The concept of "Jubilee" has its origins in the Book of Leviticus (chapter 25) as a special year of forgiveness of debts, release of slaves, and restoration of family land. These three themes are all tied to out outpouring of extravagant freedom, a restoration to the societal and spiritual balance. Pope Francis has designated the 2025 Holy Year as a time to renew ourselves as "Pilgrims of Hope."
“Hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5). In the spirit of hope, the Apostle Paul addressed these words of encouragement to the Christian community of Rome. Hope is the central message of the coming Jubilee that, in accordance with an ancient tradition, the Pope proclaims every twenty-five years. This Jubilee year will span from December 24, 2024 to January 6, 2026.
On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis opened the holy door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome kicking off the Jubilee Year. In John’s gospel, Jesus says, “I am the door,” or “I am the gate.” Thus, the holy door is a symbol of Jesus. Jesus told us, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” We must past through Jesus to enter into the fullness of life.
May the Jubilee be a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the “door” (cf. Jn 10:7-9) of our salvation, whom the Church is charged to proclaim always, everywhere and to all as “our hope” (1 Tim 1:1).
The image of passing through the holy door reminds us that we are a pilgrim people on a journey toward heaven and the way to our final end is to pass through Christ. When we pass through a holy door, we are reminded that we are letting go of our worldly attachments. We then pass through Christ and enter the sanctuary into the very presence of God.
Jesus is the penultimate Jubilee, through the act of love of His the passion, death and resurrection, offering to all the freedom sins, release from the bondage of sin & death, and restoration of our ancestral land of Heaven.Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Jn 14:6 - The truth: in John, the divinely revealed reality of the Father manifested in the person and works of Jesus. The possession of truth confers knowledge and liberation from sin (Jn 8:32)
Pray with the Gospel daily (at least every Sunday and Holy Day) and ask the Lord how He is calling you to live this Jubilee. This includes prayer, service, studying the Faith, and living in a spirit of joy, generosity and hope.
The Church also encourages us to live the Jubilee by offering plenary indulgences for many of the acts associated with celebrating this year.
Take back the Lord's Day this year (Saturday evening and Sunday) as a special time of worship, family, and rest and to make Fridays a day of penance and offering united to Jesus' Cross.
Pope Francis mentions families and children as a sign of hope in this year! So your family's openness to life and daily living the Faith in your family is also part of the Jubilee!
Pilgrimage is of course a fundamental element of every Jubilee event. Setting out on a journey is traditionally associated with our human quest for meaning in life. A pilgrimage on foot is a great aid for rediscovering the value of silence, effort and simplicity of life. In the coming year, pilgrims of hope will surely travel the ancient and more modern routes in order to experience the Jubilee to the full.
The 2025 Jubilee is centered on the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” As His Holiness Pope Francis so beautifully expressed it: "We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision."
During the Jubilee Year, the Pope invites every one of us to embark on a pilgrimage of hope, so that, "Through our witness, may hope spread to all those who anxiously seek it."
During the Jubilee Year, in addition to performing a work of mercy and penance, a Jubilee Indulgence may be obtained by making a pious pilgrimage to a sacred Jubilee site, such as those designated in Rome and the Holy Land, as well as by making a pious visit to other sacred places around the world, including any minor basilica, Marian sanctuary, or national sanctuary.