Jubilee 2025 - Pilgrims of Hope Resources
Beginning December 24, the Church enters a year of Jubilee. What is a year of of Jubilee (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.
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.
"Pilgrims of Hope" Lesson Plans
These lesson plans were created in conjunction with the Catholic Schools Office and are appropriate for use in the classroom and faith formation. The three lesson plans answer the questions "What is a Bishop?", "What is a Diocese?", and "What is a Cathedral?" in a way that is accessible for different grade levels.
Additional Resources
Colleagues at the Diocese of Des Moines, and partners from around the country, have curated resources for you to use in parish, school, and family faith programming during this Jubilee Year. Please visit often as we will update the page when new resources are offered or created.