A Holy Year of the forgiveness of sin, conversion and joyful celebration. The word “jubilee” comes from the Hebrew word yobel, which refers to the ram’s horn used to announce a jubilee in the Old Testament.
Old Testament origins
God told Moses that every fiftieth year was to be set aside for the return of absent members to their households, the restoration of land to its owners, the release of Hebrew slaves and the forgiveness of debts. This fiftieth year you shall make sacred by proclaiming liberty in the land for all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when every one of you shall return to his own property, every one to his own family estate. (Lev 25:10) Like the sabbath, which took place on the seventh day of each week, the jubilee was a time for the Israelites to re-establish a proper relationship with God and with one another. Tradition continues in Christianity
♦ Pope Boniface VIII proclaimed the first Christian jubilee in A.D. 1300, granting the full remission of sin for those who confessed their sins and made a pilgrimage to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. ♦ The Church first celebrated jubilee years every 100 years. This was eventually shortened to every 50 years and then to every 25 years. Recent Jubilee years
♦ 1950: During the Holy Year of 1950, Pope Pius XII proclaimed the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. ♦ 1975: This Holy Year of reconciliation was proclaimed by Pope Paul XI. ♦ 1983: Pope John Paul II proclaimed a special jubilee year in 1983 to celebrate the 1,950th anniversary of the death and resurrection of Jesus. ♦ 2000: Pope John Paul II proclaimed the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. ♦ 2015: Pope Francis declared an extraordinary jubilee for the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second Vatican Council.The jubilee was dedicated to mercy
Hallmarks of the Jubilee ♦ Jubilee Indulgence: Special graces for the forgive ness of sins are made available during the Jubilee year. The faithful may obtain a plenary indulgence — remission of all temporal punishment (time in Purgatory) for sin — by meeting the normal conditions (confession, Holy Communion, prayer for the pope’s intentions, and no attachment to sin) and by participating in one of the following activities:
Pilgrimages: The four major basilicas in Rome are the main pilgrimage destinations, but pilgrims may also go to the Holy Land, their diocesan cathedral or other officially designated locations.
Pious visits to sacred places: At these locations, the faithful are to engage in eucharistic adoration and meditation, among other spiritual practices.
Works of mercy and penance: The faithful are to perform the spiritual or corporal works of mercy or carry out works of penance, such as abstaining from meat on Fridays.
♦ Holy Doors: The pope opens the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica at the beginning of each jubilee year. Passing through the holy doors symbolizes the pilgrim’s journey of conversion. ♦ Papal Basilicas: The pope will open the Holy Doors of the four main churches (called “major basilicas”) in Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls.
How to participate in Jubilee 2025 ♦ Make a pilgrimage to Rome. Some dioceses, parishes including The Diocese of Springfield and other organizations will be coordinating pilgrimages, but you may also go on your own. ♦ Participate in a local celebration of the jubilee. Some dioceses, parishes and other organizations will coordinate local celebrations for those unable to travel to Rome. ♦ Obtain the Jubilee Indulgence through one of the other means (works of mercy and penance, making a pilgrimage to your cathedral, etc.). ♦ Serve as a jubilee volunteer. Applications are available online. ♦ Pray for the pope, the Church and all who take part in the jubilee.