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)