The year 2025 is a worldwide year of jubilee for the Catholic Church. All cathedrals in the world open a special Holy Door, once every 25 years, to allow a new generation to find their pilgrim path in the long line of 2025 years of Christianity.
Every generation has its own identity and aspirations and should not be held back by debts or burdens from the past. This principle comes from the Book of Leviticus 25. A Jubilee year is a time of reflection, finding a new relevant way forward, and for making a pilgrimage to one of these open doors. Rome is expecting around 30 millions of such pilgrims this year. But for those who want to avoid crowds there are many other spiritual paths that lead to inner renewal and resetting of one’s goals and values.
At the international Roman Catholic English-speaking parish Church of our Saviour, in The Hague, over 1000 people from 65 different nationalities gather for worship every Sunday, or for meetings in one of the 60 groups that the community hosts. The programs range from activities with homeless and refugees, to addiction groups, catechesis, liturgy and many social and charity events. The annual Food Fair draws about 3000 people to her culinary stands. The proceeds support many charity projects around the world.
The parish appointed her first pastor in 1952 to assist the English-speaking soldiers who remained in The Netherlands after the 2nd world war. Since then, it has grown into one of the vibrant and largest catholic communities in The Netherlands where many people find a family far away from home. After an initial start in rented school halls, the parish now owns a beautiful church in The Hague located between Parliament and the Royal Palace on the Bezuidenhoutseweg 157. In 1950 the building procedure started which means that in 2025 the church building celebrates her 75th anniversary.
The current pastor, fr. Sjaak de Boer was appointed to the parish in 1998. After having worked for 11 years in Nairobi and Rio de Janeiro, coming to The Hague meant a radical change in pastoral ministry. His first years in The Netherlands were focused on the Millennium Goals from the year 2000. It meant looking for alliances to reduce poverty and promote gender equality. Many contacts with UN institutions and embassies were sought to see how these goals could be implemented combining the possibilities offered by faith, politics and economics.
The parish doubled in mass attendance and pastoral activities. One of the most active outreach programs during the last 15 years has been the Justice and Peace group. This group brings together hundreds of volunteers for refugee and homeless support, amnesty international, fair trade, soup kitchen and food pantries, buddy programs, outings, dinners and fundraising for the needy. In the year 2000 also the first symposium for pastors in English speaking parishes in European capitals was held at the Peace palace. Since then, every year this meeting was held in a different city. The silver jubilee of the European Pastors Symposium will return to The Hague in 2025.
Last, but not least, two more jubilees are coming up and will be combined into one big celebration. In October 2026, fr. Sjaak will celebrate 40 years of priesthood, and the parish community Church of our Saviour will celebrate her 75th anniversary in 2027. This big party will be celebrated with the extensive network of alumni from The Hague who still follow the parish online. It will be an occasion to invite the global family to come back to The Hague for the celebrations. The date for this event will be announced later this year.
For more information follow the parish on www.parish.nl
