The Jubilee: a time of grace and reconciliation

Origins and Biblical Foundations

The term “Jubilee” has its roots in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Leviticus (Lv 25:8-13). Every fifty years, this additional year was decreed as a time for restoring social and ecological harmony. This exceptional moment marked a triple restitution:

• Debt remission, to free individuals from oppressive financial burdens and restore economic balance within the community.
• Restoration of alienated lands, symbolizing the return of families to their ancestral inheritances, an action that strengthened social and family bonds.
• Rest for the land, an essential ecological pause to respect divine creation and allow it to renew itself.

This concept is deeply rooted in a theological requirement: to recognize God as the sovereign creator of the universe and the master of all things. In this sense, the Jubilee illustrates a divinely intended balance between humanity, creation, and their relationship with the divine.

History in the Church

In Christian tradition, the first official Jubilee, also called the Holy Year, was established by Pope Boniface VIII in the year 1300. This first Jubilee aimed to offer the faithful a time of reconciliation with God and spiritual renewal. Initially conceived as a rare event, celebrated every hundred years, it was gradually adapted to become a more regular occurrence. In 1470, Pope Paul II set the periodicity at 25 years, allowing each generation to experience this time of grace.

The evolution of these celebrations saw the introduction of new rites and symbols, such as the crossing of the Holy Door, enriching the spiritual experience and making it accessible to a greater number of faithful.The Holy Door, initially opened only at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, was gradually adopted in other Roman basilicas to allow more pilgrims to perform this symbolic act. It represents a spiritual passage, marking the decision to follow Christ and renew one’s faith. By crossing this threshold, the faithful commit to fully living their Christian vocation and seeking reconciliation with God and others.

Spiritual Significance

The Jubilee is above all a “favorable time” for personal and communal conversion. It is a unique moment where each believer is invited to:

• Reconcile with God through the sacrament of reconciliation. This sacrament, central to the Jubilee experience, offers a precious opportunity for inner liberation and faith renewal.
• Receive the plenary indulgence, which manifests God’s infinite mercy. This indulgence is an exceptional grace that purifies and restores the believer’s relationship with God.
• Rediscover the primacy of God, by reorienting one’s life around fundamental spiritual values and witnessing one’s faith daily.

Signs of the Jubilee

1. The Holy Door: A central symbol of the Jubilee, the Holy Door represents a spiritual threshold. Crossing it, accompanied by a sincere act of faith, embodies an inner journey of conversion. According to the Gospel of John (10:9), Jesus presents himself as “the door,” reminding us that salvation comes through Him.
2. Pilgrimage: A sign of faith and humility, pilgrimage encourages the faithful to leave their daily routine to set out on a journey toward God. It is a concrete way of signifying that Christian life itself is a pilgrimage toward the Kingdom of Heaven.
3. Reconciliation: This sacrament, at the heart of the Jubilee, is an invitation to confession and forgiveness. It allows for the restoration of inner peace and communion with others.
4. Prayer and Liturgy: These moments of reflection and celebration help the faithful draw closer to God and renew their spiritual commitment.
5. Indulgence: A fruit of the Jubilee, it represents the purification of the soul and a return to an intimate relationship with God. The indulgence is a reminder of God’s unconditional love for His children.

The 2025 Jubilee: “Pilgrims of Hope”

The 2025 Jubilee, under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” was announced by Pope Francis as a response to the challenges of a world marked by multiple crises. This Holy Year aims to:

• Reaffirm solidarity with the poorest and most vulnerable, bearing witness to Christ’s love through concrete actions of charity and justice.
• Promote the protection of creation, calling every believer to adopt a responsible attitude toward our “common home.”
• Strengthen universal fraternity, building bridges of dialogue and unity among peoples and cultures.

The logo of the 2025 Jubilee reflects this vision: stylized figures, representing humanity in its diversity, converge towards the cross of Christ. These figures, coming from the four corners of the earth, symbolize the solidarity and fraternity that unite people. The cross, at the center, is anchored in faith and hope. It extends into an anchor, a classic symbol of hope and stability, particularly in times of turbulence. The moving waves beneath the cross illustrate life’s journey, often turbulent but always guided by hope. Thus, the logo embodies the dynamism of the pilgrimage of faith and the invitation to move forward together, supported by God’s constant presence.

A Call to Renewal

The Jubilee is an invitation to profound transformation, both personal and communal. By renewing the bond with God, others, and creation, it offers a unique opportunity for spiritual renewal and social renewal. Each believer, by participating in this event of grace, is called to become a peacemaker, a witness of hope, and a builder of a more just world. The Jubilee reminds us that, despite trials, God’s love and mercy remain ever at work, guiding humanity towards a future of light and reconciliation.