Jubilee Pilgrimage to St. Joseph's Hartlepool Thursday 13 November 2025
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A Jubilee Pilgrimage of Divine Hope and Gratitude
A Jubilee Pilgrimage of Divine Hope and Gratitude
The community undertook a jubilee pilgrimage to St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Hartlepool, a spiritual journey made possible through the efforts of the SVP (St. Vincent de Paul Society).
The faithful gathered early, boarding buses that began in Norton and collected the rest of the pilgrims in Billingham. Father Mark led the congregation through the church, pausing at the various stations marked by the pilgrimage banners and offering deep spiritual reflections. Crucially, Father Adrian was available to administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession), offering a path to God’s mercy.
The pilgrimage focused on deepening our understanding of hope through eight distinct stages.
The photographs capture the blend of spiritual focus and joyful fellowship. Images show Father Mark and Father Adrian (dressed in green vestments) celebrating Mass at the altar and the faithful attentively participating in the Mass and adoration. The stations were visually present with devotionals like a statue of Our Lady, a crucifix, baskets of verses, and commitment tags. The day concluded with the community gathering in St. Joseph’s hall to share a meal of fish and chips along with tea and coffee, reinforcing the bonds of faith before returning by bus to St. Thomas of Canterbury or St. Joseph's in Norton.
A word of sincere thanks must be extended to Father Mark and Father Adrian for their spiritual leadership throughout the day, guiding the pilgrims through the sacraments and the pilgrimage points. We also thank the SVP for their dedication in all they do and for organising the transport and Fish and Chips!
The pilgrimage
The pilgrimage
The Holy Door of Hope
Our reflection
Christ Himself is the Door to eternal hope. We were invited to walk through the Holy Door as a symbol of stepping into a renewed journey of hope with God. The reflection centred on leaving behind fear and doubt, and moving forward with hope and love, echoing the sacred promise: “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9).
Background
From a Catholic perspective, Holy Doors are profound symbols of conversion. They allow local pilgrims to participate fully in the graces of the Jubilee. St. Joseph’s in Hartlepool holds one of only two Holy Doors in the Hexham and Newcastle Diocese, included specifically because most people could not visit Rome.
For centuries, making a pilgrimage to Rome to walk through a Holy Door was a central part of the Jubilee. However, Pope Francis in particular has emphasised that God's mercy should be available to everyone, not just those who can afford to travel to Rome.
For the 2015-2016 Jubilee of Mercy, he asked for every Catholic diocese in the world to open its own Holy Door. This allowed billions of Catholics to make a local pilgrimage and experience the same spiritual graces in their own communities. This practice highlights that the "door to mercy" is never far away.
Living Water of Hope
Our reflection
This station recalled our fundamental origins of hope: the Sacrament of Baptism. We were urged to recall our own baptism, remembering God’s pleasure in us as His beloved children. The scripture reminded us of Christ's own baptism (Matthew 3:16), and we blessed ourselves with Holy Water while praying for those preparing for baptism and for all Christians striving to live out their baptismal promises.
Background
The "Living Water" is the Holy Spirit, given to us by Jesus Christ. As Jesus promised the woman at the well, this "water" isn't external but becomes an internal "spring...welling up to eternal life" (John 4:14). It is the divine grace that cleanses us, renews us, and satisfies our deepest spiritual thirst for God.
"Hope" is the theological virtue by which we confidently trust in God's promises, especially the promise of salvation. This trust isn't based on our own strength but on the help and grace of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, the "Living Water of Hope" is the active presence of the Holy Spirit within us, which fuels our trust. It is this divine grace (the Living Water) that allows us to confidently hope (Hope) for eternal life, sustaining us on our spiritual pilgrimage.
Merciful Hope
Our reflection
We reflected on areas where we needed God's mercy. Pilgrims were invited to lay down their personal burdens by placing a pebble at the foot of the cross. The powerful scripture invited those who “labour and are heavy laden” to come to Christ for rest (Matthew 11:28). The availability of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) emphasised the spiritual renewal available through forgiveness.
Background
"Mercy" is God's active, compassionate love and forgiveness, which He offers freely to us even though we are sinners. It is God's fundamental identity, fully revealed in the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
"Hope" is the theological virtue by which we trust in God's promise of eternal life.
Therefore, "Merciful Hope" is the quintessentially Catholic virtue of trusting in God's mercy, not our own merits. It is the confident belief that even when we sin, God's desire to forgive is greater than our capacity to fail. It is the antidote to despair (believing we are beyond saving) and presumption (believing we don't need to repent).
The Sacred Heart of Hope
Our reflection
This station offered a profound and intimate contemplation on The Sacred Heart of Hope. Drawing upon the wisdom of Pope Francis, the reflection highlighted that Christ, by holding out His loving heart, looks directly at us, inviting us into encounter, dialogue, and trust. The image of His Sacred Heart shows His strong hands, capable of supporting us, and His lips that speak personally to each soul.
We were called to reflect on the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a fundamental source of endless love and compassion, where we can securely place all our hopes and intentions. To cement this act of faith, pilgrims were invited to take a small excerpt from the basket for meditation. A powerful action at this station was the invitation to write one's name on a ribbon and place it by the Sacred Heart of Jesus, serving as a public and personal sign that we place all our hope and trust entirely in Him. This devotion concluded with the heartfelt prayer, repeated three times: “O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You!”.
Background
From a Catholic perspective, "The Sacred Heart" is a devotion to the physical heart of Jesus Christ. This heart symbolises His personal, passionate, and divine-human love for humanity.
The title "The Sacred Heart of Hope" signifies that this love is the foundation and guarantee of our hope.
