What is a Jubilee Year?
“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). A Jubilee year was to be marked every 50 years, since this would be an “extra” year, one which would happen every seven weeks of seven years, i.e., every 49 years (cf. Leviticus 25:8-13). 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.
In 1300, Pope Boniface VIII called the first Jubilee, also known as a “Holy Year.” The frequency of Holy Years has changed over time, and it is now every 25 years. There have also been “extraordinary” Holy Years, such as the 2015 Jubilee Year of Mercy.
The 2025 Jubilee of Hope
In Pope Francis’ letter regarding the 2025 Jubilee, he wrote:
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 forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire; that is why I have chosen as the motto of the Jubilee, Pilgrims of Hope. This will indeed be the case if we are capable of recovering a sense of universal fraternity and refuse to turn a blind eye to the tragedy of rampant poverty that prevents millions of men, women, young people and children from living in a manner worthy of our human dignity. Here I think in particular of the many refugees forced to abandon their native lands. May the voices of the poor be heard throughout this time of preparation for the Jubilee, which is meant to restore access to the fruits of the earth to everyone.
What is a Holy Door?
A Holy Door is the most powerful sign of the Jubilee, since the ultimate aim of the pilgrim is to pass through it. The opening of the door by the Pope constitutes the official beginning of the Holy Year.
In crossing the threshold of a Holy Door, the pilgrim is reminded of the passage from 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 a Holy Door expresses the decision to follow and be guided by Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd.
Originally, there was only one door, at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in 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. In 2015, Pope Francis gave permission for dioceses throughout the world to establish holy doors at their cathedrals for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy.
For the 2025 Jubilee Year, holy doors will only be opened in Rome. However, Pope Francis did give permission for local pilgrimage sites for those who cannot go to Rome.
What is a Pilgrimage and Why Should I Make One?
According to the Catechism, “Pilgrimages evoke our earthly journey toward heaven and are traditionally very special occasions for renewal in prayer. For pilgrims seeking living water, shrines are special places for living the forms of Christian prayer ‘in Church’.” (CCC 2691)
The Jubilee calls us to set out on a personal journey of conversion, to reconcile with God and each other. Going to a pilgrimage site for prayer and participation in the liturgy is also a way to be renewed in one’s relationship with God.
Local pilgrimage sites being offered within the Archdiocese of Boston for the Jubilee:
- Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston
- Most Holy Redeemer, Boston
- St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine, Boston
- Holy Rosary Shrine, Lawrence
- St. Joseph the Worker Shrine, Lowell
- Divine Mercy Shrine, Salem
- Blessed Andrew Phu Yen Parish, Medford
- Missionary Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Holliston
- Immaculate Conception Parish, Marlborough
- St. Paul Parish, Hingham
- St. Patrick Parish, Brockton
For more information on the Jubilee Year of Hope and local pilgrimages please visit: bostoncatholic.org/jubilee-2025