It officially began on Dec. 24, 2024 when Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica.
“Everyone knows what it is to hope. 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 may bring.”
In old times, a jubilee meant that land was returned to original owners, debts were forgiven, and slaves were set free.
The Church’s first Jubilee was in year 1300, and then held every 33 years (to honor the years of Jesus Christ) from 1389. Since 1470, ordinary Jubilees have been held every 25 years.
A Jubilee has 7 characteristics: pilgrimage, the holy door, reconciliation, prayer, liturgy, faith, and indulgences.
By participating in the Holy Year, one is granted a plenary indulgence.
Most pilgrimages can be made to Catholic churches in local or nearby dioceses.
For example, in the Kaohsiung Diocese, the translated Chinese document covers:
2025 Jubilee Parish Pilgrimage Site
- Kaohsiung area: Kaohsiung City Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Rosary.
- Pingtung Region: Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Basilica in Pingtung County. Church of the Immaculate Conception in Jiaping Village, Taiwu Township, Pingtung County.
- Designated date: from December 29, 2024 to January 6, 2026.
In the Pilgrim Jubilee of Hope 2025, the faithful are invited to make devout pilgrimages to the designated places in the diocese
If you make a pilgrimage and meet the following conditions, you will be eligible for the Jubilee Indulgence granted by the Pope:
Participate religiously in the Holy Mass (you can attend the Jubilee Mass according to the liturgy, or attend the Mass for reconciliation, sins, etc.);
a Mass of grace celebrated for the purpose of absolution, promoting charity, or promoting harmonious coexistence);
A ceremonial Mass celebrating the Sacraments of Christian Initiation or the Anointing of the Sick, or any of the following Works: Liturgy of the Word; Liturgy of the Hours (readings, matins, evening prayers); Works of the Stations of the Cross; Holy Rosary; psalms dedicated to the Blessed Virgin (Akathistos); and Penitential Liturgy (Second Form) stipulates that a public confession ceremony ends with the individual confession of the penitent.
Jubilee shrines in Hualien diocese, which includes Taitung (link below works):
https://gcatholic.org/churches/list/Hualien-JubileeMercy.htm
Shrines in Taipei diocese:
Can search your own diocese for local shrine(s) to conduct pilgrimage.
A plenary indulgence is a special gift from Christ’s Church that completely removes the temporary consequences of sins that have already been forgiven in confession. These consequences are often referred to as the temporal punishment due to sin, which is purified in purgatory. Receiving a plenary indulgence can help us or the souls in purgatory on the journey to heaven.
Of course, one does not need to be Catholic to take part in it throughout the year in some way, even if for tourism’s sake.
Many of the listed churches in Taiwan are beautiful to see the insides/interior.
All dioceses around the world are participating, and one can go to their individual websites to see what your hometown’s/region’s shrines are.