The 2025 Jubilee Year: A Call to Environmental Stewardship and Renewal

“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now.” (Romans 8:19–22)

As we look toward the 2025 Jubilee Year, we, as Catholics and environmental stewards, are called to reflect on the profound significance of this sacred time — not only for spiritual renewal but also for healing and renewing our relationship with all of God’s creation. The Jubilee Year, deeply rooted in Scripture and Church tradition, offers us a unique opportunity to restore both our spiritual lives and our planet.

The concept of the Jubilee Year originates in the Hebrew Scriptures, specifically in the Book of Leviticus. Every 50th year, the Israelites were commanded to observe a year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:8–55). It was a time when the land was to lie fallow, debts were forgiven, and ancestral lands were returned to their rightful owners. This was a moment of social, economic, and ecological renewal, a chance to reset relationships with one another and with the land. The rhythm of the Jubilee Year was meant to remind the Israelites that the earth ultimately belongs to God, and we are merely caretakers of it.

In the 21st century, the Church continues to interpret the message of the Jubilee Year as a call to repentance, restoration, and renewal — not just for individuals, but for all of creation. It is a time to rediscover the sacredness of creation and to act in solidarity with those most affected by environmental degradation.

As we celebrate the Jubilee of Hope, the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, and the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures, we hear a Spirit-filled call to renew our relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation. To mark this holy season, Catholic organizations across the United States are uniting to support pilgrims like you in planning or joining a Jubilee pilgrimage during the Season of Creation, taking place from September 1-October 4, 2025.

The Pilgrims of Hope for Creation initiative is designed to encourage Catholics to take a pilgrimage to a natural landmark of environmental justice site in their community. These pilgrimages are set to take place from Sept. 1 to Oct. 4, known as the Season of Creation, to celebrate the Jubilee of Hope, the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, and the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures. Over 22 Catholic and creation care organizations have stepped up to be part of this initiative, including Catholic Climate Covenant.

Why are pilgrimages and creation care initiatives important?

Pope Francis, in his groundbreaking encyclical Laudato Si’ (2015), beautifully articulates the Church’s teaching on creation care and its integral connection to human dignity and social justice. He reminds us that “the earth is essentially a shared inheritance, whose fruits are meant to benefit everyone” (Laudato Si’, 93). The Pope calls us to a conversion of heart, to rediscover our role as caretakers of God’s creation. He writes: “The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth” (Laudato Si’, 21).

These stark words invite us to reflect on the current environmental crisis, where deforestation, pollution, loss of biodiversity, and climate change threaten the stability of the ecosystems that sustain life. As we enter the 2025 Jubilee Year — which focuses on hope, the importance of making a pilgrimage, and seeing the world around us as we pilgrimage — these concerns take on greater urgency, calling us to act in ways that can reverse damage, heal wounds, and restore the balance of creation.

The Jubilee Year calls for forgiveness and liberation. Just as the original Jubilee freed people from debts and restored the land, we, too, are called to restore the Earth from the debts we have accumulated through our reckless consumption and disregard for the planet’s resources. In the context of modern environmental issues, the “debt” is not only an economic one, brought about by overconsumption and material waste, but a moral one. We owe it to future generations and to all living beings to restore harmony with the natural world.

What can you do?

The 2025 Jubilee Year presents a profound opportunity to reflect on our role in environmental stewardship and to take concrete steps toward healing and renewing creation. As Catholics, we can draw from a deep well of tradition, Scripture, and papal teaching to guide our efforts. Some ways we can embrace this Jubilee Year include:

  • Promoting Sustainability: The Jubilee Year is a reminder to reduce our consumption and waste. We can seek out more sustainable ways of living — whether through reducing our carbon footprint and consumption, supporting ethical and eco-friendly businesses, or cultivating community gardens.
  • Advocating for the Environment: The Vatican has called for significant political action to address climate change and environmental injustice. As we approach the 2025 Jubilee Year, let us raise our voices to advocate for policies that protect the Earth and its most vulnerable inhabitants.
  • Prayer and Reflection: The spiritual aspect of the Jubilee Year cannot be overlooked. This is a time for prayer, penance, and reflection on our relationship with creation. It is also a time for communal action, coming together as a Church to work toward a shared vision of ecological justice. As this Jubilee Year focuses on hope, let us find hope and inspiration in creation and the world around us.
  • POHFC: Sign up to host and/or join a Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation in your area to celebrate this historical year in the Church. 

