Night of Hope: Pilgrims invite you to the celebration in Vilsheim!

Night of Hope: Pilgrims invite you to the celebration in Vilsheim!

What's new in Vilsheim? On Friday, June 17, 2025, the Vilsheim deanery and the city parish church invite you to a very special event: the “Night of Hope”. This event is dedicated to the Holy Year that Pope Francis brought into being for 2025 with his proclaimed Bull of Annunciation “Spes non confundit”. A call addressed to all believers: Be pilgrims of hope in difficult times!

The “Night of Hope” aims to spread a light of confidence, especially in uncertain times. The event is aimed at everyone who wants to find strength in togetherness. Everyone is warmly invited to spend the night together and support each other. This gathering in the city parish church is intended to send a sign of solidarity and community.

A Holy Year for everyone

The Holy Year 2025 begins on December 24, 2024 with the ceremonial opening of the Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and ends on December 28, 2025. Pope Francis has focused on the importance of hope, emphasizing that it is particularly important for various groups, such as migrants and people in need. Because as can be read in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Romans, the hope of eternal life remains a central theme for all believers.

At the beginning of this special year, the Pope will explain how indulgences, an important element of the faith, can be obtained. Indulgence means the remission of a temporal punishment for sins already forgiven, and the granting of this remission is the responsibility of the Church, which exercises the binding and loosing power of Jesus Christ.

A sign of hope

In addition to the traditional pilgrimage to the seven main churches, there will also be “other paths of faith” for the pilgrims. These are intended to help promote the intense experience of grace and hope. Indulgences are described as a means of recognizing God's love and mercy more clearly, while the forgiveness of sins in the sacrament of Penance remains an essential step on the path of faith.

The Mother of God is highlighted as the supreme witness of hope. The Catechism explains that the Communion of Saints enables the exchange of spiritual goods among believers, which benefits community and cohesion in times of need.

In summary, the “Night of Hope” shows the importance of coming together as a community and sharing the light of hope in times of uncertainty. The event in the Vilsheim parish church will be a further step towards greater togetherness during the Holy Year. It is an invitation to all of us to be part of this special path of hope.

For more information about Night of Hope, please visit Diocese of Passau. Informed about the background of the Holy Year SJM Online.