2025 is a Jubilee Year: A Year Especially for Forgiveness, Hope, and Renewal

By Isabella Brosnan '28

Every 25 years in the Catholic Church, there is a year called a Jubilee year. A  Jubilee year is a special year that has a designated theme, in order to promote peace and love for all. This year’s theme is “Pilgrims of Hope… and it will be a year of hope for a world suffering the impacts of war, the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the climate crisis” (The Archdiocese of Washington). 

For Catholics, this Jubilee year is a great time to re-establish a relationship with Christ, and for all people, regardless of faith, it’s a great time to reflect on the various happenings around the world, both joyful and sad, as well as reflect on who you are as a person. 

In order to address the social and environmental concerns across the globe, as well as

issues in our own city and our own neighborhoods, a good way to live out the Jubilee year is to commit to acts of service and charity, and to prayerfully reflect on each day. These actions will help spread peace and love, and while we should be doing acts of service every year, a Jubilee year is a wonderful time to cleanse ourselves and make a difference for those around us. 

In New York City, there are also sites you can visit to reflect and pray. Some sites include St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral (located on Mulberry Street in Manhattan), the Frances Cabrini Shrine (located in Upper Manhattan), and the Schoenstatt Shrine of Light on Staten Island. These are all beautiful sites to meditate and reflect at. 

A Jubilee year is a great time to enjoy what’s around you, work to make a difference, nurture your faith in prayer, and to grow in hope. Of course that can (and should) be done every year, but this special year that only happens every quarter-century opens up new doors for change and reflection.

All Photos Courtesy of Catholic Standard

Source: adw.org

Edited By: Kavya Chacko '26, Catherine Polatidis '26 and Ms. Brilliant

Fair Use Disclaimer   

The images and contents in this article are under Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act in 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended.