Vatican Honors Catholic Schools In England And Wales For Extraordinary Jubilee Year Response

The Vatican has recognized Catholic schools across England and Wales for their extraordinary response to the Jubilee Year, inviting a group of pupils and educators to Rome to participate in the Vatican's Jubilee for Education celebration between October 27 and November 1.

Over 1,000 Catholic schools made a Jubilee Pledge this year, a long term, whole school commitment to continue to journey as Pilgrims of Hope and to live out Catholic Social Teaching. Throughout 2025, hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren have embraced the Jubilee call to become Pilgrims of Hope.

Jubilee banners displayed on school railings in hundreds of towns and cities across England and Wales declare pupils are "working together for a better world," learning how to live out the message of Jubilee through prayer, action, and solidarity. Catholic schools have taken students on a Jubilee journey like real pilgrims, teaching them to think of others and speak up for those who are vulnerable, as well as radiating faith and compassion in their local communities.

Four young people traveled to Rome with CAFOD as powerful witnesses to the journey to become true beacons of hope for their communities and as part of God's global family. They accompanied CAFOD at the Constellations of Education Networks exhibition, organized by the Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education.

Christine Allen, CAFOD Director, stated:

"It's been fantastic to see how so many schools across England and Wales have responded to the opportunities of this Jubilee Year. Children and young people have embraced the call to be Pilgrims of Hope with creativity, compassion and a deep commitment to Catholic Social Teaching. The Jubilee theme of A Year of Hope, set by Pope Francis, empowered young people to see themselves as global citizens and agents of change, with the power to shape a more just and loving world."

Allen added: "Being a pilgrim of hope is a part of everything we do at CAFOD, and it doesn't stop at the end of the year. It is something we can do every day. The Jubilee journey, designed by CAFOD's Education team, has been a significant experience for so many, and I'm excited to see the journey continue for these young people in the years to come."

In an Apostolic Letter released on October 28, Pope Leo reflected on the importance of Catholic education and the need to promote dignity, justice, and trust in today's world. He warned that "when education loses sight of the poor, it loses its very soul."

This Jubilee Year has inspired millions of individual acts of hope, both locally and globally. In several dioceses, every Catholic school made pilgrimages to their local cathedrals to present their personal pledges to their bishop.

The Jubilee for Education at the Vatican coincided with the Declaration of St John Henry Newman, who became a Doctor of the Church at the Jubilee Mass on November 1. The English theologian saw education as a sacred vocation, and his guiding words remain alive and central to education throughout Catholic schools in England and Wales.

Tom Baptist, Lead Lay Chaplain for Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi Academy Trust, said: "It's such an inspirational testament to the living and active faith life of children and young people that, during the Year of Jubilee, students have prayed, acted and journeyed as true Pilgrims of Hope. We hope this moment inspires others to see what young people can achieve when faith and action walk hand in hand, and what a vital role our schools play in the faith life of our communities and our Church. To be invited to the Vatican for the Jubilee of Education is such an honor and a privilege, not just for our students, but for every pupil, teacher and family across England and Wales who have embraced this Jubilee Year with deep faith and hope."

The Jubilee for Schools framework is the result of a partnership between the Catholic Education Service, CAFOD, Caritas Social Action Network, and the Catholic Youth Ministry Federation.

THE CRUSADER'S OPINION

This is what Christian education should look like.

Over 1,000 schools pledging to live out Catholic Social Teaching.

Hundreds of thousands of children learning to be pilgrims of hope. Not indoctrination in secular ideology, but formation in truth and virtue.

While the world teaches children to worship themselves, Catholic schools teach them to serve others.

The Vatican's recognition is well deserved.

This is how we rebuild Christian civilization: one school, one child, one truth at a time.

TAKE ACTION

Support Catholic education and the formation of young pilgrims of hope:

1. CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development)
   Website: https://cafod.org.uk
   Donate: https://cafod.org.uk/donate
   Contact: cafod@cafod.org.uk | Phone: 020 7733 7900
   Action: CAFOD partners with Catholic schools to form young people as global citizens rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. Donate to support their education programs. Email to request Jubilee resources and materials for your parish or school to implement similar programs.
2. Catholic Education Service (England and Wales)
   Website: https://www.catholiceducation.org.uk
   Contact: admin@catholiceducation.org.uk
   Action: The CES provides central coordination for Catholic schools in England and Wales. Contact them to request information on how to support Catholic education in your diocese. Ask for resources on implementing Catholic Social Teaching in schools.
3. Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN)
   Website: https://www.csan.org.uk
   Contact: info@csan.org.uk | Phone: 020 7095 9750
   Action: CSAN partners with Catholic schools to teach students about serving the poor and vulnerable. Donate to support their school programs. Request information on how your parish can partner with local Catholic schools on service projects.
4. Support Your Local Catholic School
   Find Catholic schools: https://www.catholiceducation.org.uk/schools-and-colleges
   Action: Contact your local Catholic school and ask how you can support their mission. Volunteer as a mentor, donate to scholarship funds, or advocate for Catholic education in your community. Attend school events and masses to show your support.
5. Catholic Youth Ministry Federation
   Website: https://cymfed.org.uk
   Contact: info@cymfed.org.uk
   Action: CYMFed works to form young Catholics as disciples. Donate to support youth ministry programs. Request information on how your parish can strengthen youth formation and discipleship.
6. Advocate for Catholic Education
   Action: Write to your local bishop thanking him for supporting Catholic schools in your diocese. Request that your parish invest more in youth formation and Catholic education. Share stories of how Catholic schools are forming young people in faith and virtue with your community.

Talking Points for Emails and Conversations:

• "Over 1,000 Catholic schools in England and Wales pledged to live out Catholic Social Teaching. This is how we form the next generation"
• "Catholic schools teach children to serve others and speak up for the vulnerable, not to worship themselves"
• "The Vatican's recognition of these schools shows the power of authentic Catholic education"
• "We need more Catholic schools that form young people in truth, virtue, and service to others"
• "Supporting Catholic education is investing in the future of Christian civilization"
• "Catholic schools are teaching hundreds of thousands of children to be pilgrims of hope in a world that desperately needs hope"