EMBRACING HOPE IN THE LIGHT OF SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE JUBILEE OF PILGRIMS OF HOPE.

The jubilee for pilgrims of hope is a call by Pope Francis for humanity to journey together reflecting on the past years that not a single country has been unaffected by the sudden outbreak of an epidemic that made us experience first-hand not only the tragedy of dying alone, but also the uncertainty and fleetingness of existence, and so doing, has changed our very way of life. The Pope observed that the world has continued to experience various violent crises that in some cases have led to avoidable wars between nations that are not only threatening the existence of human life and global peace but have orchestrated brutal destruction of lives and property. Against this backdrop, the Pope believes the jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire. This pastoral concern of the Pope prompted the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) to enjoin all segments and levels of the community to jointly face with hope the emergency in which we find ourselves as a nation, especially as our worsening economy has continued to make living hard and difficult for our people who have been subjected to a life of grinding poverty, continuing hunger, and untold hardship. At the heart of this jubilee lies the study of Sacrosanctum Concilium as one of the guiding documents for the celebration. The document serves as a guide, illuminating the path toward a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Church's worship, ultimately leading to a deeper encounter with the living God, who is our hope at all times.