Topics on Our Wonderful Catholic Faith (by Bill Desciak)
The Jubilee Year
Edition 1 - JUBILEE HISTORY (part 1)
The word jubilee comes from the Hebrew word “yobel” which is a ram’s horn. The ram’s horn was the instrument blown to mark the start of the Jubilee Year. (Leviticus 25:9)
In the Jewish tradition, a “sabbatical year” occurs every seven (7) years when the land is left fallow and rests from agricultural use. The “jubilee year” happens the year after the seventh cycle of sabbatical years, or every 50 years. (7 sabbatical years = 49 years (7x7) followed by the Jubilee Year (year 50). In addition to “letting the land rest”, the Jewish tradition of the Jubilee Year also includes the mandatory return of property to its original owners, the release of slaves, and the cancellation of debts.
The modern Christian history of the Jubilee year began in 1300 when Pope Boniface VIII called the first Jubilee, also known as a “Holy Year”. (The word “holy” means “to set apart, pure or perfect”, also “dedicated or consecrated to God, sacred”)
The original plan was to have a Jubilee Year ever 100 years, but in 1343 Pope Clement VI reduced the timeframe to every 50 years, then in 1470 Pope Paul II made it every 25 years. There have also been “extraordinary” Holy Years that fall within the 25-year gap. In 1933 Pope Pius XI chose to commemorate the 1,900 anniversary of the death and resurrection of Jesus. In 2015 Pope Frances proclaimed the Year of Mercy as an extraordinary Jubilee Year.
Edition 2 - JUBILEE HISTORY (part 2)
Below is a listing of the Jubilee Years in the 20 and 21st centuries.
2025 – Francis – The Jubilee Year “Pilgrims of Hope”, this is also the 2,025 anniversary of the Incarnation of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
2015 – Francis - announced an “extraordinary” jubilee year dedicated to mercy in honor of the 50th anniversary of the second Vatican Council.
2000 – John Paul 2 – The Pope held World Youth Day in Rome, as well as encouraged dialogue between Catholics, Islam, and Judaism by making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land
1983 – John Paul 2 – Proclaimed an extraordinary jubilee year celebrating the 1,950th anniversary of the death and resurrection of Jesus.
1975 – Paul 6th – Dedicated this jubilee year to reconciliation. This was the first jubilee year to be broadcast worldwide.
1950 – Pius 12th – Dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The pope also transformed the College of Cardinals by drastically increasing the number of cardinals from nations outside of Italy.
1933 – Pius 11th – Extraordinary jubilee year honoring the 1,900th anniversary of the death of Jesus. This event was celebrated with particular grandeur, the pope gave over 600 speeches with over 2 million people pouring into Rome.
1925 – Pius 11th – Focused on missions (Pius 11th became known at the “Pope of Missions”) as well as the role of the Church and all Christians contributing to a better society.
1900 – Leo 13th – Proclaimed this jubilee as the Universal Year of 1900, focusing on the modernization of Christian life, and the Christianization of modern life.
For a full list of all Jubilee years, the Popes that instituted them, and a brief overview of each, please go to www.jubilaeum2025.va
Edition 3 - PURPOSE OVERVIEW
The Jubilee Year is important because it is a time of forgiveness, reconciliation, prayer, and celebration.
The Jewish tradition highlights a time of the forgiveness of debt, freeing of enslaved people, and the return of land to the original owners. It was a reminder of God’s mercy and providence, and a time for the community to reconnect with God and each other.
The Catholic tradition focuses on the forgiveness of sins, reconciliation (with God and our neighbor), conversion and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, solidarity, hope, and justice. It is a time to reconnect with God, others, and creation, leading to the return to a right relationship with God.
The Vatican lists 7 Characteristics of the Jubilee Year: Pilgrimage, The Holy Doors, Indulgences, Reconciliation, Prayer, Liturgy, Profession of Faith. We will be taking a deeper dive into each over the next few weeks.
Edition 4 - PILGRIMAGE (part 1)
The Vatican lists 7 Characteristics of the Jubilee Year: Pilgrimage, The Holy Doors, Indulgences, Reconciliation, Prayer, Liturgy, Profession of Faith.
Let’s take a deeper dive into “Pilgrimage”
Pilgrimage – The word “pilgrimage” comes from the Latin “per ager” meaning “across the fields” or “border crossing” Both point to the distinctive aspects of undertaking a journey.
