JUBILEE OF CONSOLATION: St Michael’s, Berwick
As pilgrims of hope, may we be instruments of consolation, sharing the gifts we have
received, the promise of Jesus Christ, whose hope does not disappoint. (Bishop Greg Bennett
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People gathered, many wearing a splash of yellow. On a rack in the foyer bright yellow rain jackets and yellow scarves hung; people could take one and join in the festive atmosphere. Yellow is the colour of ‘Luce”, the official mascot of Jubilee 2025. Also, yellow is a high visibility colour, focussing our attention away from darkness to happiness, sunshine and warmth. And this summed up the impact of the Jubilee of Consolation.
In the sacristy, Bishop Greg and Fr Siju and Fr Paul, who were concelebrants, were vesting; the altar servers were ready.; the church was set up with yellow daffodils, flowers and banners; the ambiance was serene, joyful, expectant; the choir were tuning their instruments and testing the sound system.
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The Mass was inspiring. It was, perhaps the most moving Mass we have attended for some time. The Readings summed up the theme. Lamentations 3:17-26 spoke of the anguish of human pain but advised us to hope in the faithfulness of God who is good. In Romans 8:31-39 Paul reinforced this message; he described the perils the first Christians faced; persecution, famine, sword, death. But he concludes with the resounding cry of victory, that nothing can separate us from the “love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” In the Roman world, ‘Lord’ is a title attributed only to Caesar; Paul is clearly telling the Christians that Christ Jesus who is with us is the true Lord. The Gospel, John 19:25-27, described Jesus, as he was dying upon the cross, in agony still reaching out and entrusting his mother to the care of the beloved disciple, and John to the care of his mother.
Bishop Greg’s homily spoke directly to the heart. It is human to be caught up in pain, loss and grief, and for ‘consolation’ to fade into the background. But he emboldened us to “not be afraid.” He cited Michelangelo’s ‘Pieta’ (pity, compassion, mercy), a masterpiece in marble in St Peter’s, Rome, as the image of the incarnation. Jesus shares our humanity completely. He is fully human and fully divine, consoling us, holding us. Mary offers him as a gift to us as he lies lifeless in her lap. Paradoxically, the ‘Pieta’ embodies consolation; it does not highlight anguish. Instead, it exudes peace, beauty and wonder. In our anguish God is present with us, and Mary, our Mother intercedes for us.
Pope Francis said that spiritual consolation is “a gift of God”. It is an “experience of interior joy” that lets us feel God’s companionship in our sorrow. It strengthens faith and hope. “The person who experiences consolation experiences a peace that is stronger than the trial.” When we are consoled, we want to do much good. Consolation spurs us forward in service to “others, society, other people.”
This was the general mood of the people I spoke with after Mass. All of us were heartened and energised by the celebration.
Of course, the hospitality in the hall after Mass just added to this mood. The Men’s group cooked a barbecue; the Legion of Mary helped with serving a cuppa. Volunteers, parishioners and a parish council member prepared food, an array of sandwiches, slices, pastries and nibbles. And everyone munched, mingled and chatted happily, especially the younger members in the gathering.
The organisers, parish and diocesan, helpers like cleaners, sacristan, choir, altar servers, readers, special ministers, the Bishop, priests, parish ministries, volunteers, and most importantly the participants, combined brilliantly to create an engaging and heart moving celebration. It was truly meaningful and memorable.
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Written by Chris Roga, St Michael's Parish, Berwick
