Jubilee of Consolation

If you tried hard, but didn't come first, never mind, because chances are you'd be given a ‘consolation' prize, a prize to console you for your loss. A 1990s TV quiz show, ‘Today's The Day', had a consolation prize of a copy of a newspaper from the day that you were born. Another show, ‘Blockbusters', provided a sweatshirt and a dictionary!

Consolation is derived from a Latin word consolationem meaning “offer comfort or solace” – and maybe your Blockbuster sweatshirt provided just that!

You might also be familiar with the word ‘consolation' in close proximity to its opposite, ‘desolation'. It has been suggested that very simplistically these two words can be seen as responses to the typical question ‘How are you?', with consolation meaning ‘good' and desolation meaning ‘bad'. But consolation should not be seen as just being comforted or just feeling good, as Pope Francis explained:

“Consolation is that type of peace, but not one in which we remain sitting there enjoying it, no…. It gives you peace and draws you toward the Lord and sets you off on a journey to do things, to do good things. In a moment of consolation, when we are consoled, we want to do so much good, always. Instead, when there is a moment of desolation, we feel like closing in on ourselves and doing nothing. Consolation spurs us forward in service to others, society, other people”.

All of us will experience times of anguish, sadness, difficulties which may seem insurmountable, and pain. Consolation is that peace which only God's presence can bring, a peace which can help us overcome any sort of trial. Consolation takes us away from the path towards desolation.

The Jubilee of Consolation on 15 September 2025 will include a pilgrimage to the Holy Door of St Peter's Basilica and a prayer vigil with the Holy Father, again in St Peter's Basilica.

“Genuine consolation”, Pope Francis said, “is a sort of confirmation that we are doing what God wants of us, that we are walking on his paths, that is, on the paths of life, joy, and peace”.

Join us for the Jubilee of Consolation.

The Programme

In preparation for and to coincide with the Jubilee event in Rome, some reflections will be posted 14 – 16 September 2025 to help us participate with the pilgrims of hope gathered in Rome.

Join us as pilgrims of hope for this major Jubilee event of 2025.