Launch of the Jubilee Year in the Archdiocese of Toronto

On December 29, 2024, Frank Cardinal Leo launched the Jubilee Year in the Archdiocese of Toronto with a Eucharistic Celebration at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica. Worldwide, the Catholic Church will celebrate the Jubilee throughout 2025. The tradition dates back to the year 1300 when Pope Boniface VIII announced the first Jubilee, which is also referred to as a “Holy Year”. The frequency has changed over time, with a Jubilee year originally celebrated every 100 years, later every 50 years and, more recently, every 25 years or at the request of the Holy Father.

The theme of the 2025 Jubilee is “Pilgrims of Hope”. In the words of Pope Francis: "We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision."

As part of the archdiocesan launch, the faithful had the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to Mass where more than 50 priests concelebrated with Cardinal Leo and the Auxiliary Bishops of the archdiocese. The liturgical celebration began in the Cathedral Crypt with the reading of the Bull of Indiction, followed by a short pilgrimage to the church. Included in the procession was a special Jubilee Cross, commissioned for the Year of Jubilee and carried into the church by young adults from throughout the archdiocese.

Cardinal Leo preached on the Jubilee theme of hope, inviting those gathered to consider how we can bring hope to others and find hope in the joy of our faith in a special way during the Jubilee Year. His Eminence also highlighted the pilgrimage churches in the various regions of the archdiocese, encouraging the Catholic community to find special ways to make this year a special one, with our faith at the centre of all that we do.

Prayers of the Faithful were offered in eight languages, reflecting the diversity of the archdiocese, while the offertory gifts were carried by a refugee family sponsored with the assistance of a local parish and the Office of Refugees.

To learn more about the Jubilee Year in the Archdiocese of Toronto, you can visit www.archtoronto.org/jubilee where you can also view the opening Mass.

May this Holy Year provide a grace-filled opportunity to nurture the seeds of faith for you and your loved ones, immersing ourselves as Pilgrims of Hope into a year-long journey of prayer, witness and service drawing on the example of Jesus, our Lord.