The Catholic Church holds a Jubilee every 25 years, inviting people from around the world to take part. This event is a year of forgiveness, spiritual renewal and unity for believers, and for many, a chance to reflect on their lives and come closer to God.The 2025 Jubilee, which began yesterday, continues this long tradition.But why does this ancient practice seem less appealing to modern society? Are Jubilees still relevant in today’s world?
The idea of Jubilee has biblical roots, as we can see from the Book of Leviticus, where debts are forgiven, slaves are freed and land is returned to its original owners every 50 years. This was a revolutionary idea at the time, showing a deep social awareness and a focus on justice and equality. Over the centuries, the Church adapted this tradition, reducing the period to every 25 years and emphasising spiritual cleansing and indulgences. This adjustment was vital in keeping the concept alive, albeit with a shift in focus from social reform to individual salvation. Despite this change, the Jubilee has survived for over a thousand years.
Some Jubilees are remembered more than others. Let us briefly explore five of the most significant ones and why they still resonate today:
- The First Christian Jubilee in 1300: Pope Boniface VIII declared the first Jubilee, promising indulgences for those who visited Rome’s main basilicas. The idea was so attractive that and an estimated 200,000 pilgrims arrived in Rome – a huge number for the period. This was not only a religious phenomenon, but a social and economic one, too. Rome became a hub of commerce, art, and culture, showing how deeply faith and society were intertwined.
- The Jubilee of 1575: Pope Gregory XIII’s event was well known for being all about spirituality. Pilgrims were urged to confess, do penance and be charitable. This Jubilee happened during the Counter-Reformation, when the Church needed to make its position stronger against Protestant challenges. It was a chance for Catholics to have a think about what they believed, showing that Jubilees were about more than just having fun – they were also a chance to change and survive.
- The Great Jubilee of 1900: Welcoming the 20th century, the Church was keen to keep its influence in a rapidly changing world, and this Jubilee was a reflection of that. With industrialisation, science and new ideologies reshaping society, and with so many seeking meaning and reassurance in uncertain times, the Church was keen to welcome the 20th century. This Jubilee proved that even in moments of doubt, people turn to ancient traditions for guidance.
- The Extraordinary Jubilee of 2000: Pope John Paul II called this event one of the most ambitious in history. The Church wanted to connect with a global audience, emphasising forgiveness and unity as we entered a new millennium. The message was bold: a call for Christians to leave behind divisions and embrace hope. The media coverage, technological advances and accessibility made it a truly modern Jubilee, but it also highlighted the Church’s struggle to remain relevant in a secular world.
- The Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy (2015-2016): Pope Francis’ focus on mercy was a direct response to today’s issues, like immigration, poverty and climate change. By opening Holy Doors in dioceses all over the world, he made the event more inclusive. This Jubilee showed how the Church can adapt to a globalised, digital society while dealing with some of the most important moral questions of our time.
Despite these memorable events, the interest in the Jubilee seems to be waning. Attendance figures and general enthusiasm have dropped compared to earlier times. What are the reasons behind this decline? Several factors come to mind.
First, modern society is becoming increasingly secular. Scientific advancements and a shift toward materialism have made spiritual traditions less appealing. Younger generations, in particular, struggle to connect with rituals they perceive as outdated. For them, the Jubilee might feel irrelevant in a world dominated by technology and individualism.
Secondly, the globalised world has made travel easier, but also less meaningful. In the past, going on a pilgrimage to Rome was a once-in-a-lifetime thing, full of spiritual significance. Now, people can travel anywhere, any time, often for leisure rather than faith. The pilgrimage experience has become watered down, and with it, the sense of wonder associated with the Jubilee.
Thirdly, there have been a lot of scandals in the Church recently, which have made people less likely to trust it. From money problems to abuse, people have been questioning whether the Church is really as moral as it says it is. This makes it hard to believe things like the Jubilee, which depend on the Church to set an example and lead the way.
Fourthly, we need to face the fact that modern problems require modern solutions. While the Jubilee is all about spiritual renewal, there are a lot of people out there who are more concerned with pressing issues like climate change, economic inequality and social justice. They might see the Jubilee as symbolic, but ultimately disconnected from the challenges of everyday life.
To make Jubilees relevant again, the Church must innovate. Imagine a Jubilee that addresses environmental sustainability, using pilgrimages as opportunities to plant trees or clean rivers. Or a Jubilee that integrates technology, allowing people to participate virtually through immersive experiences. What if indulgences were tied not just to prayers but also to measurable acts of kindness or social contribution? Such ideas might seem radical, but they could breathe new life into an ancient tradition.
We should also think about whether forgiveness needs an update.Mental health is becoming more common, so could the Church see the Jubilee as a time for self-forgiveness and personal healing? This might be more popular with younger generations, who often look for inner peace rather than external salvation.
The Jubilee of 2025 has just begun, so there’s another chance to think about these questions. It’ll be interesting to see if it can recapture the same buzz as it did in the past, or if it’ll just become another random thing on the calendar.But one thing’s for sure, the Church can’t just stick to what it’s always done. It’s got to adapt if it wants to keep up with a world that’s always changing, full of people who are doubtful and connected in ways it never imagined.
