As the Holy Year of Hope drew to its close on Jan. 6, the faithful of the Diocese of Brooklyn stood at a pivotal threshold.
This Jubilee Year, proclaimed by Pope Francis as a time of pilgrimage, mercy, and renewal, has ignited hearts across our diverse boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens. From the solemn processions at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James to the vibrant gatherings celebrating newly canonized saints like Blessed Carlo Acutis, we have journeyed together as “Pilgrims of Hope.”
But as the Holy Doors close in Rome, the true test of our faith begins: How do we carry this grace forward into the ordinary rhythms of life? Is it similar to Catholics now moving ahead after proclaiming the birth of our Savior?
The answer lies not in grand gestures alone, but in intentional, everyday commitments that root our communities deeper in Christ’s love.
One enduring path is to continue local pilgrimages, transforming the Jubilee’s spirit of journey into a habitual practice.
Our diocese is blessed with sacred sites that beckon us year-round: the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, shrines honoring our immigrant heritage, and even neighborhood chapels that were built to celebrate our saints.
On these visits, whether solitary or communal, being organized by parish-led outings, we can keep the pilgrim zeal alive, fostering a sense of ongoing conversion amid the bustle of city life.
Equally vital is to strengthen our sacramental life, the wellspring of divine mercy that sustained us through the Holy Year. The extended confession hours and Eucharistic adorations that marked this Jubilee should not fade but expand. In a world rife with division and despair, frequent encounters with reconciliation and the holy Eucharist offer the antidote, as St. John Paul II reminded us: “The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life.”
Parishes can perpetuate this by scheduling regular mercy-focused events, inviting all — from the lapsed to the fervent — to rediscover God’s forgiving embrace.
The diocese has often shone in outreach to the marginalized, through food pantries serving the hungry, shelters for the homeless, and support for migrants fleeing hardship. These efforts align with the Gospel of Matthew imperative: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
To nurture minds as well as souls, we must foster education and formation programs that build on the Jubilee’s themes of hope and unity. Workshops on Scripture, retreats for discernment, and ecumenical dialogues can bridge divides.
In our multicultural diocese, these initiatives can cultivate a deeper understanding of our shared humanity, turning abstract teachings into lived encounters.
No renewal is complete without engaging youth and families, the future bearers of our faith. The energy of Jubilee events for teens and young adults, including digital storytelling, must evolve into mentorship and catechesis.
Social media campaigns can harness technology to share testimonies, drawing on the example of St. Carlo to show that holiness is accessible even in a digital age.
Families, too, deserve integrated programs that weave faith into daily life, ensuring the flame passes to the next generation.
Finally, diocesan gatherings that share Jubilee stories can inspire us, reminding us that we are not isolated pilgrims but a united body of Christ.
In these ways, the Diocese of Brooklyn can embody the Jubilee’s legacy, not as a fleeting memory but as an ongoing living transformation.
As the Holy Doors close, do let the door of our hearts remain open to God’s endless grace.