L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2025 www.italoamericano.org 6 NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS years ago. Proclaimed by Pope Francis in 2015, this e x t r a o r d i n a r y H o l y Y e a r , which broke from the tradi- tional 25-year cycle, focused o n t h e C h u r c h ' s r o l e i n spreading mercy, forgive- ness, and compassion. Pope Francis emphasized these themes by initiating various global initiatives, including o u t r e a c h t o m a r g i n a l i z e d communities, interfaith dia- l o g u e , a n d s u p p o r t f o r r e f u g e e s . A s p a r t o f t h e Jubilee of Mercy, Holy Doors w e r e o p e n e d n o t o n l y i n Rome but in cathedrals and other major churches world- wide, making the spiritual blessings of the Jubilee more a c c e s s i b l e t o t h e f a i t h f u l everywhere. The Jubilee of Mercy culminated in the can- onization of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, a figure synony- mous with mercy and chari- ty, further underscoring the Holy Year's themes. The ongoing Jubilee of H o p e , w h i c h b e g a n o n December 24, 2024, and will c o n c l u d e o n J a n u a r y 6 , 2026, is rooted in this histor- ical tradition while address- i n g c o n t e m p o r a r y i s s u e s : Pope Francis inaugurated the Holy Year by opening the H o l y D o o r o f S t . P e t e r ' s Basilica, a symbolic act rep- resenting the opening of a pathway to salvation. In a groundbreaking move, he also opened a Holy Door at Rome's Rebibbia prison, e x t e n d i n g t h e m e s s a g e o f h o p e a n d r e d e m p t i o n t o those often overlooked in society. Rome's role as the epicen- ter of the Jubilee is crucial and, over the centuries, the Eternal City has transformed itself to welcome millions of pilgrims during Holy Years. Roads, bridges, and churches have been renovated or con- structed to accommodate the faithful. Take, for example, the Via Papalis, a ceremonial route used by popes, which w a s i m p r o v e d d u r i n g Jubilees to facilitate pilgrim movement. This year, Rome i s u n d e r g o i n g a s i m i l a r transformation, with infra- structure projects aimed at enhancing transportation, restoring historical sites, and improving public facilities. The city anticipates hosting around 32 million pilgrims during the Jubilee of Hope, a number that stresses the event's spiritual and eco- nomic significance. T h r o u g h o u t t h e H o l y Year, Rome will host a series o f r e l i g i o u s a n d c u l t u r a l events designed to foster spiritual growth and com- m u n i t y e n g a g e m e n t . T h e calendar includes 36 major events, each celebrating dif- ferent aspects of faith and fellowship. Among them are the Jubilee for Families, the Jubilee for Youth, and the Jubilee for Prisoners, each focusing on specific groups within the Church. Addition- a l l y , t h e c a n o n i z a t i o n o f Blessed Carlo Acutis, a young Italian known for his deep faith and use of tech- n o l o g y t o p r o m o t e t h e Eucharist, is going to be a highlight of the celebrations: his story is particularly pop- ular among the younger gen- erations, as he exemplifies how faith can be lived in the digital age. This year's Jubilee calen- dar is brimming with activi- ties designed to cater to the diverse needs of the Catholic community: weekly catech- esis sessions in major basili- cas offer pilgrims a chance to d e e p e n t h e i r f a i t h , w h i l e m u s i c a l p e r f o r m a n c e s inspired by sacred traditions aim to create a reflective atmosphere. Notably, the V a t i c a n M u s e u m s h a v e e x t e n d e d t h e i r h o u r s t o accommodate the influx of visitors, and will present special exhibits that cele- brate the intersection of art and faith. Additionally, the P o p e w i l l p r e s i d e o v e r a series of open-air Masses in St. Peter's Square, welcom- ing pilgrims from all corners of the globe. More cultural events will take place also o u t s i d e o f t h e V a t i c a n . Rome's rich artistic and his- torical heritage will be on full display through exhibi- tions, concerts, and theatri- cal performances, in a series o f i n i t i a t i v e s c r e a t e d t o e n h a n c e t h e d i a l o g u e between faith and culture and to invite both pilgrims and visitors to explore the broader significance of this Holy Year. But the Jubilee of Hope a l s o p r e s e n t s s i g n i f i c a n t logistical challenges: security measures have been height- ened to ensure the safety of pilgrims and residents, and Italian authorities are work- ing closely with the Vatican to coordinate efforts, imple- menting increased surveil- lance and deploying addi- t i o n a l l a w e n f o r c e m e n t personnel around key reli- gious sites. The city of Rome has also enhanced its trans- port infrastructure with new shuttle routes connecting major basilicas and pilgrim- age sites. Major renovations are underway at key loca- tions such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.To r e d u c e e n v i r o n m e n t a l impact, the city has launched a "green pilgrimage" initia- tive, encouraging the use of electric buses and offering discounts for eco-conscious accommodations. The city is further addressing environ- mental concerns, with efforts to manage waste and reduce the ecological footprint of millions of visitors. A little trivia to conclude: a key tradition of Catholic Jubilees is the exhibition of t h e H o l y S h r o u d , a r e l i c believed by many to bear the image of Jesus Christ follow- i n g H i s c r u c i f i x i o n . T h e Shroud, housed in the Cathe- dral of Saint John the Baptist i n T u r i n , h a s l o n g b e e n a source of deep veneration a n d c u r i o s i t y : m e a s u r i n g approximately 4.4 meters by 1.1 meters, the Shroud dis- plays what appears to be the faint imprint of a man who suffered injuries consistent with crucifixion, sparking both devotion and extensive scientific inquiry. The con- nection between the Holy Shroud and Jubilees dates back to 1578, when it was brought to Turin to make it more accessible to pilgrims traveling from France. While the Shroud itself is not per- manently on display, it has become a tradition to exhibit it during select Holy Years, providing the faithful with an extraordinary opportunity to venerate this relic. The Catholic Jubilee was formally established in 1300 when Pope Boniface VIII declared the first Holy Year. His proclamation invited the faithful to make pilgrima- ges to Rome to receive a plenary indulgence for their sins CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 Pope Francis opens the Holy Door at Saint Peter Basilica (Photo: Catholic Art/Dreamstime)

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