Pope Francis states: “the word “pilgrim” makes us think about walking, so I would wish for you always to be people on the move, who yearn to keep moving forward in your faith life.”
“the pilgrim is one who not only walks, but has a destination, a holy place that motivates the journey, which sustains him from fatigue”
At its core, the pilgrimage is a journey that carries within it a deep spiritual meaning, an opportunity for personal growth and conversion of heart.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states – “Pilgrimages evoke our earthly journey toward heaven and are traditionally very special occasions for renewal and prayer. For pilgrims seeking living water, shrines are special places for living the forms of Christian prayer” (2691)
One goes on a pilgrimage to ask God for hep needed to live more generously your own Christian vocation. The Jubilee pilgrimage actually begins before the starting point by way of the decision to set out. Hence, it is important to prepare ourselves, to plan our route and destination.
Edition 5 - PILGRIMAGE (part 2)
Pilgrimage – When we travel, we do not only change places physically, but we also change ourselves. The Vatican expands on this idea of change by stating “one goes on a pilgrimage to ask God for help to live more generously your own Christian vocation once you return home.”
Abraham is described as a person on a journey: “Go forth from your land, your relatives, and from your father’s house” (Genesis 12:1). With these words Abraham begins his adventure, which ends in the Promised Land, where he is remembered as a “wandering Aramean” (Deuteronomy 26:5).
Jesus’ ministry can also be seen as a journey, from Galilee to the Holy City of Jerusalem … “As the time drew near when Jesus would be taken up to heaven, he made up his mind and set out on his way to Jerusalem.” (Luke 9:51). Christ himself calls His disciples to walk this road, and even today Christians are those who follow Him and set out after Him.
A Pilgrimage is not a time for detachment, rest, or pampering, rather it is a time of deep reflection, modesty, and prayer. A Pilgrimage is made up of a particular set of circumstances, moments of catechesis (learning about our faith and spiritual life more deeply), sacred rites, and liturgies.
In the Jubilee Year, Catholics are encouraged to go on a Pilgrimage either abroad or locally.
Edition 6 - THE HOLY DOORS (part 1 explanation)
The Vatican lists 7 Characteristics of the Jubilee Year: Pilgrimage, The Holy Doors, Indulgences, Reconciliation, Prayer, Liturgy, Profession of Faith.
The Holy Doors:
St. Pope John Paul II states in his bull of indiction of the great jubilee: “the door evokes the passage from sin to grace which every Christion is called to accomplish. Jesus said “I am the door” (John 10:7) To pass through that door means to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord; it is to strengthen our faith in Him in order to live the new life which He has given us. It is a decision which presume freedom to choose and the courage to leave something behind, in the knowledge that what is gained is divine life.”
Pope Francis adds in his papal bull proclaiming the 2025 Jubilee Year Hope does not disappoint – “In Catholic tradition, the Holy Door represents the passage to salvation – the path to a new and eternal life, which was opened to humanity by Jesus.”
From a scriptural perspective we learn about various holy doors from Christ himself:
“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you” (Luke 11:9)
“I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come into you and eat with you, and you with me” (Revelation 3:20)
“I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved” (John 10:9)
Edition 7 - THE HOLY DOORS (part 2 the Holy Doors of Rome)
The opening of the Holy Door by the Pope constitutes the official beginning of the Holy Year. The symbolism also includes the pilgrim passing through the door in the quest for spiritual transformation. Originally, there was only one door, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, which is the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome. Later, to allow as many pilgrims as possible to take part in the Jubilee experience, the other Roman Basilicas also opened their own holy doors.
The 5 Holy Doors of the Jubilee Year of Hope are:
St. Peter’s Basilica – Pope Francis ushered in the Jubilee Year by opening this door on Christmas Eve. This door will be the last one closed on the feast of the Epiphany (January 6th, 2026) to mark the end of the Jubilee Year.
Archbasilica of St. John Lateran – is the 2nd door opened by Pope Francis on December 29th, the feast of the Holy Family, and closed on December 28th, 2025.
Basilica of St. Mary Major – is the 3rd door to be opened by the Pope on January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and also closed on December 28th, 2025.
St. Paul Outside the Walls – is the 4th door opened by Pope Francis on January 5th, and will also be closed on December 28th, 2025.
Rebibbia Prison (Rome) – The 5th holy door was opened on December 26th at Rebibbia prison, a Roman prison Pope Francis has visited before to celebrate Mass and wash inmate’s feet on Holy Thursday.
