Jubilee 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope
Important Websites
What is a Jubilee Year
A Jubilee Year, also known as a Holy Year, is a special year of grace and renewal declared by Pope Francis and is observed by all Catholics worldwide. It is a time to seek forgiveness, deepen your faith, and engage in acts of charity. This is a year of spiritual renewal and often includes pilgrimages, particularly to Rome, where the faithful pass through the Holy Door. This act of passing through the Holy Door symbolizes stepping across a threshold—leaving behind sins and embracing God’s mercy and forgiveness and this represents a spiritual journey.
The last Jubilee Year was the Year of Mercy, was also proclaimed by Pope Francis. It was observed from December 8, 2015, to November 20, 2016. The year emphasized God’s mercy and encouraged Catholics to practice forgiveness and compassion in their lives.
The Jubilee of Hope will take place from Dec. 24, 2024 — Christmas Eve — to Jan. 6, 2026, the feast of the Epiphany. Here are the three key themes of the Jubilee:
- celebrating Jesus,
- celebrating the Church,
- and celebrating our faith.
This Jubilee Year aims to inspire spiritual renewal and strengthen the unity of the global Catholic community.
The Jubilee Year Calendar
January
24-26: Jubilee of Communicators
February
8-9: Jubilee of the Armed Forces, Police and Security Personnel
15-18: Jubilee of Artists and the World of Culture
21-23: Jubilee of Deacons
March
8-9: Jubilee of the World of Volunteering
28: 24 Hours for the Lord
28-30: Jubilee of the Missionaries of Mercy
April
5-6: Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers
25-27: Jubilee of Teenagers
28-29: Jubilee of People with Disabilities
May
1-4: Jubilee of Workers
4-5: Jubilee of Entrepreneurs
10-11: Jubilee of Bands and Popular Music
12-14: Jubilee of the Eastern Churches
16-18: Jubilee of Confraternities
May 30 – June 1: Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly
June
7-8: Jubilee of Ecclesial Movements, Associations and New Communities
9: Jubilee of the Holy See
14-15: Jubilee of Sport
20-22: Jubilee of Governments
23-24: Jubilee of Seminarians
25: Jubilee of Bishops
25-27: Jubilee of Priests
July to August
July 28 – Aug 3: Jubilee of Youth
September
15: Jubilee of Consolation
20: Jubilee of Justice
26-28: Jubilee of Catechists
October
4-5: Jubilee of the Missions and Jubilee of Migrants
8-9: Jubilee of Consecrated Life
11-12: Jubilee of Marian Spirituality
Oct 31-Nov 2: Jubilee of the World of Education
November
16: Jubilee of the Poor
21-23: Jubilee of Choirs
December
14: Jubilee of Prisoners
A letter from Pope Francis and his Prayer Intentions for this Jubilee Year.
Letter of Pope Francis to Monsignior Rino Fisischelkla, president of the Pontifical Council for the promotion of the New Evangelization for the Jubilee 2025.
The Official Prayer and Hymn For the Jubilee of Hope
Below is the English version of the Jubilee Prayer but it is also available here in several different languages.
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.
The Jubilee Logo and Luce the Official Mascot
The Logo shows four stylized figures which represents all of humanity coming from the four corners of the earth.
During a press conference on October 28, Archbishop Rino Fisichella officially presented the mascot of the 2025 Jubilee, “Luce”.
This character, designed by the illustrator Simone Legno, was designed with the intention of reflecting pop culture, popular among young people, and brings with it a message of hope and welcome.
Luce is a pilgrim dressed as a typical traveler: a yellow anorak to protect herself from the elements, dirty boots that bear witness to the path she has already traveled, a missionary cross around her neck and the pilgrim’s staff in her hand. Particularly evocative are Luce’s eyes, which shine with an intense light: they symbolize the hope that is born in the heart of every pilgrim, and reflect the desire for spirituality and connection with the divine. They act as a reminder of the universal message of peace and brotherhood. The choice of a mascot like Luce is part of a broader context, aimed at reaching new generations and promoting intergenerational dialogue. The mascot not only represents the Jubilee, but is also a symbol of community, of welcome and of sharing.
What Catholics Should Know Ahead of Jubilee 2025
An article originally published on the National Catholic Register, and adapted for the Eternal Word Television Network Vatican.
It includes details of the Five Holy Doors, History and explains the ritual of opening the Holy Door.
The Opening of the Holy Door of Saint Peter's Basilica
The Opening of the four other Holy Doors
Second Door- The Door of the Rebibbia Prison
For the first time in the centuries-old Jubilee tradition, Pope Francis opened a fifth Holy Door—inside the Rebibbia New Complex Prison in Rome. A historic gesture of mercy and hope.
On the feast of the Holy Family, Cardinal Baldassare Reina opened the Holy Door at Rome’s Basilica of St. John Lateran, the third such ceremony since Pope Francis inaugurated the Jubilee Year of 2025 on Christmas Eve.
During the solemn Mass attended by families, priests, and pilgrims, Reina described the Holy Door as a symbol of faith, saying: “This door, now opened wide, has led us not only into the house of the Lord but also into the depths of his heart.”
Reflecting on the challenges faced by families, the cardinal called for greater societal support. “Families experiencing difficulties should be at the center of civil attention and receive adequate support for a more dignified future,” he urged, highlighting their role as a “testimony of a shared mission.”
The timing of the event, coinciding with the feast of the Holy Family, was described as “providential,” with the Holy Family serving as a model for all domestic communities.
This ceremony marked the third Holy Door opened in Rome for the Jubilee, following St. Peter’s Basilica and Rebibbia prison. Two more openings are scheduled: St. Mary Major on Jan. 1 and St. Paul Outside the Walls on Jan. 5.
The Holy Doors signify spiritual renewal, offering pilgrims a path toward conversion. Pope Francis reminded the faithful in his Christmas address: “The door of God’s heart is always open; let us return to him.”
The Jubilee of 2025, titled the Jubilee of Hope, promises opportunities for spiritual growth and indulgences, alongside significant events like the canonizations of Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati.
Fourth Door – The Holy Door in Saint Mary Major
Fifth Door – The Holy Door at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside The Walls
American Cardinal James Harvey opened the holy door at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls on Sunday, marking the final door opening for the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee of Hope. Pilgrims passing through the door can receive a plenary indulgence during this holy year, celebrated every 25 years.
Cardinal Harvey explained the symbolism of the holy door, describing it as a salvific passage reflecting Christ’s Incarnation, death, and resurrection, calling for reconciliation with God and one another. The ceremony began with the sounding of a shofar, a biblical instrument used to announce jubilees, followed by prayers for a faithful and transformative Jubilee.
After pushing open the heavy bronze doors, Cardinal Harvey paused in silent prayer as the congregation sang the Jubilee hymn, Pilgrims of Hope. During his homily, he reflected on hope as a theological virtue, quoting Pope Benedict XVI’s Spes Salvi, emphasizing its power to sustain Christians through challenges and lead them toward eternal life.
The Basilica, built over St. Paul’s tomb, joins St. Peter’s Basilica, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and Rome’s Rebibbia Prison as holy door sites for this Jubilee. Millions are expected to visit Rome during this first ordinary Jubilee since 2000.
Harvey urged pilgrims to embrace the Jubilee as a spiritual journey, reigniting the flame of hope. “To radiate hope … is the most beautiful gift the Church can offer humanity,” he said. The holy door will remain open until December 28, 202