In May, the Jubilee spotlight is on six groups

Music reminds us that God’s creativity continues, even in the face of evil, capable of incorporating even the discordant notes of suffering into the symphony of His redemption. Artists witness to this ceaseless creativity of the Holy Spirit, who enables us not only to work as hired laborers but to participate as friends in His creative activity.

The Jubilee of Hope ought to touch every aspect of human life and every corner of human society. Otherwise, the theological virtue of hope — which orients the desires of the human heart to the Kingdom of God — remains disconnected from our everyday reality.

This May, we celebrate various particular jubilees, opening our hearts to the gift of hope: of Workers (May 1-4); of Entrepreneurs (May 4-5); of Musical Bands (May 10-11); of Confraternities (May 16-18); of Children (May 24-25); and of Families, Grandparents, and the Elderly (May 30-June 1).

Workers
The Jubilee of Workers, starting on the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, first celebrates the dignity of both workers and their work. In a culture that values workers through the prism of their productivity, this jubilee  reminds us that the worker always retains priority over the value of his work. Even more, just as the jubilees of the Old Testament entailed the forgiveness of debts and the freedom of slaves, so today this jubilee reminds us of the slavery of those who work for long hours for unjust wages. While slavery — as it used to exist in Western countries — has gone away, still, at times just wages are withheld, workers are mistreated and underpaid, and their safety is threatened. 

We are called to remember the dignity of work through the example of St. Joseph the Worker, who taught Jesus Himself the trade of being a craftsman and the value of human labor. We turn to him with hope that all workers will find meaningful work in accord with their dignity.

Entrepreneurs
The next Jubilee is that of entrepreneurs, who not only work, but undertake a business venture, assuming much of the risk on their own shoulders. They face the uncertainty of whether they will be met with success or failure. But they express the human creative genius by offering new businesses and new products. This creativity witnesses to hope that presses forward to the future without being content with the status quo.

Bands
The Jubilee of Musical Bands directly addresses human creativity as an echo of the Divine Breath that created the world at the beginning of time. Music is the collaboration of human with divine work. The beauty of music elevates our hearts in hope to experience the goodness and truth of God. Amid the trials on earth, music helps us to glimpse the stainless splendor of God, whose love enlightens the darkness of our lives.

Music reminds us that God’s creativity continues, even in the face of evil, capable of incorporating even the discordant notes of suffering into the symphony of His redemption. Artists witness to this ceaseless creativity of the Holy Spirit, who enables us not only to work as hired laborers but to participate as friends in His creative activity.

Confraternities
The Jubilee of Confraternities witnesses to the beauty of harmony when the laity are actively cooperating in the mission of the Church. By working for the sanctification of the world from within, like leaven in dough, they are a source of hope for the transformation of society through the Gospel. As music bridges the gap between faith and culture, so confraternities — through their popular piety and works of mercy — are a powerful witness to the presence of the Church in the various aspects of human life.

This Jubilee is important particularly for those members of our own Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception, who are called to be witnesses to the transforming power of God’s grace. Just as the Holy Spirit preserved Mary from all sin, so He instills hope in us that we, too, will be made perfect in holiness like her.

Children and Families
The last Jubilee in May is that of families, children, grandparents, and the elderly. The hardest of all work is that of building and sustaining relationships, such that their mutual love becomes a musical harmony. They are the first “confraternity” — the first cell of both the Church and of society. We ask the Holy Spirit to renew families in hope, such that they can live fully the present moment by giving of themselves to each other especially amid difficulties. In that manner, they prepare a solid future of hope. 

Learn more on our Jubilee Year of Hope page.
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