Pope Francis has invited Catholics to renew our hope and discover a vision that can “restore access to the fruits of the earth to everyone.”

“Pilgrimage is of course a fundamental element of every Jubilee event. Setting out on a journey is traditionally associated with our human quest for meaning in life.” (Pope Francis)

The logo shows four figures stylised to indicate humanity coming from the four corners of the earth. They are embracing each other to indicate the solidarity and brotherhood which joins the peoples. The figure at the head is holding onto the cross. It is not only the sign of the faith which embraces, but also of the hope which can never be abandoned because we are always in need of hope, especially in moments of great need. It is helpful to observe the rough waves underneath; this indicates that life’s pilgrimage does not always move in calm waters. Life’s circumstances and the events of the world often demand a greater call to hope and because of this we see that the lower part of the cross has been turned into an anchor which stands out in the wave. As is well known, the anchor has often been used as a metaphor of hope and as a matter of fact, the anchor of hope is the name used in maritime jargon as the name given to the reserve anchor used by vessels involved in emergency manoeuvres to stabilise the boat during storms. Do not ignore the fact that the image demonstrates that the pilgrim’s journey is not individual, but communal and marked by a growing vitality leading one always closer to the cross, which is itself by no means static, but also dynamic. It turns towards humanity, not leaving it alone but going out and meeting it to offer it the certainty of its presence and the sureness of hope. Finally, the motto of the 2025 Jubilee Year: Pelegrinantes in Spem (Pilgrims in hope), is very visible in green.

https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en/notizie/comunicati/2022/logo-giubileo-2025.html

From a symbolic viewpoint, the Holy Door takes on a special significance: it is the most powerful sign of the Jubilee, since the ultimate aim of the pilgrim is to pass through it. The opening of the door by the Pope constitutes the official beginning of the Holy Year. Originally, there was only one door, at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, which is the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome. Later, to allow as many pilgrims as possible to take part in the Jubilee experience, the other Roman Basilicas also opened their own holy doors.

In crossing the threshold of the Holy Door, the pilgrim is reminded of the passage from chapter 10 of St John’s gospel: “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” Passing through the Holy Door expresses the decision to follow and be guided by Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd. The door is a passageway that ushers the pilgrim into the interior of a church. For the Christian community, a church is not only a sacred space, to be approached with respect, with appropriate behavior and dress code, but it is a symbol of the communion that binds every believer to Christ: it is a place of encounter and dialogue, of reconciliation and peace which awaits every pilgrim, the Church is essentially the place of the  community of the faithful.

In Rome, this experience takes on a special significance because of the special links between the Eternal City and Saints Peter and Paul, the apostles who founded the Christian community in Rome and whose teachings and example are models for the universal Church. The tombs of Saints Peter and Paul are located in Rome, they were martyred here; and together with the catacombs, these sacred sites are places of continuous spiritual inspiration.

https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en/giubileo-2025/segni-del-giubileo/porta-santa.html

Where will Holy Doors be opened?

Holy Doors will be opened by Pope Francis in:

• St Peter’s Basilica (Dec 24th)
• Saint John Lateran (Dec 29th)
• Saint Mary Major (Jan 1st)
• Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls (Jan 5th)
• Rome’s Rebibbia Prison (Dec 26th).

“Jubilee” is the name given to a particular year; the name coming from the instrument used to mark its launch. In this case, the instrument in question is the yobel, the ram’s horn. In the Bible the Jubilee Year occurred every 50 years and involved the cancelling of debts, a period of rest for people and the earth, and land being restored to the landless.

In the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 4:14ff , Jesus makes clear his own mission is to bring Jubilee. In the synagogue at Nazareth he reads from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favour:

The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.” (Luke 4:18-19)

After reading, Jesus announces: “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Jesus shows us what God’s Kingdom of justice, compassion and freedom looks like. He invites us to join him in making it a reality.

The Jubilee Year is an opportunity to respond to God’s call to turn to him and to pursue justice. Throughout the Jubilee Year and in locations across the diocese there will be a wide range of activities and events for all ages across connected with specific areas of Jubilee.

Calendar coming soon!

The term ‘bull’ originates from the lead seal, known as bulla in Latin. It refers to a Papal decree which outlines the purpose and spirit of the Holy Year.

 What does the Papal Bull for the 2025 Jubilee Year tell us?

The Bull is titled “Spes non confundit” (Hope does not disappoint) and urges us to look for signs of hope in the world around us and work for peace and justice. In the document Pope Francis writes: “If we really wish to prepare a path to peace in our world, let us commit ourselves to remedying the remote causes of injustice, settling unjust and unpayable debts, and feeding the hungry.” (#16)

• For more information, check out www.waterfordlismore.ie/jubilee2025
• Official Vatican site: https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en.html
• Letter from Pope Francis
• Calendar of Major Events in Rome