ROME — Romans 5:5 states that “Hope does not disappoint,” and these words resound amid the chaos of the modern world. Perhaps that is why Pope Francis announced 2025 as Jubilee Year with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”
In briefing a group of journalists, including Rhode Island Catholic, on September 9 at the Pontifical University of Santa Croce in Rome, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, explained the message behind the motto.
“The world needs hope. There is violence in families, societies, just in this country,” he said. Oftentimes when war rages between nations, “we forget the violence among us.”
“The Church today doesn’t normally speak about hope,” he continued. Instead, the virtues of faith and love overshadow hope, yet “hope is what takes faith and charity and brings them to the future.”
But what is a jubilee year? Archbishop Fisichella explained how the first jubilee year took place in 1300, when Pope Boniface VII declared one at the request of the Roman people. Since that first one, the years between jubilees were set at 100, but decreased to 50 and then 25 years (dependent on political unrest and extraordinary jubilee celebrations).
He pointed out that this Jubilee Year of hope is a “moment of evangelization.”
“We cannot forget that we are in a special cultural moment,” he continued, noting the changes in technology and how medical progress gives hope to the living.
But “hope is not just an announcement,” Archbishop Fisichella said. “It is necessary to show that hope is visible … we are called to create signs of hope.”
Specific weekends during the Jubilee Year will be dedicated to various groups within the Church with Masses and events tailored to them. For example, January 24-26 marks the Jubilee for the World of Communications; June 25-27 is the Jubilee of Priests; July 28-August 3 is the Jubilee of Youth, to include the canonization of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. And the list goes on.
Pilgrimage is typically part of a jubilee year – visiting a Holy Door in one of Rome’s four basilicas: St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, St. Paul Outside the Walls and St. Peter’s Basilica. These Holy Doors have been opened by Pope Francis, beginning at St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve, then St. John Lateran on December 29, St. Mary Major was opened the following day and St. Paul Outside the Walls four days later. Walking through one of these doors represents a path to salvation — the pilgrim moving from sin to grace.
For this jubilee, Pope Francis directed that local dioceses could not have coordinating holy doors. Not every Catholic can travel to Rome to walk through these doors, but they can still receive the plenary indulgence offered during the Jubilee Year. This can be done by performing works of mercy, acts of penance or visiting a jubilee site. Other conditions must be met as well, including sacramental confession, holy Communion and prayers for the intentions of the Holy Father, and detachment from sin (including venial sin).
Bulletin announcements and the diocesan website will showcase different ways the faithful of the Diocese of Providence can participate in the Jubilee Year from home.
The Jubilee Year will conclude on January 6, 2025, with the resealing of the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica.
As the goal of life is to attain heaven, all Catholics are pilgrims.
“To be a pilgrim of hope means to walk every day, walk in knowledge of hope,” Archbishop Fisichella said, and that hope is found in the person of Jesus Christ.
