For the Holy Year 2025 you helped 51 young people from the Holy Land to join with the Universal Church as „Pilgrims of Hope“, visiting Italy and Rome. „In every church we visited in Italy we prayed for the benefactors of ACN, whose sacrifices and whose faith made this pilgrimage possible“, the young people subsequently wrote. Among the places they visited were Rome, Assisi and Padua.
Katia, from Zababdeh on the Palestinian West Bank, summarised her impressions: „I have never had such a wonderful experience before. Already as we arrived in Rome, I was overwhelmed by the feeling of unity, peace and spiritual renewal. It was deeply moving to be surrounded by people from all over the world, who were filled with joy and faith. Passing through the Holy Doors and participating in Holy Masses and processions in such sacred and historic places filled my heart with gratitude and reverence. It was a journey that left a lasting impression both on my soul and on my perspective of life. The Jubilee reminds me of the power of faith and forgiveness, and I will always hold this experience in my heart.“
Father Louis Salman, who is responsible for the youth apostolate in the Holy Land, also wants to thank our benefactors once again, on behalf of the entire group. „I‘d like to express our deepest gratitude for your generous support and our faithful partnership. Thanks to your help and above all thanks to divine providence, the young people were able to experience an unforgettable pilgrimage that has kindled the flame of their faith afresh and strengthened their awareness of belonging to the Universal Church. Yours was not only a financial contribution but also a genuine act of love that has enabled our young people to witness to the fact that, despite the many challenges of war and all the travel restrictions, hope is still very much alive in the land of Jesus‘ birth.“
