In order to celebrate and commemorate the Jubilee Year 2025, Pilgrims of Hope, CAFOD commissioned an icon from artist Mulugeta Araya in Ethiopia, for the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Ethiopia was chosen because of the strong tradition of iconography within the country and to demonstrate that this is a global Jubilee - not just something that is happening in England and Wales.

The icon was blessed by Cardinal Vincent Nichols and has been touring the country. 

We are delighted that St John’s Primary in Gravesend was chosen as one of just four schools within the Southwark Archdiocese to host the icon and the whole school had the opportunity to take part in a day of prayer and reflection.