I think we can sometimes fool ourselves into believing that the Reformation caused the Roman Catholic Church to abandon some, most, or all of the doctrine that was so concerning to the Reformers. We can sometimes believe that the Catholicism of today is materially different from that of the 16th century or that it has drawn much closer to Protestantism. But now and again we receive reminders that this is simply not so. A Year of Jubilee is a good opportunity to see this with clarity.
A Year of Jubilee
A Year of Jubilee must be declared by a pope and tends to take place every 25 years or so. It marks a time of special spiritual reflection and renewal for the faithful. A couple of years ago, Pope Francis declared that 2025 would be a year of Jubilee with the theme of “Pilgrims of Hope.” It began on December 24, 2024, with the ceremonial opening of the Holy Doors of St. Peter’s Basilica and will conclude when they are closed on January 6, 2026.
The dominant feature of a Year of Jubilee is the issuing of indulgences.
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