PASTORAL LETTER OF THE UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF CANADA FOR THE JUBILEE YEAR 2025

PILGRIMS OF HOPE

To the Very Reverend Clergy,

Monastics, Religious Sisters and Brothers,

Seminarians, and Laity of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada:

Glory to Jesus Christ!

“Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5)

Dearly Beloved in Christ!

Pope Francis has declared 2025 to be a Jubilee Year with the uplifting theme of “Pilgrims of Hope.” This is a providential declaration, as the world hungers for a reason to hope and for the new beginning that lies at the heart of a “jubilee.” This is truly an exciting time for us and for the world in which we live!

The concept of a jubilee year is found in the Holy Scriptures from ancient times as a year of freedom and homecoming. Every fiftieth year, the trumpet was to be sounded throughout the land, ushering in a time of renewal, forgiveness, reconciliation, and honesty (cf. Leviticus 25:9 ff). It was a time to show glory and gratitude to the Lord God, Who grants us every blessing. It was not just a special year, but a new beginning between the rich and the poor, the weak and the strong, and a reason to move past long-held fears and grudges.

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, directly alluded to the new beginning initiated by a jubilee when He inspired the people in the synagogue of His hometown, Nazareth (Luke 4:16–21). There, He read from the Prophet Isaiah, who foreshadowed a profound Jubilee at the coming of the Messiah (Isaiah 58:6; 61:1 ff). When Jesus came, He proclaimed a Good News of freedom that went far beyond the physical; He offered Himself as the sacrifice that releases all from the slavery of sin and grants eternal life.

A History of Grace

In this spirit, the Church revived the concept of a Jubilee Year in the year 1300. Originally intended to occur every 100 years, the interval was later shortened to 50 and eventually every 25 years. Jubilee Years have also been declared for special anniversaries, such as the anniversaries of Christ’s Passion (1933 and 1983) or the 50th Anniversary of the close of the Second Vatican Council (the 2016 Year of Mercy).

As we approach the first quarterly Jubilee of the 21st century, we wish to fully understand the opportunities this year brings so that we may receive the maximum benefit of the grace it offers. In the past, those most relieved by a Jubilee were those who had fallen on hard times: those who had lost land, those sold into slavery, and those surrounded by hopelessness. Today, we rejoice at a renewed chance for true conversion!

We Begin with Confession and Holy Communion

Among the greatest treasures given to the Church are the Mysteries (the Sacraments). The “Sacraments of Initiation” and the “Mystery of Repentance” (Penance) are essential to our salvation. Through Baptism and Chrismation, we “put on Christ.” The most awesome Mystery, the Holy Eucharist—the living body, blood, and divinity of Christ—completes these Sacraments of initiation.[1] We are encouraged to receive the Eucharist often—even daily—as we make this earthly pilgrimage.[2]

To receive the Holy Eucharist worthily, we turn to the Mystery of Penance, commonly called “Confession.” These two Mysteries have a central role in the Jubilee Year; making a good Confession and receiving Holy Communion worthily are necessary conditions for receiving the Jubilee plenary indulgence.

A Sacrifice, An Offering, An Act of Faith

Living as a follower of Christ requires making an ongoing sacrifice and actively witnessing to our faith. Jesus spoke of the need to “deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).

When we make the effort to journey to the Lord—whether through a physical pilgrimage or an act of the heart—we never go away empty-handed. An offering of time, prayer, and a “pilgrimage” of one kind or another are linked to receiving a plenary indulgence for ourselves or for the deceased.

The Jubilee Indulgence

One of the special graces of this year is the Plenary (full) Indulgence. The Church defines this as “a grace granted through the merits of Jesus Christ to make reparation for the temporal punishment of sin.”

When we are forgiven in Confession, the guilt of sin is removed, but the spiritual consequences remain. We atone for these consequences in this life or the next (cf. Purgatory). The Church encourages the faithful to perform specific, achievable acts—receiving the Sacraments, making a Pilgrimage of Hope, and praying for the intentions of the Holy Father—to receive this purification.

Praying for the Deceased

For the Lord, all His children are alive. It is important to maintain the bond of love between the Church on earth and those who have departed.[3] In his Jubilee declaration, Pope Francis specifically asks us to remember the souls of the deceased in our prayers.[4]

Jubilee Pilgrimages and Events

Pope Francis will officially open the Jubilee Year in Rome on December 24, 2024. Locally, the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchies across Canada will open the Jubilee Year on Sunday, December 29, 2024, with a Special Divine Liturgy at their respective Cathedrals.

Specific pilgrimage sites and initiatives for 2025 include:

International Events in Rome

Our faithful are encouraged to participate in international gatherings, such as the Jubilee for Eastern Churches (May 12–14), the Jubilee for Youth (July 28–August 3), and the Jubilee for the Ukrainian Catholic Church (June 28).

The Jubilee is for Everyone

Those whose health or circumstances prevent them from traveling should not be dismayed. Those who cannot make a physical pilgrimage are invited to offer up the sufferings of their daily lives and participate in the Eucharistic celebration locally. If you cannot travel, please speak with your parish priest to arrange for the graces of the Jubilee to be brought to you.

This Jubilee can be a new, refreshing beginning for each of us and for our Church as a whole! May we all have a fulfilling Jubilee Year as we journey together as Pilgrims of Hope in Christ.

Given on December 15, 2024

On the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers

+ Lawrence Huculak, OSBM, Metropolitan Archbishop of Winnipeg

+ David Motiuk, Bishop of Edmonton

+ Bryan Bayda, C.Ss.R., Bishop of Toronto

+ Michael Kwiatkowski, Bishop of New Westminster

+ Michael Smolinski, C.Ss.R., Bishop of Saskatoon

+ Andriy Rabiy, Auxiliary Bishop of Winnipeg

+ Michael Wiwchar, C.Ss.R., Bishop Emeritus of Saskatoon

+ Stephen Chmilar, Bishop Emeritus of Toronto

[1] Christ – Our Pascha, 432-436.

[2] CCEO, cc. 378, 473, 881.

[3] Christ – Our Pascha, 250.

[4] Spes non confundit (May 9, 2024).