Hope's Source is Love: The Sacred Heart, often depicted as pierced by the lance and crowned with thorns, represents a love that suffered for us. Yet, it is also shown burning with flames, symbolising a love that is alive, passionate, and unquenchable.
Hope is in a Person: Catholic hope is not a vague optimism, but a firm trust in the person of Jesus Christ. Devotion to His Sacred Heart is a direct act of placing our hope in His merciful love.
Hope is Guaranteed by Mercy: The wounds on the Sacred Heart are a permanent reminder that Christ's love has already conquered sin and death. It is the visible promise of His mercy.
In essence, "The Sacred Heart of Hope" means that the source of our hope for salvation and eternal life is the infinite, merciful love of Jesus, made manifest in His Heart.
The Blessed Sacrament - In the Presence of Perfect Hope
Our reflection
This was a sacred time of silent adoration. Pilgrims were invited to genuflect or perform a solemn vow as we passed the Blessed Sacrament, finding profound hope and strength in Christ’s constant, abiding presence, according to His promise: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
Background
The Blessed Sacrament is the Catholic belief that the Eucharist—the consecrated Host reserved in the tabernacle—is not a symbol, but is the real, true, and substantial presence of Jesus Christ (His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity).
Perfect Hope is Jesus Christ Himself. He is the one who conquered sin and death and is the living promise of our salvation and eternal life.
Therefore, the phrase means that to be in the presence of The Blessed Sacrament (like during Eucharistic Adoration) is to be in the literal, physical presence of Jesus, the very source, object, and fulfillment of all our hope. It's not just hoping for something in the future; it's resting in the presence of Hope Himself, who is with us right now.
The Word of Hope: Scripture Reading
Our reflection
The Scriptures are a source of guidance and encouragement for our journey of faith, assuring us that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we find hope (Romans 15:4). During the devotion, a member of the community read from the Holy Gospel according to John (2:13–22), a passage traditionally associated with The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. This reading recounted how Jesus cleansed the Temple, demanding that they ‘Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.’. When asked for a sign, Jesus answered: ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,’ speaking about the temple of His body.
Background
Scripture is the Message of Hope: It is not a dead letter, but a living text that recounts God's unwavering faithfulness and His merciful plan for salvation, which is the foundation of all Christian hope.
Scripture fulfils Hope: The Old Testament builds the hope for a Saviour, and the New Testament reveals its fulfilment in Jesus Christ, whose Resurrection is the ultimate guarantee of our own hope for eternal life.
Reading Scripture builds Hope: When Catholics read Scripture (especially in the Liturgy), they believe they are encountering the living God who speaks to them. This act nourishes their faith, directs their lives, and strengthens their hope in His promises.
Our Lady of Hope
Our reflection
Our Blessed Mother, Mary, serves as a crucial model of hope and trust in God’s plan. We reflected on the 1st Joyful Mystery of the Rosary—The Annunciation—and asked Mary, the servant of the Lord, to take our needs to her Son (Luke 1:38).
Background
Mary is our Intercessor: She is seen as a "Mother of Hope" who brings the fears and anxieties of her children to her Son, Jesus Christ, whose heart is "moved with compassion."
Mary is our Model: She is the perfect example of hope. She trusted God's promise at the Annunciation, she stood in steadfast hope at the foot of the Cross, and she waited in hope with the disciples for the coming of the Holy Spirit. She teaches Catholics to trust in God's mercy, especially when a situation seems hopeless.
The Cross of Hope
Our reflection
At this station, we gave thanks for the immeasurable gift purchased through the Cross: the hope of eternal life. Pilgrims wrote the names of loved ones on the prayer tree, thanked God for the hope they inspired, and offered up their crosses (burdens), trusting that the Lord is our help and shield, whose hope does not disappoint (Psalm 33:20).
Background
It is the Symbol of Salvation: The Cross is where Jesus Christ, our Saviour, offered himself as a perfect sacrifice to atone for the sins of the world. It is the act that opened the gates of heaven, transforming a symbol of defeat into the emblem of our redemption.
It is the Path to the Resurrection: The Cross is inseparable from the Resurrection. For Catholics, one cannot exist without the other. The Cross is the necessary path that leads to Christ's triumph over death. This victory is the foundation and guarantee of our Christian hope for eternal life.
It Gives Meaning to Suffering: The Cross teaches that suffering, when united with Christ's own sacrifice, is not pointless. It can have redemptive power. This offers profound hope to those who are in pain, showing that God can bring the greatest good (the Resurrection) out of the greatest evil (the Crucifixion).
In essence, "The Cross of Hope" signifies that through Christ's sacrifice, sin, suffering, and even death itself have been conquered, offering everyone the certain hope of salvation and new life.
Missionaries of Hope
Our reflection
The final station commissioned us to action. As the pilgrimage concluded with the celebration of Mass (said by both priests), we were called to carry the hope we encountered back into our daily lives, becoming a beacon of hope in our parish and community. This included signing a commitment board and choosing a pledge of hope from the booklet, fulfilling the command: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15).
Background
Proclaiming the Kerygma: Their primary duty is to announce that sin, suffering, and death do not have the final say. They share the message that God is merciful, that Jesus Christ conquered death through His Resurrection, and that the promise of eternal life is open to all.
A Mission of Action: This hope is not just a future promise; it becomes a present reality. Missionaries of Hope live out this message through tangible acts of charity, justice, and solidarity. They actively serve those who are in situations of despair—such as the poor, the sick, the marginalised, or the spiritually lost.
Being a Witness: They are called to be a visible "sign of hope" in a world that is often marked by fear or cynicism. By their joy, their trust in God's providence, and their compassionate service, they act as living witnesses to the Resurrection.
In essence, a Missionary of Hope is any Catholic who takes seriously their baptismal call to share the hope found in Christ, both in word and in charitable action.
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