The Maryknights ~ Fr. Rosensteel Council K of C #2169

Dear Maryknights,

Happy New Year!

REFLECTION: Since the Jubilee Year 2025 began December 24, 2024, I thought, rather than writing about New Year’s resolutions, I would share some thoughts on what opportunities for renewal we might consider for ourselves and for the whole church during this Holy Year. I reference the Catholic Standard, 12/19/24 edition, for the information in this newsletter and for a more in-depth focus on Jubilee Year 2025.

Unlike the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2015-1016, only the Holy Doors at the Vatican and Rome’s three other major basilicas (St. John Lateran, Mary Major and St. Paul’s Outside the Walls) will be opened. The doors represent the passage to salvation Jesus opened to humanity; so, if you are going to Rome, passing through the doors is a special thing to experience.

The theme of the Holy Year is Pilgrims of Hope.

Pope Francis says that everyone knows what it is to hope. So, let’s find ways for the Jubilee to be an opportunity to be renewed in hope. The Holy Father says that God’s word helps us find reasons for that hope. He also hopes that the Jubilee draws Catholics toward patience, which he describes as a “virtue closely related to hope.”

Jubilee Years stress the sacrament of reconciliation and restoring relationships with God. Maybe we could resolve to increase our visits for reconciliation this year and focus on sharing God’s mercy within our own acquaintance.

Although many of the Jubilee events take place in Rome, it is a celebration for the whole Church. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is designated as a special place of pilgrimage for Jubilee Year 2025 by the Administrative Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This special designation allows the faithful to obtain the Jubilee Year Indulgence by making a pious pilgrimage or visit to Mary’s Shrine. The National Shrine is open 365 days a year and offers five hours of confession each day, four daily Masses Monday through Saturday, and seven Masses for Sunday, including the Vigil Mass.

POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTION: The Holy Father’s intention for this month is for the right to an education. Let us pray for migrants, refugees and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, faith-filled New Year,
Peggy Seleski