Our final Wave of Hope reflection for Advent comes from the 11th Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols.

Cardinal Vincent, after an incredibly memorable year, found goodness and hope in the pupils he met on a visit to a secondary school just before Advent. This inspired him to the central message of his reflection:

“Reflect on the goodness in your life, the goodness you’ve received from all sorts of people – maybe even from people you don’t know. When you embrace the goodness, then you will find hope springing in your heart.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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This Wave of Hope reflection for Advent comes from Archbishop John Wilson, Archbishop of Southwark.

Archbishop John was particularly inspired by a primary school Advent carol service in St George’s Cathedral, with over 1,000 pupils celebrating Christ’s story in song, word and drama.

“Let’s recapture this Christmas, the joy of what it is to come with wonder and awe before the Nativity scene of the Lord Jesus, and not just welcome him into that scene, but most importantly, with great hope, to welcome him into our hearts.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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This Wave of Hope reflection for Advent comes from Professor Philip Booth, Director of Policy and Research for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.

Professor Booth finds hope in the words of Pope Benedict XVI, and specifically in his first encyclical letter:

“On Christmas Day, 20 years ago, Pope Benedict XVI published an encyclical, Deus Caritas Est. In it, he gives us a message of true hope or trust that with the Lord’s help, we will have the strength to follow the path to which God has called us. And that is all He asks of us.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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This Wave of Hope short reflection for Advent comes from Father Stephen Wang, Rector of the Venerable English College in Rome, one of the five seminaries training priests for England and Wales.

Fr Stephen found signs of hope in three places this year. Firstly in witnessing the number of enthusiastic and faithful pilgrims that have visited Rome for the Jubilee Year. Secondly in the faith and example of the seminarians training for the priesthood, and thirdly in the increasing number of young people finding their way to the Catholic Church.

“Despite all the difficulties that people face, there is a hunger for truth, for meaning, for beauty, and it’s leading many of them to Jesus, to the Bible, to the Mass, and to the Church. The real question is this: are we ready to welcome them and to lead them deeper in their journey of faith?”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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This Wave of Hope reflection for Advent comes from Fleur Dorrell, Biblical Apostolate Manager for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.

Fleur found hope in the hidden but important details that make up every stage of our lives – in family and friendships, in hospitality and community outreach in the places where we live.

“Biblical hope reminds me that the present is provisional and death is not the end. No system, knowledge, or power on this Earth can define the fullness of truth found in Jesus Christ. This has been my anchor throughout this year.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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This Wave of Hope reflection for Advent comes from Father James Hanvey SJ, Secretary for the Service of Faith of the Society of Jesus.

Fr Hanvey found hope in how people gathered in St Peter’s Square to pray for Pope Francis as he was dying:

“It was a grace just to be one of the crowd. No, not an anonymous crowd, but the Holy People of God, a Church at prayer, simply and with faith and with hope. I knew that whatever the situation of the world – its wars, its sufferings, the rise and decline of all its powers – this was the Church here, now, and in this place, the church of ordinary people that would endure and carry its love and its prayer for the whole world.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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This Wave of Hope short Advent reflection comes from Dr Harry Hagopian, an international lawyer and a church consultant on the Middle East North Africa region and the Gulf States.

“Hope is merely staying alive for most Palestinians today,” reflects Dr Hagopian, who hails originally from Jordan. “Hope is being able to preserve the property that the farmers have in Palestine – to harvest the olive groves. Hope is being recognised by all as a child of God, no matter our background.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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This Wave of Hope reflection for Advent comes from Alistair Dutton, General Secretary of Caritas Internationalis.

There were two aspects of the Jubilee Year of Hope that gave Alistair reason to be hopeful – the increasing role that women and young people are playing in the leadership and life of the Caritas Confederation, and the ‘Declaration of Hope’ made by young people at the Caritas Internationalis youth forum:

“Something that particularly gave me hope was the youth forum that we had in the middle of the year and especially the energy, passion, and creativity that all our young people brought to that event.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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This Wave of Hope short reflection for Advent comes from Sr Gemma Simmonds CJ, a sister of the Congregation of Jesus and a theologian working at the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology in Cambridge.

Sr Gemma shares how this year she found hope in the long-awaited union of the two branches of her congregation, which was founded by Venerable Mary Ward in 1609. With this hope fulfilled, Sr Gemma shared how the sisters work to give hope to others:

“Our sisters have been working for centuries across the world to give women hope of a brighter future through education in its broadest sense. Everywhere, women and girls face the frustration of their potential through poverty, lack of opportunity and cultural restrictions but Jesus came to bring all of us life lived to the full.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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This Wave of Hope reflection for Advent comes from Bishop Jim Curry, Lead Bishop for the Holy Land for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.