You can find more information on how to incorporate all of these elements into your life during the Jubilee Year by visiting the Covenant’s resources page.

Image with the words 2025 Jubilee Year: A Call to Environmental Stewardship and Renewal.

As we prepare for this sacred time, let us pray for the courage to respond to God’s call to care for creation:

“Creator God, You have entrusted us with the care of Your creation. We ask for the strength and wisdom to be faithful stewards of the Earth, that we may protect the beauty and resources of the planet for future generations. May this Jubilee Year be a time of renewal, healing, and hope for all creation. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.”

The 2025 Jubilee Year is more than a time for personal reflection and growth — it is an opportunity for the global Church to take a collective step toward healing the Earth. By integrating the teachings of Scripture, the wisdom of the Church’s social doctrine, and the profound insights of Pope Francis in Laudato Si’, we are invited to renew our commitment to God’s creation and advocate for a world that reflects God’s love, justice, and mercy. Through prayer, action, and advocacy, we can make the 2025 Jubilee Year a time of profound environmental renewal.

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Catholic Climate Covenant, Laudato Si’ Movement celebrate 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’

This month, Catholic communities across the United States and the globe are celebrating a profound milestone: the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on ecology and care for our common home. To mark this occasion, Catholic Climate Covenant and Laudato Si’ Movement North America are celebrating Laudato Si’ Week 2025, a powerful moment of reflection, action, and hope.

When Pope Francis released Laudato Si’ in May 2015, he did more than offer a Church document — he issued a call to Christians around the world. With wisdom rooted in Scripture, tradition, and modern science, Laudato Si’ invited us into an “ecological conversion,” urging all people of goodwill to see the earth not as a resource to exploit, but as a sacred gift to cherish.

Over the past 10 years, Laudato Si’ has inspired parishes to go solar, dioceses to divest from fossil fuels, and countless Catholics to live more simply, advocate for climate justice, and engage in creation care ministries. In schools, homes, convents, and even Congress, the encyclical has echoed: “Everything is connected.”

Laudato Si’ Week (May 24-31)

This year’s Laudato Si’ Week (May 24-31, 2025) centers on the theme: “Raising Hope.” It’s a time to recognize how far we’ve come, recommit to bold action, and deepen our faith-driven response to the climate crisis.

Events include prayer services and Masses rooted in creation themes, and educational webinars on faith, climate science, and advocacy. We’re also encouraging community projects like tree planting, river cleanups, and sustainable gardening, as well as faithful advocacy, calling on leaders to uphold climate commitments, protect vulnerable communities, and invest in renewable energy. 

Catholics can also celebrate by getting involved in the Pilgrims of Hope for Creation effort — a special initiative encouraging Catholics to take a pilgrimage to a natural landmark of environmental justice site in their community. These pilgrimages are set to take place from Sept. 1 to Oct. 4, known as the Season of Creation, to celebrate the Jubilee of Hope, the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, and the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures. Over 22 Catholic and creation care organizations have stepped up to be part of this initiative, including Catholic Climate Covenant and Laudato Si’ Movement. 

What can you do?

Laudato Si’ isn’t just about the environment — it’s about justice. It builds on Catholic Social Teaching, calling for:

  • Care for creation as an act of love for God and neighbor.
  • Solidarity with the poor, who suffer most from environmental harm.
  • The common good, where every person can thrive in harmony with creation.
  • Intergenerational justice, protecting the earth for future generations.

These values are more urgent than ever, as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution threaten the dignity of life — especially for the world’s most vulnerable. The 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’ is not only a moment to celebrate—it’s a moment to commit.

