Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation in Jubilee 2025

This Jubilee year, Catholic communities across the United States are planning to embark on a series of pilgrimages throughout the country as a call to cultivate a renewed commitment to caring for creation.

Coming on the heels of the planet’s hottest year that also saw unprecedented devastation from wildfires and hurricanes, Catholics organizations throughout the country are coming together for Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation, an initiative that calls Catholics to reflect on the profound relationship between God, humanity, and creation and to take concrete steps toward healing the Earth and renewing their spiritual commitment to creation care.

Organized by the Catholic Climate Covenant (CCC), Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns and others, the pilgrimages will culminate during the Season of Creation (Sept. 1 – Oct. 4, 2025), a time for prayer, reflection, and action focused on the environmental crisis facing our world today.

“This year, as Catholics, we have a unique opportunity to reflect on our role in creation care. Pilgrimages of Hope for Creation are about healing — healing our connection to the Earth, to one another, and to God. It’s about acknowledging our disconnection and choosing to take tangible steps toward reconciliation. This is not just a journey of the body; it’s a pilgrimage of the soul.” – Dan Misleh, Executive Director of the CCC

This unique initiative invites participants to explore a variety of pilgrimage experiences—from short walks around parish grounds to longer treks through mountains or forests, to visits to places of natural beauty or ecological significance. Wherever these pilgrimages take place, they all share the same mission: to restore our relationship with God, with each other, and with the Earth, and to cultivate a renewed commitment to caring for creation.

This year is a special Jubilee year for the Catholic Church and a time of reconciliation and renewal. It also is the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si’, which calls for an integral ecology that honors both the natural world and the dignity of every human person. In addition, the year 2025 also marks the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of the Creatures , the timeless message of ecological stewardship written by St. Francis – the patron saint of ecology.

“The most important aspect of pilgrimage to me is the reminder that our time on earth is a pilgrimage towards God. And so the opportunity provided by these pilgrimages is a way to participate in the Jubilee of Hope without traveling to Rome. You can Jubilee where you are. Jubilee offers us an opportunity to renew our relationship with God and all of nature, and it is both a beautiful individual and communal experience.” – Marilyn Kott Maryknoll Affiliate

All are invited to join us in this sacred mission to live out the teachings of Jesus, St. Francis, and Pope Francis, taking practical steps to heal the planet and restore the balance between humanity and the natural world.

“As we take these steps toward healing, we are showing the world that each of us has a role to play in the health of God’s Creation,” said Anna Johnson, the Program Manager for Laudato Si’ Movement – North America. “The Earth needs us, and we need each other. As Pope Francis says, “The world sings of an infinite Love: how can we fail to care for it?” Let’s take the time to listen to this song, and raise our voices alongside.”

To get involved, pilgrims are encouraged to visit http://catholicpilgrimsofhope.org, where they can sign up for email updates, find or start a pilgrimage, and access resources to guide them through their journey.

Individuals, organizations and communities can learn more about by attending our monthly virtual meetings. There you can connect with Catholics across the country and learn how to use the resources, guides, and opportunities for spiritual reflection.

Faith in action

Sign up to learn more at http://www.catholicpilgrimsofhope.org and register to attend the monthly virtual meetings at https://mogc.info/CPH-training