The 2025 is a Jubilee Year for Catholics, began on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, 2024, and will end on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. The opening of the Jubilee Year was marked by a special ritual, that is the opening of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome by Pope Francis, followed by the 2024 Christmas Mass. The Pope was the first person to pass through the Holy Door.

“Dear sisters, dear brothers, tonight the ‘sacred door’ of God’s heart opens before you. Jesus, God with us, is born for you, for us, for every man and woman. With him, joy flourishes; with him, life is transformed; with him, hope does not disappoint,” said Pope Francis as he opened the Holy Door, as written by vaticannews.va on Tuesday, December 24, 2024

The Holy Door is deemed “holy” because it calls all who enter through it to walk in holiness of life. We are invited to enter into salvation through the mystery of this extraordinary event.

Pilgrims of Hope

The theme of the Jubilee Year 2025 is “Pilgrims of Hope”, an invitation to ignite the hope of our faith and various lights for those who are in darkness. There are many people who suffer from poverty, war, climate change, and many other reasons.

“Tonight, the door of hope has opened wide to the world” and “God speaks to each of us and says: ‘there is hope also for you!’ said Pope Francis, as written by vaticannews.va on Tuesday, 12/24/2024.

Being pilgrims of hope in 2025 means participating in bringing peace, brotherhood and gratitude. Therefore, the Catholic Church offers many opportunities for the faithful to grow in faith and spiritual renewal.

Vatican News wrote that about 30 million pilgrims from different countries will visit Rome in the Jubilee Year 2025. This shows the great enthusiasm of many people to participate become pilgrims of hope.

Five the Holy Doors have been Opened

After Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, four other Holy Doors were also opened: the Holy Door of Rebibbia Prison, the Holy Door of St. John Lateran, the Holy Door of St. Mary Major, and the Holy Door of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

The Jubilee tradition is celebrated every 25 years by the Universal Church. The Jubilee is celebrated as a time of peace, apology and forgiveness. Therefore, the opening of the Holy Door in the Jubilee year symbolizes salvation for Universal. There are four Holy Doors that are opened during the Jubilee Year.

In Jubilee 2025, Pope Francis made one of the extraordinary gesture, the Holy Door at Rebibbia Prison. Pope Francis opened the door inside Rebbibia Prison, which is part of the chapel (house of worship) in the prison.

Vatican News wrote that this was the first time the Holy Door at Rebibbia Prison had been opened since the Jubilee tradition was started by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300.

“The prisioners have the opportunity to fling open the doors to their hearts and to understand that hope never disappoints,” wrote Vatican News.

Let’s Open Our Hearts

As pilgrims of hope, let us open our hearts even in the most difficult situations. The Jubilee Year 2025 is a special time for us to keep the door of our hearts open to many people who are in great need. They are all around us: our own families, colleagues and people who need our presence.

Written by: Sr. Angela Siallagan FCJM

Edited by: Sr. Fran Glowinski FCJM

Sources: reuters.com, iubilaeum2025-va, and vaticannews.va