Pilgrims of Hope

Pope Francis calls us to enter into Lent 2025 as “Pilgrims of Hope.” This theme encourages us to connect with God and deepen our hope in a world growing in division and despair. 

Let us speak and act in bold ways that bring about God’s kingdom where all are welcome and all have the resources they need to live healthy, happy, and fulfilled lives. 

Signs of change are all around us; the days are getting warmer, we’re turning our calendars over to March, and our New Year’s resolutions are behind us. Lent, a time of waiting for Easter, is drawing near. To prepare ourselves, we pray, we fast and through almsgiving, we share our resources with those who are less fortunate. Although Lent is often associated with the Catholic faith, many other Christians observe it. There is no better time to deepen one’s faith than Lent. May our Lenten fast this year be a fast from indifference and complacency. Let us speak and act in bold ways that bring about God’s kingdom where all are welcome and all have the resources they need to live healthy, happy, and fulfilled lives. 

Pope Francis has declared this a Jubilee Year of Hope. He points to the signs of hope in the “signs of the times,” inviting us to recognize the good in the world so as not to be tempted to consider ourselves overcome by evil and violence. He expresses his hope that this conviction might “impel us to work with courage so that hope ‘may be translated into peace for the world’” still “immersed in the tragedy of war.”

Pope Francis implores us, “Let us learn this lesson from love, building hope that seeks that all may have what is necessary, teaching others to share with the poor, and to open ourselves with generous welcome to others, so that we may know how to contribute what we are and what we have to the common good.” 

As we all work to be signs of hope and to build islands and bridges of hope this Lenten season, be assured of the prayers of our Sisters that you and your loved ones have a most blessed Lent and Easter. We invite you to consider joining us for one of our Lenten retreats.