Jubilee Year 2025

Pilgrims of Hope 

The Catholic Church worldwide will be celebrating a special Jubilee Year in 2025. The Jubilee Year includes many celebrations within the city of Rome and local initiatives in dioceses around the world. The theme of the Jubilee will be “Pilgrims of Hope”. In the words of Pope Francis: "We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision." 

The Holy Father will open the Jubilee Year on December 24, 2024, with the official opening of the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica. 

In the Archdiocese of Toronto, we will open the Jubilee Year with a Solemn Opening Mass taking place on Sunday, December 29, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica. All are invited. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available at 3:30 p.m. 

Visit bit.ly/4gmx2Wb for more information.

What is a Jubilee?

Initially, a Jubilee Year was intended to be marked as a time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another and with all creation.

The celebration of a Holy Year has its earliest origins in the Jewish tradition of jubilee (yobel) as a time of forgiveness and reconciliation. Since the 1300’s, this has been a special time to meditate on the great gift of divine mercy that always awaits us, as well as the importance of inner conversion.

Both are necessary to be able to live out the spiritual gifts lavished on pilgrims during a Holy Year, and to renew that bond that unites all who are baptized as brothers and sisters in Christ, with all humanity, in that everyone is loved by God.

As Christians we are invited to bear witness as authentic”Pilgrims of Hope” walking toward the Lord, who opens his merciful arms to us, as well as our brothers and sisters who are still waiting for the Gospel to be proclaimed to them.

By participating in a Holy Year, one is granted a plenary indulgence.

(Excerpt from iubilaeum2025.va)