Last Sunday, during the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis inaugurated the Year of Prayer ahead of the 2025 Jubilee Year.

Looking over the subsequent press conference, I wish to share some noteworthy themes:

The Pope desires the Year of Prayer to be a time of preparation ahead of the Jubilee. He hopes the focus on prayer will renew our desire to be in the presence of the Lord, to listen to him, to adore him, to thank God for his many gifts and to praise his work in creation. He hopes for us to grow in prayer that translates into solidarity and sharing of our resources. He hopes for prayer which leads to holiness and prayer practiced even amidst activity – a year of intense prayer in which we receive the outpouring of God’s grace.

Pope Francis hopes that above any initiatives, the Year of Prayer may be a time of rediscovering the value and practice of prayer.

For the immediate future, the press conference recommended revisiting Pope Francis’ 38 talks on Prayer given between 2020-2021. Contact the parish office for document compiling these talks or find them here. The press conference also noted that a book series on prayer will be released within the next two three months.

I have a few thoughts on the pope’s invitation and look forward to putting on a slew of prayer related activities.

In the meanwhile, I will appreciate your input on what may work for you or the parish.