Jesus was born into a mess, says Bishop Jim, but we should never lose hope that, in Him, the world can be different.

“Jesus comes in order to unite heaven and earth. Not for us to wait for heaven on earth, but to unite heaven and earth. A new creation has already begun, and the possibility of that new creation can never be exhausted. That’s the hope that sustains us.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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On the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, our Wave of Hope reflection comes from Sister Maria Cecialia Sierra, a Comboni Missionary Sister working among Bedouin communities in the West Bank.

Reflecting on the Threads of Peace project through which Bedouin women gather to learn and support each other and which was recently presented with a Weavers of Hope Award from Caritas Internationalis, Sr Maria Cecilia says:

“This year, the thing that gave me the most hope was witnessing how Bedouin women continue to weave dignity and resilience into their lives, even in the harshness of the Judean Desert. Despite displacement, demolitions, and uncertainty, they rise, every day, reminding us that hope is not an idea but a practice. A thread chosen, a stitch made, a story shared.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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This Wave of Hope reflection for Advent comes from Abbot Hugh Allan O.Praem, Director of Mission for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.

Abbot Hugh reflects on Advent as a season of hope, and explains that though we may be tempted to despair during troubled times, it is our knowledge of – and deepening of – our lives with Jesus Christ that can make hope a reality in our lives.

“Without faith, hope is just another word for the cheap and cheesy optimism that the world uses to paper over the cracks. For us, the nature of hope is despair overcome. We can hope because we’re loved as sons and daughters by a loving God who’s truly present with us and engaged in our lives.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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This Wave of Hope Advent reflection comes from Bokani Tshidzu, a London-based multimedia artist.

When commissioned recently to produce a stained-glass altarpiece, Bokani focused on the story of the Visitation. Reflecting on this reading, she found not only artistic inspiration but also hope:

“Hope grows when we say yes to God by living in solidarity with those who are most vulnerable in our families, in our local neighbourhoods, and across our global community. The Visitation shows us that hope is born in relationships.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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Today's Wave of Hope Advent reflection comes from Professor Jim McManus, the National Director of Health and Wellbeing for Public Health Wales and the Chair of Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT).

Reflecting on the power of good over evil, and the words of encouragement which we receive from Pope Francis and Pope Leo, Jim says:

“Hope means paying attention to the good. Where communities allow themselves to be guided by hope, they do not retreat but are revitalised, and they do not build walls but bridges. My hope this year is that those people who amplify signs of hope will signpost the way for us to do the same.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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Today’s Wave of Hope Advent reflection comes from Raymond Friel, CEO of Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN).

Speaking from St Mary’s University, Twickenham after the recent conference marking the 60th anniversary of Gaudium et Spes, Raymond shared the hope that he finds in the teaching of the Church today, and especially in young people who can inspire us in the search for social justice.

Finally, Raymond shared the hope that he finds through his work with Caritas and the encounters he has with those on the margins:

“Hope is not some unwarranted optimism that everything is going to be okay, but the assurance, the conviction that nothing can separate us from the love of God. And that’s what gives us our energy and our inspiration for our mission.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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This Wave of Hope Advent reflection comes from Dr Phil McCarthy, founder of the Hearts in Search of God walking pilgrimage project.

"The thing that gave me most hope was the 'Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope'… 641 miles were walked and 21,257 feet climbed over 45 days along four 'Ways', by 20 perpetual pilgrims who walked the full distance, often sleeping in church halls, and by over 250 day pilgrims who joined us for one or more days."

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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You can subscribe to our Wave of Hope podcast reflections using your podcast platform of choice. Subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon/Audible.

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This Wave of Hope Advent reflection comes from Canon William Agley, General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.

Canon Agley reflects on a busy year that has seen him move from the north east, where he was a parish priest in Newcastle, to London to take up his appointment as the new General Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference.

This year, he has found great hope in the people seeking to be received into the Church:

“It has been a great joy to accompany an increasing number of people who are coming to faith in Jesus Christ and to His Church. To witness their growth in faith during their preparation and to baptise or receive them into the Church has filled me with the certain hope that the Holy Spirit is alive and active in the world.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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Feed: cbcew.org.uk/feed/podcast/wave-of-hope/

This 'Wave of Hope' Advent reflection is given by Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, Eparchial Bishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London.

