The Jubilee is an ancient celebration deeply embedded in the traditions of the Catholic Church. It represents a time for reflection, penance, and spiritual renewal for millions of faithful around the world. Each Jubilee offers a unique opportunity to strengthen faith, promote reconciliation, and foster both social and spiritual renewal. In this article, we will explore the origins, evolution, and cultural significance of the Jubilee, with a special focus on the Jubilee of 2025.

Origins and meaning of the Jubilee

The term “Jubilee” originates from latin “iubilare”, meaning “hooray” or “exclamation of joy”. Today, the verb “to jubilee” still conveys the sense of “celebrating”. The roots of the Jubilee lie in the Jewish tradition, where the Jubilee (Yovel) was celebrated every 50 years, following seven cycles of seven years (49 years + 1 Jubilee year). During this period, the land rested, debts were forgiven, slaves were freed, and land properties returned to their original owners. These rituals aimed to restore social and economic balance, promoting equality and reducing disparities among community members.

In the context of the Catholic Jubilee, this tradition was adapted to be celebrated every 25 years instead of every 50. This change meets the need to offer the faithful more frequent opportunities for spiritual and social renewal, facilitating a continuous journey of faith and personal growth. The shorter interval encourages greater participation and a more sustained impact on the lives of believers and their communities.

Evolution of the Jubilee

The Jubilee has undergone several transformations over the centuries. Originally, Pope Boniface VIII instituted the first Jubilee in 1300 with the papal bull “Antiquorum habet fida relatio”, drawing inspiration from the Jewish tradition and the legend of the centennial indulgence. This event aimed to promote a period of conversion and holiness, strengthening the Church’s prestige and encouraging the faithful to restore their relationship with God and with the community.

Over time, the frequency of the Jubilee was modified:

  • 1343
    Pope Clement VI reduced the frequency to 50 years.

  • 1470
    Pope Paul II definitively set the Jubilee at a 25-year interval.

In addition to ordinary Jubilees, the Church has proclaimed two extraordinary Jubilees to commemorate specific events:

  • 1933
    Pope Pius XI celebrated the Jubilee of Redemption.
  • 2015
    Pope Francis
    proclaimed the Year of Mercy.

These extraordinary Jubilees have expanded the scope of celebrations, adapting them to the spiritual and social needs of the times while maintaining the fundamental principles of penance, reconciliation, and renewal.

Origins of the Holy Door: a symbol of spiritual passage

As discussed in our previous article dedicated to the Holy Doors, the Holy Door is one of the most powerful symbols of the Jubilee, as well as the ceremony that marks the beginning of the entire Holy Year. It symbolizes the passage from a life of sin to a renewed life in Christ. This tradition, started in 1500 by Pope Alexander VI Borgia, has evolved its ceremonies while maintaining the fundamental principles of opening, inclusion, and hope.

Plenary Indulgence of the Jubilee

At the heart of the Jubilee is the plenary indulgence, an act of divine mercy offering the complete remission of sins and temporal penalties. To obtain this grace, the faithful must:

  • 1

    physically pilgrimage to the Papal Basilicas;

  • 2

    participate in the Sacrament of Penance;

  • 3

    perform acts of charity and hope.

The Apostolic Penitentiary published the guidelines for celebrating the 2025 Jubilee on May 13, 2024, following the directives of Pope Francis, with the aim of encouraging the faithful to live the Jubilee as an opportunity for reconciliation and spiritual renewal.

The Papal Bull of Indiction

Each Jubilee is proclaimed through the issuance of a Papal Bull of Indiction, an official document written in Latin that identifies the Jubilee and sets the official start and end dates. For the 2025 Jubilee, Pope Francis proclaimed the new Holy Year with the Bull “Spes non confundit” on May 9, 2024, during a ceremony in the atrium of St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Jubilee through time: two historical examples

  • Jubilee of 2000
    Instituted by Pope John Paul II with the bull “Incarnationis Mysterium”, the Great Jubilee of 2000 was marked by numerous pilgrimages and significant symbolic acts, such as the World Youth Day in Rome, which involved 2 million young people, and the Pope’s pilgrimage to the Holy Land to promote interreligious dialogue.

