2025 is the Jubilee Holy Year, the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation of our Lord, an "event of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the Church." The concept of "Jubilee" has its origins in the Book of Leviticus (chapter 25) as a special year of reconciliation, pilgrimage, and coming home. Pope Francis has designated the 2025 Holy Year as a time to renew ourselves as "Pilgrims of Hope."

Father in heaven,

may the faith you have given us

in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,

and the flame of charity enkindled

in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,

reawaken in us the blessed hope

for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us

into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos

in the sure expectation

of a new heaven and a new earth,

when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,

your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee

reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,

a yearning for the treasures of heaven.

May that same grace spread

the joy and peace of our Redeemer

throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed,

be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

The Jubilee of 2025 will last from December 24, 2024, to January 6, 2026 and represents a moment of great significance for millions of faithful from around the world. It will be the second ordinary Jubilee presided over by Pope Francis, following the extraordinary Jubilee of 2015 dedicated to mercy.

The Origins of the Jubilee

The Jubilee has deep roots that trace back to the Old Testament. According to biblical tradition, every fiftieth year was proclaimed as a special time of freedom and reconciliation, during which debts were forgiven, slaves freed, and land returned to its original owners.

In the Christian context, the Jubilee was officially established in 1300 by Pope Boniface VIII as a time of forgiveness and spiritual renewal. Since then, it has become a regular event in the Catholic Church, celebrated every 25 years, with some exceptions for extraordinary Jubilees proclaimed for special occasions.

The Spiritual Meaning of the Jubilee

At the heart of the Jubilee lies the concept of the plenary indulgence, which represents the complete remission of sins for the faithful who fulfill certain conditions: sacramental confession, participation in the Eucharist, prayer according to the Pope's intentions, and performing a work of mercy or a pilgrimage.

This time also serves as an invitation for personal conversion and reconciliation with God and others. The faithful are encouraged to renew their faith, deepen their prayer life, and engage in acts of charity towards those in need.

The Rite of Opening the Holy Door

One of the most significant moments of the Jubilee is the opening of the Holy Door, a rite rich in symbolism. This special door is located in each of the four papal basilicas of Rome:

• St. Peter’s Basilica
• St. John Lateran Basilica
• St. Paul Outside the Walls
• St. Mary Major Basilica

The Holy Door is sealed at the end of each Jubilee and reopened only for the next one. Passing through it represents a tangible sign of conversion and the journey toward salvation. The opening rite will begin with the Holy Door of St. Peter’s, followed by the other basilicas in the days after.

Pilgrimages During the Jubilee

Pilgrimage is one of the most common practices during the Jubilee. Faithful from all over the world travel to Rome to visit the papal basilicas and pass through the Holy Door. This symbolic gesture is accompanied by prayer, reflection, and participation in the sacraments.

Beyond Rome, many dioceses worldwide will open Holy Doors in designated cathedrals and shrines, allowing the faithful to experience the Jubilee within their local communities.