The Jubilee Year of 2025 has begun, and the theme of the year is Pilgrims of Hope. The Church has celebrated jubilee years every 25 years since 1300 AD, in addition to some special holy years that have been declared by the pope from time to time. Where did this all start?
    
We are told in the Book of Leviticus that the Jewish people were to celebrate a Jubilee Year every 50 years. This was a radical return to origins. When the nation was settled, it was divided into 12 tribes, each of which was given territory. That territory would then be divided up between families who were part of that tribe. After 50 years, some of this territory would have been sold off to a different family, and even to members of a different tribe. During the jubilee year, all territories were returned to the original families and tribes, resetting everything for the next 50 years. If you sold a piece of your property, it would only be for the number of years until the next jubilee, for it would then return to you or your descendants. 
    
During the jubilee year, the land was also given a rest. No crops were to be sown or gathered. So, you must save enough from previous years to get you through the jubilee year. Many scholars think that this was not carried out literally, but that some land was left fallow each year, while others were raising crops, so that people could be fed. This was rotated throughout the land.
    
Also, during the jubilee, all debts were cancelled, indentured servants were given their freedom, and prisoners were set free. 
    
For us, the jubilee is less radical. We are given special opportunities for graces and are invited to take part in pilgrimages and other spiritual activities to deepen our relationship with God.