Find out about the events and resources for Jubilee 2025
The Jubilee is a special year of grace in the Catholic Church. It is a time for renewal of faith, forgiveness and reconciliation. It is a time for their faithful to give themselves more fully to the Lord Jesus and feel His mercy and forgiveness.
Origins
The tradition of a Jubilee can be traced to the Bible, with a Jubilee year to be marked every 50 years (Leviticus 25:8-13). The intention was to re-establish a proper relationship with God and each other.
In 1300, Pope Boniface established the first Jubilee - also known as the "Holy Year" - as it is a time where the faithful can be transformed by God's holiness.
Initially, Jubilees were celebrated every 100 years but in 1343 Pope Clement VI changed it to 50 years. Another change took place in 1470, when Pope Paul II reduced the gap to 25 years. With the exception of "extraordinary" Holy Years - the year of Jubilee has remained every 25 years since.
How a Jubilee works
A Jubilee year is always rooted in prayer and reconciliation. It is a time when people can focus their minds on the Lord Jesus and seek His loving mercy and forgiveness.
Pilgrimages to "Holy Doors" has also been a key feature. To mark the start of the Jubilee, the Pope will open a Holy Door so throughout the year pilgrims can cross the threshold and be reminded of when Jesus said, in John 10:9, "I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture".
By taking part in the Holy Year, the faithful are granted a plenary indulgence. This means those taking part receive a grace, granted by the Church, which removes the temporal punishment of sins already forgiven (CCC1471).
Archbishop John Wilson has designated 15 Jubilee churches within the Archdiocese of Southwark, for the faithful to visit during the year.
Theme for 2025: Pilgrims of Hope
The theme of Jubilee 2025 is “pilgrims of hope”, with Pope Francis calling on the world to “fan the flame of hope that has been given us”.
The Holy Father said:
“Let us pray that this upcoming Jubilee may strengthen us in our faith, helping us to recognise the Risen Christ in the midst of our lives, transforming us into pilgrims of Christian hope.”
How you can get involved
The Archdiocese of Southwark will be running a series of events and publishing a wide range of resources, from prayer materials to a major event in Aylesford on Saturday 7 June 2025. Keep an eye on this page for updates and ways for you to take part in this special year.