Diocese to join in worldwide observance of Jubilee Year

“The Holy Father can open up the door for graces to flow for a special reason,” Father Timothy A. Christy assured those seated before him inside the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi. “It is not magic, it is faith.”

Father Christy, rector of the Metuchen cathedral, was joined by diocesan Vicar General Father Jonathan S. Toborowsky Dec. 8 for “The Spirituality of the Jubilee Year,” an instructional session designed to educate faithful of the Diocese on the upcoming 2025 Holy Year. Intended to be celebrated worldwide beginning Dec. 28, the Jubilee invites all faithful Catholics worldwide to become “Pilgrims of Hope.”

Doors to heaven will open

Father Christy explained that the word “jubilee” was Hebrew for a ram’s horn, which was used to alert the community that a joyful proclamation would be announced. Jubilees were based on time, with seven – the number of days in which God created the earth – as the perfect number. Seven times seven is 49, so Hebrews celebrated jubilees on the 50th year. 

“Jesus came to proclaim a jubilee,” he continued, “to give sight to the blind, make the lame walk, release prisoners. We can’t have jubilees every day so they become routine, but they hold together the essence of human life.”

The notion of a jubilee is connected with the city of Rome, with gaining sanctuary at the basilica. Beginning with Pope Boniface VIII, people learned about jubilees “by going to church, listening to their elders,” said Father Christy. “The way they learned is by celebrating together.” A visit with St. Brigid of Sweden convinced the pope to change the cycle of Holy Years from a century apart since most people didn’t live that long; a change to just 25 years between Holy Years could ensure more faithful might learn from their elders’ experiences.

The rector continued that Holy Years affect in sacramental form our relationship with God. “That is the great gift of confession: that it restores our communion with God,” he asserted. “There is a treasury of spiritual merit Jesus won for us when he suffered and died on the cross. He made it possible to forgive our sins, to restore what was lost back to communion with God; the door to heaven is now open.”

Father Christy stated that graces exist to assist us on our journey to God, and Holy Years provide us with opportunities to receive a plenary indulgence. “Because God is so good, we can do an indulgence for other people,” he added.

Father Christy concluded, “Holy Years are more than going to Confession. They are meant to help us become more aware of each other. Christian charity includes helping other people get to heaven, become more aware and becoming part of the body of Christ. All the graces Jesus won for us are meant to be shared. This Holy Year 2025, be pilgrims of hope.”

Events tailored to all

“Our GPS has been plotted for us by Pope Francis,” declared Father Toborowsky as he referred to the papal bull “Spes Non Confundit (Hope does not disappoint)” announcing the 2025 Holy Year.

“It is meant for each one of us on our personal journey to the Lord,” he continued, recommending faithful read the 17-page document in small doses rather than “a textbook you have to read to pass a test.” The vicar general noted that pilgrims might journey as individuals or members of the same family seeking the Lord together, but “a parish is where the rubber hits the road.”

Unlike the Holy Year 2000 where dioceses were required to create holy doors to be opened on Christmas Eve, the Pope decreed St. Peter’s Basilica need be the only church to formally unseal and unlock a door. Yet, the imagery is the same – there is movement from one room to another to a new place.

Father Toborowsky revealed a few of the dozens of activities, Masses, events and celebrations to take place in the Diocese of Metuchen during Holy Year 2025; the final schedule will be posted on the diocesan website and social media, as well as in parish bulletins and The Catholic Spirit newspaper when it is available. “We will bring a message of hope to our parishes, the homebound, the poor, youth and the elderly,” he said. “Some will be for the whole Diocese, and some will be opportunities to honor certain people and groups.”

The opening of the Holy Year will be celebrated Dec. 28, the Feast of the Holy Family in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, at the 5 p.m. vigil Mass. Bishop James F. Checchio will be principal celebrant.  

Progressing through the Church year, the customary events so crucial to the faithful will have the mission of hope weaved into their proclamations. Adult catechists, youth awards, Catholic school students, jubilarians and others will be feted throughout the calendar year. 

Two pilgrimages have been slated for September. First, faithful will be invited to visit the Blue Army Shrine with Bishop Checchio, and one week later pilgrims from the Metuchen Diocese will journey to Washington’s National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for the jubilee Mass.

Rutgers University Campus Ministry will hold a Holy Hour and host speakers, music and worship for the vigil of Pentecost. Apropos for a year dedicated to hope, members of the Brothers of Hope and Sisters of Jesus Our Hope will host four nights of recollection (one for each county) to preach about their charism.

Father Toborowsky recommended Metuchen pilgrims explore sites close to home during the Holy Year – the Blessed Sacrament Shrine, Raritan; the Blue Army Shrine, Washington, and the National Shrine of St. Lucy Filippini inside New Brunswick’s St. Mary of Mt. Virgin Church. The Holy Year will conclude with a rededication of the Diocese to Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 28.

“There is wonderful work to be done,” Father Toborowsky said. “Think ‘which of these celebrations are for me, and how do I truly open the doors of my heart?’”

The presentation may be found at stfranciscathedral.org by clicking on the “Live Streaming” button on the home page.

Information on upcoming events during the Jubilee Year will be posted at diometuchen.org as they are finalized.