By Bishop Joseph M. Siegel
Bishop’s Corner
At the Mass during the Night on Christmas Eve, Pope Francis will inaugurate the Holy Year by opening the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican. Bishops in dioceses around the world will open the Jubilee Year for their local churches on Sunday, Dec. 29 (the Feast of the Holy Family). The Pope will open the Holy Door at the Basilica of St. John Lateran on Dec. 29, the Basilica of St. Mary Major on Jan. 1 and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls on Jan. 5.
The Holy Father has designated as the theme of this Jubilee, “Pilgrims of Hope,” drawing on the words of St. Paul, “Hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5). In his bull of indiction, formally declaring the Jubilee Year, Pope Francis wrote: “By his perennial presence in the life of the Church, the Holy Spirit illumines all believers with the light of hope. He keeps that light burning, like an ever burning lamp, to sustain and invigorate our lives. Christian hope does not deceive or disappoint because it is grounded in the certainty that nothing and no one may ever separate us from God’s love” (cf. Romans 8:35, 37-39).
The Jubilee Year has its roots in ancient Judaism (Leviticus 25) and the word Jubilee is taken from the Hebrew yobel, which is the ram’s horn that was blown to mark the beginning of this special year. During this “year of favor,” slaves would be freed, debts forgiven and the mercy of God would be celebrated. The first Christian Holy Year was declared in 1300, by Pope Boniface VIII. Originally designated to be celebrated every 100 years, the faithful requested that it be held more often and so it was moved to every 50 years, then 33 years and now in modern times, a Jubilee Year is normally held every 25 years (although Pope Francis called an extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2016). Through the centuries, the Church has experienced these special years as times of forgiveness of sins and the granting of the Jubilee Indulgence, which is a special gift God offers to his people through the Church for the remission of the temporal penalties of absolved sins. Pilgrimages, particularly to Rome, praying at the four patriarchal basilicas and passing through their Holy Doors have been an important part of the observance of these grace-filled years. The Holy Door is a visual symbol of internal conversion, and to step through it evokes the person’s desire to pass from sin to grace.
In our Diocese, I have designated churches in each of our deaneries as Jubilee Churches: St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Vincennes and Our Lady of Hope Church in Washington in the North Deanery; St. Mary of the Visitation in Huntingburg in the East Deanery; St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville in the South Deanery; and St. Philip Church in the West Deanery. While these churches won’t have Holy Doors, the same indulgence gained in Rome can also be gained by visiting these churches (under the usual conditions provided by the Church). The Holy Father has granted many other opportunities to receive the Jubilee Indulgence.
A vital part of receiving the indulgence is reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I have asked our priests to promote this sacrament in their preaching and teaching in a special way during this year and to be generous in providing ample opportunities for their people to make use of this wonderful sacrament of mercy and hope. Parishes are encouraged to have their own observances for the Jubilee Year.
A Jubilee Year is a Holy Year because its purpose is to encourage all to greater holiness of life. As we seek reconciliation with God, we pray for the grace to reconcile with those with whom we are estranged. This Year is intended to strengthen our faith, encourage works of charity and mercy, deepen the bonds of unity in the Church, and inspire greater efforts of missionary discipleship. Above all, a Jubilee Year is a celebration of the saving work of Jesus Christ, Who is source of our hope.
May the Jubilee Year of 2025 bring many graces and blessings to each of us, our families, our Diocese and the Church.