Jubilee icon for England and Wales blessed

Welcoming pilgrims to the National Eucharistic Congress, Archbishop Bernard Longley said:

"It is great opportunity for us to deepen our love for the Lord who is always present to us in the Eucharist – and especially during this Year of Prayer in preparation for the Holy Year of 2025."

About the Jubilee icon

The icon was commissioned by CAFOD from Ethiopian artist Mulugeta Araya, in order to celebrate and commemorate the Jubilee Year 2025, Pilgrims of Hope.

This Jubilee Year, which begins on 24 December 2024, is a special time when we seek to renew our faith, deepen our hope and change our world. Pope Francis has invited us to discover a vision that can “restore access to the fruits of the earth to everyone.”

The icon depicts Jesus, as told in Luke 4:16-21, teaching that he has been sent to:

“proclaim good news to the poor,
… liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

The artist, Mulugeta Araya, lives in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, where hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes because of conflict, and many families are struggling to get enough to eat.

His art is deeply inspired by his life in Tigray. The beauty of the landscape, the resilience of his community and the rich cultural heritage of the region all play a role in his artistic vision.

This context is particularly relevant given the Jubilee Year’s focus on those struggling with poverty.

Hope is a powerful force

Mulugeta, 30, is a former student of St Mary’s College, Wukro, in Ethiopia, which is supported by CAFOD. St Mary’s offers vocational training to young people as well as taking part in programmes to improve food security, the supply of water and emergency response in the area.

Speaking of his faith, and the creation of the icon, Mulugeta said:

“Painting this icon was a deeply spiritual experience. I felt a sense of connection to Jesus and a desire to represent him in a way that honored my faith and my cultural heritage

My faith is a core part of who I am. It provides me with a sense of purpose, hope and connection to something greater than myself.

Hope is a powerful force that keeps me going, especially in times of difficulty… It inspires me to use my art to create a more just and beautiful world, a world where people can live in peace and harmony.”