  • Pray: Offer intentions for creation during Mass or personal prayer.
  • Learn: Host a study group on Laudato Si’ or the Laudato Si’ Action Platform.
  • Advocate: Contact local, state, or national leaders to support policies that protect the climate and promote justice.
  • Act: Reduce energy use, support local farms, use public transit, and join creation care teams.

A Laudato Si’ Week prayer

Laudato Si’ to you, loving Creator God!
From you, all good things flow and bloom.
Praise be also for the prophetic life of your servant Pope Francis,
who steadfastly urged us to hear the cry of the poor and the cry of the Earth!

Today, our minds and hearts are open to those cries.
We hear the loud cry of the poor and vulnerable.
We hear the choking cry of our brothers and sisters living in polluted and unhealthy places.
We hear the pleading cry of migrants and refugees seeking a home with peace and dignity.
We hear the desperate cry of climate-displaced communities; of the people of small island nations and low-lying areas watching their homes disappear, of neighbors losing all to fire or flood.
We hear the soul-filled cry of farmworkers poisoned by pesticides or overcome by heat.
We hear the urgent cry of children lacking clean water and safe shelter due to poverty or war.
We hear, oh God, we hear!

We hear the cries of your Creation groaning in travail.
We hear the roaring cry of forests disappearing by fire or saw.
We hear the tearful cry of rivers drying up, overflowing, changing course.
We hear the haunting cries of our fellow creatures as their homes are mined, exploited, polluted.
We hear the mighty cry of the oceans as more plastics and less life become the norm.
We hear the swishing cry of the air as pollution takes its toll.
We hear, oh God, we hear!

Yet it is not enough to only hear these cries.
You call us to love abundantly, take action, and live Laudato Si’!
Help us God, to courageously and urgently confront the consequences of our neglect and abuse of creation; to radically change our ways and live in peace with each other and creation.
Fill us with your strength so we may soothe the cries of the poor and of the Earth and be true protectors and redeemers of the vulnerable, the oppressed, and of all creation.
Give us your grace so we may become fruitful seeds of peace and hope that will sprout and welcome your kindom on Earth. 

We pray through Christ our Lord, under the loving gaze of the Blessed Mother and your faithful servant, Pope Francis.

Amen.

Resources

As we honor this 10-year journey, let us renew our faith, our hope, and our love — for God, for each other, and for our common home. Happy Laudato Si’ Week!

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Heeding Pope Francis’ Call to be Pilgrims of Hope for Creation, Hundreds of California Catholic Youth Advocate at State Capitol

BY IGNATIAN SOLIDARITY NETWORK STAFF

As the world mourns the loss of the prophetic leader in Pope Francis, California Catholic youth are galvanized by his example and heeding his call to care for our common home. On April 7, 2025, over 400 Catholic youth and adult leaders across California converged in Sacramento to walk, pray, and advocate as Pilgrims of Hope for Creation. The powerful, youth-led pilgrimage and advocacy day celebrates the anniversaries of Laudato Si’, St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures, and the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year.

Organized by the California Chapter of the Laudato Si’ Movement (LSM) North America and Jesuits West Province, this pilgrimage is part of the nationwide “Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation” campaign. Pilgrims journeyed from almost every diocese in the state, uniting to live out their faith through action.

Bishop Jaime Soto (far right) celebrates Mass at Jesuit High School in Sacramento.

The pilgrimage began the day prior with Mass at Jesuit High School Sacramento celebrated by Bishop Jaime Soto of the Diocese of Sacramento. With the urgent call to care for our common home and protect vulnerable communities, students met with 71 legislators in 35 scheduled advocacy meetings. “This pilgrimage is our way of living out our faith—walking in solidarity, lifting our voices, and advocating for policies that protect the environment and vulnerable communities,” said Elias Duran, a high school student from Loyola High School of Los Angeles. “We are called to be caretakers of creation. This is our chance to show that we are ready to lead.”

