Did you know? We’re currently in the midst of a Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church!
You may have heard that on Christmas Eve this past year (just a few weeks ago), Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica to launch the beginning of this new jubilee.
You might be wondering what a “Jubilee Year” is. Sounds fun, but what does it mean and why is it important for Catholics around the world?
Traditionally, the Catholic Church celebrates a jubilee year every 25 years. The last jubilee was in 2000 and is known as the “Great Jubilee.” Like all jubilee years, it was a time of focus on reconciliation, pilgrimage, and coming home to the Church.
And that’s exactly what this current jubilee year is all about, too.
So, how can we—everyday Catholics—participate in this special time?
Here are 3 ways you can make the most of it and grow in faith:
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Go to confession: regular reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a wonderful practice for any Catholic at any time, but especially during this jubilee year. The Church recommends that all Catholics go to confession at least once per year, but also whenever a serious sin has been committed. If you go to confession just once or twice per year, consider increasing that to once per month and watch as your spiritual life begins to flourish in new ways.
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Go on pilgrimage: pilgrimages are one of the long-standing, great traditions of the Catholic Church that have been occurring for centuries. Many saints went on pilgrimage, and you can actually walk in their footsteps at many holy places throughout the world, like St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Lourdes in France, the Camino in Spain, the Holy Land and more. You can go on pilgrimage with a group or by yourself, and there are several organizations out there that can help you find a trip or organize one of your own (we like Verso Ministries a lot!). It’s a special and unique way of growing in faith and connecting yourself to the global Church. What’s more, you can gain a plenary indulgence this jubilee year by going on pilgrimage. To learn more plenary indulgences, click here to read all about it.
- Invite someone to “come home” to the Catholic Church: it’s likely we all know someone who’s left the Catholic Church or simply drifted away. This year is the perfect opportunity to invite them back. Our advice: take it slow. It’s all about baby steps. Don’t pressure them into going to Mass each Sunday, praying a daily rosary, and going to confession right away. Begin by praying for them, for a conversion of heart, and then gently invite them to begin a dialogue with you about why they left the Church or stopped going to Mass. Take the approach of helping them articulate and understand why the faith doesn’t have a place in their life anymore and what it might take to change their mind.
Lastly, we’d be remiss if we didn’t point you to some amazing products on EverythingCatholc.com that might help you make the most of this special jubilee year! Click here to visit our Jubilee Collection.