For the Jubilee Year, a special logo was created that we placed in the narthex at the entrance to our church and also in the church over the replica of the Holy Doors from Rome. It contains several elements that refer to Christian symbols.
At the center of the logo, there is a cross that ends with an anchor. Next to the cross, there are four figures. The entire scene is on water. The inscription at the bottom of the logo reads: “Pilgrims of Hope.” All these elements are not accidental or simply for decorative purposes. They deliver a profound theological message. Let’s look more closely at the elements of the Jubilee Year logo.
· The logo shows that we all are pilgrims sailing to the eternal kingdom, to live there forever. Pilgrimage is different than a trip, always has a clearly defined destination and is going up and up. In addition, it is a trip that is accompanied by God.
· The cross in the logo refers to Jesus Christ and our faith. It is in fact the mast of the ship. The four people in the logo are stylized as sails. It is the sail that moves a ship forward. We know that a sail can work only when it is attached to the mast because a sail without a mast is useless. As Christians, we understand this connection clearly and try to cling to Christ in our journey, remembering the Lord’s words: “without me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5).
· The rough sea of the logo is a reminder of the difficulties during the pilgrimage of our life. Sometimes the waters are calm, sometimes they are not. Christians are not afraid of the journey of life because they know that being connected with God, enlightened by the Gospel, and strengthened by the Church they are able to overcome whatever problem they will have to face.
· The people on the ship not only hold onto the cross but are also holding onto one another. This highlights the very nature of the Church: we are sailing together — not in isolation, nor alone. We support each other on our journey: we pray for each other, we help each other materially and spiritually, and we “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal 6:2). The pilgrimage of life is not an individual effort, but rather a collective one. The presence of exactly four people in the logo also has a meaning. The four figures represent humanity from the four corners of the world – meaning the entire world. They are embracing each other to illustrate the solidarity between the peoples. This also shows that Jesus’ salvation and his leading of people is not limited to a chosen group, but it is universal. It applies to all people, “from every nation, tribe, people and language” (Rev 7:9).
· Finally, there is also the anchor at the bottom of the cross. From the very beginning of Christianity, the anchor was a symbol of hope. Like an iron anchor that secures a ship during a storm, Jesus Christ and faith provides safety for Christians, even during turmoil, persecution or hardship. We use this material world only temporally in our continuous pilgrimage to the house of our Father in heaven. It is there which is our unperishable harbor and true home. May all these symbols open us to the real existence of God and to His leading us through our life. Journeying with Jesus and His Church, we are assured that we will not go astray, not be lost, or wrecked. He assures us “not a hair on your head will be destroyed” (Lk 21:18). With Jesus and his Church, we pilgrimize in the right direction to a safe harbor, the only one, sailing full of joy and hope.