A group of students, young professionals and faculty from three U.S. Marianist universities, including Chaminade, recently journeyed to Rome to celebrate the Jubilee of Young People with thousands of other youth from around the globe. The pilgrimage included special gatherings, spiritual activities, public service opportunities and vigils.
Marianist officials said Hawaiʻi was well represented among the more than 1 million young pilgrims attending the jubilee. The Chaminade contingent joined groups from fellow Marianist institutions, University of Dayton in Ohio and St. Mary’s University in Texas.
At a welcome address for the jubilee in St. Peter’s Square on July 29, Pope Leo XIV told the young pilgrims they are the “salt of the Earth and the light of the world.”
“We hope that all of you will always be signs of hope in the world,” he continued.
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Father Martin Solma, S.M., vice president of mission and rector at Chaminade, said the pilgrimage underscores the University’s work to “remain true to its Catholic and Marianist legacy and the characteristics of a Marianist education: formation in faith, an integral, quality education, family spirit, service, justice, peace and the integrity of creation.”
The gathering was planned around the Jubilee Year of Hope, an event of spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the Catholic Church designated by Pope Francis. As the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops explains, the Jubilee Holy Year was aimed at encouraging Catholics worldwide to renew themselves as “pilgrims of hope.”
A jubilee year has been held every 25 years since first being declared in the year 1300.
Francis said, in discussing the Jubilee Year of Hope, that Catholics “must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.” The final day of the Jubilee of Young People will be celebrated on August 3 with Pope Leo XIV.