The 2025 Jubilee marks a significant celebratory event within the Catholic Church, designated to occur in the year 2025 and announced by Pope John Paul II at the conclusion of the 2000 Great Jubilee. This upcoming Jubilee follows the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy held during 2015–2016. Pope Francis officially proclaimed the Jubilee through his papal bull titled Spes non confundit (Latin for “Hope does not disappoint”).
The observance spans from Christmas Eve (December 24, 2024) through Epiphany (January 6, 2026).
In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future will bring.
Pope Francis
Pope Francis has officially declared that the year 2025 will be designated as a Year of Jubilee.
The central theme for this occasion is “Pilgrims of Hope,” which resonates with our aspirations for a world grappling with the ramifications of conflict, poverty the persistent effects of faith, the ethical challenges artificial intelligence and climate posed by climate change.
The Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle will take this opportunity to revisit its foundational Diocesan Vision throughout the Jubilee Year. An array of resources will be made available for parishes, clergy, religious communities, lay individuals, educators, and others, focusing on both the Jubilee Year and our Diocesan Vision. This is poised to be a significant year in the life of the Church.
Defining a Jubilee: In the context of the Catholic Church, Jubilees, also known as ‘Holy Years,’ have historically been periods dedicated to themes of mercy, forgiveness, and reconciliation. A Jubilee Year is characterized as a special time of grace, emphasizing pilgrimage, prayer, celebration, and reconciliation. Traditionally, these years commence just prior to Christmas and conclude on the Epiphany of the subsequent year.
The most recent Holy Year of Mercy occurred in 2015; however, the upcoming 2025 Jubilee aligns with the customary 25-year interval between such events. In the year 2000, both the global community and the Catholic Church were preparing for the dawn of a new millennium. A comprehensive and insightful article detailing the historical significance of the Holy Years of Jubilee is available at the following link:
https://www.fisheaters.com/jubilee.html
