From 28 July until 3 August, we are invited to celebrate the Jubilee of Youth, where we recognise the contribution of young people in the Church and the world. Through prayer, pilgrimage, and encounters with others, many young people are finding a renewed sense of connection to their faith, their communities, and the wider Church.

As we celebrate our young people, we asked students from three Josephite schools: Holy Spirit Catholic College Lakemba, Mount St Joseph Milperra and Mary MacKillop Catholic College Wakeley to reflect on what the Jubilee Year means to them and how they view hope in our world.

What does the Jubilee 2025 ‘Year of Hope’ mean to you as a young person?  

“The Jubilee Year and the Jubilee of Youth inspires us to reignite our faith, hope and purpose in our lives. It makes us believe in a better future,” says a student from Holy Spirit Catholic College Lakemba. “It’s a time for true conversion with ourselves and to spread hope to others in our communities, our families, our schools.”

Students at Mount St Joseph Milperra agree. “The Jubilee Year to us is about growing with your faith and your relationship with God. Going through COVID-19 we experienced a lot of adverse effects, so it’s really important that we take the Jubilee Year as a way to ignite our hope.”

“You need to promote kindness… if someone hurts you, you never hurt them back. Foster and encourage good deeds. Love others the way God loves us. Always stay close to your faith, never lose that trust in God.”

For students at Mary MacKillop Catholic College Wakeley, the Jubilee Year reminds them to not be afraid to put yourself out there and be that beacon of hope to others.

“Mary MacKillop is the patron saint of our school and she says ‘never see a need without doing something about it’. By living the example of Mary MacKillop other students can join in. It could be as simple as lending a hand to someone in need or just being present. To be someone that a person can talk to if they need help or if they’re in troubling times… being a friend.”

Pope Francis urged the faithful to ‘fan the flame of hope’. How will you encourage the spread of hope to those who need it? 

“We are praying with each other to strengthen our trust in God and hope for a better future,” says a student from Holy Spirit Catholic College Lakemba. “We are also spreading positive messages via social media on ways we can strengthen our faith and find similarities in different faiths.”

“We come together as ministry leaders to promote hope and strengthen our school communities by organising Chapel prayers at school or doing the Stations of the Cross in the Chapel. We do community service, visiting living nearby who need support.”

At Mary MacKillop Catholic College Wakeley, the students are actively participating in strengthening the ‘flame of hope’ with service-oriented programs – spreading kindness and being positive, even when it can be challenging.

“I think it’s important to spread compassion because that is what faith is about,” says a student. “It’s important to foster this sense of belonging with each other, especially during this time of life.”

The Social Justice captains at Mount St Joseph Milperra are running initiatives aimed to help the school and wider community.

“By offering just a little bit of time with organisations or with your parish you’re able to give back, especially when you receive so much from your community and parish,” says a student.

“As Josephite Leaders at school we try to help other students grasp an understanding of what it really means to volunteer or take part in fundraisers. Through our initiatives this year, we want to encourage hope in the students.”

“Beyond the school gates, it’s important to share your own personal experiences which may encourage others to take that spiritual step forward, whether it be a physical pilgrimage or a spiritual journey, to really grasp a stronger connection and relationship with God.”

Advice to younger people?

“I would encourage young people to come together to share their faith,” says a student from Mary MacKillop Catholic College Wakeley. “Expressing your faith is one of the most important things you can do as it allows you to show your values and beliefs. I would encourage being kind and spreading positivity to help the world become a better place for everyone. Be a role model because change starts with you.”

Students at Mount St Joseph Milperra agree. “I think it’s really important that we come together as a group because that’s the only way you can really make a difference. If it’s just one person standing up, the emphasis is not as strong. When we stand together, we show unity and we live out the Josephite values of service. When we are united as one, we can make a real difference.”