The Jubilee Year 2025, held under the theme Pilgrims of Hope, was formally concluded last night with a celebration led by Archbishop Charles Scicluna at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Paul in Mdina.

Those present for the Mass included the Apostolic Nuncio Savio Hon Fai-Tai, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi, priests, members of religious communities and lay faithful.

In his homily, Archbishop Scicluna described Saint Joseph as a model of trust, humility and concrete action within God's plan. He explained that in order to save the Child Jesus and his mother from danger and persecution, God did not act through extraordinary means, but chose "a simple and just man" who rolled up his sleeves and did what was required. The Archbishop said that in the same way, the Lord continues to work through ordinary people today.

He reflected that the Holy Family itself experienced moments of crisis, difficulty, poverty and persecution, reminding the faithful that a trouble-free life is not promised. However, he said, Christians can learn from their example of trust in the Father.

The Archbishop also referred to a spiritual reflection by Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, who once observed a tree in winter that appeared lifeless, only to see it later filled with leaves and fruit. This, he said, is a reminder never to lose hope, even in difficult situations. He linked this reflection to the conclusion of the Jubilee in the Archdiocese of Malta, stressing that hope does not end with the Jubilee but should remain rooted in the conviction that everything rests in God's hands.

Archbishop Scicluna noted that the faithful were not only thanking God for what had been experienced during this special year, but were also looking ahead to another major Jubilee. In 2033, the Church will mark 2,000 years since the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, commemorating the mystery of salvation achieved through the Cross and Resurrection. He said preparations should begin now, as the Church looks towards the Jubilee of Redemption, just as it celebrated with great joy the Jubilee of the year 2000 marking 2,000 years since Christ's birth.

The homily concluded with a prayer that families may be strengthened by the gift and spirit of love, and that those going through difficult moments may not lose heart or faith in God's help, remembering that there is one Jubilee that never ends: God's mercy.

Among those attending the Mass were President of Malta Myriam Spiteri Debono and Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti. At the end of the celebration, the bishops met with five new members who had been incorporated into the Society of Christian Doctrine the previous day.