The 2025 Jubilee Year, themed ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, invites Catholics to embark on a spiritual journey of renewal, reconciliation, and hope. The year-long celebration, which is rooted in Biblical tradition and Church history, begins on 24 December 2024 with the opening of the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica and concludes on 6 January 2026, the Feast of the Epiphany, with the closing of the Door.
The Meaning of Jubilee
The history of the Jubilee can be traced back to the Old Testament. It is derived from the Hebrew word ‘yobel’ meaning ‘ram’s horn’ and is used to announce the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and herald the Jubilee Year. Within the Bible, the Jubilee was observed every 50 years as a time to restore relationships with God, one another, and creation. It involved forgiving debts, returning misappropriated land, and allowing the earth to rest, embodying liberation and renewal (cf. Leviticus 25:8-13).
Reflecting this spirit, the Gospel of Luke recounts Jesus’ proclamation:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me… to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives… and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord” (Luke 4:18-19).
The Jubilee Year provides an opportunity for spiritual growth and community building. Bishop Greg Homeming emphasises the significance of this sacred time. “The Jubilee Year offers us an opportunity to refocus our lives on Christ, mend divisions, and renew our trust in God’s promises,” Bishop Greg said. “It is a time to celebrate the joy of our faith and to shine Christ’s hope into the lives of others.”
A tradition of renewal
The Church’s Jubilee tradition began in 1300 when Pope Boniface VIII called the first Holy Year. Initially celebrated every 100 years, the frequency changed over time, with ordinary Jubilees now observed every 25 years. Extraordinary Jubilees, such as the 2015 Year of Mercy, mark significant moments in the Church’s history. The upcoming Jubilee Year includes pilgrimages, the opening of Holy Doors at the four Papal Basilicas in Rome and one in prison, themed events, and the granting of plenary indulgences.
Local celebrations
For the Jubilee, four churches in the Diocese of Lismore — St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore; Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Murwillumbah; St Augustine’s Catholic Church, Coffs Harbour; and St Agnes’ Catholic Church, Port Macquarie, — have been designated as places of hope. People are encouraged to visit these sites to worship, pray, and deepen their relationship with God.
The good ship ‘Hope’ will also be visiting Catholic schools within the Diocese. The boat is based on the Jubilee logo and is being constructed by students and staff at Newman College in Port Macquarie.
Whether through local pilgrimages or daily acts of kindness, the 2025 Jubilee Year provides everyone, as Pilgrims of Hope, to be united in faith and strengthened by God’s enduring love.
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