By Lavoisier Fernandes –
Have you heard the hymn “We Are Pilgrims” (The Servant Song) by Richard Gillard? Written in 1977, it’s a beautifully simple yet profound piece with lyrics like “We are pilgrims on a journey, we are travelers on the road; we are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.” These words reflect the essence of our spiritual journeys, capturing both the physical and emotional paths we take in search for spiritual growth in Jesus Christ.
Just as our life’s pilgrimage is filled with ups and downs, the Church, our spiritual compass, can also seem faulty at times. With scandals, declining attendance, and shortcomings often highlighted by the media, it’s easy to feel disheartened. This mirrors our own spiritual struggles, where we sometimes focus too much on our failures and regrets. We might feel like we’re stuck, taking one step forward and two steps back, making little progress.
But there’s hope: We are pilgrims of hope! The Jubilee Year 2025 is approaching, offering a chance for rejuvenation and transformation in both the Church and our spiritual lives. While the event centres on Rome and its Holy Doors of the four major basilicas—St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran, Santa Maria Maggiore, and St. Paul outside the walls of Rome, its impact will be global as well, with local churches also hosting events and opening Holy Doors worldwide.
So, even if you can’t travel to Rome, you can still experience the Jubilee’s transformative power right in your own community.
Here’s a quick look at why the Church celebrates a Jubilee.
So, how Is the Jubilee originated in Scripture?
The Christian Jubilee originates from biblical times, mandated by Moses in Leviticus: “Consecrate the fiftieth year and announce freedom throughout the land” (Leviticus 25:10-14). This Jubilee, signalled by a goat’s horn or Yobel, involved land restoration, debt forgiveness, and freeing slaves.
In the New Testament, Jesus fulfils this by proclaiming “the year of the Lord’s favour” (Isaiah 61:1-2).
What does a Jubilee mean in the Catholic Church?
In the Roman Catholic Church, a Holy Year, or Jubilee, is a special time known as the “year of the Lord’s favour.” It focuses on forgiving sins, making peace, and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The theology behind a Catholic Jubilee is deeply rooted in the concepts of grace, forgiveness, reconciliation, and social justice.
The Jubilee, marked by significant religious ceremonies, encourages holiness, strengthens faith, supports charity, and fosters closer connections within the Church and society, urging Christians to be sincere and consistent in their faith in Christ.
When was the first recorded Jubilee?
The first Jubilee year was more than 1000 years after Christ’s Incarnation. In 2025, the Catholic Church will be celebrating the 28th Jubilee since the institution of the Jubilee Year by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300. Since then, the Church has maintained the tradition of celebrating these significant years as occasions for grace and renewal, marking a total of 27 regular Jubilee Holy Years with 5 Extraordinary Jubilees to date.
How long does a Jubilee celebration last?
A Jubilee in the Catholic Church is celebrated for a full year, marking a period of grace and renewal. It typically begins on December 8th, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and concludes on December 8th of the following year, aligning with the liturgical calendar.
Difference between Great Jubilee and Extraordinary Jubilee
Jubilee years in the Catholic Church occur at specific intervals, traditionally every 25, 50, or 100 years. The most common cycle is the Great Jubilee, which is celebrated every 25 years and is also known as regular jubilee years. The Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 was a notable event, celebrated not only in Rome but also in the Holy Land and throughout the global Church, emphasizing the universal character of the Jubilee.
In addition to the regular cycles, extraordinary Jubilee years are celebrated outside the regular 25-year cycle and can be proclaimed for specific occasions or events of significant importance. The most recent was the extraordinary Jubilee of 2015 called by Pope Francis highlighting Jesus Christ’s message of Mercy.
What were some of the themes from previous Jubilees?
The themes of the 27 Catholic Jubilees have evolved over the centuries, reflecting the Church’s shifting focus in response to global and spiritual needs. For instance, the first Holy Year in 1300 emphasized the forgiveness of sins, while the 1400 Jubilee focused on penance, charity, and reform. In 1425, the theme centred on redemption and reform.
Moving into the 20th century, the 1900 Jubilee highlighted the importance of Christian witness, and the 1925 Jubilee emphasized unity and peace following World War I. The 1933 Jubilee commemorated the 1900th anniversary of Christ’s death, and the 1950 Jubilee celebrated the definition of the Assumption of Mary.
The 1975 Jubilee focused on redemption and reconciliation in the post-Vatican II era, while the 1983 Jubilee marked the 1950th anniversary of redemption. The Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 was significant for marking the beginning of the third millennium with a focus on Christ’s redemption and the Church’s mission.
What Symbolic gestures mark a Jubilee Year?
The symbolic gestures of a Jubilee year invite the faithful to experience profound spiritual transformation and deepen their commitment to living out the Gospel. These gestures highlight God’s unwavering mercy and the call to extend it to others:
- Opening of the Holy Door: Symbolizing God’s welcoming mercy, the Holy Door’s opening marks the start of the Jubilee and represents a spiritual journey towards reconciliation and renewal.
- Pilgrimage: Encouraging a pilgrimage, this gesture signifies both a physical journey and an inner movement toward spiritual growth and renewal, reflecting a deeper relationship with God.
- Acts of Mercy and Indulgences: Engaging in corporal and spiritual works of mercy and receiving indulgences during the Jubilee symbolize God’s mercy and offer remission of temporal punishment for sins.
- Celebration of the Sacraments: Emphasizing the sacrament of reconciliation, the Jubilee encourages seeking and offering forgiveness, embodying the spirit of mercy.
- Community and Communion: The Jubilee fosters unity within the Church and the broader community, symbolized by the Holy Door in each diocese, reflecting God’s love and mercy.
Key themes to watch for in Jubilee 2025
For the Jubilee Year 2025, Pope Francis emphasizes a “pilgrimage of hope,” inviting the faithful to embrace their vocations and promote unity and charity. Environmental stewardship will also be central, urging an “ecological conversion” to protect creation for future generations. Additionally, the Jubilee will focus on social justice, addressing the needs of the marginalized and vulnerable. Overall, it will encourage the faithful to actively witness the Gospel, promoting love, justice, and peace in society.
Lavoisier Fernandes, born and raised in Goa, is currently based in West London. His faith is “work in progress”- and a lifelong journey. He has always been fascinated by the Catholic faith thanks to his Salesian schooling and his passion is podcasting, theology, the papacy, volunteering.
He has hosted the ‘Talking Faith’ series for Heavens Road FM Catholic Radio, connecting with ordinary men and women within the Catholic faith, other faiths and examining issues affecting both Church and society and has also hosted the ‘Heart Talk’ series for Shalom World Catholic TV. In 2018 one of his podcast -Mental Health and the role of the Catholic Church was shortlisted for the Jerusalem awards in UK. Presently contributes for the Goa Diocesan magazine – Renovação, Mumbai Diocesan magazine – The Examiner, the only digital Indian Catholic portal – Indian Catholic Matters and the Faith Companion Magazine in England.