Advent is a season of preparation and hope as Catholics prepare for the birth of Jesus. Spanning from the fourth Sunday before Christmas to December 24th, Advent, named after the Latin word for arrival, adventus, reminds people of love, joy, hope, and peace in anticipation for Christ’s birth and Jesus’ second coming.
Simultaneously, a Jubilee year took place during 2025, with its theme as Pilgrims of Hope. Jubilee years occur every 50 years, and they serve as a time for spiritual renewal, forgiveness, and mercy. Pope Francis’ theme for the 2025 Jubilee year emphasized faith in Jesus despite hardships, in concurrence with hopefulness.
As these seasons of trust and hope have overlapped, people have intentionally made time for prayer and thanksgiving. Roncalli offered confession, daily adoration, and Monday prayers to light the Advent Wreath – all chances for students to engage with God. For junior Chloe Uberta, these opportunities helped remind her the Christmas season is about Jesus’ coming, not gifts. On her own, Uberta takes time to ensure the emphasis of this season is on Christ.
“I try to write in my journal a prayer or I reflect on my day. My family takes time on Sundays to light our advent wreath together,” said Uberta.
By choosing a specific intention through the Advent season, junior Lydia Traylor stayed focused on hope and reliance on God during the Advent season. She utilized adoration in the Sacred Heart Chapel and prayer through the week to keep her intention in mind. Emphasizing her intention brought her focus to God and His support. Traylor acknowledged how hope during Advent not only brings joy about Jesus’ birth, but also about His consistent presence, and His eventual second coming.
“Prioritizing hope during Advent has helped me focus more on what Jesus will bring to the world rather than the presents we may receive when Advent ends and Christmas is here,” Traylor said.
With this focus from Advent, Traylor described how it tied together with the Jubilee year’s exhortation of hope.
“Being pilgrims of hope means that we are called to share in our hope and faith with others while acknowledging the struggles that many of us go through,” Traylor said. “Catholics are called to grow in hope together in this Jubilee year and especially during Advent, the season of hope.”
Inspired by an Advent journal, Campus Ministry director Mrs. Katie Hibner decided to dedicate 2025 to hope before the year began. When the Jubilee Year’s theme was announced as Pilgrims of Hope, Hibner truly felt a connection to the theme and message.
“I think the Church’s emphasis on hope this year has been beautiful in their recognition of so many groups of people and ministries, and I feel grateful to have been a part of it,” said Hibner.
Overall, hope through Advent and the Jubilee year has brought people closer to Christ through intentional prayer and reflection. Hibner described how opening one’s heart to hope allows one’s soul to experience contentment and rest.
“Hope reminds us that the world is bigger than us and who is in control,” said Hibner. “Not only can I rest in that, but I can also be joyful in anticipation of tomorrow because of my faith in Jesus.”
