By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
The Jubilee Year of Hope is well underway, a year of favor from the Lord in which Pope Francis is encouraging and challenging us to be Pilgrims of Hope. What is a pilgrim anyway?

Over 40 years ago in the early years of my priesthood I participated in a biblical study tour to the Holy Lands and Rome to experience firsthand the earthly life of Jesus, the beginning of the church in Jerusalem, and its growth in Rome. In preparation for this three-week spiritual adventure the leader reminded all participating priests that we are undertaking this trip as pilgrims, not tourists. Most of us heard the call for pilgrimage and packed simply, except for one in the group who took along a large empty suitcase for souvenirs.

Later this year the Diocese of Jackson will sponsor a pilgrimage to Rome that will include passing through the Holy Door of one of the four major Basilicas. We will see ourselves as pilgrims for these ten days, all the while keeping in mind that the Holy Father is exhorting us to be pilgrims of hope in heart and mind as an enduring and defining state of life.
How? One of the prophets of old illuminates for us the path of pilgrims. “You have been told, o mortal, what is good and what the Lord requires of you: to do justice, to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) It’s a way of being in this world that overcomes and transcends all who cast their shadows over the light of faith, the power of hope and the primacy of love. As pilgrims we are called to touch lightly on this earth, not in a superficial manner, but in a way that inspires us to understand that to walk upon this earth is a miracle.

I am writing this column on the 11th anniversary of my consecration and installation as the 11th bishop of the Diocese of Jackson. Applying the lens of Pilgrims of Hope I have experienced my episcopal ministry at its core as pilgrimage, journeying to many holy sites, i.e. our parishes, schools and ministries, and back again to the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. In ordinary and extraordinary moments, in season and out of season, my life is filled with encounters with the sacred. Recognizing this gift is the key. Each of us in has to do the personal work to “stir into flame” (2Timothy 1:6) our baptismal call to be alive and active as the Lord’s anointed and pilgrims of hope. Our identity as God’s children flourishes through prayer, through the sacraments, through works of justice and goodness accomplished in a spirit of humility. When we fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:12) “each of us may be able to offer a smile, a small gesture of friendship, a kind look, a ready ear, a good deed, in the knowledge that, in the Spirit of Jesus, these can become, for those who receive them, rich seeds of hope.” (Jubilee Document)

As this edition of Mississippi Catholic circulates throughout the diocese, I will be in India for my second pastoral visit to this amazing country from where we have 15 priests serving in our diocese. Truly, this is a pastoral visit to spend time with the bishops and provincial who have priests on mission in the Diocese of Jackson. But at its core it is a pilgrimage to many holy sites and ministries in the land where St. Thomas the Apostle first proclaimed the Gospel.

Wherever we are in this world, St. Paul reminds us that in the end “our citizenship is in heaven.” Yet, the journey begins here and the blessing and challenge is to see this world as God sees it, and to accompany one another as pilgrims with an abiding concern for justice, goodness and solidarity for all.

As Bishops of the Province of Mobile, encompassing Alabama and Mississippi, we feel called to speak to the pressing issue of immigration in our nation and in our province. Our faith compels us to view each human being as a child of God, endowed with dignity and worth, and our nation’s history reminds us of the transformative power of hope and opportunity.

America’s beauty and genius have long been the result of doors open to those yearning for a better life for their families, those longing to “breathe free,” and those seeking safety, security and liberty. This openness has enriched our amazing society, strengthening the fabric of our communities and renewing the spirit of the American dream for new and future generations. Even in Alabama and Mississippi, many of our civic and faith communities are experiencing growth and vibrancy because of immigrants who long to create a better life for themselves and their families, while experiencing a taste of opportunity and freedom.

At the same time, we recognize that nations are sovereign entities with the right and responsibility to establish immigration laws and policies that protect their citizens and ensure the orderly movement of peoples at their borders. A just and compassionate approach to immigration must balance respect for these laws with the imperative to uphold the dignity of every person including their dreams and noble aspirations.

We call for respect and understanding toward those who find themselves in our country due to a broken immigration system. Many have come seeking a refuge from poverty, violence, dictatorships, or persecution. As a nation, we must make accommodations to keep families together, ensuring that children are not separated from their parents. Due process must be afforded in the processing of immigration claims, ensuring fairness and justice for all especially regarding time and expense. Furthermore, we must presume goodwill for those who strive to work within our system, improve their lives, and contribute to the unique tapestry that is America.

Immigration reform is not only a legal issue but also a profoundly moral one. As Catholics and as Americans, we are called to stand in solidarity with the vulnerable, advocating for policies that reflect the values of compassion, justice, and mercy. Impelled by Christ’s call to care for all, we advocate for the dignity and just treatment of immigrants, affirming their worth and contributions to society. We urge lawmakers, community leaders, and all people of goodwill to engage in this issue with the seriousness and humanity it deserves.

