A special year
courtesy photo/Antonio Sanchez
On any given year, we will all enjoy special moments, whether it be celebrating birthdays, marriage anniversaries, ordinations, or work galas.
These moments take on special significance when certain numbers are attached — a sweet 16; the excitement of turning 18; and reaching the milestones of 30, 65, 90, or for some, even 100 years. Celebrating anniversaries of 10, 25, and 50 years and above also seem to have a deeper significance than others.
Completing one more year of pretty much anything is an accomplishment, yet certain milestones feel more significant than others.
In the life of the Church, this is no different. This is why we find ourselves in a Year of Jubilee. A year where we mark, in a special way, the freedom that comes from the love of God in the person of Jesus Christ. We receive these graces every year, really, every day and every moment of our life, but this year is a unique opportunity.
I know for myself, I can get lackadaisical in my practice of faith and fall into a rut. Routines are not bad, but they do not lend themselves to extraordinary moments, deep encounters, extra efforts, and unique experiences.
Enter the Jubilee year where we are encouraged to make a pilgrimage to a holy place, go through a “holy door,” perform an extra work of mercy, and attend an extra Mass. Combine this with confession to obtain a plenary indulgence.
We can do any and all of these things any day of the year, but do we? Thus, the Jubilee year.
Just like we can go on a special vacation for every wedding anniversary or birthday, we tend to go all out for special ones. Well, this is a special year in the life of the Church, and we have the opportunity to go outside of our normal practices and do something more.
I recently got back from a pilgrimage, and it was extraordinary. Yet, in many ways it was ordinary, too. I saw some beautiful churches, went to confession and Mass, prayed a little more along the way, and received some blessings from priests.
Part of what makes all of these ordinary experiences extraordinary is the intention behind them and the fact that the Pope, the Vicar of Christ on Earth, proclaimed this a Jubilee year. And a Jubilee year opens the floodgates of heaven for graces to pour down upon us.
Dr. John Bergsma in his book, “Jesus and the Jubilee: The Biblical Roots of the Year of God’s Favor,” explains that, reaching all the way back to Leviticus, God has given the jubilee to bring forgiveness, freedom, family, and fullness to us all. We encounter these blessings today through the redemption won by Jesus: release from the bondage of sin, restoration into the family of God, and deep rest in the love of God.
We can use this year to take a trip to any number of cathedrals and basilicas throughout the U.S. or even all the way to Rome, and all points in between. But we can also encounter these blessings just down the road.
- Bishop Michael Olson has designated these churches as Jubilee sites in the Diocese of Fort Worth:
- St. Patrick Cathedral in Fort Worth
- St. Philip the Apostle Church in Flower Mound
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Fort Worth
- Immaculate Conception of Mary Church in Wichita Falls
- Sacred Heart Church in Comanche
Going beyond our normal going-through-the-motions and going on a pilgrimage is a great way to level-up our typical practice of our faith. The graces of the Jubilee year are showering down from heaven; let’s step out into the rain!
Jeff Hedglen has been working in youth, campus, and young adult ministry for the Diocese of Fort Worth since 1986. He is currently the Director of Campus Ministry for the University Catholic Community at the University of Texas at Arlington. Find his regular columns for the North Texas Catholic here.