What is a jubilee?
A jubilee year is a special year for the Catholic Church, often called a "holy year," celebrated every 25 years. The last ordinary jubilee was in 2000. Pope Francis declared an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2015-2016.
Jubilee years have been a Catholic tradition since 1300, but they originated from Jewish tradition, where a jubilee occurred every 50 years.
According to the Vatican, these years in Jewish history were meant to "re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation." This involved debt forgiveness, land restoration, and a period of rest for the land.
When does Jubilee 2025 start?
Jubilee 2025 will begin on Christmas Eve, December 24th, at 7:00 PM with the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica. Pope Francis will then celebrate Midnight Mass. Holy Doors will also open at St. John Lateran (December 29th), St. Mary Major (January 1st), and St. Paul's Outside the Walls (January 5th).
On December 26th, a Holy Door will open at Rebibbia Prison, reflecting the Church's focus on social justice.
Holy Doors symbolize the path to salvation. In 1423, Pope Martin V first opened a Holy Door. In 1500, Pope Alexander VI opened them at all four major basilicas in Rome. At the end of a Holy Year, the Holy Doors are sealed.
Mark your calendars! On December 24th at 7:00 PM (Rome time)
A historic event will take place at St. Peter's Basilica: the opening of the Holy Door to mark the beginning of the Jubilee Year.
Pope Francis will preside over this solemn ceremony, symbolizing a time of spiritual renewal, forgiveness, and pilgrimage.
Want to be part of this momentous occasion? Join us for a live stream of the event. Simply click the link below to watch from the comfort of your own home:
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