Students were trained in the principles of Laudato Si’ and carried a Pilgrimage Journal to ground the experience in individual and communal moments of prayer and reflection. They also wore pins and stickers with the LSM California Chapter logo adapted by a student from the University of San Francisco, featuring an earth made of colorful handprints—a symbol of collective responsibility, creation, and care for the vulnerable. Banners crafted during a pre-summit gathering reflected this symbol, creating a visually unified message of hope and solidarity.

(Left) Pilgrims process from the Capitol steps to the legislative office building for their advocacy meetings. (Right) Pilgrims witness publicly with their hand-made banners.

This wasn’t just an exercise in symbolism. Youth advocated for three key legislative priorities: fire resilience and prevention, water and habitat protection, and humane immigration policies. These are not abstract concerns but lived realities across California.

“These youth give us hope for the care of creation,” said Dr. Christina Bagaglio Slentz, Director for Care for Creation in the Diocese of San Diego. “We need them to demand transformation of our energy systems, hold polluters accountable, and advocate for those pushed to migrate by climate change.”

From Los Angeles to San Francisco, the voices were unified and impassioned. “We are not invisible, and we are not voiceless,” said Melanie Martinez from Dolores Mission parish. “We can’t keep waiting for someone to save us—we have to do it ourselves. This is the first step to salvation.” 

Rooted in their lived experiences in California and various places where they have witnessed environmental deterioartion due to climate change, the students’ urgency fueled their steps as they processed together to the legislative office building, culminating the lengthy journeys many of them made to get to Sacramento. “From growing up in the Bay Area to visiting family in South India, I’ve seen how climate change is impacting vulnerable communities all over the world,” said Amrita Candadai from Presentation High School in San Jose. “We have an obligation to advocate for change.”

Pilgrims gather with Bishop Soto after the April 6 Mass.

The pilgrimage was supported by a network of Catholic leaders who volunteered to lead prayer and reflection for the students during their online prep sessions, including Bishop Bejarano of San Diego, Bishop Cantu of San Jose, Fr. Sean Carroll, SJ (Provincial of Jesuits West), Sr. Ann Pratt, OP, and many others from parishes, schools, and organizations across the state. The pilgrimage was organized by the California Chapter of the Laudato Si’ Movement with planning team members from ministries including St. Anthony’s Parish, Bishop O’Dowd High School, Catholic Charities Stockton, Catholic Climate Covenant, Catholic Relief Services, Climate Center with leadership from Jesuits West, and the Racine Dominicans.

Students from Verbum Dei Jesuit High School in Los Angeles meet with a staffer to advocate for the three common legislative priorities.

“This was both a wonderful learning opportunity and an incredibly empowering experience,” shared Sophia Fung from Kennedy High School in La Palma. “Meeting legislators reminded us that ordinary people have real power to make change.” These youth embodied bold, compassionate, and determined leadership rooted in faith. May Pope Francis continue inspiring these and all youth as they remind us of our mutual belonging and our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork.

Editor’s Note: 

Members of the Ignatian family are invited to follow the lead of these young people by hosting their own Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation on the eve of St. Francis’ Feast Day (October 3) or on the Feast of St. Francis (October 4). Honoring Pope Francis, who made justice and care for our common home central to his papacy, we can live out Laudato Si’ through this collective effort. 

To learn more about leading a pilgrimage, visit the Pilgrims of Hope for Creation website, join the Ignatian family launch call on April 28, 2025, or if you are a young person, sign up for the youth planning call on May 14, 2025.

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Launch of Our Environmental Pilgrimage Movement

Pilgrims of Hope for Creation, a nationwide initiative launched by Catholic organizations across the United States, is excited to announce the successful launch of its environmental pilgrimage movement. Over 370 individuals and faith communities gathered for a virtual launch event on Feb. 18, marking the beginning of a transformative journey that will culminate during the Season of Creation 2025 (Sept. 1 – Oct. 4).

Click here to watch a Spanish-language translation of the launch event.

