JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE: CATHOLIC WOMEN OF AWKA DIOCESE LIVING OUT THE FAITH

Abstract

All baptized Christians are called to live out their faith in their various vocations in life. Undoubtedly, the content of the faith remains unchangeable, but the ways of living it out vary according to the different contexts of life. Such a duty demands constant witnessing to the faith in season and out of season. This call becomes even more pertinent in this Jubilee Year of Hope as proclaimed by Pope Francis. It is a time for inward reflection, but more especially a time of God’s favour. The realization of that favour depends on how firmly faith is anchored in hope and manifested in charity. These three theological virtues stand as a tripod in which each leg is as important as the other in providing support. Thus, the virtues intermingle in their operation, and none functions in isolation. However, evidence often abounds of Catholic women breeding divisive tendencies that do untold disservice to what Catholic Women Organization stands for. Furthermore, there are obvious challenges confronting Catholic women in Awka Diocese in their efforts to bear eloquent testimony to the faith. Consequently, there is a need for proper investigation into these challenges in order to chart a new beginning founded on the hope of a better future. Using a qualitative method, the researcher consulted relevant literature to identify the fundamental elements of a Jubilee Year. This provided a basis for examining how Catholic women live out their faith in the everydayness of their lives, notwithstanding the challenges they face.