On Sunday, December 29, 2024, at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and President of the Assembly of the Catholic Ordinaries in the Holy Land (A.O.C.H.L.), presided over a celebratory Mass to mark the beginning of the Jubilee Year in the Diocese of Jerusalem.
The celebration began with a procession of altar boys, priests, and bishops, followed by His Beatitude Cardinal Pizzaballa, towards the main door of the Basilica. There, the prayers commenced. The faithful were invited to enter after the Cardinal, carrying the Cross—'a sign of hope that does not disappoint'—crossed the threshold. This act marked the start of the Holy Jubilee Year for 2025 across the Diocese of Jerusalem, signaling the journey of repentance toward Christ, the true Holy Gate (cf. John 10:7-9).
Afterward, all the bishops and priests gathered around the Grotto of the Virgin Mary, where the Litany of the Saints was recited. His Beatitude then blessed the holy water and sprinkled it upon the faithful. Then, the procession continued to the Upper Church, where the Holy Mass was celebrated.
On December 27 of the same month, the Assembly of the Catholic Ordinaries in the Holy Land issued a message to all the faithful about the Jubilee Year, titled "Hope does not disappoint" The message reflected the significance of the Jubilee Year, especially for the Church of the Holy Land. According to biblical tradition, it is a special year when prisoners are set free, debts are forgiven, reconciliation with God and neighbor is achieved, peace is embraced, and justice is promoted. It is a time for personal and communal spiritual renewal (cf. Lev. 25; Is. 61:1-2). The message reminded the faithful that, even in difficult times, there are many signs of hope, such as the deep yearning for peace and the perseverance of Christian families in their land despite all challenges. It also outlined how to obtain the full indulgence and announced the pilgrimage sites in the diocese: Nazareth (Basilica of the Annunciation), Bethlehem (Basilica of the Nativity), and Jerusalem (Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher/Anastasis). [Click here to read more!]
The Mass was graced by the presence of the Council of Catholic Bishops, alongside numerous priests, religious sisters, and the faithful from various orders and parishes across the Holy Land. The choir of the Basilica of the Annunciation filled the atmosphere with a reverent and festive spirit, lifting the hearts of all present with their beautiful renditions of Christmas and Jubilee hymns.
In his homily, Cardinal Pizzaballa emphasized that hope is the foundation of every initiative. Without hope and the confidence of success, we hesitate to begin anything new. Hope is sustained by faith, particularly faith in God, which invites us to trust in His active presence in our lives. Faith calls us to look beyond ourselves, trusting that God works in and through us.
The Cardinal also highlighted that the virtue of hope requires patience, as St. Paul teaches: “Tribulation produces patience, patience a tried virtue, and a tried virtue hope” (Rom. 5:3-4). Patience without hope is merely resignation, and hope without patience is illusory. True hope requires us to endure life’s difficulties while actively awaiting God’s promises. The Cardinal reflected on the example of Mary, who, despite her trials, “treasured all these things in her heart” (Lk. 2:51). To treasure means to gradually understand life’s events with trust, knowing that nothing can separate us from God’s love. The Cardinal reminded the faithful that the true Jubilee is encountering Jesus and hearing His word (Lk. 4:18-19). This year’s Jubilee offers an opportunity for God to forgive our sins and renew our hearts, enabling us to continue our journey with hope and joy, while seeking the Blessed Virgin Mary’s protection and guidance on this beautiful yet challenging path.
At the end of Mass, Cardinal Pizzaballa pointed to the Holy Cross specially crafted for the Jubilee Year of 2025, which will be placed in the official pilgrimage sites of the Diocese. Each bishop will also receive a miniature version of this Cross to grant the plenary indulgence to those who meet all the necessary conditions.
Cardinal Pizzaballa explained that the plenary indulgence requires sincere repentance and complete confession of all sins, along with proper spiritual preparation. He then gave his final blessing, granting a plenary indulgence to all who participated in the Mass.
He concluded by wishing everyone a blessed Year, saying: "May God forget our sins completely and allow us to resume our journey to heaven with a new spirit, a new heart, and with the joyful zest of one who has found a lost treasure."