Edition 7 - THE HOLY DOORS (part 3 - the 4 four local Holy Doors of Rome)
Bishop Fabre's writes: “The Holy Father’s Major Penitentiary, Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, granted a plenary indulgence for pilgrimages to the major basilicas in Rome and three basilicas in the Holy Land. The decree also specified that pilgrims could also visit a Cathedral and other churches or sacred places as designated by the local ordinary.
Therefore, I am happy to share that I have also identified four pilgrimage locations within South Carolina that will be eligible for the jubilee indulgence. They are:
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist – Charleston
Basilica of St. Peter – Columbia
St. Mary Church – Greenville
St. Mary, Help of Christians Church – Aiken
Click or Scan this QR Code to go to the Diocese Jubilee Pages for maps to these four Locations. 
In crossing the threshold of the Holy Door, the pilgrim is reminded of the passage from chapter 10 of St John’s gospel: “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”
Passing through the Holy Door expresses the decision to follow and be guided by Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd. The door is a passageway that ushers the pilgrim into the interior of a church. For the Christian community, a church is not only a sacred space, to be approached with respect, but it is a symbol of the communion that binds every believer to Christ: it is a place of encounter and dialogue, of reconciliation and peace which awaits every pilgrim.
Edition 8 - INDULGENCES (part 1)
The Vatican lists 7 Characteristics of the Jubilee Year: Pilgrimage, The Holy Doors, Indulgences, Reconciliation, Prayer, Liturgy, Profession of Faith.
Indulgences - The Jubilee Indulgence is a concrete manifestation of God's mercy. This treasury of grace entered human history in the witness of Jesus and the saints, and by living in communion with them our hope for our own forgiveness is strengthened and becomes a certainty.
What are indulgences? – Even though confessed and forgiven sins will not send a person to hell, consequences remain to be paid on earth or in purgatory. An indulgence frees the recipient from those consequences.
The Catechism (1471) states: The doctrine and practice of indulgences in the Church are closely linked to the effects of the sacrament of Penance.
“An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfaction of Christ and the saints.”
“An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin.” The faithful can gain indulgence for themselves or apply them to the dead.”
Reception of an indulgence always springs from sincere repentance, the desire to live a holy life, reception of the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion. An indulgence cannot be bought, nor can one be obtained by going through the motions without sincerity.
Edition 9 - INDULGENCES (part 2)
Indulgences and the Holy Doors - A Plenary Indulgence is the complete remission of all temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven.
In addition to prayerfully crossing through the Holy Door, Pope Francis has established the following conditions to be met in order to receive this Jubilee Indulgence:
- Go to Sacramental Confession within several days before or after you cross through the Holy Door.
- Receive Holy Communion (with personal reflection on mercy) within several days before or after you cross through the Holy Door.
- Pray for the intentions of the Pope by praying the Profession of Faith (also typically one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be).
- Truly repent of your sin and let go of your attachment to sin, even venial sin.
- Be in a state of grace at least at the time of the visit to the Holy Door.
Edition 10 - RECONCILIATION
The Vatican lists 7 Characteristics of the Jubilee Year: Pilgrimage, The Holy Doors, Indulgences, Reconciliation, Prayer, Liturgy, Profession of Faith.
Reconciliation - A Jubilee year is a sign of reconciliation because it establishes a “favorable time” ( 2 Corinthians 6:2) for conversion. We are called to put God at the center of our lives, growing toward Him and acknowledging His primacy. Even the Biblical call for the restoration of social justice and respect for the earth stems from a theological reality: if God is the creator of the universe, He must be given priority over every reality and partisan interest. It is God who makes this year holy by bestowing on us His own holiness.
In practical terms, reconciliation involves receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation, taking advantage of this time to rediscover the value of confession, and experiencing God's personal words of forgiveness.
As Pope Francis recalled in the 2015 Bull proclaiming the Extraordinary Holy Year, “Mercy is not opposed to justice but rather expresses God’s way of reaching out to the sinner, offering him a new chance to look at himself, convert, and believe.”
It is God’s mercy and love for us that allows true hope to exist.
Edition 11 - PRAYER
The Vatican lists 7 Characteristics of the Jubilee Year: Pilgrimage, The Holy Doors, Indulgences, Reconciliation, Prayer, Liturgy, Profession of Faith.
