Jubilee 2025

LIVING THE JUBILEE YEAR IN THE OUTAOUAIS!

WHAT IS A JUBILEE? ORIGINS
The word “jubilee” comes from the Hebrew term yobel, which referred to a musical instrument made from a ram’s horn. It was used by the Hebrews to announce the beginning of the holy year, celebrated every 50 years. During this jubilee period, the land was left to rest, debts were forgiven, slaves regained their freedom, and property was returned to its original owners (Leviticus 25:8–13). That was the ideal. However, in reality, it did not always happen that way.

A PRACTICE REINTRODUCED BY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE MIDDLE AGES
The Catholic Church revived the biblical practice of the jubilee in the Middle Ages. In 1300, Pope Boniface VIII established the first Holy Year, and since then, the faithful have lived this celebration as a special gift of grace, marked by the forgiveness of sins and, in particular, by indulgence, which is the fullest expression of God’s mercy. The Jubilee thus became an event of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social importance in the life of the Church. It was celebrated every 50 years, and then every 25 years starting in 1450.

JUBILEE 2025
The Jubilee of 2025 is an ordinary jubilee. Its theme is hope. This theme emphasizes hope as the driving force of faith. The Pope wishes for this event to be an important moment and a time for acts of charity towards the most disadvantaged. Here is the calendar of jubilee events that will take place in Rome.

THE JUBILEE IN OUR DIOCESE
As announced in the newsletter of January 14, Bishop Durocher inaugurated the jubilee year in our diocese on December 29, during the 11 a.m. Eucharistic celebration at the cathedral around the Jubilee Cross. Saint Joseph Cathedral is therefore the jubilee church of our diocese. The faithful can visit the cathedral, especially to venerate the Jubilee Cross.

SOME UPCOMING JUBILEE EVENTS IN OUR DIOCESE
March 28 – 24 Hours for the Lord: On Friday evening, penitential celebrations will take place in various regions of the diocese (at least one parish per pastoral zone). At the cathedral, continuous adoration of the Blessed Sacrament may be organized, with priests available at any time for the sacrament of reconciliation. This will be an opportunity to focus on God’s divine mercy, a central theme of the Jubilee.

Retreats: During Lent, one retreat will be given in English and another in French.

Weekend of June 20-22: Feast of the Blessed Sacrament. This weekend will focus on the Eucharist as the source of hope, the summit of Christian life, and the foundation of mission. The program will include conferences, liturgies, animations, and concerts.

Friday, June 27: Feast of the Sacred Heart. This will be a significant moment of the Jubilee with the English-speaking communities.

In August: A diocesan pilgrimage to Notre-Dame du Cap.

Our Diocesan Patronal Feast (Saturday, October 11): Pilgrimages will be organized from the various parishes and regions, converging towards the cathedral.

Jubilee for Young People – November 23: On the Feast of Christ the King, a pilgrimage for young people will be organized to the cathedral to mark this special moment of the Jubilee.