YOUNGSTOWN — In 2025, the Diocese of Youngstown will join the global Catholic Church in the celebration of a Year of Jubilee with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”

Bishop David Bonnar kicked off the year of celebration with an opening Mass Dec. 29 at St. Columba Cathedral.

He said there is something about the holiday season that triggers memories, with so many of those memories about our families. The weekend of Dec. 28 and 29 was a celebration of the holy family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus.

“These memories become part of our tradition,” Bonnar said.

He said on the Feast of the Holy Family, his mother would tie a gold bow on the frame of a family portrait showing that the family is a gift. Bonnar said the church invites each Catholic to share memories of the birth of Jesus and to celebrate the gift of the holy family.

“They are a luminous example of family life. They are a model for us to follow in the way that they lived,” Bonnar said.

He said Mary and Joseph’s lives embraced trust as they heeded the message they both heard from the angel “Do not be afraid.”

“They, along with their son, are shining examples of family life. They are shining examples of what it means to be pilgrims of hope,” Bonnar said.

He said Pope Francis is inviting all Catholics to become pilgrims of hope and to keep pressing forward.

“Every human journey prides itself on memories and that sense of going back. The anchor of hope helps us look forward and press forward. God will not leave us. He has a plan for all of us. All we need to do is to trust in him. We cannot allow our hope to fade,” Bonnar said.

For the Jubilee Year, the power of hope will take place with hope in the Lord, he said.

The Jubilee officially began on Christmas Eve, with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and concludes on Jan. 6, 2026, on the Feast of the Epiphany. The jubilees take place every 25 years.

Diocesan officials said additional events are planned throughout the year and will be announced.

At the opening Mass, Bonnar wore a vestment that has a logo for the 2025 Jubilee. That vestment will travel around the diocese and be worn by priests during their celebrations of the liturgy.

Officials said representatives from each Deanery will present intentions of hope that were developed by each parish that they intend to accomplish during the jubilee. These intentions will remain near the crucifix, then in the sanctuary of St. Columba during the Jubilee year.

The Jubilee will provide an opportunity for Catholics to promote peacebuilding in the world.