The year 2025 has been officially declared a Jubilee Year by the Universal Church — a sacred time of renewal, grace, and joyful celebration. The Jubilee Year is often marked by acts of faith, mercy, and pilgrimage. In keeping with this tradition, the children of Nigeria, under the umbrella of the Holy Childhood Association (HCA), have been actively involved in celebrating this extraordinary moment in the life of the Church.
Involving the Little Missionaries in Big Ways
Recognizing that the Jubilee is a time for every member of the Church — young and old — the Church in Nigeria has made significant efforts to include children in the spiritual festivities. Throughout the various Archdioceses and Dioceses across the country, the Holy Childhood Association organized an array of events tailored specifically for children, emphasizing their vital place in the life and mission of the Church.
The 2025 Jubilee Year for Children was themed “We are missionaries of Hope” calling on every child to recognize their role as young missionaries and beloved children of God by giving hope to the hopeless. The nationwide celebrations were both spiritually enriching and educational.
Highlights of the Jubilee Celebrations
Across Nigeria, some diocesan HCA organized grand pilgrimages, bringing children together in large numbers to sacred sites and cathedrals. These pilgrimages were moments of prayer, singing, and learning — designed to help children experience the beauty and universality of the Catholic faith. Children prayed for peace, unity in the Church, and especially for other children around the world who suffer due to conflict, poverty, and lack of education.
Another exciting component of the Jubilee celebration was the Quiz Competitions on Young Saints compiled together by the PMS National Director, Rev. Fr. Solomon Patrick Zaku where children were tested on their knowledge of youthful role models in the Church such as Saint Dominic Savio, Saint Maria Goretti, Blessed Carlo Acutis, and Saint José Sánchez del Río etc. These saints, who dedicated their short lives to Jesus in remarkable ways, served as living examples of holiness for the young participants.
In addition to the quiz competitions, match pasts (marching parades) were organized in many dioceses. These colorful displays allowed various parishes and deaneries to showcase their identity, creativity, and sense of unity. Dressed in their HCA uniforms, the children paraded with enthusiasm, holding banners that proclaimed messages of faith, love, and missionary zeal.
Spiritual Formation and Joyful Fellowship
Spiritual talks and catechesis sessions were held to help the children understand the significance of the Jubilee year. Priests, religious, and catechists led them in reflections on the themes of mercy and mission, teaching them how they, too, can be missionaries in their schools, homes, and parishes by being kind, prayerful, and obedient.
The Jubilee celebration was not only about learning and praying but also about fellowship and joy. Various games, cultural displays, and talent shows were included in the programs, allowing children to bond, build friendships, and express their God-given talents.
A Future Church That Shines
As the celebrations draw attention to children, the message is clear: children are not just the future of the Church; they are the present. Their enthusiasm, faith, and simplicity are gifts to the entire Church. Through this Jubilee Year, the Nigerian Church reaffirms its commitment to nurturing the spiritual lives of its youngest members.
The 2025 Jubilee Year for Children in Nigeria stands as a beautiful witness to the vibrancy of faith among the young and the dedication of the Church to raise holy, joyful, and mission-minded children. As Pope Francis has often reminded the faithful, "Children are the joy of the family and of the Church." Indeed, the joyful celebration of this Jubilee proves just that.
May this jubilee of hope rekindle in all the universal missionary Spirit. Amen
By Peter Adubi
