Notes from Rome By the Most Rev. Joe Roesch, MIC Some will remember the Great Jubilee of 2000. There was also an extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2016. The Pope explains that a Jubilee Year is a time of special grace, “characterized by the forgiveness of sins and in particular by the indulgence, which is a full expression of the mercy of God.” The City of Rome is preparing for an expected 35 million pilgrims and tourists to visit the Eternal City for the Jubilee Year, under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” There are construction projects under way all over the city. We who lived through the pandemic in Rome are already a bit overwhelmed. Rome had become like a ghost town. Since the pandemic, rivers of tourists try to cross the streets near the Vatican every day. We worry, “What will next year be like?” The Jubilee, however, is a spiritual event for the whole Church, not just for those who are blessed to be able to make a pilgrimage to Rome. In his letter, Pope Francis expressed the desire that 2024 would be a preparatory year marked by a “symphony” of prayer. The best way to open our hearts to the graces that God wants to give us is through prayer. The Pope wants us to renew our desire to be in God’s presence, to listen to Him and to adore Him. Pope Francis wants “Hope” to be the central message of this Jubilee. We live in a time when uncertainty about the future is leaving all of us feeling at loose ends. May this Jubilee allow us to renew our hope in Christ. Pilgrims to Rome will be able to gain the Jubilee indulgence by passing through the Holy Year doors at the four Papal Basilicas in Rome, including the one shown on this magazine’s cover, St. Mary Major. On Dec. 29 this year, diocesan bishops all over the world will solemnly open the Jubilee Year in each diocese with the celebration of Holy Mass. Pilgrimages of Hope can take place to each cathedral. There will not be Holy Year doors in every diocese as there were during the Jubilee of Mercy, but there will be many ways to obtain indulgences during the Jubilee. To learn more, download the Jubilee app (iubilaem25) or visit the dedicated website, iubilaeum2025.va. Jesus is the doorway to eternal life. Pope Francis wants each of us to experience a genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus during this upcoming Jubilee. Let’s open our hearts! DOORWAY TO ETERNITY The Catholic Church has declared a Jubilee Year in 2025, explained in the “bull” (letter) by Pope Francis entitled Spes Non Confundit, which means, “Hope Does Not Disappoint” (Rom 5:5). The Holy Father reminds us that the Church has been celebrating Jubilees at various intervals since the year 1300 to commemorate the anniversary of Christ’s birth. God called His people to celebrate Jubilees every 50 years in the Old Testament (see Lev. 25:1-13). Now we celebrate them in the Church every 25 years. The Most Rev. Joe Roesch, MIC, is the Superior General of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. He lives in Rome. Listen to his podcasts, including “Saint Faustina’s Diary in a Year,” on TheDivineMercy.org/podcasts and DivineMercyPlus.org/podcasts. Marian Helper • Winter 2024-25 • Marian.org 7 Father Joe talks about the Jubilee Year.
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