Pope Francis invited us all to be Pilgrims of Hope in 2025, hoping that we, “gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.” Pope Francis urged us not to neglect or disregard the devastation that our brothers and sisters around the world are experiencing with poverty, dehumanising living conditions or the loss of connection to lands or Country.
In turning away from the suffering, we allow the conditions to exist that impact ongoing generations. And those that suffer take their trauma into their futures, affecting more.
I can’t help but make the parallel of the suffering going on in America currently. A peoples that are reaping the consequences of power that is unchecked and unchallenged. Many of the most vulnerable that escaped poverty to live in America must be grieving the loss of loved ones already detained or deported, some returning to unsafe environments. The message of tolerance and love must be heard in order for a just resolution of the issues that America is currently dealing with. Our prayers must implore for peace for all of these people.
In this Jubilee Year, Pilgrims of Hope, I reflect on what an inspiration Venerable Mary Potter was with her unending faith and hope. Mary Potter possessed a preternatural sense of hope – stemming from her firm trust in the Lord. What an inspiration to those around her then, and for us today, to be similar Pilgrims of Hope.
One of my favourite hope-filled stories is where Mary Potter hears of a family in the village who have not enough food to feed the family. Mary Potter instructs one of her Sisters to take the remaining eggs that they had to the family. Mary Potter was respectfully challenged on this action, as this would also leave the convent with little food. Mary Potter chose to model faith and a trusting heart that the Lord would provide. And he did! On the return trip to the convent, the Sister was donated more eggs than she left with for the family.
To be a Pilgrim of Hope does not require flamboyance or any special traits. It just requires trust in the Lord and a vision for a better world. We can be like Mary Potter and make small, considered choices in the day that impact positively in others’ lives. Being a Pilgrim of Hope can look like donating what you can to a charity; praying for peace in our world; volunteering for a cause that fights for justice or dignity for others; or assisting someone in your parish or community.
In being agents of change for our world, we bring hope and vision and the desire for a more just and peace-filled community. Little steps make ripples that impact someone, somewhere – and you may never know. Through this work, we experience our own transformation. Mary Potter was the perfect model as a Pilgrim of Hope – reminding us that our actions are based in our faith in God and His will.