CHICAGO (WLS) — It is a rite seen only once every 25 years.
Between Christmas Eve and Jan. 5, a series of holy doors will be opened by the Pope in the Vatican and throughout Rome. These doors symbolize the beginning of a Jubilee year.
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It is a year of forgiveness, reconciliation, and hope that is celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church.
On Sunday, Mass was celebrated at Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral and in various cathedrals and co-cathedrals worldwide to commemorate the inauguration of the Jubilee.
“We all require a fresh start. It’s akin to a religious mulligan, allowing us to reset and begin anew,” remarked Cardinal Blase Cupich of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
The theme for the 2025 Jubilee year is “Pilgrims of Hope.” It is a year during which Catholics will seek what is known as plenary indulgence, or the cleansing of the soul as if the person has just been baptized.
“To look for the signs in everyday life, where we can bring reconciliation, peace and harmony,” Cupich said. “That’s what it means to be a pilgrim of hope.”
It is a message those in attendance at Sunday’s Mass are taking to heart.
“It’s a time for us to renew our faith and a time for us to dive deeper into hope,” said parishioner Sarah Worth.
The Jubilee is also a time for the faithful to embark on their own pilgrimage, in this case, to Rome. A sophomore at Notre Dame, Sabrina Rivera is going next week with her choir to participate in the kickoff celebrations.
“We’re going over there to sing at different basilicas and different cathedrals and things like that. Really, just celebrate and go throughout the celebration out there in Rome, so we’re ecstatic,” Rivera said.
The Jubilee year will formally conclude in Rome on January 6, 2026, the Day of the Epiphany.
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