Towards the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025

Thursday 6th June 2024

In just over six months’ time, the 2025 Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee will begin, presenting Catholics all over the world with a wonderful opportunity to be renewed in the light of Christian hope amid the challenges of our world today.

In the Catholic Church, the concept of Jubilee is used to declare special years of graces, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

The tradition of jubilee has its roots in the Old Testament and was intended to be a time to reset; to re-establish a proper relationship with God, each other, and all of creation. It involved the forgiveness of debts, the return of misappropriated land, and a fallow period for the fields.

Today, the modern Church celebrates a Year of Jubilee every 25 years and invites Catholics across the world to enter into this spirit of forgiveness, charity, and faith; to embark on a journey to renew our relationship with God and each other, and take up the offer of a plenary indulgence – a remission of sins for themselves or deceased loved ones.

Pilgrims of Hope

For this year of special grace in 2025, the Holy Father has chosen the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”. The 2025 jubilee year is intended to be a year of hope and trust for a world facing so many challenges; from war and poverty, to the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, our ever deteriorating climate, and more.

The Year of Jubilee will begin in Advent 2024, with Pope Francis opening the Holy Door at St Peter’s in Rome on 24th December. It will end on the feast of the Epiphany 2026.

Celebrating in our diocese

Pope Francis has asked each diocese to celebrate the jubilee in their own way and at a local level in parishes, schools, groups and communities.

Over the coming months, we will be sharing with you a number of ways you can celebrate this wonderful year of grace; from resources to pray with at home – or in your parish, school, or community group – to partaking in special events that bring all people and generations together in a united celebration of faith.

During 2025, there will also be opportunities for you to take up the age-old jubilee tradition of pilgrimage, whether by exploring the rich history of holy places on our doorstep, or travelling to places of pilgrimage across the UK and overseas. More details will be announced very soon.

This jubilee year in particular, every Catholic in our diocese is encouraged to be a pilgrim of hope by taking active part in their own community and maximising opportunities to live the Gospel in practical ways beyond the pews of our parishes.

Further details will be shared over the coming weeks and months but please do visit our official jubilee page for more information on the 2025 Year of Jubilee and this preparatory Year of Prayer.

Tagged | Catholic Church | Jubilee 2025 | Pope Francis