Pope Francis announced that 2025 will be a year of Jubilee. The theme of this coming year will be “Pilgrims of Hope,” hope for a world suffering the impacts of war, the ongoing effects COVID-19 pandemic, and a climate crisis.
Within the Catholic Church, Jubilees or as they are sometimes known, ‘Holy Years’ have always been special years for forgiveness, reconciliation, and mercy. The year is a special year of grace, it’s about pilgrimage and prayer as well as celebration and reconciliation.
Jubilee years traditionally have begun just before Christmas and end the Epiphany the following year. This year Pope Francis opened the first Holy Door on Christmas Eve at the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in Rome and then presided over the Mass for the Lord’s birth. Pope Francis in Spes Non Confundit (Hope Does Not Disappoint), the Papal Bull officially proclaiming the Holy Year of 2025 explained that the in Catholic tradition, the Holy Door represents the passage to salvation — the path to a new and eternal life, which was opened to humanity by Jesus.
Useful Links:
Link here to Jubilee for Schools key dates flyer.