From Fr. Tom's Pastor's Column, May 19, 2024
2025, A HOLY YEAR
On the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord into Heaven, celebrated in Rome on Thursday,
May 9, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, formally declared an upcoming year to be a Holy Year
with the theme, Pilgrims of Hope. Every 25 years, the Church declares a special Holy Year of
God’s grace. However, sometimes, Extraordinary Holy Years are called for at the Pope’s
discretion. This was the case in 2016 when Pope Francis inaugurated the Holy Year of Mercy.
This upcoming Holy Year will begin on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024 and conclude the
following Christmas Eve, 2025. It will be marked initially by the Pope opening the Holy Door at
St. Peter Basilica, along with the Holy Door at the other major basilicas in Rome. Holy Doors at
other designated sights throughout the world will be opened as well in the weeks to follow.
This will probably include our Diocesan Holy Door at St. John Cathedral. The Holy Year will be a
special time for all of us to reflect more fully on the gift of hope. “Christian hope is unperishable
and unfading. It sustains us in the journey of our lives, even during the darkest and most
difficult moments and times. It opens our eyes to future possibilities and makes us see the
promise of good at times when evil seems to prevail…. Christian hope makes us dream of the
new humanity and gives us courage in our efforts to build a fraternal and peaceful world, even
when it seems barely worth the effort” (Pope Francis; Homily for the Solemnity of the
Ascension of the Lord into Heaven).