Marie Hélène shares her experience with us:
From 28 July to 3 August 2025, the Jubilee of Youth took place in Rome, as part of the jubilee year ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. I, along with Clare, Hélène, Elisa, Teresa took part with Magis, the Ignatian network for young people aged 18 to 35.
The programme for the young pilgrims included prayers, Masses, talks, sharing groups, workshops, conferences, shows, concerts, meetings and more.
As Sisters of Saint Andrew, we were involved in the event in various ways, including welcoming and accompanying young people during the jubilee, listening to those who needed to talk, supporting the liturgy in the places that welcomed us, and, as you can see in the picture, leading a workshop entitled “Invent with your God the future He gives you: how to make choices in life?”
One million young people gathered in Tor Vergata, on the outskirts of Rome, for the final weekend, the closing ceremony of the Jubilee with the Pope. As you can see in the picture, we all walked the last few kilometres! We experienced a beautiful and prayerful vigil, followed by a night sleeping beneath the stars before the closing Mass on Sunday morning. The Pope concluded with this invitation to each young person: ‘You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world […] Continue to walk joyfully in the footsteps of the Saviour, and infect everyone you meet with your enthusiasm and the witness of your faith!’
Although the Jubilee in Rome was at the heart of the proposal, the Magis network offered much more than just the week in Rome. Before arriving in Rome, had the opportunity to spend a week in one of fifteen different locations. During this time, Elisa led the programme in the Dolomites, which focused on the theme of ‘art, the Bible and the mountains’, while Marie-Hélène welcomed young people who wanted to spend a week of reflection, meetings and prayer in Taizé. A week of silent retreat with the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola was also available after Rome for those who wished to participate.
I personally will keep two images from this Jubilee: the desire and thirst of many young people to walk with Jesus Christ and live in a spirit of reconciliation, and the joy of being together with young consecrated men and woemn from this same great Ignatian family. May we continue to be pilgrims of hope and bless the Lord wherever we are!
In French: Le jubilé de Rome en images. (The jubilee in Rome in pictures). A video produced by réseau Magis.