Pope Francis delivered “Spes Non Confundit,” (“Hope Does Not Disappoint”) papal bull on May 9, 2024 in front of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. This decree states that the year 2025 will be a year of Jubilee. The doors will be opened on Dec. 24, 2024, and closed on Jan. 6, 2026. The theme is centred around pilgrimage, as Francis states “travel to Rome in order to experience the Holy Year and to all those others who, though unable to visit the City of the Apostles Peter and Paul, will celebrate it in their local Churches.”
Announcement
What is a year of Jubilee? Where did it start?
Also known as a “Holy year”, a year of Jubilee is a special year of remission of sins and universal pardon. It is a time of spiritual renewal, pilgrimage, and reconciliation that occurs every 25 years. In special cases, the Pope has called for extraordinary years of Jubilee. This can be seen in the case of the 2016, when the pope called for a year of mercy and for the faithful to know the face of God’s mercy – Jesus Christ.
The concept is rooted in the biblical tradition found in the Old Testament, where a jubilee year occurred every 50 years, and was marked by the forgiveness of debts, liberation of slaves, and the return of land to its original owners. The occasion is set by counting off “seven Sabbaths of years,” or seven times seven years. The fiftieth year, then, is to be the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:8-10). Christian Jubilee formally began in the Roman Catholic church in 1300, instituted by Pope Boniface VIII.
Jubilee Events in the Diocese of Clogher
Bishop Larry invites the Faithful of the Diocese to join him at Lough Derg for the opening day of the One Day Retreats for the Jubilee Year Pilgrimage Season.
Sunday 4th May 2025
More details soon | www.loughderg.org
Clogher don Óige, the Office of Youth and Young Adults in the Diocese of Clogher are excited to join the Pope for the Jubilee Year to be Pilgrims of Hope. The Holy Father has designated July 28-August 2 as the Jubilee of Young People and encourages young people from all over the world to visit during this time. During this time, we will attend various events to embolden and encourage young people, celebrate Liturgies, visit holy sites, and explore Rome with other young people.
Saturday 26th July – Tuesday 5th August
Open to 18-25 year olds
Limited Places
More details available at www.clogherdonoige.org/rome2025 or by emailing james@clogherdonoige.org
