Pope Francis inaugurated the Year of Jubilee 2025 with the message, “We are pilgrims of hope,” inviting all people to walk with faith and seek the deeper meaning of life. Rooted in the ancient tradition of the Jubilee, this Holy Year is an opportunity for each of us to renew and deepen our spiritual journey, and to grow in faith, hope and charity.
In this spirit, the Compassion whānau have embraced the call to hope and opened their hearts and doors to those seeking a place of peace and reflection in an unquiet world.
The Home of Compassion offers a sacred space that invites a different kind of journey. Visitors often arrive in search of stillness, seeking to step back from the stresses and challenges of daily life, whether over a quiet cup of coffee or to reconnect with their faith, their purpose, and the presence of God.
“The Chapel and the Resting Place of Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert offer a profound sense of calm, where you can just be still, pray, reflect, listen” says one recent visitor.
A Pilgrimage of the Heart
Father James Lyons, reminds us that being a pilgrim isn’t only about travelling to distant places. “Pilgrims are people who make a conscious effort to journey from one place to another, and where they’re journeying to is a place of significance for their faith,” he says.
“Rome is the centre of the Catholic faith, but not everyone can make that journey. That’s why each diocese has been encouraged to create opportunities locally, so that the faithful can still respond to the Jubilee call.” This year, both Our Lady’s Home of Compassion in Island Bay, and the Old Convent and Hāto Hōhepa Church at Hiruhārama-Jerusalem on the Whanganui river have been designated as pilgrimage sites by the Archdiocese of Wellington.
With hope as the central theme of the year, we are also invited to recognise the importance of finding ways to celebrate and share hope with others—especially those in need.
The sharing of hope can take many forms. In Wellington, the Compassion Soup Kitchen team serves hot meals daily to those experiencing hardship, and partners with other community organisations helping people in need.
By supporting these efforts or simply taking time to sit with someone who is suffering, we become pilgrims of hope, walking alongside those on the margins.
A Sacred Pause
But pilgrimage is not only about service; it is also about making space. As we journey through this special year, we are each encouraged to set aside time for prayer, contemplation, and reflection.
“You don’t have to travel very far,” Father James notes. “A pilgrim can just be someone who is focusing on something spiritual—to deepen their awareness of God’s presence. You can do it right here, in your own backyard. Even in the quietness of your room.”
Throughout this Jubilee Year, and beyond, the Home of Compassion continues to offer a place of retreat and renewal, welcoming individuals and groups making their own pilgrimages. Whether arriving with a specific intention or simply in need of rest, all are invited to come.
