The Jubilee Year knocked on our door with Pope Francis’ invitation to be “Pilgrims of Hope.” With him, we believed this Jubilee should serve as a moment of awareness, rekindling hope both within ourselves and in the world. For without hope, evangelisation is impossible; with hope, we trust in the faithfulness of God’s promises.
“I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Mt 28:20).
“Neither illness nor age should exempt us from our Christian obligations.”
As travellers in this world, tireless pilgrims of hope on the fascinating path of conformity to Christ, the Sisters of the Community of Saint Joseph of the Mother House wanted to make this experience a reality by responding to the Pope’s invitation. They tried to make this Jubilee a moment of living and personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, “Door of Salvation,” our only hope.
We proposed a pilgrimage to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and without hesitation, an enthusiastic fire was ignited in each Sister’s heart. Something was emerging, and we could see it in expressions such as: “I’m waiting for the day to go on pilgrimage to Notre Dame.” “Are you also going on pilgrimage to Notre Dame?” “I’m going with my Sisters from the Community on pilgrimage to Notre Dame.” It was really motivating for us.
As good Daughters of Charity, we began with confidence in divine Providence, placing everything in God’s hands. After lengthy logistical preparations, as well as psychological and spiritual preparation through readings from St. Vincent’s conference on the Jubilee and Pope Francis’ letter, our pilgrimage to Notre Dame de Paris was set for the feast of the Holy Name of Mary.
It is impossible to walk without the Mother of Jesus, who “shines like an icon of hope for her children on pilgrimage through history.” She is the first on the journey and always goes before us.
Finally, the long-awaited day arrived! It began with Mass celebrated by Father José Antonio Gonzalez, our Director General. He urged us to live this day as a time of grace and, as we passed through the Holy Door, to tell God of our desire for conversion and the efforts we need to make daily to grow in this journey.
After Mass, the procession of Sisters in wheelchairs and those in pairs made their way to the bus, which was adapted for our needs with a wheelchair lift.
On the bus, we prayed the rosary and began the first part of the celebration, as outlined in the booklet prepared for the occasion. The highlights were: passing through the Holy Door, discovering the renovated cathedral, stopping for a while in front of the Crown of Thorns, and, of course, taking a group photo on the cathedral square to immortalise this beautiful jubilee day.
We were struck by the attention, solidarity, and respect of the volunteers, as well as by the dense crowd that always made way for us to pass, accompanying us with smiles, by the fraternity between us, and by the joy of walking together.
We were all delighted! It was so beautiful that time passed without us realising it, and our whole being began to recite these verses from the psalm: “I wait with confidence to taste the happiness of the Lord in the land of life” (Psalm 26).
Thank you to all those who made this dream possible: to Sister Luisa for her motivation, to Father Director General, who accompanied us the whole time, to the Community for its enthusiasm and commitment, and to the Sisters and staff who generously supported us.
“With all our hearts, Lord, we thank you for your infinite goodness. Thank you for this day of grace and prayer!”
The Sisters of the Community of Saint Joseph, Mother House
