The Jubilee is a religious tradition of biblical origin that, over the centuries, has acquired a fundamental importance in the life of the Catholic Church. It is an event that is repeated periodically, with a specific cycle of years, during which the faithful are invited to reflect on their spiritual life, to ask for forgiveness for sins and to renew their faith. But what exactly is the Jubilee? How did it come about, what are its biblical roots, and why does it continue to be celebrated?

In this article, we will explore the meaning of the Jubilee, its historical and cultural evolution, and the upcoming Jubilee 2025 , which promises to be an event of great importance for the Church and for the entire world.

What is the Jubilee?

The Catholic Jubilee has its origins in a Jewish holiday celebrated every fifty years, a period during which debts were cancelled and slaves were freed. This practice, originally conceived to promote a more equitable distribution of wealth, was intended to restore social justice. The term “Jubilee” comes from the Hebrew word yobel , meaning “horn” (of a ram). In ancient Israel, the Jubilee marked a special moment when the horn was blown to announce the beginning of a period of liberation. Every 50 years, a “year of grace” was proclaimed, a time when debts were forgiven, lands were returned to their rightful owners, and slaves were freed. It was a time of social justice, but also of spiritual purification, which allowed the people of Israel to return to their roots and renew their relationship with God.

In the Gospel of Luke , Jesus refers to this concept when he says that he came to proclaim "a year of grace from the Lord", placing mercy and forgiveness at the centre of his mission.

For Christians, the Jubilee is not only a time of material liberation, but also and above all an opportunity for spiritual renewal. It is a special time to come closer to God, reflect on one's life and ask for forgiveness for one's sins.

The Origins of the Jubilee in the Catholic Church

The Jubilee, as we know it today, was established in 1300 by Pope Boniface VIII . He called it the "Holy Year" because it is a time of encounter with the holiness of God, capable of transforming our lives. Initially, the Jubilee was celebrated every 100 years , but over the centuries its periodicity has changed: in 1343 , Pope Clement VI decided to reduce it to 50 years , and in 1470 Pope Paul II established that it be celebrated every 25 years .

In addition to ordinary Jubilees, the Church has also proclaimed extraordinary Jubilees at particular moments in history. For example, in 1933 , Pope Pius XI wanted to celebrate the anniversary of the Redemption with a special Jubilee. More recently, in 2015 , Pope Francis proclaimed the Year of Mercy , an extraordinary Jubilee that placed God's forgiveness and mercy at the center as universal and indispensable values ​​for Christian life.

How is the Jubilee celebrated?

Originally, the Jubilee was celebrated with a pilgrimage to Rome, in particular to the Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul , two of the most sacred places for Christians. The faithful came to Rome to pray, ask for forgiveness and experience divine grace. But over time, the celebration of the Jubilee has changed and has been enriched with other signs and rites. One of the most significant symbols is the opening of the Holy Door , which is opened only during the Holy Year, and closed at its end. Crossing the Holy Door is a symbolic act that represents entry into God's mercy, a way to mark a new beginning, a step towards purification and forgiveness. The Jubilee 2025 begins with the opening of the Holy Door on December 24.

Another fundamental element of the Jubilee is the plenary indulgence , which offers the faithful the possibility of receiving total forgiveness of sins and being freed from the temporal punishment that remains after sacramental forgiveness. To obtain the indulgence, the faithful must perform acts of penance, such as confession, participation in the Eucharist and prayer for the Pope's intentions. It is an opportunity for renewal and grace, a concrete way to rediscover the meaning of God's mercy.

Jubilee 2025: The Holy Year of Reconciliation

The next Jubilee of 2025 has been announced by Pope Francis as a Jubilee of Reconciliation . In a world marked by conflicts, divisions and misunderstandings, the Pope has decided to make forgiveness and reconciliation the heart of this celebration. The Jubilee of 2025 will be an opportunity for everyone, not only for Christians, but for all men and women of good will, to work for peace and unity.

As usual, the Jubilee 2025 was officially announced a year in advance with the reading of the Bull of Indiction by the Pope. This document, written in Latin, communicates the dates of the beginning and end of the Jubilee and, this year, the chosen theme is hope .

The Jubilee 2025 will begin, as has been the tradition since 1500, with the opening of the four Holy Doors of the papal basilicas, the most important churches in Rome: St. Peter's (in the Vatican, which will be opened first), St. John Lateran , St. Paul Outside the Walls , and St. Mary Major . The openings will take place in stages between December 24, 2024, and January 5, 2025 , while the closing of the doors will mark the end of the Jubilee, between December 2025 and January 2026 .

The Jubilee 2025 will officially begin on December 24, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. , with the rite of the Opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, presided over by the Holy Father. Afterwards, the Pope will celebrate Holy Mass on Christmas Eve inside the Basilica. The entire event will be broadcast on the giant screens installed in St. Peter's Square, allowing all the faithful to participate in this special moment.

The openings of the Holy Doors of the Jubilee 2025:

Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican
On December 24, 2024 , at 7:00 p.m., the rite of the Opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, celebrated by Pope Francis, will begin. A short concert of bells will announce the solemn moment.

Holy Door in Rebibbia Prison
For the first time in history, on December 26, 2024 , Pope Francis will open a Holy Door not in a papal basilica, but in the Rebibbia prison , a symbol of prisons around the world. This historic event underlines the importance of the Jubilee also for the most needy and vulnerable.

Holy Door of St. John Lateran

On December 29, 2024 , Pope Francis will open the Holy Door of St. John Lateran, the Basilica "Mother and Head of all the Churches." With this opening, the Jubilee will officially begin in dioceses around the world.

Holy Door of Santa Maria Maggiore
On January 1, 2025 , Pope Francis will open the Holy Door of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Basilica that houses the icon of Salus Populi Romani. Seven popes are buried here and the basilica houses the remains of Saint Matthias and Saint Jerome.

Holy Door of St. Paul Outside the Walls
January 5 , 2025 will be the day of the opening of the last Holy Door, that of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. This basilica, which houses the relics of the Apostle Paul, was restored in the 2000s and since 2007 the faithful have been able to pray in front of his tomb. The Holy Doors of the basilicas of Saint John Lateran, Saint Mary Major and Saint Paul Outside the Walls will be closed on December 28, 2025 .

These openings will mark the beginning of a Holy Year rich in spiritual significance, which will involve the faithful and sacred places throughout the world.

The Jubilee of 2025 will have a strong message of reconciliation between peoples, cultures and religions, pushing each person to take a step towards the other, overcoming divisions and trying to build a more just and peaceful community. It will be an invitation to all the faithful to reflect on the need to care for relationships, to forgive those who have offended us and to seek a harmony that comes from God.

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