By CatholicPhilly Staff • Posted November 7, 2024

Today, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced the launch of Jubilee Year 2025 in response to Pope Francis’ call to the Catholic Church around the world. Parishes throughout the Archdiocese will begin the local observance of the Jubilee Year 2025, with the theme Pilgrims of Hope.

The goal of the Jubilee Year 2025 is to offer pilgrims in their own local area opportunities for reconciliation, indulgences, and prayerful opportunities to receive the sacraments, strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ, and enrich their lifelong faith journey.

In his letter announcing this Jubilee Year Pope Francis said, “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.”

All faithful throughout the Archdiocese are invited to participate in events of the Holy Year in their homes, in their local parishes, at shrines throughout the region, and at the Mother Church of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia—the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will celebrate the opening of the Jubilee Year with Mass at the Cathedral on Sunday, Dec. 29 at 11:00a.m. That celebration of the holy Eucharist will mark the culmination of a pilgrimage of families traveling from throughout the Philadelphia region to the Cathedral. The Mass will be broadcast via live streaming video at https://vimeo.com/event/2470138.

The Jubilee Year 2025 will be marked by four pillars in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

• Pilgrimage: All will be invited to take part in a prayerful journey from Philadelphia to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.; to shrines located throughout the Archdiocese; and, circumstances permitting, to make a pilgrimage to the church of their baptism.
• Eucharist: An effort to rejuvenate the celebration of 40 Hours devotion is planned, including the celebration of this Eucharistic devotion in one parish on a weekly basis.
• Penance: Certain churches and shrines in the Archdiocese will be identified for the reception of the Sacrament of Penance, in satisfaction for obtaining an indulgence. The gift of an indulgence provides the faithful—through the sacraments and good works—the remission of any punishment due to their sins upon death. Missionaries of Mercy priests will be key participants for hearing confessions. These 11 priests in the Archdiocese have been commissioned by Pope Francis to emphasize the duty shared by all priests to “hear confessions and preach on behalf of and promote the Sacrament of Reconciliation.” They are a visible expression of the mercy of God.
• Observance: The 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea will be observed in 2025. The first ecumenical council of the Church, called in 325, developed the core statement of doctrinal beliefs held by Catholic, Orthodox and most Protestant Christians and known today as the Nicene Creed. It affirmed the equality of the Son (Jesus) with God the Father as being of “one substance.” Accordingly, a local ecumenical service with Eastern Rite churches will be planned for the spring.

Resources and information on upcoming events for the Jubilee Year 2025 in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia may be found here: https://archphila.org/holyyear/.