As the world wrestles with uncertainty, division, and suffering, the call to hope can feel distant, perhaps even unrealistic. Yet, in his message for Lent 2025, Pope Francis invites us to embrace precisely this challenge: to “journey together in hope.” Hope, he reminds us, is not a vague optimism but a conscious choice rooted in faith, a willingness to believe that transformation is possible—in ourselves, in our communities, and in the world.
Lent is always a season of renewal, a time to pause, reflect, and recommit ourselves to the call of Christ. But this year, within the Jubilee of Hope, Pope Francis extends a particular invitation: to ask ourselves whether we are truly open to the possibility of change. Do we trust that God’s grace can shape us anew? Do we recognise that hope is not simply something we receive, but something we are called to share with others? Are we open and willing to make the commitment to grow and to become instruments of God’s peace and justice in a world that so desperately needs it?
The Season of Lent presents us with an opportunity to renew not only our faith but also our commitment to living in solidarity with those who suffer. It challenges us to reflect on how we can be bearers of hope in times of uncertainty and division. As we enter this sacred time, we pray for the grace to be a reflection of the hope we are called to embrace.
Our Lenten Journey of Hope
This Lent, we invite you to journey with us through a six-week series of reflection, prayer, and action. Each week, we will explore a different aspect of hope—hope that is courageous, hope that takes root even in the wilderness, and hope that calls us to action in the world around us.
Through a series of emails, we will explore what it means to be bearers of hope in times of uncertainty and reflect on:
- The Courage to Hope: Hope is not naive; it is an act of resistance. It is the courage to choose to believe in a future shaped by justice, peace, and love.
- Hope in the Wilderness: How do we find hope in the midst of struggle and desolation? Lent invites us to sit with the discomfort of the wilderness and find the spark of hope even in dark places.
- Hope That Takes Root: Hope is not passive—it grows through action. We will explore how small acts of kindness, justice, and love can grow into lasting transformation.
- Holding Hope for Others: When we struggle to hold hope for ourselves, we turn to community. Lent calls us to bear hope for one another, offering strength and encouragement in times of need.
- The Hope of Resurrection: Even in suffering, hope remains. We will reflect on how the suffering of Christ is not the end but the beginning of resurrection, a symbol of new life in all things.
- Becoming Beacons of Hope: As Lent culminates in the joy of Easter, we are called to carry this hope into the world, becoming beacons of light for others.
Each week, you will receive a short reflection delivered to your inbox, along with a simple, actionable invitation to engage with hope. Whether through prayer, small acts of love, or moments of solidarity with those in need, we will explore together how Lent can be a time of transformation—not only in our hearts but in the world around us.
As we prepare to enter this sacred season and journey together, as a community of faith, with our hearts open to transformation, let’s embody the words of Pope Francis: “Lent is a time of conversion, a time of freedom.”