Pilgrims of Hope

This is another song for the Jubilee, this time from Canada. It is the 2025 Catholic Education Week Theme song, and was written by Nancy Bodsworth.

It builds slowly into an anthemic song, but it would work kept small too.

The sheet music is freely available here.

I had so much trouble making this backing as I didn’t notice the verses were subtley different and all my lazy short cutting didn’t work.

1 On this sacred journey
We seek human dignity
Each one of us is precious
Show respect and empathy.
Keepers of the earth
Care for all creation
Conserve, care and cultivate
Every land and every nation.

Chorus
WE ARE PILGRIMS OF HOPE
FOLLOWING THE WAY
OUR EYES ARE FIXED ON YOU.
KEEP THE FLAME BURNING
AND OUR HEARTS YEARNING
OUR DESIRE MUST BE RENEWED.
CELEBRATE THIS JUBILEE
THIS SYMPHONY OF PRAYER
RAISE YOUR VOICES IN HARMONY
TOGETHER LET US SHARE

2 Blaze a trail of love
Help those in poverty.
Do not turn a blind eye,
Spread love and charity.
Serve one another,
In solidarity
Use the gifts you have,
Create community.

Chorus

3 Blessed are the peacemakers,
You children of God.
Building bridges of hope
At home and abroad.
With Jesus at the centre,
There is no need to fear.
Follow His example,
The truth that we hold dear

Bridge

Lift your hands in surrender,
Feel the power of Gods’ grace.
With love and compassion
Make the world a better place.
Walk in faith,
Our hope isin the Lord
Open our hearts,
Our hope is in the Lord
Be a light in the world
Our hope isin the Lord
On earth as it is in heaven.

WE ARE PILGRIMS OF HOPE
FOLLOWING THE WAY
OUR EYES ARE FIXED ON YOU.

Chorus

Outro

WE ARE PILGRIMS OF HOPE
FOLLOWING THE WAY
OUR EYES ARE FIXED ON YOU.

Walk in faith, Amen.