Jubilee Hymn

About the Jubilee Hymn

An official Jubilee Hymn has been composed, with the words translated into many languages. It is a rather lovely hymn and very easy to learn in unison, with a 4-part version for more advanced choirs.

We would like this hymn sung in every parish and at all Jubilee events throughout the Jubilee year. The first time it was be sung was at the Archdiocesan Mass for the Opening of the Jubilee Year on 31 December in the Cathedral.

We encourage you to ensure that all parishioners and parish music groups become familiar with the hymn so that it can be sung often in our parishes during the course of next year.

About the Jubilee Hymn

An official Jubilee Hymn has been composed, with the words translated into many languages. It is a rather lovely hymn and very easy to learn in unison, with a 4-part version for more advanced choirs.

Sacred Scriptures are steeped in song and it is an integral tradition of the Catholic Church. For example, the prayers of the people of Israel were written to be sung. So it is only appropriate to have a hymn that celebrates this historic year of the Jubilee 2025 whose motto is “Pilgrims of Hope”.

The Jubilee Hymn lyrics are written by Pierangelo Sequeri and set to music composed by Francesco Meneghello.

Inspiration for the hymn come from Isaiah 9 and Isaiah 60 referring to creation and God’s tenderness and hope in our destination. The song expresses believers trust in the source of Life and place their trust in God from whom all things flow. Isaiah’s words resonate in the hymn as sons and daughters return from their scattered ways and gather in God’s great light, stirred by the living flame that is Jesus.

Christian hope is dynamic and enlightening. It is the kind of hope that comes from a people, confident and joyful, moving toward a New destination. Our heavenly Father patiently and tenderly watches over our pilgrimage and opens wide the Way for them, pointing to Jesus, who is the pathway – the Way, The Truth and the Light.

Pilgrims of Hope – Jubilee Hymn

The official Jubilee Hymn is a lovely hymn and very easy to learn in unison, with a 4-part version for more advanced choirs.

Pilgrims of Hope
Original text: Pierangelo Sequeri
English translation: Andrew Wadsworth

CHORUS
Like a flame my hope is burning, may my song arise to you:
Source of life that has no ending, on life’s path I trust in you.

Ev’ry nation, tongue, and people find a light within your Word.
Scattered fragile sons and daughters find a home in your dear Son.

CHORUS

God, so tender and so patient, dawn of hope, you care for all.
Heav’n and earth are recreated by the Spirit of Life set free.

CHORUS

Raise your eyes, the wind is blowing, for our God is born in time.
Son made man for you and many who will find the way in him.

CHORUS

Hymn for Jubilee 2025
“Pilgrims of Hope”

DOWNLOAD AUDIO OF THE HYMN

Jubilee Hymn, Recording performed by the Choir of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC – Peter Latona, Director