Prayer – There are many reasons and ways to pray, but at the root of prayer is the desire to be open to God’s presence and His offer of love. Defined as “raising our mind and hearts to God” (St. John of Damascus), prayer in the Jubilee Year offers the pilgrim an opportunity to journey away from the distractions of our hectic, busy, and secular environments to places of prayer.
Prayer opportunities on the jubilee journey show that the pilgrim holds the path to God “in his heart” (Psalm 83:6) By planning our personal prayer journeys, then showing the commitment to travel towards our “interior castle” (St. Theresa of Avila), we truly can overcome our afflictions of distraction as we are reminded by St. Paul in his letter to the Romans:
“Afflictions produces endurance, and endurance proven character, and proven character HOPE. And Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.” (Romans 5)
Edition 12 - LITURGY
The Vatican lists 7 Characteristics of the Jubilee Year: Pilgrimage, The Holy Doors, Indulgences, Reconciliation, Prayer, Liturgy, Profession of Faith.
Liturgy - The liturgy is the public prayer of the Church: in the words of the Second Vatican Council, it is the “summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; [and,] at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows.” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 10).
At the center of Catholic liturgy is the Mass - the Eucharistic celebration, where the Body and Blood of Christ are truly received. As a pilgrim, Christ himself walks alongside the disciples and reveals to them the mysteries of the Father, so that they too can say, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” (Luke 24:29).
One liturgical rite that is specific to the Jubilee year is the opening of the Holy Door. Until the last century, the Pope would symbolically initiate the demolition of the wall that kept the Holy Door bricked up on non-Jubilee years. Masons would then fully remove the brick wall to be able to open the Holy Door.
Since 1950, the ceremony has changed and now the wall is dismantled beforehand and, within a solemn choral liturgy, the Pope pushes open the door from the outside, passing through it as the first pilgrim. This and the other liturgical expressions that accompany the Holy Year emphasize that the Jubilee pilgrimage is not merely an intimate, personal gesture, but is a sign of the journey of the whole people of God toward the Kingdom.
Edition 13 - PROFESSION OF FAITH
The Vatican lists 7 Characteristics of the Jubilee Year: Pilgrimage, The Holy Doors, Indulgences, Reconciliation, Prayer, Liturgy, Profession of Faith.
Profession of Faith - The profession of faith – also known as the ‘Symbol’ - is a sign of the identity of the baptized person. The profession of faith expresses the central content of the faith: it succinctly captures the main truths that a believer accepts and witnesses to on the day of his or her baptism and shares with the entire Christian community for the rest of his or her life.
There are various professions of faith which show the richness of the experience of encountering Jesus Christ. Traditionally, however, there are two that have gained special recognition in the Church: the baptismal creed of the church of Rome and the Nicene-Constantinopolitan creed, originally formulated in 325 at the Council of Nicaea, in present-day Turkey, and then refined at the Council of Constantinople in 381.
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved,” (Romans 10:9-10).
This passage from St. Paul emphasizes how proclaiming the mystery of faith requires a deep conversion not only in one's words, but above all in one’s understanding of God, of oneself and of the world. “To say the Creed with faith is to enter into communion with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and also with the whole Church which transmits the faith to us and in whose midst, we believe” (CCC 197).
Edition 14 - 2025 JUBILEE YEAR and BEYOND
Jubilee Celebrations in Rome – Major events and jubilee gatherings with liturgies, speakers and papal audiences will be happening in Rome during the Jubilee Year of Hope.
These include the Jubilee of the World of Communications (Jan 24 – 26), The Jubilee of the Armed Forces, Police, and Security Personnel (Feb 8 – 9), artists (Feb 15 – 18th), Deacons (Feb 21st – 23rd), Jubilee for Teenagers (April 25 – 27, the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis will take place then), marching bands (May 10th – 11th), as well as the Jubilee of Young People (July 28th – August 3rd) when the canonization of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati will be taking place.
The Jubilee Year concludes with the closing of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica Jan. 6, 2026, on the feast of the Epiphany. The Holy Doors at Rome’s other major basilicas will close Dec. 28, 2025, the same day dioceses are to end local celebrations of the Holy Year.
The Jubilee Year also looks ahead to 2033, when another extraordinary Jubilee Year is scheduled to occur. The church will mark the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection, which Pope Francis called “another fundamental celebration for all Christians.”
REFERENCES (Links)
Dicastery for evangelization (official website of the jubilee year)