The universal Catholic Church is looking toward the Jubilee Year 2025 — the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation of our Lord.
The theme of the Jubilee Year is “Hope”.
Pope Francis stated in his February 2022 letter announcing the Jubilee 2025: “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. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire.”
The Jubilee Year will offer the faithful opportunities to participate in various jubilee events at the Vatican and in their own dioceses.
The great tradition of opening the Holy Door will begin when Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on Tuesday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve.
The Doors will close on Tuesday, Jan 6, 2026 — the Feast of the Epiphany.
Other holy doors will be opened at the Rome basilicas of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls.
For pilgrims who cannot travel to Rome, bishops around the world are expected to designate their cathedrals or a popular Catholic shrine as special places of prayer for Holy Year pilgrims, offering opportunities for reconciliation, indulgences, and other events intended to strengthen and revive faith.
In the Diocese of Madison, a Mass to open the Jubilee Year will be celebrated on Sunday, Dec. 29, at 2 p.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 5101 Schofield St., Monona — on the Feast of the Holy Family.
The rites will begin with veneration of the crucifix and a procession into the church.
The procession will stop at the Baptismal font for a renewal of Baptismal promises before heading into the church for the start of the Mass.
Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison will be issuing a pastoral letter ahead of the start of the Jubilee Year and it will be published in next week’s Catholic Herald.
Pope Francis had asked that the year 2024 be dedicated to a “great symphony of prayer” as the Church prepares for the Jubilee of 2025.