  • First Jubilee in 1300
    Proclaimed by Pope Boniface VIII, it was a period of religious and cultural fervour in Europe, aimed at strengthening the Church’s prestige and promoting the spiritual rebirth of the faithful, while also benefiting the cultural and tourist boom in the city.

The Jubilee in literature and art

The Jubilee has left a significant mark on literature and art. Two exemplary figures are Dante Alighieri and Giotto.

Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy

In the Divine Comedy, Dante Alighieri references the Jubilee in the Eighteenth canto of the Inferno, where he describes pilgrims “from the other shore heading towards the mountain” during the Paschal period of the first Jubilee in 1300. This literary reference emphasizes the importance of the Jubilee in history, as a spiritual journey and a symbol of redemption.

Giotto’s Fresco

Another significant artistic reference to the Jubilee is found in a fresco attributed to Giotto, located in the Basilica of St. John Lateran. This fragment depicts the moment when Pope Boniface VIII proclaims the first Jubilee, highlighting the celebration’s importance in the history of religious art.

The Jubilee 2025: the Hope Jubilee

The 2025 Jubilee, named the Hope Jubilee, will mark the twenty-fifth ordinary universal Jubilee in the history of the Catholic Church. Organized by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of New Evangelization, chaired by Monsignor Rino Fisichella, this event is initiated by Pope Francis and aims to keep hope alive in the hearts of the faithful.

Motto: Pilgrims of Hope

The motto “Pilgrims of Hope” was personally chosen by Pope Francis. The Pope explained his choice as follows: “We must keep the torch of hope that has been given to us burning, and do everything possible for everyone to regain the strength and certainty to look to the future with an open heart, a trusting spirit, and a forward-thinking mind. The upcoming Jubilee can greatly contribute to rebuilding an atmosphere of hope and trust, as a sign of a renewed rebirth that we all urgently feel. That is why I chose the motto ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.”

Logo of the Jubilee 2025

The logo for the 2025 Jubilee was selected through a competition organized by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of New Evangelization. The winning logo, designed by Giacomo Travisani, was personally chosen by Pope Francis.

Meaning of the Logo

The logo depicts people from every culture and nationality, symbolizing sails driven by the wind of Hope, united as they move towards the future. The central cross of Christ symbolizes Hope, while the four stylized figures represent humanity in its diversity, united in a fraternal embrace. The colours evoke the rainbow, each with specific meanings:

  • Red
    Love, passion, Christ’s sacrifice, Holy Spirit;

  • Orange
    Joy, vitality, light of faith;

  • Green
    Hope, growth, rebirth;

  • Blue
    Faith, peace, spirituality, contemplation.

The anchor symbolizes stability and Christ’s support, while the agitated waves indicate life’s challenges and the promise of salvation through faith.

Anthem of the Jubilee 2025

The anthem for the 2025 Jubilee, titled “Pilgrims of Hope”, was composed by Francesco Meneghello, the winner of an international competition, with lyrics written by Pierangelo Sequeri, a theologian, musicologist, and composer. This anthem will accompany the Jubilee’s celebrations and official initiatives, serving as a symbol of faith and hope for all participants.

The mascot: Luce

The mascot for the 2025 Jubilee, Luce (meaning light in Italian), was created by Francesco Poroli, an illustrator. Luce symbolizes welcome and inclusivity, aiming to unite diverse people in pilgrimage and hope. The mascot’s modern design aims to attract young people, representing vitality and optimism, with graphical elements that echo the cross and the wind of hope, in harmony with the Jubilee’s logo.

Modes of celebrating the Jubilee

The Jubilee is celebrated through various initiatives throughout the year, including pilgrimages to the Papal Basilicas in Rome, processions, collective prayers, and acts of charity. One of the central elements is the opening of the Holy Doors, a symbol of spiritual passage and access to the Holy Year. For more details on the opening of the Holy Doors, you can read our previous article The Start of Jubilee 2025: Opening the Holy Doors.

Important dates of February – 2025 Jubilee

In February 2025, several special Jubilee celebrations will take place. Here are the most important dates you can’t miss:

  • February 8-9, 2025
    Jubilee of the Armed Forces, Police, and Security.
  • February 15-18, 2025
    Jubilee of Artists.
  • February 21-23, 2025
    Jubilee of Deacons.

Discover our Jubilee 2025 Collection!

Discover our Jubilee 2025 Collection!

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