Mass: Opening of the Holy Year of Jubilee 2025

Pope Francis has declared 2025 to be a Holy Year of Jubilee for the Catholic Church, an event that takes place once every 25 years.

Archbishop Cushley will solemnly open the Jubilee Year 2025 for the Archdiocese with Holy Mass and the blessing of the Jubilee Cross at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, at midday on Sunday 29 December.

Follow 'Holy Year Scotland 2025' on Facebook and visit www.iubilaeum2025.va for more details about this special year.

WATCH: Video series to prepare for Holy Year 2025

In preparation for the Jubilee Year, the Holy Father has asked us to study the documents of the Second Vatican Council.

Being Catholic has produced a new video series, suitable for parish groups or individual use, presented by Fr Tom Magill of Motherwell Diocese.

These are suitable for parish discussions or individual use.

Introduction

Sacrosanctum Concilium

Dei Verbum

Lumen Gentium

Gaudium et Spes

Pilgrimage of Hope: Preparing for the Jubilee 2025

Pope Francis declared 2025 a Year of Jubilee. This event will explore what a Jubilee Year is in the context of the year's theme: Pilgrims of Hope.

We'll have inspiring talks on preparing spiritually for the year ahead and hear from pilgrims who have visited sites of pilgrimage and the impact that it had on their lives.

By the end of the event you will be equipped to make the most of the celebratory Jubilee Year 2025! Register for this free event here.

Schedule

9:45am  | Holy Mass (ooptional)

10:30am | Registration / Teas & coffees.

11:00am | Introduction.

11:10am | Pilgrimages & indulgences, with Q&A (Fr Ninian Doohan).

12:00pm | Hope & Prayer - The Our Father (Fr Andrew Garden).

12:45pm | Angelus & Midday prayer in St Margaret's Chapel.

1:00pm | Lunch (provided*) followed by event group photo.

During lunch: Photo showcase on pilgrimage places.

1:45pm | What a Holy Year Is, with Q&A (Canon Kenneth Owens).

2.30pm | Testimonies on Pilgrimages from lay panel, inc. Rome, Lourdes & Holy Land.

3.15pm | End.

Pilgrimage of Hope - Preparing for the Jubilee Year 2025 is organised by the Catechetics Commission of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh. The event is free and open to all. Limited capacity so early registration recommended (register here) Free parking onsite.

*Free lunch provided (small sandwiches and fruit). If you have food allergies/intolerances please being a packed lunch.

Questions/Queries? Please email Sr Mirjam Hugens FSO at Archsecretary@staned.org.uk

The Year of Prayer 2024 and The Jubilee Year 2025

On Sunday, Pope Francis inaugurated a Year of Prayer ahead of the 2025 Jubilee.

He called on the faithful “to pray more fervently to prepare ourselves to live properly this grace-filled event".

The Holy Father said that The Year of Prayer 2024 is dedicated “to rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer, prayer in personal life, in the life of the Church, prayer in the world”.

The Dicastery for Evangelization will release materials to help the faithful celebrate the Year.

Follow the Holy Year Scotland 2025 page on Facebook to find out about national events in Scotland.

Find out more about the Jubilee Year 2025 at the official website: www.iubilaeum2025.va

What is a Jubilee?

A Jubilee is a special year of grace, in which the Catholic Church offers the faithful the possibility of asking for a plenary indulgence – a remission of sins for themselves or deceased loved ones.

It takes place every 25 years and is a tradition that is recognised as being a significant part of the history of our faith.

The Jubilee year begins with the well-known custom of the opening of the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica, following the other three papal basilicas in Rome.

The Pope grants permission for Holy Doors to be situated throughout the world for Catholics everywhere to take part in this most special rite.