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Our Parish Family will provide many opportunities to celebrate this year, including Lenten small groups focusing on hope, Lenten retreat on hope, and walking pilgrimage to St. James Cathedral in the spring.
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..." Pope Francis has asked that this year be dedicated to a "great symphony of prayer". The Jubilee prayer can be found below.
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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ON JUBILEE YEARS
In ancient Judaism, the Jubilee Year was a year that was declared holy. During this period, the Mosaic law prescribed that slaves could regain their freedom, and that land, (of which God is the sole master), should be returned to its former owners. A jubilee year was typically celebrated every 50 years. It was intended to create social and economic parity, prevent cycles of poverty, and ensure that people lived in ways that reflected God’s vision for our relationship with him and each other. The Catholic tradition of Jubilee Years (which take place on significant anniversaries (such as the 50th Anniversary of Vatican II or moments of historical importance, such as entering into a new millennium in 2000), was established by the Church as a time of spiritual renewal, reconciliation, and indulgences. The Year of Jubilee is considered one of the most radical ideas in the Bible. Jesus, himself, announced that He was enacting the Year of Jubilee when He began His public ministry.
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JUBILEE PRAYER
Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity
and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever. Amen
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PLENARY INDULGENCE
The Vatican decree was issued outlining the different ways that Catholics may obtain the Plenary Indulgence during the 2025 Jubilee Holy Year. Click here to read and download the Plenary Indulgence Decree.
Click here for an article written by Catholic News Service.
What is a plenary indulgence?Check out the "Indulgences" section (nos. 1471 to 1479) of The Catechism of the Catholic Church, available online here.