May we, as a nation, continue to welcome the stranger with open hearts, honor the rule of law with integrity, and strive always to be a beacon of hope and welcome for those seeking a better tomorrow.

In Christ,

Most Reverend Thomas J. Rodi
Archbishop of Mobile

Most Reverend Steven J. Raica
Bishop of Birmingham

Most Reverend Joseph R. Kopacz
Bishop of Jackson

Most Reverend Louis F. Kihneman, III
Bishop of Biloxi

Bishops of the Province of Mobile

By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
Each year on the third Sunday in Ordinary Time the Church celebrates Sunday of the Word of God. This annual commemoration began with Aperuit illis an apostolic letter, by Pope Francis issued on Sept. 30, 2019, the feast of St. Jerome instituting this annual observance. Sunday of the Word of God is devoted to the raising up of the Sacred Scriptures throughout the Catholic world while fostering a more widespread love for God’s Word on a daily basis.

The first Sunday of the Word of God occurred on Jan. 26, 2020, and this year’s observance will occur on Jan. 25-26. The pope said that he wrote the apostolic letter in response to requests from around the world to celebrate the Word of God in an extra special manner. In time, it is the desire of Pope Francis and many in the church that Sunday of the Word of God will be as central to the Catholic culture and imagination as is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

This earnest desire was expressed 60 years ago at the Second Vatican Council. “The treasures of the bible are to be opened up more lavishly, so that richer fare may be provided for the faithful at the table of God’s word.” (Sacrosanctum Concilium) The Council Fathers pointed out that Sacred Scriptures already permeate the entire liturgy, often a treasure hidden in plain sight. “Sacred Scripture is of the greatest importance in the celebration of the liturgy. For it is from scripture that lessons are read and explained in the homily, and psalms are sung; the prayers, collects, and liturgical songs are scriptural in their inspiration and their force, and it is from the scriptures that actions and signs derive their meaning. Thus, it is essential to promote that warm and living love for scripture to which the venerable tradition of both eastern and western rites gives testimony.” (Sacrosanctum Concilium)

The Word of God is essential for Eucharistic Revival because through its proclamation and hearing in the assembly of the faithful the Holy Spirit inspires faith and prepares our hearts and minds for communion with the Body and Blood of the Lord and empowers us in our daily lives to live with the mind and heart of Jesus Christ. The period of fasting before Mass and the reception of Holy Communion is intended to sharpen our attention and focus, and to cultivate a hunger and thirst for the living Word of God, and for the reception of the Eucharist.

Indeed, the quest for renewal in the church finds its power in the Mass. “Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that fully conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy. Such participation by the Christian people as is their right and duty by reason of their baptism.” Hearing the Word of God and putting it into practice is the heart of fully conscious participation.

The sacred scriptures that will be proclaimed on Sunday of the Word of God this year are outstanding. From the Book of Nehemiah, the assembly of Israel gathered to renew their Covenant with God through the proclamation of the law. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians illustrates the church as a living organism, the body, comprised of many members. In light of this passage, we know that at every gathering in our churches, we proclaim to the heavens that the church is a living body giving glory to God.

Lastly, the Gospel of St. Luke situates Jesus in then synagogue in Nazareth where he had grown up, announcing a Jubilee Year of Hope for all of the people with an outpouring of glad tidings, liberty and sight. May God’s Word accomplish its purpose in our lives as a lamp for our feet and a light for the eyes of our hearts and minds.

By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

This verse from the prologue of St. John’s Gospel is the proclamation par excellence of our Christmas faith. The infancy narratives of St. Matthew and St. Luke, written a generation ahead of St. John, impart the beloved narrative of the Lord’s birth, the essence of the Christmas manger scene in all its splendor that we all know and love. But the prologue from the Gospel of John, represented by the eagle, takes us to the lofty heights of our understanding of God’s eternal Word without the participation of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds or the magi. However, in an awe-inspiring and timeless manner, the introductions to the three Gospels combine to reveal the uniqueness, the harmony and diversity of the evangelists. We are enlightened by the breath and depth of God’s Word at Christmas.

This Christmas we are doubly blessed with the inauguration of the Jubilee Year of Hope when Pope Francis flings open the Holy Doors of the four Basilicas in Rome. Crossing the thresholds of home and church through a door opened in loving hospitality is always a moment of grace and peace.

Many bemoan the sad state of affairs over locked church doors in the modern world while understanding the need for security. Total access to God in our sacred houses of worship would bring us back to better days and provide much consolation in a world that appears to be losing its soul. In this sense the opening of the Holy Door to begin the Jubilee Year is full of meaning.

Pope Francis offers this perspective: “Sustained by this great tradition, and certain that the Jubilee Year will be for the entire church a lively experience of grace and hope, I hereby decree that the Holy Door of the Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican will be opened on 24 Dec. 2024, thus inaugurating the Ordinary Jubilee. On the following Sunday, 29 Dec. 2024 I will open the Holy Door of my cathedral, Saint John Lateran, which on the 9 Nov. this year will celebrate the 1700th year of its dedication. Then, on 1 Jan. 2025, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother God, the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica, Saint Mary Major, will be opened. Finally, Sunday, 5 Jan. 2025, will mark the opening of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.”

In the Diocese of Jackson, we will inaugurate the Holy Year on the feast of the Epiphany, 5 Jan. 2025 at our Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, inviting the faithful to cross the threshold of hope imploring a year of grace and favor from the Lord. With the universal Catholic Church, the Jubilee of Hope will conclude on the feast of the Epiphany, January 2026.

What makes the opening of the Holy Door even more full of significance is that God first flung open the gates to paradise for us here on earth through the Incarnation, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God rolled out the red carpet to the heavenly banquet hall so that we can walk upon it as confident pilgrims who have been washed clean in the Blood of the Lamb. At the deepest level we do have total access to God’s presence through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit whose temples we are. We carry this life with us wherever we go as God-bearers and pilgrims of hope for our own lives and for the life of the world.

May we inspire one another with the conviction “that hope does not disappoint because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 5:5) In the light of faith that shines in the darkness we can bless one another. Merry Christmas!

By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
After three years of reflection, the Synod on Synodality came to an end on the evening of Oct. 26, 2024, as the 356 members of the assembly gathered to vote on a final document. In an unexpected act, Pope Francis immediately approved this document, saying that he would not release a post-synodal apostolic exhortation, which is the type of papal document that usually follows a synod. This text thus immediately falls within the Pope’s magisterium. However, he did specify that it was non-normative. Nevertheless, this has been a remarkable pastoral process that brought together the faithful from around the world these past three years.

Led by the Holy Spirit, the conversations began in the local diocesan church and progressed to produce regional and continental documents. The nearly 400 delegates who gathered in Rome during the month of October, last year and this year, represented our One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church and were able to build upon the voices of the Catholic faithful from around the world.

At the moment, the Synod document is in Italian, but the wheels of translation are turning to disseminate it far and wide. Not surprisingly, the document does not usher in a new era of church teaching as some were anxious over. But the uniqueness of this Synod is found in the deliberative and consultative gatherings of church leadership that included the ordained, professed, and laity since its inception in 2021.

These substantive encounters brought into the light of day the themes of communion, participation and mission with ample time to take a long and loving look at reality in order to better see, judge and act. This enlarging of the space of our tent in the Body of Christ represented our universality. The photos of the assembled delegates in Rome portrayed this vision whose hard work culminated in the final document. Yet, deliberative and consultative processes cannot be limited to extraordinary processes such as the Synod on Synodality, but ought to be integrated into the life of the church at every level and in every place. Enlarging our vision, sense of mission, and scope of ministries permeates the work of the delegates, and the impact of their labors under the gaze and inspiration of the Holy Spirit will be unpacked, reflected upon, and put into practice for years to come.

Throughout the document there is a repeated call for unity in the Body of Christ, and for a renewed commitment to mission as joyful disciples of the crucified and risen Lord. On Sunday, Oct. 27, the pope presided over a final Mass for the synod in St. Peter’s Basilica. Surrounded by the summit’s global delegates, Pope Francis encouraged the church to be attentive to “the challenges of our time, the urgency of evangelization and the many wounds that afflict humanity.”

“A sedentary church, that inadvertently withdraws from life and confines itself to the margins of reality, is a church that risks remaining blind and becoming comfortable with its own unease,” said the pope. “If we remain stuck in our blindness, we will continuously fail to grasp the urgency of giving a pastoral response to the many problems of our world.”

As he officially brought the three-year synod process to its end, Pope Francis declared that it is now time for the church to “get its hands dirty” and “carry the joy of the Gospel through the streets of the world.”
The past three years of world-wide synodality are a beacon of light as we embark upon the Jubilee Year of Hope to begin during the Christmas season and continue throughout 2025. The joy of the Gospel is our gift to the world that cries out in pain for unity and peace.

(Editor’s note: At press time on Nov. 1, 2024, the final document of the XVI Assembly of the Synod of Bishops was only made available in the original Italian. Visit https://www.synod.va/en.html in the coming days for additional language translations.)