Year of Jubilee 2025

In 2025, the Catholic Church will embark on its next Jubilee Year, a time of profound spiritual significance that has been celebrated for centuries. First initiated by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300, the Jubilee is traditionally held every 25 years, though popes may proclaim additional Jubilees for special occasions. The last “Extraordinary” Jubilee, declared by Pope Francis in 2016, marked the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council.

The 2025 Jubilee Year carries the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” inspired by St. Paul’s words in Romans 5:5, “Hope does not disappoint.”

Pope Francis invites us to embrace this hope, grounded in the unshakable love of God, as a source of strength and perseverance. During this special year, the Church encourages a deepening of faith through pilgrimage, prayer, the sacrament of Reconciliation, and works of mercy. These practices—embodying mercy, healing, and renewal—offer us a path of conversion, reconciliation, and service, helping to renew our commitment to love, compassion, and faith. Join us as we walk this sacred journey, embracing the transformative power of God’s mercy and the hope that never fades.

In the Diocese of Palmerston North, we are honoured to celebrate the 2025 Jubilee Year, a time of renewal, healing, and liberation. Drawing inspiration from the words of the Prophet Isaiah, “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me… to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour,” this year invites each of us to discern how we might help liberate hearts, open ears to the Gospel, and bring freedom to those bound by sorrow or regret.

To mark this special time, we have adapted the official Vatican calendar to meet our local needs. Each Jubilee weekend will be filled with special prayers, reflections, and events that align with the themes of mercy, renewal, and hope. All parishes, schools, individuals, and faith communities are invited to join in these celebrations in their own unique ways.

The Year of Jubilee will officially open on Sunday, 2 February, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, with a special Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit at 9:30 a.m. We warmly invite everyone to participate in this sacred occasion. For those unable to attend, we encourage all parishes and communities to mark the beginning of the Jubilee in their own ways.

Please refer to the events calendar below for more details, and click on the links to view a PDF resource for each Jubilee weekend. Let us come together as pilgrims of hope, embracing this opportunity to experience God’s favour and share His love with the world.

Calendar of Events
for the Diocese of Palmerston North

Follow our Jubilee 2025 Facebook page to keep up to date with events within the Palmerston North Diocese: www.facebook.com/YearofJubilee2025