What is the Jubilee?

Understanding the Jubilee Year

The term Jubilee comes from the Hebrew word yobel, meaning ram’s horn, which was used to announce the start of the Jubilee year. In Jewish tradition, the Jubilee was celebrated every 50 years, as outlined in Leviticus 25:8-13. It was a time for renewing relationships with God, others, and creation through acts such as forgiving debts, returning misappropriated land, and allowing fields to rest.


In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus speaks of a Jubilee-like mission, quoting Isaiah:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…to bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives, and announce a year acceptable to the Lord.” He fulfilled this mission through his ministry, bringing liberation and transformation.


The Jubilee in Catholic Tradition

The first Christian Jubilee, also known as a Holy Year, was proclaimed in 1300 by Pope Boniface VIII as a time for spiritual renewal and transformation. Initially celebrated every 100 years, the interval was later reduced to every 50 years by Pope Clement VI in 1343 and every 25 years by Pope Paul II in 1470. Extraordinary Jubilees have also been proclaimed, such as the Jubilee of Redemption in 1933 and the Year of Mercy in 2015.


A key tradition of the Jubilee is the Holy Door, symbolizing the path to renewal. Pilgrims pass through these doors in major basilicas as a sign of repentance and transformation. Participation in the Jubilee offers the faithful a plenary indulgence through confession, Eucharist, and prayer for the Pope’s intentions.


The Jubilee continues to be a time of hope, reconciliation, and a call to deepen our relationship with God and one another.


Theme

The theme for the 2025 Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope,” invites all the faithful to embrace hope as a guiding light in their spiritual journey. Chosen by Pope Francis, this theme emphasizes trust in God’s promises, even amidst life’s challenges, and inspires believers to live as witnesses of hope, peace, and renewal in the world.


At its core, this Jubilee theme focuses on the idea of pilgrimage as a symbol of the Christian life. A pilgrimage represents a journey of spiritual transformation, encouraging participants to deepen their relationship with God and seek reconciliation. The Holy Doors, opened at key basilicas during the Jubilee, serve as powerful signs of God’s mercy and grace, welcoming pilgrims to experience renewal and conversion.


The Jubilee also emphasizes reconciliation and peace. It calls for mending broken relationships with God, with one another, and with creation. By fostering forgiveness, understanding, and care for the environment, believers can actively embody the message of hope.


Rooted in Scripture, the Jubilee theme reflects Jesus’ words in Luke 4:18-19:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”

These words remind us of Christ’s mission to bring healing, liberation, and transformation—a mission the Jubilee calls us to live out in our own lives.


The Jubilee of Hope is a time to renew our faith, trust in God’s love, and share the joy of the Gospel with others. Let us come together as “Pilgrims of Hope,” walking in unity toward a future filled with God’s grace and peace.

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven,

may the faith you have given us

in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,

and the flame of charity enkindled

in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,

reawaken in us the blessed hope

for the coming of your Kingdom.


 

May your grace transform us

into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos

in the sure expectation

of a new heaven and a new earth,

when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,

your glory will shine eternally.


May the grace of the Jubilee

reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,

a yearning for the treasures of heaven.

May that same grace spread

the joy and peace of our Redeemer

throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed,

be glory and praise for ever.


Amen



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Jubilee 2025 FAQ

What is a Jubilee Year?

Answer: A Jubilee Year is a special period in the Catholic Church dedicated to forgiveness, reconciliation, and spiritual renewal, traditionally celebrated every 25 years. 

 

When does the 2025 Jubilee Year begin and end?

Answer: The 2025 Jubilee Year begins on December 24, 2024, and concludes in January 2026. 

 

What is the theme of the 2025 Jubilee?

Answer: The theme is “Jubilee of Hope,” focusing on peace, forgiveness, and societal transformation. 


What is a Holy Door?

Answer: A Holy Door is a special door in certain churches that is opened during a Jubilee Year, symbolizing the passage to salvation and offering the faithful an opportunity to gain indulgences. 


Local Jubilee Pilgrimage Sites

In this Jubilee Year, Bishop Daniel E. Thomas has designated four locations in the Diocese of Toledo as Jubilee Pilgrimage Sites. A pilgrimage to any of these sites can apply to the reception of the Jubilee Indulgence.


Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral

2535 Collingwood Blvd, Toledo, OH 43610


The Mother Church of the Diocese of Toledo was constructed during the Great Depression in a "Plateresque" style, popularized in 16th century Spain. From the stunning frescoes to the marble finishes, it is a true masterpiece of art and inspiration to thousands of visitors each year.


The Sorrowful Mother Shrine

4106 State Route 269, Bellevue, Ohio 44811

The Sorrowful Mother Shrine near Bellevue is an inspiring place of prayer where God and nature touch. Wildflowers and planted flower beds mingle in the 153 acres of woods and lawns. The center of the Shrine is the Sorrowful Mother Chapel. The Missionaries of the Precious Blood have operated the Shrine since it was founded by Fr. Francis DeSales Brunner in 1850.


Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church

320 Stump Pike Road, Attica, Ohio 44807

Our Lady of Hope was established in 2005 after the closure of three area parishes. Our Lady of Hope was chosen as the new patroness. Tradition holds that over 150 years ago, the faithful of Pontmain, France were reminded to have faith in God’s plans with the appearance of Our Lady of Hope. This parish was selected because of the 2025 Jubilee theme: Pilgrims of Hope.


The Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation

315 Clay Street, Carey, OH 43316

Since 1875, countless pilgrims have journeyed to the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey to offer prayers of thanks and to confide their needs to the Mother of God as Mary, Consoler of the Afflicted. Through her prayers, the sick and afflicted have found health, comfort and consolation. The grounds include the Basilica, including the lower basilica with many relics, the original church, gift shop, and Shrine Park.


How can I participate in the Jubilee if I cannot travel?

Answer: Participation can include local pilgrimages, attending special parish events, engaging in acts of charity, and dedicating time to personal prayer and reflection.


Jubilee 2025 GENERAL CALENDAR