Jubilee for Schools - Making the Jubilee Pledge

St Francis Xavier's RC Primary School, Herefordshire with Jubilee banner

Source: CAFOD

It doesn't seem that long ago when, back in January, we celebrated the Jubilee Year Launch Day for schools and colleges. A flurry of activity saw pupils and teachers across the nations come together to mark the start of this landmark moment in the Catholic church.

Pope Francis called on us in this Jubilee year to be Pilgrims of Hope; to build a better world for everyone and experience the joy which comes from taking action together in a world where many experience poverty, injustice and conflict. As we remember Pope Francis and give thanks for his life, we continue to be inspired by his invitation to renew our hope, a hope which comes from knowing God loves each one of us.

Since January we have seen schools celebrate with many different activities: creating jubilee icons and proudly displaying banners, classroom talks and cross-town pilgrimage walks, painting windows and dressing in Jubilee colours. As part of living out their Jubilee pledge, schools have joined the wider community in asking for debt relief for the world's poorest countries. And now it's time to take the next steps on the journey!

"We're delighted with how schools have responded to Pope Francis' call to journey together with hope in this Jubilee Year," says CAFOD's Head of Education, Monica Conmee. "The creativity and enthusiasm have been inspiring - and we look forward to seeing more of it this summer!"

In June or July, all Catholic schools are invited to make a Jubilee Pledge to live out Catholic Social Teaching; to commit to a 'sign of hope' and stand in solidarity with communities experiencing poverty and advancing justice and harmony locally, nationally, and globally. Our new pope, Leo XIV, carries on Pope Francis' work and invites us to build a Church that "seeks peace, seeks charity and wants to be as close as possible to people who suffer".

A better world needs all of us, and the Jubilee Pledge will be a whole school, long-term commitment to take concrete actions to build a fairer world, putting Catholic Social Teaching into action, just as Pope Francis and Pope Leo have asked us to do.

The Jubilee Pledge:

We are pilgrims of hope.

We walk in solidarity with our sisters and brothers worldwide, sharing challenges and celebrating joys.

We promise to be agents of change, working together for justice, love and peace, locally and globally.

We want to build a fairer world, where every person, and the earth, can flourish.

There are a wide range of resources to support schools in preparing for and celebrating Jubilee Pledge Day, including a guide, a pledge poster, a liturgy and a short, downloadable CPD session for staff. To inspire and enthuse pupils, there is a short film that celebrates all that has been achieved so far in this Jubilee Year and looks ahead to making the Jubilee Pledge in June or July.

Jubilee Pledge Day will be a day to remember for the whole school community, with celebrations taking place in a variety of ways, with liturgies or assemblies with parents, carers and parishioners invited, or celebratory learning and fundraising activities. To share their commitment, schools will contribute to the online Pledge Map, ensuring their school name is plotted on the map, receiving a Jubilee Pledge Certificate as a reminder of their long-term commitment to justice, peace and love.

Visit: www.jubilee-schools.org.uk for Jubilee Pledge Day inspiration and resources.