What is a jubilee?
Having worked only in the secular world before my employment with the diocese, I had just the most basic understanding of the word “jubilee.” I had only ever encountered the word used in African American spirituals (I have an extensive choral singing background).
But I believe I first heard the word in a Catholic context during my first communications department meeting, on my first day of work in July 2022, when the team began talking about how we would be recognizing the diocese’s 80th jubilee in 2023. I was sitting there, thinking to myself, “Let’s add that to the list of things I need to look up later…”
The Merriam-Webster definition of the word covers its most basic definition, its historical significance AND what it means to us as Catholics.
So here we go: 1a) a special anniversary—especially a 50th anniversary; 1b) a celebration of such an anniversary; 2a): jubilation; 2b) a season of celebration; 3) a year of emancipation and restoration provided by ancient Hebrew law to be kept every 50 years by the emancipation of enslaved Hebrews, restoration of alienated lands to their former owners, and omission of all cultivation of the land; 4a) a period of time proclaimed by the Roman Catholic pope ordinarily every 25 years as a time of special solemnity; 4b) a special plenary indulgence granted during a year of jubilee to Roman Catholics who perform certain specified works of repentance and piety; 5) a religious song of African Americans usually referring to a time of future happiness.
Contained in this special “Celebrations” issue of The Catholic Echo, you’ll find two variations of the word “jubilee.” From pages 26 to 38, you’ll encounter the first definition of the word—a special anniversary—as we cover the special anniversaries of parishes, church buildings and Catholic organizations across the diocese. From pages 12 to 20, you’ll encounter a slight variation of the word—“jubilarian” (a person celebrating a jubilee)—as we cover our diocesan priests and vowed religious who are celebrating the anniversary of their ordination or profession. Then, we cover the ordinations, from pages 22 to 25—the two gentlemen who were recently ordained will celebrate their special jubilees together for the rest of their lives.
And next year, all of us Catholics will encounter the fourth definition of the word “jubilee,” as Pope Francis has officially declared 2025 to be a jubilee year—meaning the local, diocesan and universal Church will have plenty of celebrations planned. Stay tuned for more details.
We hope you enjoy this special issue of The Catholic Echo! And please enjoy the rest of your summer.
Until next time,
Katie Wagner
