by both the example of St. Arethas and the universal call to live as hopeful disciples.

Walking Together as Pilgrims of Hope

Together, the jubilee of St. Arethas and the Jubilee of the Lord offer Catholics around the world a shared journey of faith, courage, and hope. These jubilees remind us that the Christian life is a pilgrimage sustained by the examples of those who have gone before us, especially the saints and martyrs who have shown us the way of faithful endurance. We are invited to walk as part of this great story, empowered by the hope that God’s love is eternal and His promises are secure.

As we enter the Jubilee of the Lord, we are called to be “Pilgrims of Hope,” strengthened by the witness of St. Arethas and inspired by the grace of God. Let us reflect on St. Arethas’ courage and, like him, walk with unwavering hope. Through prayer, acts of charity, and renewed dedication to the Gospel, may we draw closer to God and share His hope with the world.

The call to be “Pilgrims of Hope” is not just a theme but a profound summons to make every step a testament of faith, allowing the light of Christ to transform our hearts and inspire others. As we journey together in this holy year, may the Church be renewed in faith, unified in hope, and rooted in love, bearing witness to the strength of hope that endures all things. Through this pilgrimage, may we embody the courage of St. Arethas and the boundless hope that is ours in Christ.