A Special 'Holy Year' Is About To Begin In The Catholic Church
Pope Francis has been building this up for a while.
Rosie Scammell— Religion News Service
(RNS) For months now, Vatican watchers have been talking about the upcoming jubilee as one of the biggest events of Pope Francis’ pontificate. But what’s it all about? Why will millions of pilgrims be descending on Rome to walk through a door? With the jubilee set to begin Tuesday (Dec. 8), we take a look at why it’s so important and what Catholics can expect from the Holy Year.
Q: What is a jubilee?
A: In the Catholic Church, a jubilee — or a holy year — is a religious event that involves the forgiveness of sins, as well as reconciliation. But the idea of a jubilee dates back to the Bible: “And you shall sanctify the fiftieth year, and proclaim freedom throughout the land for all who live on it,” Leviticus 25:10. For the ancient Israelites, the jubilee was a time properties were returned to their original owners or legal heirs, slaves were set free and creditors were barred from collecting debts.
Pope Boniface VIII in 1300 declared the first Christian jubilee, beginning with the opening of the Holy Door, an entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica, usually blocked, through which pilgrims can enter. Other holy doors are also opened for this jubilee in Rome and around the world for the first time; the year ends when they are closed.
Advertisement
On Sunday (Nov. 29) Pope Francis opened a door at the cathedral in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, as a symbolic start to the Holy Year.
Q: What is the Jubilee of Mercy all about?
A: Catholic practice has been to mark the jubilee every 25 years, and many expected the next jubilee to commence in 2025. But a pope can proclaim an “extraordinary” jubilee when he deems necessary. The Jubilee of Mercy will end on Nov. 20, 2016.
During a jubilee, Catholics can obtain special indulgences, or remission for their sins, if they fulfill certain conditions and do good works or make pilgrimages.
For example, Francis told priests to forgive repentant women who have had an abortion during the jubilee. While this does not mark a change in church teaching, which still views abortion as a grave sin, it makes it possible for women who have gone through an abortion to participate in church life.
Advertisement
In outlining his views on the jubilee, Francis wrote: “The time has come for the church to take up the joyful call to mercy once more. It is time to return to the basics and to bear the weaknesses and struggles of our brothers and sisters.”
Q: What are the main events?
A: The Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica will be opened by Francis on Tuesday, with a series of events including some dedicated to young people, the sick and disabled, prisoners and those involved in works of charity.
Other smaller events are planned before the Holy Door is shut on Nov. 20, 2016.
The jubilee is expected to draw millions of pilgrims from around the world.
Q: What will the Holy Year achieve?
A: It will call on Catholics to reflect on the theme of mercy and serve as a unifying moment for the church globally. The Vatican has been rocked by scandal since the last jubilee, including revelations of widespread clerical sexual abuse, while it has also struggled to stay relevant to modern-day life.
Rather than pushing church doctrine on people, Francis wants to showcase an inviting faith. The church “falls into the temptation to follow a hard line, into the temptation to underline only the moral rules, but so many people are left out,” he told Italian magazine “Credere” on Dec. 2.
Q: How does this fit into Pope Francis’ papacy?
A: Francis has long called for the church to take a more pastoral approach.
Recently, he added: “I continue to say that today the revolution is that of tenderness, because from here derives justice and everything else.”
Advertisement
Also on HuffPost:
Pope Francis' Surprise Visit To Homeless Shelter In Rome
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.