History of the Catholic Jubilee: A Millennial Tradition of Faith and Forgiveness
The history of the Catholic Jubilee dates back over seven centuries and reflects the evolution of the Catholic faith, its spiritual role, and its global reach. This sacred rite, deeply rooted in the biblical traditions of the Old Testament, has taken on its own form in the Catholic Church, becoming a special time for reconciliation, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal. Here is a comprehensive overview of the history of the Catholic Jubilee.
- 1. The Origins of the Jubilee: The First Jubilee of 1300
- 2. Establishing the Cycle of Jubilees
- 3. The Jubilee in the Middle Ages: A Strengthened Practice
- 4. The Jubilee during the Renaissance
- 5. Modern Jubilees and their Spiritual Role
- 6. The Jubilee of the 19th Century: A Reaffirmation
- 7. The Jubilees of the 20th Century: Globalization and Openness
- 8. The Jubilee of Mercy (2016)
- 9. The 2025 Jubilee: A Global Event to Come
- 10. Key Elements of a Jubilee
1. The Origins of the Jubilee: The First Jubilee of 1300
The very first Catholic Jubilee was proclaimed by Pope Boniface VIII in the year 1300. Inspired by the traditions of the Old Testament, where the Jubilee was celebrated every 50 years as a year of rest for the land and the release of slaves and debts, Boniface VIII instituted a Christian version of this event.
He decreed that a plenary indulgence would be granted to the faithful who performed a pilgrimage to Rome and visited the major basilicas (St. Peter's and St. Paul Outside the Walls). This first Jubilee was a huge success, attracting thousands of pilgrims to Rome.
2. Establishing the Cycle of Jubilees
After the success of the first Jubilee, the idea of repeating the event spread. Boniface VIII's successor, Pope Clement VI, in 1343 instituted the principle of a Jubilee every 50 years. This rhythm was however modified by Pope Urban VI in 1389, who reduced the frequency to 33 years, in reference to the supposed duration of Christ's life. Finally, in 1470, Pope Paul II fixed the periodicity of Jubilees to 25 years, a rule that is still in force today for Ordinary Jubilees.
3. The Jubilee in the Middle Ages: A Strengthened Practice
The Jubilees of the Middle Ages, particularly those of 1350 (Pope Clement VI) and 1390 (Pope Boniface IX), strengthened the practice of pilgrimage and reconciliation. They contributed to making Rome the center of the Christian world, attracting pilgrims from all over Europe. Pilgrimage to Rome during the Jubilees became an important spiritual tradition, and the indulgences granted were a source of renewal for believers. These events were also an opportunity for the Church to emphasize the need for penance and forgiveness.
4. The Jubilee during the Renaissance
The Jubilee of 1500, under Pope Alexander VI, is undoubtedly one of the most famous. It marked the beginning of a new era in the Church, coinciding with the Renaissance. The Jubilee of 1500 was celebrated in a context of artistic splendor and spiritual development. It was also at this time that the major basilicas of Rome were greatly embellished, with notably the reconstruction of St. Peter's Basilica under Pope Julius II.
5. Modern Jubilees and their Spiritual Role
The Jubilees of the following centuries continued to reinforce the importance of pilgrimage to Rome and the Holy Door. This door, present in each of the four major basilicas of Rome (St. Peter's, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and St. Mary Major), is opened at the beginning of each Jubilee. Crossing this door symbolizes the passage to a renewed life, washed of its sins.
Among the notable Jubilees of modern times, we can mention the one of 1575 (Pope Gregory XIII), during which plenary indulgences were widely granted for works of charity.
6. The Jubilee of the 19th Century: A Reaffirmation
The Jubilee of 1825, proclaimed by Pope Leo XII, marked a reaffirmation of the jubilee tradition after the upheavals caused by the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. This Jubilee was seen as a way to restore spiritual order after decades of political chaos. However, the difficult political conditions, particularly tensions with European states, somewhat limited the participation of pilgrims in Rome.
7. The Jubilees of the 20th Century: Globalization and Openness
The 20th century marked a decisive turning point for the Catholic Jubilee, which became a truly global event. Pope Pius XI, in 1925, instituted a Jubilee centered on the kingship of Christ, affirming the spiritual sovereignty of the Church in a world increasingly secularized.
But it is above all the Jubilee of the year 2000, under the pontificate of Pope John Paul II, which is considered one of the most significant. With the opening of the Holy Door in the major basilicas and the emphasis on ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, this Jubilee attracted millions of faithful from around the world.
It symbolized the passage to a new millennium, uniting Catholic tradition with a modern vision of the Church.
8. The Jubilee of Mercy (2016)
In 2016, Pope Francis proclaimed an Extraordinary Jubilee, called the Jubilee of Mercy. This Jubilee was distinguished by its theme centered on divine mercy, offering the faithful the opportunity to rediscover the importance of forgiveness, compassion, and reconciliation. Unlike Ordinary Jubilees, this one was not limited to Rome. Holy Doors were opened in many cathedrals around the world, allowing a greater number of faithful to participate in this spiritual endeavor. This Jubilee was part of the pastoral reforms undertaken by Pope Francis, emphasizing a more open and close Church to the faithful.
9. The 2025 Jubilee: A Global Event to Come
For 700 years, each Jubilee has helped to strengthen the importance of pilgrimage and the Jubilee for Catholics.
The history of the Jubilee is not over! The next Jubilee, scheduled for 2025, will be an Ordinary Jubilee and will mark the return to the tradition of Jubilees every 25 years. It will be the opportunity for millions of pilgrims to visit Rome, to cross the Holy Door and participate in momentous spiritual ceremonies. This Jubilee will focus on reconciliation, peace, and mercy, themes dear to Pope Francis and the modern Church.
10. Key Elements of a Jubilee
A Catholic Jubilee is characterized by several key elements:
- The Holy Door: Each Jubilee begins with the opening of the Holy Door in the four major basilicas of Rome, symbolizing the entrance into a period of spiritual renewal.
- Pilgrimage to Rome: Pilgrims are invited to visit the major basilicas, to confess, and to participate in the Eucharist to obtain plenary indulgence.
- Plenary Indulgence: This is a spiritual grace that allows one to receive the forgiveness of the temporal punishments due to sins already confessed.
- Works of Charity: In addition to pilgrimages and sacraments, the faithful are invited to perform works of charity, to pray, and to turn to the less fortunate.
The history of the Catholic Jubilee is a journey through the centuries, reflecting the changes in the Church, the spiritual challenges, and the hopes of the faithful. From its beginnings in 1300 to the Jubilee of 2025, each event has been marked by a call to conversion, forgiveness, and mercy. In a constantly evolving world, the Jubilee remains a unique moment of gathering for Catholics worldwide, allowing them to renew their faith and participate in a tradition over 700 years old.
Now that you know all about the history of the Jubilee, you may want to know more about the one taking place in Rome during the year 2025? Check out our Complete Jubilee File. Also, be aware of the Jubilee Calendar for the year 2025.
