CAFOD celebrates Jubilee year with special new icon

2025 is a Year of Jubilee for the Catholic Church and to celebrate CAFOD has commissioned a special icon which will be visiting the Diocese of East Anglia, Jane Crone reports.

In the Old Testament, the Jubilee Year was a time of renewal, freedom and celebration: Debts were cancelled, people and the land could rest, prisoners and slaves were freed, and land was given to those who didn’t have any. It was known as the year of the Lord’s favour. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus read from the prophet Isaiah.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

To celebrate and commemorate the Jubilee, and to remind us that this is a global Jubilee, CAFOD commissioned an icon for the Catholic Church in England and Wales It was written by Mulugeta Araya in Ethiopia. Find out more here. The icon will be touring England and Wales in 2025, including a visit to East Anglia, more information will be available in early 2025. To find out more keep an eye on the diocesan website and monthly newspaper.

Jesus makes it clear that his mission is to bring the justice and freedom of the Jubilee and we are called to share in his mission. At CAFOD, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, this is at the heart of what we do. Here’s a four ways in which CAFOD invites you to join the Pilgrims of Hope in 2025.

• CAFOD for an Introduction to the Jubilee Year on Saturday, January 18, 10:30am-12pm online. With Fr Jan Nowotnik, Director of Mission for the Catholic Bishop’s Conference, Christine Allen, CAFOD Director, and Kayode Akintola, our Head of Africa. Hosted by Catholic talk show host and author Nana Churcher, and CAFOD’s Simon Giarchi featuring music from Catholic band Ooberfuse. Free registration at cafod.org.uk/jubilee
• Use CAFOD’s reflection guide to explore the biblical background to the Jubilee Year, be encouraged by stories of change and reflect on God’s call for you in this special year. For use in groups, as a church or individually.
• As we begin the Jubilee Year 2025, we face the most acute global debt crisis in history. Pope Francis has called for action on the debt crisis this year, saying it is a “matter of justice.” Sign the global petition calling for action at cafod.org.uk/campaign
• Celebrate the Jubilee in Schools. Children and young people in Catholic schools will celebrate the Jubilee year. Join the Jubilee for Schools Launch Day on January 24 2025 and find our framework of events and resources at: jubilee-schools.org.uk

CAFOD’s Jubilee resources can be found at cafod.org.uk/jubilee

Pictured above is CAFOD Jubilee Icon creator, Mulugeta Araya in Ethiopia.

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