On Christmas Eve 2024, Pope Francis symbolically opened the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica, marking the start of the 2025 Jubilee Year.
Jubilee years happen every 25 years and are times of reconciliation and renewal. The theme of this Jubilee is Pilgrims of Hope.
This Year of Jubilee in the universal Church calls us to embrace, and be renewed in, the hope of Christ—a hope that does not disappoint. We are embarking on a particular time of pilgrimage, and as the Holy Father has reminded us, Jesus, ‘is the destination of our pilgrimage’. He is both the way, and the path to be travelled.
Participate in the 2025 Jubilee of Hope
For those who are able to travel, we are offering a pilgrimage for youth to Rome this Jubilee Year.
If you are unable to travel to Rome during the Jubilee Year, we invite you to join us on a local journey of reconciliation and renewal by participating in the 2025 Jubilee at one or more of the many Pilgrim Places across the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, where plenary indulgences may be obtained as part of this very special time.
Visit local Pilgrim Places
Pilgrim Places across the Archdiocese of Melbourne will offer extended hours, additional Masses, Reconciliation and adoration. Pilgrims will receive a commemorative postcard, monthly reflections and a Pilgrim Passport (available for a small donation) to be stamped at each location. Local Pilgrim Places will welcome visitors from February 2025 to 6 January 2026.
Jubilee of Youth Pilgrimage
Bookings are now open for Catholics aged 18 to 30 to join the Archdiocese of Melbourne’s 2025 Jubilee of Youth Pilgrimage. This inspiring journey will explore Italy’s towns, cities, and the homes of great saints, culminating in a visit to Rome to walk through the Holy Doors of St. Peter’s Basilica and take part in Jubilee celebrations.
Plenary indulgences
Indulgences are a way to reduce the time a person spends suffering for sins, even after they have been forgiven. A faithful Christian can earn an indulgence for themselves or for someone who has passed away, as long as they meet certain conditions. Indulgences are a wonderful support on our pilgrimage towards heaven.
As Pope Francis reminds us, through indulgences we discover ‘the unlimited nature of God’s mercy’.
While indulgences do not absolve us of sin—that is for the sacrament of Reconciliation—they do orient our hearts towards God and free us to continue the journey to heavenly glory unhindered. There is a mysterious interior renewal that takes place. Just taking the time out of your day to visit this Pilgrim Place is an occasion to receive the Jubilee indulgence.
To receive a Jubilee plenary indulgence within the Archdiocese of Melbourne, individually or in a group, you can:
- visit any Pilgrim Place
- remain there for a suitable period of time
- engage in Eucharistic adoration and meditation, then
- conclude your time of prayer with the Our Father, the Profession of Faith and the Hail Mary (or any other invocation to Mary the Mother of God).
By fulfilling these conditions while at a Pilgrim Place, the grace of the Jubilee indulgence is granted.
Ordinarily, only one plenary indulgence can be received per day, but for the duration of the Jubilee Year, you may obtain a second on the condition that you have:
- carried out an act of charity offered for the souls in purgatory, and
- received Holy Communion a second time that day.
Resources to help parishes prepare for and participate in the 2025 Jubilee of Hope are available for download via the Parish Jubilee resources page of this website.
May this Year of Hope be a time of reconciliation and renewal for all!
29 Dec: Local opening of the Jubilee Year at St Patrick’s Cathedral
28 Jan: Red Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, our local Jubilee of Justice
1 Feb: Consecration of Bishops
21–23 Feb: Jubilee of Deacons
5 Mar: Ash Wednesday
8–9 Mar: Jubilee of Volunteering
9 Mar: Rite of Election
17 Mar: Patrick Oration
17–21 Mar: Catholic Education Week
25 Mar: Feast of the Annunciation
28–30 Mar: Fiat and 24 Hours for the Lord prayer weekend
5–6 Apr: Jubilee of the Sick and Healthcare Workers
11 Apr: Chrism Mass (to be confirmed)
17–19 Apr: Easter
1–4 May: Jubilee of Workers
30 May – 1 Jun: Jubilee of Children, Families, Elderly and Grandparents
May 30 – 1 Jun: Jubilee of Children, Families, Elderly and Grandparents
1 Jun: Marriage Anniversary Mass
22 Jun: Corpus Christi Procession—Jubilee Eucharistic Procession (to be confirmed)
23–24 Jun: Jubilee of Seminarians
25 Jun: Jubilee of Bishops
26–27 Jun: Jubilee of Priests
6 Jul: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday
20 Jul: Archdiocesan Pilgrimage for Youth to Rome
28 Jul – 3 Aug: Jubilee of Youth
28 Jul – 3 Aug: Jubilee of Youth
18–22 Aug: Clergy Conference
20 Sep: Ordinations to the Priesthood
18 Sep – 1 Oct: MACS Leaders Pilgrimage (to be confirmed)
4 – 5 Oct: Jubilee of Migrants
5 Oct: Mass for All Nations
8–9 Oct: Jubilee of Consecrated Life
9 Oct: Mass for Religious
16 Nov: Jubilee of the Poor
30 Nov – 2 Dec: Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF)
30 Nov – 2 Dec: Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF)
14 Dec: Jubilee of Prisoners
6 Jan: Feast of the Epiphany
6 Jan: Official close of the Jubilee Year
A full list of major Jubilee events in Rome is available on the Vatican’s Office Jubilee Website.
