L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2025 www.italoamericano.org 4 T h e C a t h o l i c J u b i l e e , a l s o k n o w n a s t h e H o l y Y e a r , i s a significant tradi- tion in the Roman Catholic Church, as it offers believers a dedicated period for for- giveness, spiritual renewal, and the remission of sins. Its roots lie in the biblical tradi- tion of the Jubilee, described in the Book of Leviticus, where every 50th year was set aside as a time for freeing slaves, forgiving debts, and restoring properties, symbol- izing liberation and mercy. These themes of renewal and redemption remain vital in t h e C a t h o l i c C h u r c h ' s Jubilee, and create a bridge between its biblical heritage and contemporary spiritual practice. The Catholic Jubilee was formally established in 1300 when Pope Boniface VIII declared the first Holy Year. His proclamation invited the faithful to make pilgrimages to Rome to receive a plenary indulgence — a complete remission of temporal pun- ishment for sins that had already been forgiven. The response was overwhelming, with thousands of pilgrims flocking to the Eternal City: historical records suggest that the economic and spiri- tual impact on Rome was profound, as the influx of pilgrims revitalized the city's role as a spiritual and cul- tural center. Pope Boniface VIII's initiative was so suc- cessful that it set the prece- d e n t f o r s u b s e q u e n t Jubilees: originally planned to occur every 100 years, the interval was later shortened to 50 years, and eventually to 25 years by Pope Paul II in 1470, ensuring that every generation could experience t h i s p r o f o u n d s p i r i t u a l event. T h e C a t h o l i c J u b i l e e ' s evolution mirrors the histor- ical and cultural shifts of the times. While the first Jubilee in 1300 set a precedent for subsequent Holy Years, later Jubilees adapted to address the changing needs of the Church and society. Pope Clement VI, for instance, declared the Jubilee of 1350 d u r i n g t h e B l a c k D e a t h , emphasizing penitence and prayer as a means to cope with the devastating plague; this Jubilee marked the first i n s t a n c e o f i n d u l g e n c e s being granted not only to those visiting Rome but also to those unable to travel. D u r i n g t h e R e n a i s s a n c e , Jubilees were both spiritual milestones and opportuni- ties for artistic and architec- tural patronage: Popes like S i x t u s I V a n d J u l i u s I I transformed Rome into a s y m b o l o f C h r i s t i a n grandeur, commissioning monumental works such as the Sistine Chapel and the e x p a n s i o n o f S t . P e t e r ' s Basilica. On the occasion of the 1500 Jubilee, celebrated during this transformative period, pilgrims witnessed first hand the city's incredi- ble cultural revival, which was to cement Rome's status a s a g l o b a l r e l i g i o u s a n d artistic hub. I n t h e 1 7 t h c e n t u r y , J u b i l e e s t o o k o n a m o r e geopolitical dimension. The H o l y Y e a r o f 1 6 2 5 , p r o - claimed by Pope Urban VIII, coincided with the Counter- Reformation, and became a t o o l t o r e a f f i r m C a t h o l i c i d e n t i t y a m i d P r o t e s t a n t challenges. Pilgrimages to Rome became acts of devo- tion and solidarity, and the event turned into a tool to s t r e n g t h e n t h e C h u r c h ' s influence across Europe. In the 20th century, mod- ern transportation and com- munication revolutionized t h e s c o p e o f t h e J u b i l e e , with more and more faithful traveling to Rome for the occasion. Pope Pius XI's Holy Year of 1925, the first Jubilee after World War I, was marked by themes of peace and reconstruction, while the Jubilee of 1950, led by Pope Pius XII, stood out for its focus on post-war reconciliation, drawing mil- lions of pilgrims at a time when Europe was rebuilding f r o m t h e d e v a s t a t i o n o f World War II. Notably, this J u b i l e e a l s o e m b r a c e d emerging media, with events broadcast on radio to reach a global audience for the first time. In more recent history, Jubilees have reflected the Church's response to global c h a l l e n g e s : t h e G r e a t J u b i l e e o f 2 0 0 0 , p r o - claimed by Pope John Paul II, marked the dawn of the t h i r d m i l l e n n i u m a n d emphasized themes of rec- onciliation, unity, and spiri- tual renewal. This Jubilee was especially significant because it stood as a call for humanity to enter the new millennium with faith and hope, a perfect embodiment of Pope John Paul II's vision of a reconciled and unified world. T h e m o s t r e c e n t o f J u b i l e e s , t h e J u b i l e e o f Mercy, was celebrated 10 A Holy Year in Rome: exploring the history and meaning of the Catholic Jubilee FRANCESCA BEZZONE NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS CONTINUED TO PAGE 6 A faithful in Saint Peter's Square, holding a holy rosary from Assisi (Photo: Kristi Blokhin/Shutterstock)

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