Jubilee 2025
24th December 2024 - 6th January 2026
The 2025 Jubilee Year is a Catholic year that offers us the opportunity to be renewed in hope. The theme of the 2025 Jubilee is “Pilgrims of Hope”. Pope Francis has called on Catholics to become pilgrims of Hope, and to look to the future with hope and a trusting heart.
The central symbol of the Jubilee Year is the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica, Rome. This is because the Jubilee Year is a time for pilgrimage, specifically to Rome. Pilgrimages are an important part of catholic piety as they are symbolic of our broader journey of faith, and more specifically of our deliberate intention now at this time to turn away from sin and come back to our Father's house (cf. parable of the Prodigal Son - Luke 15:11-23). To pass through the Holy Door is therefore a great symbol of our return, and of our restored relationship with God.
Intrinsic to pilgrimages and the Holy Door is therefore also the forgiveness of sin. A Jubilee Year is a time for conversion and forgiveness. The faithful are able to gain a Plenary Indulgence by participating in various activities during the Jubilee Year. The Holy See has published a decree outlining the ways of gaining this indulgence.
Pope Francis will solemnly open the Jubilee Door on Christmas Eve to commence the holy year.
The Jubilee at Mater Christi
Parish Pilgrimages
The Holy Father has given permission for bishops in their own diocese to designate specific churches as places of pilgrimage during the Jubilee Year. Not everyone has the means to make an international pilgrimage to the Eternal City, and it would be unfair that such people should miss out on the powerful experience of pilgrimage, of repentance, and of conversion, and on the Indulgences.
To this end, the Archbishop has designated 6 churches/chapels across the Archdiocese of Perth as places for pilgrimage during this year. They are:
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St. Mary's Cathedral - Perth
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St. Patrick's Basilica - Fremantle
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St. John Paul II - Banksia Grove
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Schoenstatt Shrine - Mt. Richon
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Carmelite Monastery - Dalkeith
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Sacred Heart - Highgate
Throughout the year, the Parish will be organising pilgrimages to these churches/chapels for parishioners. Pilgrimages will be by bus/coach to the churches that are further away and on foot as a traditional pilgrimage to St. Patrick's Basilica. If you are interested in participating, speak to one of the priests after Mass and keep an eye on the latest Mater Messenger - the parish bulletin.
Pilgrims of Hope
A Handbook for the Jubilee 2025
The Archdiocese of Perth has prepared a booklet explaining various details about the Jubilee Year, the churches of pilgrimage, and the Indulgences that can be gained. These are available for purchase at the parish piety store.