This year, the Paterson Diocese is celebrating the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025, declared by Pope Francis, with the rest of the Universal Church. But what is a Jubilee — and why was the tradition initially established?
The diocese created a video series in English and Spanish to answer the faithful’s possible questions, such as “What is a Jubilee?” to introduce them to various aspects of the holy year. These videos cover pilgrimages, sin and purgatory, Jubilee indulgence, the Holy Door, how to get involved in the Jubilee, and Jubilee economics.
The diocesan Jubilee Catechetical Committee and the Beyond the Beacon with Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney and Paul Street Journal podcasts developed these videos. They are available on the diocesan Jubilee webpage here. There are 12 long-form videos and 11 shorter 1-minute episodes.
The introductory video follows:
Brian Honsberger, St. Paul’s executive director, and diocesan mission and technology integration director, praised the quality of the videos. He and Salesian Sister Theresa Lee, diocesan chancellor and delegate for religious, are heading seven committees coordinating diocesan Jubilee observances.
“The Catechetical Committee has gone above and beyond in explaining the Jubilee and its many components for the sake of our diocese. These videos, filmed by St. Paul Inside the Walls staff, have attracted more than 80,000 views on our social media channels,” Honsberger said.
The diocese has created a schedule of celebrations throughout 2025 to help the faithful experience God’s grace during the Jubilee. These include a diocesan pilgrimage to Rome in the fall and pilgrimages to local devotional sites. [See celebration and pilgrimage schedules and a list of local pilgrimage sites on this page].
The first long-form English video starts with Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli, a biblical scholar, speaking about the Jubilee’s origins in Leviticus. The Jews initially held a Jubilee year every 50 years for prayer, dedication, and release to God. At that time, land was returned to its original owner, debts were forgiven, and enslaved people were set free.
“It acknowledged God as the owner, creator, and protector of all,” said Bishop Serratelli, adding that Jesus established a “permanent Jubilee” during his ministry. “With his death and resurrection, our debts have been paid, our sins have been forgiven, and we have been given entrance into our new homeland [heaven].”
For the first episode, Bishop Serratelli was joined by Father Paul Manning, diocesan vicar for evangelization, and Msgr. Raymond Kupke, diocesan archivist and pastor of St. Anthony Parish in Hawthorne. He expounded on the Church’s tradition of a Jubilee, now every 25 years.
More videos to promote specific diocesan Jubilee events are forthcoming.
“We began the Jubilee with a standing-room-only opening Mass for the Jubilee in the diocese at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson on Dec. 29 and anticipate further excitement for the 30 or so events in pilgrimages throughout this calendar year,” Honsberger said.
Click here to learn more about getting involved in 2025 Jubilee celebrations.