As part of the Catholic Church’s celebration of the Jubilee Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope, the Diocese of Northampton will joyfully welcome the CAFOD Jubilee Icon on its pilgrimage across England and Wales.
Commissioned by CAFOD, the icon was created by Ethiopian artist Mulugeta Araya, symbolising both the global nature of this Jubilee and the deep tradition of sacred iconography in Ethiopia. CAFOD chose Ethiopia not only for its rich Christian heritage but also to highlight that the Jubilee Year is a celebration for the whole world, not just for our local Church.
A Gospel of Liberation and Hope
The icon is inspired by Luke 4:16-21, where Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim 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.”
— Luke 4:18–19
These words resonate deeply with the theme of Jubilee: a time of renewal, freedom, and hope.
Portraying Jesus in the Northern Ethiopian artistic tradition, the icon features culturally faithful elements such as traditional clothing and head coverings, inviting us into a deeper encounter with the universality of Christ’s mission.
Meet the Artist
Mulugeta Araya, aged 30, is not only a gifted iconographer but also an engineer. He studied at St Mary’s College in Wukro, a CAFOD-supported institution offering vocational training in agriculture, IT, accounting, and the arts. St Mary’s also plays a vital role in supporting local communities through food security, water provision, and emergency relief.
Visit Schedule in the Diocese of Northampton
We warmly invite all parishioners to take part in this unique opportunity to reflect and pray with the icon during its time in our diocese:
-
Monday 26th – Thursday 29th May
Northampton Cathedral and surrounding parishes -
Thursday 29th May – Sunday 1st June
St Joseph’s, Bedford and surrounding parishes -
Sunday 1st June – Wednesday 4th June
St Peter’s, Marlow
Let us come together as Pilgrims of Hope, to encounter Christ in this sacred image and to renew our commitment to justice, peace, and joyful discipleship in this Jubilee Year.
Photo credit :Mazur/CBCEW.
