Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024 - Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026

Location: Worldwide

"Pilgrims of Hope"

Jubilee Year 2025

Dec. 24, 2024 to Jan. 6, 2026

Bishop Taylor Homily to Open Jubilee 2025

Jubilee Pilgrimage Sites in Arkansas

Jubilee Events in Arkansas

The Catholic Church worldwide is celebrating Jubilee Year 2025 from Dec. 24, 2024 to Jan. 6, 2026. The theme is "Pilgrims of Hope." Pope Francis began the jubilee with a special rite to open the holy door of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The Diocese of Little Rock began its celebration, Sunday, Dec. 29, in Little Rock. After a procession with the diocese's Jubilee Cross from St. Edward Church to the Cathedral of St. Andrew, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor celebrated Mass and gave all in attendance an apostolic blessing.

"The focus of any jubilee is on forgiveness and reconciliation, but by having it begin on the feast of the Holy Family, who were forced to flee to Egypt and live there for a time as refugees, Pope Francis is making it clear that a major focus of this jubilee is on the plight of migrants," Bishop Taylor explained during his homily. "Sixteen years ago, I issued a pastoral letter on the human rights of immigrants, titled “I was a Stranger, and You Welcomed Me.” Believe it or not, this document is not outdated because little has changed in the last 16 years. This pastoral letter can be downloaded from our diocesan website, and hard copies are available from the diocese. I recommend that as 'pilgrims of hope,' you study this document as part of your observance of this jubilee year."

More than 35 million pilgrims are expected to visit the holy sites in Rome during the holy year. Visit the official website for the jubilee to find information for pilgrims and pilgrimage sites in Rome, calendar, prayers, videos and more. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops also offers resources including a calendar of events and page for young adults.

Arkansas Catholic is hosting two pilgrimages to Italy in 2025. Space is still available. Download the brochure and register now. For pilgrims unable to travel to Rome, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., was designated the official pilgrimage site in the United States for the holy year. In Arkansas, Bishop Anthony B. Taylor designated five places for pilgrims to visit.

A pilgrimage to any one of these official jubilee churches would allow pilgrims to obtain the jubilee indulgence. Special events are also planned throughout the year in the Diocese of Little Rock. Visit our calendar to learn more. For more information, contact Father Juan Guido, diocesan director of divine worship, at frjuan@ctklr.org

"A holy year, or jubilee, is a time of pilgrimage, prayer, repentance and acts of mercy, based on the ancient Jewish tradition of a jubilee year of rest, forgiveness and renewal. Holy years also are a time when Catholics visit designated churches and shrines, recite special prayers, go to confession and receive Communion to receive an indulgence, which is a remission of the temporal punishment due for one’s sins," explained Our Sunday Visitor.

Jubilee years have been held every 25 years since 1470. Pope Boniface VIII instituted the first jubilee in 1,300. In his letter announcing the jubilee, Pope Francis focused on the need for jubilee after the global suffering endured during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"... not a single country has been unaffected by the sudden outbreak of an epidemic that made us experience first-hand not only the tragedy of dying alone, but also the uncertainty and fleetingness of existence, and in doing so, has changed our very way of life. Together with all our brothers and sisters, we Christians endured those hardships and limitations. Our churches remained closed, as did our schools, factories, offices, shops, and venues for recreation. All of us saw certain freedoms curtailed, while the pandemic generated feelings not only of grief, but also, at times, of doubt, fear and disorientation," he wrote.

"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; that is why I have chosen as the motto of the Jubilee, 'Pilgrims of Hope,'" he explained.

In preparation for the jubilee, the Holy Father asked that 2024 be marked as a Year of Prayer. It began Jan. 21, 2024. To help Catholics grow in prayer, the Vatican is offering resources throughout the year beginning with an eight-volume series of booklets titled, "Notes on Prayer." The first volume, titled “Praying Today. A Challenge to Be Overcome,” was released Jan. 23. Learn more by reading Our Sunday Visitor.