The initiative invites Catholics across the nation to embark on pilgrimages focused on healing and renewal, deepening their relationship with God, one another, and the Earth. These pilgrimages, which can range from short walks on parish grounds to longer journeys through nature’s beauty or places of ecological significance, all share a common mission: to inspire a renewed commitment to caring for creation and restoring humanity’s sacred relationship with the environment.

es forward, Pilgrims of Hope for Creation invites individuals, families, and faith communities to join the effort and participate in upcoming pilgrimages. Here are ways to get involved:

  1. Register Your Pilgrimage — Pilgrims can now officially register their pilgrimages.
  2. Join the Mailing List — Sign up for updates and to connect with other pilgrims.
  3. Sign Up for Webinars — Participate in upcoming pilgrimage planning webinars, including the next one on March 18, 2025, focused on “Initial Pilgrimage Planning and Network Building.” Register here.

A Call for Action and Reflection
Pilgrims of Hope for Creation calls on Catholics to reflect on the sacred connection between faith and the environment. Through pilgrimages, participants are invited to engage in prayer, reflection, and collective action aimed at creating a more just and sustainable future for all.

The initiative is rooted in Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, which underscores the importance of caring for the Earth as a moral responsibility. Pilgrims of Hope for Creation invites Catholics to take concrete steps toward healing and reconciliation with creation, guided by the principles of Catholic social teaching and the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi.

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Monthly Pilgrimage training and toolkit calls

We will gather monthly for Pilgrimage training and toolkit calls, connecting Catholics across the country as we plan for Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation in our local places and spaces! Sign up here!

March 18: Planning Pilgrimages and Network Building
April 15: Front-line Community Collaboration
May 20: Planning a Pilgrimage: Nuts and Bolts
June 17: Advocacy: Local and International
July 15: Working with the Media
August 19: Growing Network and Impact: Gathering Pilgrims and Next Steps
September 16: Group Sharing
October 21: Celebration!
November 18: Next Steps: Continuing Along the Way
December 16: An Advent Spiritual Reflection of Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation

Please join these webinars live for engaging conversation, creative breakout rooms, phenomenal tools, and energizing examples!

If you are unable to make the live time, please still register, and the recordings will be uploaded to the website soon afterwards.

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Catholic organizations announce the launch of Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation in 2025 Jubilee Year

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Catholic organizations across the United States are coming together to launch Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation, a nationwide movement to encourage individuals and communities to embark on pilgrimages during the 2025 Jubilee Year, focusing on the sacred relationship between humanity and creation.

In this pivotal year, marking both the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures and the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ groundbreaking encyclical Laudato Si’, the initiative invites Catholics to rediscover the beauty of God’s creation through prayer, reflection, and action. Pilgrimages will take place across the U.S. during the Season of Creation (September 1 – October 4, 2025), offering opportunities for personal transformation and community-building.

This unique initiative invites participants to explore a variety of pilgrimage experiences — from short walks in local parks to longer treks through mountains or forests, to visits to places of natural beauty or ecological significance. Wherever these pilgrimages take place, they all share the same mission: to restore our relationship with God, with each other, and with the Earth, and to cultivate a renewed commitment to caring for creation.

“This year, as Catholics, we have a unique opportunity to reflect on our role in creation care. Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation are about healing — healing our connection to the Earth, to one another, and to God. It’s about acknowledging our disconnection and choosing to take tangible steps toward reconciliation. This is not just a journey of the body; it’s a pilgrimage of the soul,” said Dan Misleh, Founder and Executive Director of Catholic Climate Covenant, one of the organizations involved in the Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation initiative.

Catholic individuals, families, faith communities, and organizations are invited to participate in these pilgrimages. Whether joining an existing pilgrimage or organizing one in their own area, participants will have access to resources, guides, and opportunities for spiritual reflection.

“You are the hero of this journey. As you take this step toward healing, you are showing the world that each of us has a role to play in restoring creation. The Earth needs us, and we need each other. This pilgrimage is about bringing hope to the world, one step at a time.”

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