Even though we live in a troubled, chaotic world, Bishop Nowakowski sees Jesus Christ as the light piercing the darkness bringing us hope and peace: "Behold the brilliance of the newborn saviour, Jesus. It is this babe who gives ever new meaning to our lives. Good conquers evil, charity prevails over indifference, love melts hardened hearts and brings the promise of peace for all of us."

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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You can subscribe to our Wave of Hope podcast reflections using your podcast platform of choice. Subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon/Audible.

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This Wave of Hope reflection is given by lecturer and theologian Dr Pia Matthews. Describing the hope she has found in the witness and formation of lay Catholics and seminarians during this Jubilee Year, Dr Matthews says:

"We live in hope because, after all, the battle has already been won, Jesus has conquered sin and death. But what is truly wonderful and amazing is that God, who does not need us, asks each one of us to participate in whatever way we can in his great plan of salvation."

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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This Wave of Hope reflection for Advent comes from Bishop John Arnold, our Lead Bishop for the Environment and Bishop of Salford.

Despite the disappointment of COP30 and the lack of agreement on the phasing out of fossil fuels, Bishop Arnold actually takes heart from the number of individuals and groups in the UK keen to combat climate change:

“This year, what gave me the most hope was the growing interest, learning, and actions among so many groups of people concerning the reality of climate change and its increasing impact in our world, particularly in the poorest nations which have done least to cause the climate change.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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This Wave of Hope reflection for Advent comes from Nikki Dhillon Keane, a therapist, trainer, author, activist and founder of Safe in Faith, a project of Caritas Westminster working to support survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and exploitation in ways that understand how their faith impacts their experiences.

Nikki reflects on the hope she finds in accompanying people on their personal journeys:

“The thing that gives me hope more than anything is the privilege of being able to accompany people on that journey from danger to safety, that journey of trauma recovery, that journey from despair to hope.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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This Wave of Hope reflection for Advent comes from Bishop Richard Moth, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton and Lead Bishop for Prisons for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. Bishop Moth shares how he found hope through his encounters with the men and women he met during the various prison visits he made this year:

“I made a number of visits to prisons during the year and have been delighted to baptise and confirm men and women who are encountering the gospel and the life of the Church and recognising that their journey in faith brings hope that transforms lives.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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Our third Wave of Hope reflection for Advent comes from Dr Christine Allen, Director of CAFOD, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development and the official aid agency for the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

Dr Allen finds hope at home and abroad despite the war, violence, conflict, famine, and destruction that we’ve seen this year.

“I’ve seen signs of hope in South Sudan, where our partner, Caritas Malakal, day in and day out, offers life-saving food to those displaced across the border from the war in Sudan. People who have absolutely nothing, who are in a transit camp but are offered food, compassion, and care… Here I’ve been so moved and empowered by the young people that have been engaging in the Jubilee for Schools work. They’ve made pledges, they’ve made commitments, and faith has come that, for me, makes a real sign of hope for the future.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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Our second Wave of Hope reflection for Advent comes from Canon Chris Vipers, Director of the Agency for Evangelisation for the Diocese of Westminster. Canon Vipers finds his hope in young people and how they will shape the Church for future generations:

“I found great hope in the events we’ve had for our catechists – those who form our young people for the Sacraments… I’ve been so encouraged by the warmth and the love that our catechists bring. It gives me such hope for the future – our young people are so blessed to have them.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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You can subscribe to our Wave of Hope podcast reflections using your podcast platform of choice. Subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon/Audible.

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Our first Wave of Hope reflection for Advent comes from Fr Issa Thaljieh, a Greek Orthodox priest from the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. How appropriate that we start our series of reflections here – the place of our Lord and Saviour’s birth.

Fr Thaljieh explains that it has been a very hard year in Bethlehem, the city where hope Himself was born – a year marked by pain, uncertainty, and questions. Yet, in the midst of this, God continues to plant small seeds of hope.

“One moment this year that filled me with hope happened right here in the Church of the Nativity. I watched an elderly woman, who had lost so much, enter the Grotto of the Nativity with trembling hands. She placed a simple candle before the star of the birth and whispered, ‘Lord, I have no one left. You are my only hope.’ And then she smiled a peaceful, trusting smile.”

Wave of Hope offers 25 short multimedia reflections for the season – one a day – as our contributors share a moment in 2025 that has led them to a place of hope.

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You can subscribe to our Wave of Hope podcast reflections using your podcast platform of choice. Subscribe using Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon/Audible.

Feed: cbcew.org.uk/feed/podcast/wave-of-hope/