The 2025 Jubilee, themed “Pilgrims of Hope”, is an extraordinary opportunity for the universal Church to reflect on the journey of faith and the Christian mission. For the Order of the Camillians, this Jubilee holds even deeper significance as it coincides with the Camillian Jubilee, commemorating 450 years since the conversion of St. Camillus de Lellis. This dual event is not just a celebration but a call to rediscover the essence of Christian hope through the Camillian charism.

The Camillian Jubilee: Conquered by Christ, Pilgrims of Hope

The Camillian Jubilee, celebrated in 2025 under the theme “Conquered by Christ”, offers a special time to reflect on the heart of the Camillian charism. The conversion of St. Camillus de Lellis was not merely a personal event but a transformative encounter with Christ that radically changed his life, leading him to dedicate himself to serving the sick with compassion and commitment. To be “conquered by Christ” means to respond wholeheartedly to His call, becoming instruments of hope and mercy in the lives of others.

This theme harmoniously connects with the universal message of the Jubilee 2025, “Pilgrims of Hope”. Just as St. Camillus allowed himself to be guided by Christ to transform suffering into concrete acts of love, every Christian is called to live the jubilee pilgrimage as a journey of inner renewal and a commitment to bring hope, especially to the most vulnerable. These two Jubilees, universal and Camillian, together offer the opportunity to deepen one’s faith and translate the Gospel message into tangible actions.

Being Pilgrims of Hope Among the Sick

The jubilee pilgrimage is not only a journey to holy places but also an interior path that finds expression in service. For the Camillians, this manifests daily in their care for the sick and the suffering. Every visit to a patient, every act of care, and every comforting word become an opportunity to encounter Christ. In the Camillian charism, every hospital, care home, and mission becomes a “holy door” that opens to the grace of God.

Hope, central to the Universal Jubilee, finds a profound expression in the Camillian mission through concrete acts of love and compassion. Bringing hope means transforming every encounter into a moment of light and healing, making Christ’s presence visible even in the most challenging situations. As St. Camillus famously said, “Put more heart into those hands!”—an invitation to serve with deep love and total dedication.

Celebrating and Renewing the Camillian Charism

The Camillian Jubilee is not just a celebration but a time of renewal for the entire Camillian family. It is an opportunity to honor the extraordinary legacy of St. Camillus and to reaffirm the importance of service to the sick as a path to holiness. St. Camillus’s dedication inspires us to live our faith not only as a personal experience but as a commitment to building communities rooted in love, solidarity, and mutual care.

In this special year, the Order of the Camillians invites not only its members but also laypeople, volunteers, and all those working in healthcare to join this jubilee journey. Through prayer, reflection, and service, the Camillian Jubilee becomes a call to make St. Camillus’s message alive and relevant, reaching out to those most in need.

Conclusion

The 2025 Jubilee and the Camillian Jubilee are powerful reminders to be pilgrims of hope, conquered by Christ’s love and transforming this experience into service for others. Like St. Camillus de Lellis, we are called to live conversion as both an inner pilgrimage and a concrete mission, bringing light and comfort to those who need it most. This time of grace offers us the chance to renew our Christian commitment and bear witness to the Gospel through lived charity.

Join us in celebrating this mission of hope and service that the Camillian charism has embodied for 450 years.