Jubilee Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

The Catholic Church worldwide will come together to celebrate the Jubilee Year 2025, centered on the theme "Pilgrims of Hope." This holy year invites Catholics to embark on a profound journey of spiritual renewal, reconciliation, and commitment to justice and care for creation. It is a time to rediscover the hope that faith offers and to spread this hope through acts of love, service, and stewardship.

What is the Jubilee Year?

A Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church is a special period dedicated to forgiveness, reconciliation, and spiritual transformation. Its origins are deeply rooted in the Bible:

  • In the Old Testament: The Book of Leviticus describes the Jubilee as a time of liberation and renewal, celebrated every 50 years, during which debts were forgiven, slaves freed, and the land allowed to rest (Leviticus 25:8–55).
  • In the New Testament: Jesus proclaimed a similar mission in His inaugural address (Luke 4:18-19), calling for liberty, healing, and favor from God.

The first Christian Jubilee Year was declared by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300, offering indulgences to pilgrims visiting Rome. Over centuries, the Jubilee tradition has evolved into a universal call for all Catholics to restore their relationship with God, others, and creation.

How Often is a Jubilee Year Celebrated?

Jubilee Years are ordinarily celebrated every 25 years, a tradition solidified by Pope Paul II in 1470. However, Extraordinary Jubilees may also be proclaimed in response to specific spiritual needs. For example:

  • The Jubilee of Mercy in 2015 was declared by Pope Francis to emphasize God’s boundless mercy.

The Jubilee Year 2025 marks a return to the regular cycle of Jubilees and invites Catholics to renew their faith, deepen their commitment to justice and peace, and embrace a vision of hope for the future.

Theme of the 2025 Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope

The theme “Pilgrims of Hope” reflects the essence of the Jubilee. It calls Catholics to:

  • Embark on a spiritual pilgrimage, recognizing life as a journey toward God.
  • Embrace hope as a guiding force in a world often burdened by despair and division.
  • Renew their responsibility to care for creation, combat injustices, and foster unity.

This theme aligns with Pope Francis’s vision of a Church that is active, compassionate, and engaged in addressing global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and conflict. By becoming Pilgrims of Hope, Catholics are encouraged to reflect on their spiritual journey and seek ways to be agents of renewal in their communities.

Key Dates of the Jubilee Year 2025

The Jubilee Year 2025 officially begins on December 24, 2024, and concludes on January 6, 2026. Pope Francis has also declared 2024 as a Year of Prayer, providing a spiritual foundation for the Jubilee. Catholics worldwide are encouraged to prepare for this significant event through prayer, reflection, and acts of service.

Biblical Foundation of the Jubilee Year

The concept of Jubilee is deeply biblical, drawing from:

  • Leviticus 25: A time for liberation, rest, and restoration, symbolizing God’s justice and mercy.
  • Isaiah 61:1-2: The prophet’s proclamation of “the year of the Lord’s favor,” later echoed by Jesus in Luke’s Gospel.
  • Luke 4:18-19: Jesus’s mission statement of bringing good news to the poor, liberty to captives, and healing to the brokenhearted.

The Jubilee invites Catholics to embody these biblical principles by seeking justice, promoting reconciliation, and caring for those in need.

Papal Bull: Spes non Confundit (Hope Does Not Disappoint)

To inaugurate the Jubilee Year 2025, Pope Francis issued the Papal Bull Spes non Confundit (Hope Does Not Disappoint). This document outlines the spiritual vision for the Jubilee:

  • Encourages Catholics to be bearers of hope in a fractured world.
  • Emphasizes the Church’s mission to address global injustices, including poverty, conflict, and environmental degradation.
  • Calls for a renewed commitment to peace, reconciliation, and justice.

Pilgrimage and the Opening of the Holy Door

A central feature of every Jubilee Year is the pilgrimage, symbolizing the faithful’s journey toward God. During the Jubilee Year 2025:

  • The Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome will be opened, offering pilgrims a special opportunity to receive grace and renewal.
  • Pilgrimages to other holy sites, both in Rome and locally, will allow Catholics worldwide to participate in the Jubilee spiritually and physically.

Passing through the Holy Door is a profound act of faith, symbolizing entry into a new life of grace and reconciliation.

Jubilee in the Archdiocese of Colombo

The Archdiocese of Colombo will actively participate in the Jubilee celebrations with special events and programs tailored to the local community. These may include:

  • Liturgical Celebrations: Masses and prayer services to reflect the Jubilee’s themes.
  • Pilgrimages: Local pilgrimages to significant sites within the Archdiocese.
  • Community Outreach: Initiatives to serve the poor and marginalized, embodying the spirit of Jubilee.
  • Educational Programs: Workshops and seminars to deepen understanding of the Jubilee’s significance.

Year of Prayer 2024: Preparing for the Jubilee

The Jubilee Year will be preceded by the Year of Prayer in 2024, as declared by Pope Francis. This year-long spiritual preparation encourages Catholics to:

  • Unite in a global “symphony of prayer,” fostering solidarity and faith.
  • Deepen their relationship with God through daily prayer, Eucharistic adoration, and participation in sacraments.
  • Reflect on their spiritual journey and seek ways to embody hope in their daily lives.

The Year of Prayer sets the stage for the transformative experience of the Jubilee.

Call to Action: Living the Jubilee in 2025

The Jubilee Year 2025 is not only a time for reflection but also a call to action. Catholics are encouraged to:

  • Embrace Forgiveness: Mend broken relationships with God, others, and themselves through the sacrament of reconciliation.
  • Serve the Needy: Participate in charitable works, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and caring for the sick.
  • Work for Justice: Advocate for systemic change to address poverty, inequality, and environmental harm.
  • Promote Peace: Foster reconciliation and dialogue within divided communities.

In the Archdiocese of Colombo, specific initiatives will include:

  • Charitable Activities: Programs to assist vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, and displaced families.
  • Community Programs: Efforts to rebuild trust and unity among diverse communities.
  • Youth Engagement: Involving young people in Jubilee-themed activities to inspire the next generation of faith leaders.

Conclusion: Pilgrims of Hope for a Renewed World

The Jubilee Year 2025 is a profound invitation to all Catholics to journey as Pilgrims of Hope, embracing spiritual renewal and becoming agents of transformation in the world. It is a time to reflect on God’s mercy, commit to justice and peace, and rekindle hope for a better future. As Pope Francis reminds us in Spes non Confundit, “Hope does not disappoint.” Through this Jubilee, Catholics are called to keep that hope alive and share it with the world.