Venerable Pope Pius XII wrote that sport is not just physical, but spiritual: “Sport, properly directed, develops character, makes a man courageous, a generous loser, and a gracious victor.” Participating in sports is an opportunity for men, women, and youth to develop good moral Christian character and gain deep friendship and solidarity with teammates.
By Dr. Veronica Szcygiel
June is the month in which the Catholic Church pays special tribute to Jesus’ Sacred Heart. The image of Jesus’ Heart pierced by a cross and surrounded by the Crown of Thorns shows His sacrificial love and redemptive mercy.
One of the 12 promises of Jesus given to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) about devotion to the Sacred Heart is: “I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.” It is no wonder, then, that many of the jubilee celebrations this month emphasize the ministry of priesthood and evangelization!
June 7-8: Jubilee of Ecclesial Movements, Associations, and New Communities
About 150,000 pilgrims are expected to celebrate the movements and communities that light a path of faith and hope in the Church. Various orders and organizations like the Association of Marian Helpers reveal the breadth, depth, and richness of our Catholic spirituality. There are so many ways to follow the Lord! Let us pray that these communities remain true examples of solidarity and spiritual renewal, providing a model for us to follow in our own families and communities.
June 9: Jubilee of the Holy See
There are hundreds of “behind the scenes” men and women instrumental in helping the Church minister to its followers on a global scale. These administrators use their God-given talents to evangelize, communicate, and help the Church stay organized. Their efforts keep the Holy See a secure foundation from which our new Holy father, Pope Leo XIV, can confidently lead. Let us pray for continued wisdom in their pivotal work.
June 14-15: Jubilee of Sport
Venerable Pope Pius XII wrote that sport is not just physical, but spiritual: “Sport, properly directed, develops character, makes a man courageous, a generous loser, and a gracious victor.” The Church supports the world of sports through organizations and initiatives such as Catholic Athletes for Christ and the Paris 2024 Olympics “Holy Games.”
Participating in sports is an opportunity for men, women, and youth to develop good moral Christian character and gain deep friendship and solidarity with teammates. Let us pray for the 50,000 pilgrims in Rome on this day and all Catholic athletes, managers, and coaches, that they may shine the light of their faith on the world stage — or field.
June 20-22: Jubilee of Governments
This Jubilee hopes to unite international politicians and leaders by encouraging dialogue, collaboration, and a shared vision of peace. With positions of power comes great responsibility. Let us pray that politicians set aside their differences and work together for human dignity and the common good (see 1 Tim 2:1-3).
June 23-24: Jubilee of Seminarians
About 15,000 seminarians are expected to attend this Jubilee, which hopes to strengthen their call to priesthood. Seminarians need community in their rigorous and demanding studies.
This day encourages seminarians to imitate Jesus more closely; after all, according to the Program of Priestly Formation, “By meeting Christ in prayer and in the people they meet, seminarians become another Christ: assuming Jesus’ mission of serving the Father and healing his creation.” Let us pray that the love of Christ and the bonds of their brothers help seminarians continue with conviction on their journeys to priesthood!
June 25: Jubilee of Bishops
Bishops are the successors of the apostles. As shepherds for parish priests and all of Christ’s followers under their care, bishops enact servant leadership — leading through service and care of others — to teach, sanctify, and govern. Let us pray that our bishops be guided by the wisdom and grace of the Spirit in this holy task!
June 26-27: Jubilee of Priests
This Jubilee honors the sacrificial vocations of religious priests, who voluntarily take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. It is through their blessed ministry that we are able to partake in the transubstantiation of bread and wine into Jesus’ Body and Blood in the Most Holy Eucharist. Let us pray for the 40,000 priestly pilgrims in Rome and for all priests. Let us pray, too, for an increase of young men to follow the call to priesthood!
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us, and on the whole world!
Learn more on our Jubilee Year of Hope page.
Photo by Rosario Fernandes on Unsplash.
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