Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we embark upon the year 2025, we find ourselves blessed with the opportunity to celebrate an Ordinary Jubilee Year, a time of grace and renewal in the life of the Church. This Jubilee, called by His Holiness Pope Francis, invites all the faithful to a deeper encounter with God's mercy and an enrichment of their spiritual life. Allow me to share some insights into the history, purpose, and opportunities of this holy year, as well as practical guidance on how you can partake in its spiritual treasures.
A Brief History of Jubilee Years
The tradition of Jubilee Years in the Catholic Church dates back to the Old Testament, where God instructed the Israelites to celebrate a year of jubilee every 50 years (cf. Lev 25:10). During this year, debts were forgiven, slaves were freed, and the land rested, symbolizing liberation and restoration.
Inspired by this biblical precedent, Pope Boniface VIII instituted the first Christian Jubilee Year in 1300, offering spiritual renewal and plenary indulgences to pilgrims who visited the basilicas of Rome. Subsequent popes enriched the Jubilee tradition, calling such years approximately every 25 years or at special times of grace. The purpose remains consistent: to encourage conversion, reconciliation, and the renewal of faith within the Church.
The Purpose of the 2025 Jubilee Year
The theme of the 2025 Jubilee Year, as declared by Pope Francis, is "Pilgrims of Hope." This theme reminds us that our earthly journey is directed toward the eternal hope of communion with God. The Jubilee calls us to return to the Lord with contrite hearts, to be instruments of hope in our communities, and to deepen our commitment to Christ’s mission in the world.
Participating in the Jubilee Locally
While the heart of the Jubilee celebration is in Rome, where pilgrims can visit the major basilicas and pass through the Holy Doors, the Church provides ample ways to participate locally. The Apostolic Penitentiary’s decree on the Jubilee indulgences offers a roadmap for obtaining the spiritual graces of this year.
Opportunities to Obtain a Plenary Indulgence
A plenary indulgence (as opposed to a partial indulgence) is the full remission of temporal punishment due to sin. This means that, through the Church’s authority to bind and loose (cf. Matt 16:19), the faithful are granted relief from the consequences of forgiven sins that still require purification. Such remission does not replace sacramental forgiveness but rather addresses the temporal effects of sin, which can be likened to the healing of wounds after the sin’s guilt has been removed in confession. A plenary indulgence can be obtained during the Jubilee by fulfilling the following acts of devotion and charity:
Pilgrimage: Visiting the Cathedral of Saint Paul or the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis.
Pious Visits to Sacred Places: These same places can be visited either individually or in a group. Then, after spending some time in Eucharistic adoration or prayerful meditation, conclude the time with the Our Father, the Profession of Faith in any legitimate form, and some invocation to Mary (any Marian prayer or Litany).
Works of Mercy & Penance: Engaging in corporal or spiritual works of mercy, such as feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, or consoling the sorrowful. This can also be any visit made to brothers or sisters who are in need or experiencing a difficulty of any kind. Other works of mercy include donating a proportionate sum of money to the poor, supporting religious or social works (esp. those in defense of life at all stages), or offering assistance to specific groups in need, such as migrants, the elderly, young people in difficulty, and orphans.
Vatican II Formation & Catechesis: Attend a parish mission, spiritual exercise, or any kind of formation activity that utilizes the documents of Vatican II or the Catechism of the Catholic Church (such as the parish mission we have coming up the week of March 9th!)
The indulgence may also be obtained by the sick or homebound who unite themselves spiritually to the Jubilee celebrations through prayer and by offering their sufferings to God.
General Conditions for a Plenary Indulgence
To receive any plenary indulgence, the faithful must:
Be in a state of grace at the time of completing the indulgenced act.
Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation within about 20 days before or after performing the indulgenced work.
Receive Holy Communion.
Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father, such as praying an Our Father and a Hail Mary.
Be free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin.
If full detachment from sin is lacking, the indulgence becomes partial rather than plenary.
An Invitation to Renewal
This Jubilee Year is a gift from God—an extraordinary opportunity to experience his mercy anew and to grow in holiness. Let us embrace this time with open hearts, committing ourselves to prayer, acts of charity, and sacramental grace. Whether by making a pilgrimage, engaging in works of mercy, or praying fervently for the Church and the world, each of us can become a channel of hope and renewal.
May this Jubilee Year draw us closer to Christ, the source of our hope, and strengthen our resolve to live as his faithful disciples. Let us journey together to the Lord as pilgrims of hope, bearing witness to the joy and mercy of the Gospel in our lives.
In Christ,
Rev. William Kratt
Parochial Vicar