Join the Celebration: University of Maryland Students and Community Unite for Jubilee Year ‘Nights of Hope’ Festivities

In a cozy chapel filled with the warm scent of incense, candlelight danced along the windows and altar, turning the monstrance into a radiant light. Students, pilgrims, and parishioners filled the pews, waiting for Father Conrad Murphy, the University of Maryland’s Catholic chaplain, to share his message.

“Hope is the virtue for weak people,” he told the gathering on February 7, the first Friday of the month. Instead of heading out to start the weekend, many students chose to spend their evening in prayer and adoration.

This year, Cardinal Gregory designated the University of Maryland’s Catholic Student Center as one of 12 Jubilee Churches in the archdiocese. In response, Father Murphy and the Catholic Terps launched “Nights of Hope.” This series invites local Catholics to join in prayer, worship, and sharing testimonies, nurturing a sense of community through faith.

According to Father Murphy, “St. Thomas says that hope is fundamentally leaning on Christ.” He explained that when life feels too heavy, we can lean on Christ, who supports us through our struggles and failures. “If you’re in need of hope, just say, ‘Lord, I need you. I need your strength. I need your love.’” He reassured the congregation that even during difficult times, Christ is right beside them, offering hope and love that never wavers.

Daniel Kootz, a junior majoring in computer science and math, plays piano for the music ministry. He participates in weekly practices with other students to prepare for worship events. Kootz mentioned that he helped revive the worship team during a recent musical holy hour called Pack the Chapel, available to students on Monday evenings. Looking forward to the Jubilee Year, he expressed his hope for meaningful experiences for students and visitors alike.

“I really hope they find a space where they can feel Christ’s presence,” he said. “A place where they can unwind and connect with Him.”

Away from the altar, visitors can share their “Notes of Hope,” offering brief reflections on their personal hopes and what they surrender to God. There’s also a visitor’s log where pilgrims can document their journey, marking their presence as part of the Jubilee pilgrimage.

Adriana-Isabela Melendez, a graduate from the Class of 2024, signed the log after her visit to receive plenary indulgence and reconnect with friends. She believes it’s essential for young people to engage deeply with events like these, as they represent the future of the Church.

“Bringing youth into important occasions helps inspire them to contribute positively to the Church,” she stated.

The next Night of Hope is set for Friday, March 7, where the community can gather to share, pray, and renew their hope.

Here are the designated Jubilee Churches within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington:

• Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington D.C.
• Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Washington, D.C.
• Holy Comforter – Saint Cyprian Catholic Church, Washington, D.C.
• Shrine of Saint Jude the Apostle, Rockville, Maryland
• Saint John Neumann Catholic Church, Gaithersburg, Maryland
• Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bowie, Maryland
• Saint Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church, Riverdale, Maryland
• Saint Anthony Catholic Church, North Beach, Maryland
• Sacred Heart Catholic Church, La Plata, Maryland
• Saint Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, Maryland
• Saint John Paul II National Shrine, Washington, D.C.
• University of Maryland Catholic Student Center, College Park, Maryland

(Elizabeth Polo is a journalism student at the University of Maryland and writes for the Catholic Standard.)