Jubilee 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope
What is a Jubilee?
“Jubilee” is the name given to a particular year. The name comes from the instrument used to mark its launch. In this case, the instrument in question is the yobel, the ram's horn, used to proclaim the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This (Jewish) holiday occurs every year, but it takes on special significance when it marks the beginning of a Jubilee year. We can find an early indication of it in the Bible: a Jubilee year was to be marked every 50 years.
Even though it wasn’t easy to organize, it was intended to be marked as a time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation, and involved the forgiveness of debts, the return of misappropriated land, and a fallow period for the fields.
Jubilee years are a lively experience of grace and hope for the entire Church. They are traditionally a time for pilgrimage, reconciliation, prayer, and liturgy. The 2025 Jubilee will begin with the opening of the Holy Door of the Basilica of Saint Peter on Sunday, December 29, 2024 and will conclude with the closing of the Holy Door on January 6, 2026. There are many special Jubilee events throughout the year.
During the Holy Year, we are called to be tangible signs of hope for those of our brothers and sisters who experience hardships of any kind.
Pope Francis
This year's Jubilee motto is Pilgrims of Hope. We are called to reflect and discover hope in the signs of the times. Pope Francis shares that during this special Jubilee year, we are especially called to show signs of hope to the sick, including those living in their home, hospital, or other settings. We are also called to pay inclusive attention to all who experience their own weaknesses and limitations.
View more information about this year's Jubilee.
Resources
Renewed in Hope - article in Works of Hope digital magazine
Resources for the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers
Day of Reflection to celebrate the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers (in-person and virtual)
Mass to celebrate the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers (in-person and virtual)