The Jubilee Year of Hope, proclaimed by Pope Francis for 2025, is a sacred and historic moment in the life of the Church. A Jubilee year, also known as a Holy Year, occurs every 25 years, inviting all the faithful to renewal, reconciliation, and deeper union with God. The 2025 Jubilee is especially significant as it comes after years of global suffering and uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, war, economic hardship, and social unrest.
Why a Jubilee?
In the Bible, the Jubilee (Leviticus 25) was a time of restoration—debts were forgiven, land was returned, and captives were freed. The Church adopts this vision and extends it spiritually: it becomes a time to seek mercy, rediscover hope, and walk together in solidarity and faith. Pope Francis called this Jubilee the “Jubilee of Hope”, reminding us that hope is not passive optimism. Rather, Christian hope is the confident trust that God is present in our history—guiding, healing, and restoring us, even when the future is uncertain.
The Pilgrimage of the Heart
Every Jubilee invites a pilgrimage—whether to Rome, to a cathedral, or spiritually, within our own hearts. The Holy Door, which will be opened in the major basilicas of Rome, is a symbol of Christ, who is the door to salvation (John 10:9). As we pass through this door, we are invited to leave behind fear, despair, and sin, and to enter more deeply into God’s mercy and promise.
Signs of Hope
The Jubilee encourages us to be signs of hope to others:
- By forgiving those who’ve hurt us.
- By reaching out to the poor and marginalized.
- By choosing peace over division.
- By caring for our common home and future generations.
The Official Jubilee Hymn in BSL
The video accompanying this reflection brings the Jubilee hymn to life through British Sign Language (BSL). This inclusion reminds us of the universal and inclusive nature of the Church—where all voices, spoken or signed, are part of the great song of hope rising to God.
As the hymn proclaims joy, unity, and trust in God’s providence, we are reminded that every person, regardless of ability or language, is called to share in this journey of hope. May this visual expression in BSL deepen our understanding of the Jubilee’s message: we are a people of hope, walking together toward God’s promise.