Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

May Jesus and Mary be in your hearts.

As we prepare for our Advent journey and the anticipation of the birth of Jesus, be assured of my prayers and spiritual closeness.

You may be aware that the Catholic Church worldwide will be celebrating a special Jubilee Year in 2025. This has been a tradition dating back to the year 1300 when Pope Boniface VIII announced the first Jubilee, which is also referred to as a “Holy Year”. The frequency has changed over time, with a Jubilee year originally celebrated every 100 years, later every 50 years and, more recently, every 25 years or at the request of the Holy Father.

The Jubilee Year includes many celebrations within the city of Rome and also local initiatives in dioceses around the world. The theme of the 2025 Jubilee will be “Pilgrims of Hope”. In the words of Pope Francis: "We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision."

The Holy Father will open the Jubilee Year on December 24, 2024, with the official opening of the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica and continuing until January 6, 2026, the Solemnity of the Epiphany, with the closing of the Holy Door.

In the Archdiocese of Toronto, we will open the Jubilee Year with a Solemn Opening Mass taking place on Sunday, December 29, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica. I extend a warm invitation for you to join in this special celebration. Please note that the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available prior to the Eucharist from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

You will be hearing more about the Jubilee Year in your own parish and I pray this Holy Year will provide a grace-filled opportunity to nurture the seeds of faith for you and your loved ones, immersing ourselves as Pilgrims of Hope into a year-long journey of prayer, witness and service drawing on the example of Jesus, our Lord.

Resources for personal, family or parish use, along with helpful links and other information related to the Jubilee Year can be found by visiting: www.archtoronto.org/jubilee

I hope you will join us on Sunday, December 29 at 5:00 p.m. as we launch this special milestone in our faith journey. You and your loved ones will continue to remain close in prayer with special gratitude for all that you do to strengthen the Body of Christ in the Archdiocese of Toronto.

Sincerely Yours in Jesus with Mary,

Most Rev. Francis Leo
Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto