Holy year 2025

Dear friends,

This year 2024, Christmas opens the Year of Hope, as decided by Pope Francis. As a jubilary place in the diocese, Notre-Dame-de-Montligeon offers itself as a pilgrimage destination for us, pilgrims of hope. This is an opportunity to meditate on what hope really is. It cannot be reduced to an emotion or a transient feeling, or to a kind of optimism. No, hope is much deeper.

As French writer Bernanos wrote, hope is “overcoming despair”. It is embodied in a virtue which is particularly vivid in those who go through ordeals. The ability to hope is a strength shared by fighters, wrestlers, all those who face suffering with courage and perseverance.

Our hope is not vague or confused. It is strong and certain because it is based on a promise: the promise of the Lord, of Christ. He is the One who has final say in the history of men. Justice, truth and love will have final say because the Kingdom of God will be ultimately victorious. Furthermore, our hope is not limited to a mere idea or abstraction. It has a face, it is a person, and this person is Jesus. It is faith and certainty that he is present by our side today. He is with us to go through the hardships of our lives and he never forsakes us. Even through the valley of the shadow of death, He guides us and leads us to our ultimate destination.

Driven by such hope, I send you my very best, warm wishes. Let this merry Christmas and great and holy Year 2025 be placed under the seal of hope.

In communion of prayer,
Don Paul Denizot, Rector

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