‘Pilgrims of hope’
In preparation for the Holy Year, the last issue of the One Voice provided an overview of Jubilee 2025 and highlighted adoration in an effort to set the tone for the special year. As we begin 2025, the One Voice will, once again, take the opportunity to keep the jubilee and its theme of “Pilgrims of Hope” in sharp focus. Going forward, each issue in 2025 will provide stories of hope, coordinating with the groups being recognized in Rome by the Holy Father.
In preparation for the Holy Year, the last issue of the One Voice provided an overview of Jubilee 2025 and highlighted adoration in an effort to set the tone for the special year. As we begin 2025, the One Voice will, once again, take the opportunity to keep the jubilee and its theme of “Pilgrims of Hope” in sharp focus. Going forward, each issue in 2025 will provide stories of hope, coordinating with the groups being recognized in Rome by the Holy Father.
Throughout January and February, Pope Francis will acknowledge the world of communications, deacons, artists, as well as those serving in the military, armed forces, and security forces.
Providentially, the Diocese of Birmingham is home to a man who falls into two of those categories: he is not only a retired member of the military but is also a deacon. Deacon Rufus Biggs, Sr., has experienced great suffering, especially in the latter years of his life, but he has made the choice to overcome despair, instead clinging to faith and hope. Readers will see how the good deacon is, without a doubt, a personification of the pope’s words: “Christian hope does not deceive or disappoint.”
With the Diocese of Birmingham being home to the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), it is fitting that the other feature in this issue is connected to the world of communications. The story is written by Brent Patterson, who many readers may remember as the subject of the cover story in the One Voice’s first issue as a magazine back in 2021. Ironically, around the time that issue was released, Patterson, who works as a physical therapy assistant at a local hospital, met Richard “Papa” Whatley. Patterson tells the story of their meeting, the planting of seeds of faith, and Whatley’s end-of-life conversion. While some pilgrimages are short, this story proves that others take a lifetime.
Regardless of the length of the journey, however, this Holy Year is an opportune time to put greater emphasis on being pilgrims of hope. I pray that this issue will give all those on their journey — no matter how hard or how long it may be — surety in the Lord’s promise to love each one of us always.