The Jubilee Year 2025 - shared by Reuben Alphonso

Silver, Golden, and Diamond are prefixes used before the word Jubilee when we celebrate milestones in our lives or even mourn and remember the passing of our loved ones. But what does the word ‘Jubilee’ really mean? Where does it originate from?

In modern English, "Jubilee" refers to a special anniversary, originating from the Hebrew word "yobel" (ram's horn), used to signal the start of the Jubilee year. The Jubilee year concept originates from Ancient Jewish Tradition as described in the biblical book of Leviticus, which says, “And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you.”

Pope Boniface VIII declared the first Jubilee on February 22, 1300, the feast of St. Peter, to be observed every 25 years. It was Pope Paul II who established the current 25-year period in 1470. Jubilees are either 'ordinary,' occurring every 25 years, or 'extraordinary,' set for a specific purpose.

How do you celebrate the Jubilee Year?

Traditionally, the Jews celebrated the Jubilee Year by focusing exclusively on spirituality and self-reflection. In that year, people went on pilgrimages, repented for their sins, and forgave others. The Jews celebrated the Jubilee by freeing slaves and forgiving debts.

The 2025 Jubilee: This year's theme is "Pilgrims of Hope," reflecting a year of hope and love. It is intended to be a time of hope for the world, which is suffering from the effects of war, the COVID-19 pandemic, and climate change. 

What does the logo even mean!?

The logo illustrates people uniting from all corners of the Earth, symbolising solidarity and brotherhood. The front figure embraces a cross, representing our faith and hope. The waves below represent the challenges humanity faces, while the extended part of the cross signifies its role as our anchor in tough times.

Intenciones Del Papa

The 2025 Jubilee, themed "pilgrims of hope," is beautifully expressed by Pope Francis: “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.”

His Holiness urges us to prepare for the Year of Jubilee by spending time in prayer. The following four of the 16 documents have been presented to be read from the Second Vatican Council:

1.     Sacrosanctum Concilim

"The Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy" highlights the independence of the liturgy at personal and institutional levels. It emphasises the importance of participation, spiritual acts, and music, promoting inclusivity across diverse cultures.

2.     Lumen Gentium

‘The Dogmatic Constitution of the Church’ translates to ‘Light of the Nations’. This document addresses the Catholic Church's Identity, Nature, and Mission. Structure as a guiding light to the people of the church and the world.

3.     Dei Verbum

‘The Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation’. God reveals Himself to humanity through divine revelation. To grasp His teachings, one should read sacred scriptures and understand the logic of ancient traditions rather than oppose them.

4.     Gaudium et Spes

‘The Pastoral Constitution on the church and its modern world’. It means 'Joy and Hope,' reflecting the church's engagement with the modern world and its challenges.

The Jubilee Year as Indian Catholics

I would like to express my thoughts on celebrating the Jubilee Year as an Indian Catholic. Firstly, it speaks about inclusivity and brotherhood. India is a beautiful country that struggles with communal disharmony. This year, let's promote love and inclusivity by sharing the message of Christ with our community and beyond. The youth should also embrace ancient traditions and understand the logic behind their existence rather than blindly opposing them and finally spend the year in prayer and self-reflection while holding out the cross as our anchor.