The Mass brought together clergy, families, and young people from parishes across the Archdiocese, as well as His Excellency Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland.
In his homily Archbishop Martin, who presided over the Mass alongside auxiliary Bishop Michael Router, emphasised the importance of hope.
Archbishop Martin said: "There couldn't be a better time for a Jubilee Year of Hope. We live in a world where anxiety, doubt and despair often appear to have an upper hand." The Primate reflected on the words of Pope Francis, who calls on all believers to be "fearless ambassadors of faith and hope."
The Jubilee Year 2025 will be marked by numerous spiritual events and activities at parish, diocesan, and national levels, including:
- Pilgrimages to local and national shrines;
- Monthly parish initiatives promoting prayer and reflection; and,
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Celebrations of key anniversaries, including the 400th anniversary of
Saint Oliver Plunkett's birth, and the centenary of Venerable Matt
Talbot's death.
In addition to the Jubilee 2025 celebrations, Archbishop Martin announced that year-long preparations will begin for a Diocesan Congress on Youth and Family Ministry, scheduled for March 2026. This Congress will focus on fostering vibrant youth and family ministry at local levels, engaging parishes, schools, and third level institutions in this important journey of reflection.
Bishop Router spoke about the significance of the Congress, which will build on insights from the Archdiocese's synodal journey over the last three-years. He said: "Over the coming months, parishes and schools will select delegates to represent them, ensuring broad participation in order to shape the future of youth and family ministry in the Archdiocese of Armagh."
Archbishop Martin concluded: "As the Jubilee Year's theme suggests, during 2025 we are all invited to be pilgrims of hope in our daily lives, renewing our commitment to faith, love, and service. Let us journey together in prayer and action, united by the hope we find in Christ."