Jubilee 2025: Announcing a Year of Favor from the Lord 
“Jubilee” is the name given to a particular year; the name comes from the instrument used to mark its launch. In this case, … the yobel, the ram’s horn, used to proclaim the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This (Jewish) holiday occurs every year, but it takes on special significance when it marks the beginning of a Jubilee year. …[which] was intended to be marked as a time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation, and involved the forgiveness of debts, the return of misappropriated land, and a fallow period for the fields.
In SPES NON CONFUNDIT (Hope Does Not Disappoint), Pope Francis’ document declaring 2025 a Jubilee year, the Holy Father calls us to be signs of hope in these times, particularly to prisoners on death row and other incarcerated people, to migrants, to the young, and to the elderly. From the Vatican’s web site www.iubilaeum2025.va
Jesus inaugurated the ultimate Jubilee Year when, in Luke 4:16-21, He proclaimed the opening words of Isaiah 61 and then declared those words are “fulfilled in your hearing.”
Our United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has also begun a page dedicated to helping us learn about and practice what it means to be a pilgrim of hope. The logo has special meaning. Understanding the Theme Pope Francis’ Jubilee Prayer is also listed there. The diocesan office Evangelization & Catechesis has also created a page for us. Our diocesan newspaper, The Courier, reported the opening of the Jubilee Year. In addition, they have created a podcast featuring various members of our Diocese who represent groups of the faithful receiving special recognition throughout the Jubilee Year. The first episode of “Jubilee 2025: Pilgrims of Hope” launched in early February, with monthly episodes planned through December. The second episode of “Jubilee 2025: Pilgrims of Hope” launched Feb. 20 and featured Deacon Ed Giblin, Director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese. Deacon Giblin also has a long and accomplished history as a public servant, having served more than 32 years as a police officer and police command officer. In this episode, he reflects on his faith, his career and his vocation. Watch the video version or listen to the audio only version at https://catholiccourier.com/podcasts/
Throughout the year, Pope Francis has invited specific groups to gather in Rome for the Jubilee. During the Jubilee of Teenagers, 4/25-27, Bl. Carlo Acutis will become a canonized saint! Msgr. Anthony Figueiredo produces a video telling of Carlo’s 5 steps to becoming a saint.
How to live it out:
See our Facebook page for weekly Sunday reflections from the Diocesan Office of Evangelization & Catechesis.
Monthly, we will get suggested actions from our regional Social Ministry Committee:
Contact our US House Representative, Claudia Tenney (585) 869-2060 and leave this message: “I ask you to pass legislation in the Congress that fully funds the WIC program (Women, Infants, Children supplemental nutrition); expands the Child Tax Credit to cut poverty in families with children; increase funding for global child nutrition programs; help reduce food insecurity on college campuses. Be sure to leave your name and county in which you live. This phone call will take a minute or two but can make a big impact. Thank you for caring.”