The 2025 Jubilee is here! But, what is it? To learn more about this holy year of renewal, reconciliation, and pilgrimage, watch our brand new “Jubilee in 2 Minutes” video! (To download this video go here and click the download arrow or choose save or download (top right). Please note, all Busted Halo videos are free to use in parishes, schools, or for other educational purposes. In fact, we encourage it!)
In the Old Testament, Jubilee years were designated times for forgiving debts, freeing slaves, and starting anew. The Catholic Church began celebrating this tradition after Pope Boniface VIII proclaimed the first Jubilee year in 1300. Jubilees formerly took place every 100 years, but now they have grown in frequency to every 25 years.
LISTEN: What Is a Jubilee Year in the Church?
In Catholicism, a Jubilee signifies a year of forgiveness, celebration, hope and renewal. It is a reminder to Catholics around the world of their call to serve God and those in our Church communities. A significant tradition of the Jubilee Year is the opening of the Holy Doors at the four major basilicas of Rome, which are otherwise kept closed. The four major basilicas are:
- St. Peter’s Basilica
- St. John Lateran
- St. Mary Major
- St. Paul Outside the Walls
This year, Pope Francis has decided to open an additional holy door at a prison as a symbolic reminder encouraging us to never give up on hope. This goes hand in hand with the 2025 Jubilee theme, “Pilgrims of Hope.”
HOMILY: Two Reasons for Jubilee Hope
The Holy Father said this theme will help the faithful to “gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart, and far-sighted vision.” This theme encourages us to find joy in the unexpected, embrace the unplanned, and trust in the unknown, while remaining hopeful for the future God has prepared for us.
The Jubilee will be celebrated all over the world, all year long. So how can you get involved?
- See if your parish has Jubilee-themed events for parishioners to participate in.
- Visit your local cathedral or Catholic shrine to pay homage to the hopeful saints that have gone before us.
- Perform a work of mercy such as donating clothes to the homeless or visiting the sick or imprisoned.
- If possible, make a pilgrimage to Rome to visit the four Holy Doors.
Along with participating in any of acts above, it is important that we also:
- Go to confession
- Receive the Eucharist regularly
- Pray for the Pope
Taking part in these helps us to receive a plenary indulgence, or a removal of any past sins for ourselves or even a soul in purgatory.
This Jubilee Year, it is essential that we commit to growing in faith, generosity, and hope by dedicating ourselves to these few simple practices. Happy Jubilee!
