While we ourselves may not be a journalist or a broadcaster on television, we are all communicators. Our interactions with others, especially verbal conversations, ought to be rooted in prayerful listening to the Holy Spirit who has spoken through the Word of God.
During the Jubilee of Hope, the Holy See has organized special jubilees for various groups of people. The purpose is to recognize and celebrate their ministry in the Church, placing it within the context of hope anchored in the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Jubilee of the World of Communications will be held from Friday, January 24 (the memorial of St. Francis de Sales, above) to Sunday, January 26, 2025 (the Sunday of the Word of God).
Proclaim the Word!
Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622) was a French bishop who served in Geneva, Switzerland; a prolific writer; and a canonized Doctor of the Church. He is the patron of Catholic writers, the Catholic press, the deaf, journalists, and adult education.
Adopting the method of sweet gentleness rather than condemnatory criticism, he converted many Calvinists back to the Catholic faith. Such gentleness is not weakness, but rather the epitome of strength that uses one’s gifts for the good of the other.
The collect (opening prayer) for Mass on January 24 reads: “O God, who for the salvation of souls willed that the Bishop Saint Francis de Sales become all things to all, graciously grant that, following his example, we may always display the gentleness of your charity in the service of our neighbor.”
The internet age
While we ourselves may not be a journalist or a broadcaster on television, we are all communicators. Created in the image and likeness of God, we are capable of hearing and of speaking words, and through that, of communicating His love and truth. Our interactions with others, especially verbal conversations, ought to be rooted in prayerful listening to the Holy Spirit who has spoken through the Word of God. Otherwise, our words communicate the tragedy of this life but without the hope that flows from Jesus Christ.
We have only to turn on the news and both see and hear all the ways that there is violence, injustice, and chaos growing in the world. If we focus primarily on the negative news, we tend to become critical, harsh, and pessimistic.
Saint Francis de Sales made a conscious choice to not berate Catholics who had fallen away from the Church. He chose the path of gentleness, which produced more abundant fruits in the conversion of many. This requires centering one’s focus upon the Lord, whose Resurrection reveals that the last word is never death but of joyful hope in eternal life.
This Jubilee invites all of us to place our communication under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are called, especially on the Sunday of the Word of God, to recognize the primacy of His Word over our own words. If we do not have the space of silence to hear and meditate upon His Word, then our own words likely will not communicate His love and truth. If we have not heard His words of hope amid our tragedy and pain, we will be unable to transmit that hope to others in their suffering.
So many are already in pain — whether mentally, spiritually, emotionally, or physically — and we are called to gently caress and bandage their wounds with the balm of hope, by our words, deeds, and gestures.
Speak to God
During this Jubilee, pray for and encourage those involved in the world of communications. One prayer, taken from the Vatican bulletin for this Jubilee, is below:
Lord, let the good news of Your marvelous deeds fall on every ear, and let all tongues rejoice in Your wisdom, Your compassion, Your faithfulness, and Your love. Make me bold and let me share Your Word with those You desire to reach. As my heart overflows with Your love, speak through me. Let me proclaim Your glory and Your majesty and tell of the kindness you have shown Your people. This I ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Visit our special Jubilee of Hope section for everything you need to know about the Holy Year.
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