General Decree by Bishop Thomas Dowd – Designated Places of Pilgrimage May 2025
Jubilee Plenary Indulgence – Click on QR Code on Poster or visit: https://clicktopray.org
Among the conditions required to receive the plenary indulgence is prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father, a gesture of deep communion with the Successor of Peter and with the universal mission of the Church. This act of prayer is not merely a formal requirement but a privileged opportunity for the faithful to spiritually partake in the great challenges and hopes that the Pope carries in his heart for the good of humanity. To foster and encourage this dimension of prayer visit the above links. Click To Pray is not just a digital platform but a true spiritual tool that accompanies the faithful with moments of prayer and reflection throughout the day, helping them live in constant dialogue with the Lord. Furthermore, the app includes the official profile of the Holy Father, where all his prayer intentions are published, allowing the faithful to concretely unite with the intentions the Pope entrusts to the universal Church.
Read Bishop Dowd’s Pastoral Letter “Entering into Hope” in preparation of the Jubilee Year of Hope beginning December 24. In his letter, Bishop Dowd encourages all people of good will to rediscover the full meaning of salvation, turning our current crisis of hope into renewing our desire to find joy and meaning in life. This Pastoral Letter can be used as a prayerful help during the Season of Advent. Read the Pastoral Letter, complete with Reflection Questions & Group Discussion Starters at: https://dioceseofsaultstemarie.org/jubilee
Pastoral Letter Only: Entering Into Hope – Pastoral Letter for the Jubilee of 2025 by Bishop Thomas Dowd
In preparing for the Ordinary Jubilee Year in 2025, Pope Francis asked that 2024 be marked as a Year of Prayer. The Holy Father announced its launch on Sunday 21 January 2024, on the fifth annual celebration of the ‘Sunday of the Word of God’. The Pope wrote: “From now on I am happy to think that the year preceding the Jubilee event, 2024, will be dedicated to a great ‘symphony’ of prayer. First of all, to recover the desire to be in the presence of the Lord, to listen to him and adore him.”
“Jubilee” is the name given to a particular year; the name comes from the instrument used to mark its launch. In this case, the instrument in question is the yobel, the ram’s horn, used to proclaim the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This (Jewish) holiday occurs every year, but it takes on special significance when it marks the beginning of a Jubilee year. Even though it wasn’t easy to organize, it was intended to be marked as a time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation, and involved the forgiveness of debts, the return of misappropriated land, and a fallow period for the fields.
In 1300, Pope Boniface VIII called the first Jubilee, also known as a
“Holy Year,” since it is a time in which God’s holiness transforms us. The way in which Jubilee Years are marked has also changed through the centuries: originally the Holy Year consisted of a pilgrimage to the Roman Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul, later other signs were added, such as the Holy Door. By participating in the Holy Year, one is granted a plenary indulgence.
The Dicastery for Evangelization has made resources available to help people to better understand and rediscover the value of prayer.
38-Catecheses-on-Prayer-EN.pdf
A Great Symphony of Prayer: The Our Father as a Programme of Life – Webinar Series – Spring 2024
In spring 2024, the CCCB Ad hoc Committee for the Preparation for the Jubilee 2025 hosted the first part of a two-part webinar series titled, “A Great Symphony of Prayer”, enabling the faithful one meaningful way to participate in the Year of Prayer which was announced by Pope Francis on 21 January 2024.
Dr. Josephine Lombardi (St. Augustine’s Seminary) presented the first four English-language webinars on prayer for the Spring 2024 Series: “A Great Symphony of Prayer: The Our Father as a Program of Life”:
- “Why did Jesus address God as Father?”
- “Seeking God’s Kingdom and Knowing God’s Will”
- “Daily Bread and the Gift of Forgiveness”
- “Managing Trials and Resisting Evil”
These webinar sessions were recorded and are now available for individuals or groups viewing in person or online. To facilitate reflection or discussion around the webinars, the Office for Evangelization and Catechesis has prepared this Guide for viewers with reflection questions excerpted from Dr. Lombardi’s book, On Earth as it is in Heaven.
Check out the Jubilee Year Events Calendar Here
Find out more about what happens in the Jubilee Year
