Bearers of hope

by Emma Darling

We highlight the journeys of several Columban co-workers and lay missionaries who, inspired by faith, are tirelessly living out the call of the Pope's Jubilee 2025 through their commitment to justice, peace and care for creation.

John Din is a Columban Lay Missionary. For almost a decade, John Din has lived out his calling as a Columban Lay Missionary, leading the Laudato Si’ Movement Pilipinas and advocating for care for our common home. From prayer vigils and street protests to inspiring the local Church to heed the cry of the earth and the poor, his mission has always been one of faith in action. Now, his journey continues at San Columbano de Batang and the Sanctuary de San Columbano in Negros Occidental—where he works to restore over 70 hectares of land through reforestation, agroecology, and eco-spirituality.

For John, walking barefoot, planting trees, growing fruit and vegetables and composting are more than just tasks; they are sacred acts of ecological conversion—a return to the land, embracing the wisdom that we are not separate from creation but part of it. Inspired by Jubilee 2025, he demonstrates what it means to be a Pilgrim Of Hope, showing that mission is not just about stewardship but deep belonging and renewal.

Pescila Magdalin is the Columban Interreligious Dialogue Coordinator in Fiji. She builds bridges between faith communities to promote compassion, justice and care for creation. Her work supports Columban mission priorities by fostering solidarity with refugees and migrants and encouraging environmental stewardship through shared spiritual values.

By highlighting the deep connection between faith and biodiversity, Pescila inspires collective action for a more just and sustainable world. Her efforts embody the spirit of Pope Francis’ Jubilee 2025 theme, Pilgrims of Hope, showing that through dialogue and unity, we can journey together in hope, supporting the vulnerable and restoring harmony with the Earth.

In the spirit of Pope Francis’ 2025 Jubilee, we celebrate Febie Gonzales as a Pilgrim of Hope, living her faith through compassionate action in Taiwan.

For seven years, Febie has dedicated herself to caring for individuals with physical and mental challenges, journeying alongside orphans, the sick, and the marginalised. She lends her hands to feed, guide and support those in need, her ears to listen and her heart to bring comfort to their suffering.

Febie’s journey is one of selfless service, deep empathy and unwavering faith. She embodies the Gospel’s call to love and care for the most vulnerable and reminds us that being a Pilgrim of Hope is about seeing Christ in others, responding with tenderness and building a world where no one is left behind.

Febie explains, “To be a Pilgrim of Hope is to put my faith into action—walking with the vulnerable, listening to the unheard, and offering compassion to those in need. It means being a guiding hand, a listening ear, and a loving presence, manifesting God’s love in every encounter.”

Danish Yaqoob is part of the Columban JPIC/IRD team in the Diocese of Hyderabad, Pakistan, where he leads environmental education and awareness initiatives inspired by Laudato Si’. Through workshops for students, parish and interfaith groups, he empowers communities, especially the poorest, who are most affected by climate change, to take practical action on environmental issues.

Following disasters like the 2022 floods, Danish, and his colleagues have provided relief and long-term support to affected communities. His mission reflects the spirit of Jubilee 2025, journeying with the poor as Pilgrims of Hope, fostering resilience, dignity and a shared commitment to care for creation.

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