“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now.” (Romans 8:19–22)
As we look toward the 2025 Jubilee Year, we, as Catholics and environmental stewards, are called to reflect on the profound significance of this sacred time — not only for spiritual renewal but also for healing and renewing our relationship with all of God’s creation. The Jubilee Year, deeply rooted in Scripture and Church tradition, offers us a unique opportunity to restore both our spiritual lives and our planet.
The concept of the Jubilee Year originates in the Hebrew Scriptures, specifically in the Book of Leviticus. Every 50th year, the Israelites were commanded to observe a year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:8–55). It was a time when the land was to lie fallow, debts were forgiven, and ancestral lands were returned to their rightful owners. This was a moment of social, economic, and ecological renewal, a chance to reset relationships with one another and with the land. The rhythm of the Jubilee Year was meant to remind the Israelites that the earth ultimately belongs to God, and we are merely caretakers of it.
In the 21st century, the Church continues to interpret the message of the Jubilee Year as a call to repentance, restoration, and renewal — not just for individuals, but for all of creation. It is a time to rediscover the sacredness of creation and to act in solidarity with those most affected by environmental degradation.
As we celebrate the Jubilee of Hope, the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, and the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures, we hear a Spirit-filled call to renew our relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation. To mark this holy season, Catholic organizations across the United States are uniting to support pilgrims like you in planning or joining a Jubilee pilgrimage during the Season of Creation, taking place from September 1-October 4, 2025.
The Pilgrims of Hope for Creation initiative is designed to encourage Catholics to take a pilgrimage to a natural landmark of environmental justice site in their community. These pilgrimages are set to take place from Sept. 1 to Oct. 4, known as the Season of Creation, to celebrate the Jubilee of Hope, the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, and the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures. Over 22 Catholic and creation care organizations have stepped up to be part of this initiative, including Catholic Climate Covenant.
Why are pilgrimages and creation care initiatives important?
Pope Francis, in his groundbreaking encyclical Laudato Si’ (2015), beautifully articulates the Church’s teaching on creation care and its integral connection to human dignity and social justice. He reminds us that “the earth is essentially a shared inheritance, whose fruits are meant to benefit everyone” (Laudato Si’, 93). The Pope calls us to a conversion of heart, to rediscover our role as caretakers of God’s creation. He writes: “The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth” (Laudato Si’, 21).
These stark words invite us to reflect on the current environmental crisis, where deforestation, pollution, loss of biodiversity, and climate change threaten the stability of the ecosystems that sustain life. As we enter the 2025 Jubilee Year — which focuses on hope, the importance of making a pilgrimage, and seeing the world around us as we pilgrimage — these concerns take on greater urgency, calling us to act in ways that can reverse damage, heal wounds, and restore the balance of creation.
The Jubilee Year calls for forgiveness and liberation. Just as the original Jubilee freed people from debts and restored the land, we, too, are called to restore the Earth from the debts we have accumulated through our reckless consumption and disregard for the planet’s resources. In the context of modern environmental issues, the “debt” is not only an economic one, brought about by overconsumption and material waste, but a moral one. We owe it to future generations and to all living beings to restore harmony with the natural world.
What can you do?
The 2025 Jubilee Year presents a profound opportunity to reflect on our role in environmental stewardship and to take concrete steps toward healing and renewing creation. As Catholics, we can draw from a deep well of tradition, Scripture, and papal teaching to guide our efforts. Some ways we can embrace this Jubilee Year include:
- Promoting Sustainability: The Jubilee Year is a reminder to reduce our consumption and waste. We can seek out more sustainable ways of living — whether through reducing our carbon footprint and consumption, supporting ethical and eco-friendly businesses, or cultivating community gardens.
- Advocating for the Environment: The Vatican has called for significant political action to address climate change and environmental injustice. As we approach the 2025 Jubilee Year, let us raise our voices to advocate for policies that protect the Earth and its most vulnerable inhabitants.
- Prayer and Reflection: The spiritual aspect of the Jubilee Year cannot be overlooked. This is a time for prayer, penance, and reflection on our relationship with creation. It is also a time for communal action, coming together as a Church to work toward a shared vision of ecological justice. As this Jubilee Year focuses on hope, let us find hope and inspiration in creation and the world around us.
- POHFC: Sign up to host and/or join a Pilgrimage of Hope for Creation in your area to celebrate this historical year in the Church.
You can find more information on how to incorporate all of these elements into your life during the Jubilee Year by visiting the Covenant’s resources page.
As we prepare for this sacred time, let us pray for the courage to respond to God’s call to care for creation:
“Creator God, You have entrusted us with the care of Your creation. We ask for the strength and wisdom to be faithful stewards of the Earth, that we may protect the beauty and resources of the planet for future generations. May this Jubilee Year be a time of renewal, healing, and hope for all creation. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.”
The 2025 Jubilee Year is more than a time for personal reflection and growth — it is an opportunity for the global Church to take a collective step toward healing the Earth. By integrating the teachings of Scripture, the wisdom of the Church’s social doctrine, and the profound insights of Pope Francis in Laudato Si’, we are invited to renew our commitment to God’s creation and advocate for a world that reflects God’s love, justice, and mercy. Through prayer, action, and advocacy, we can make the 2025 Jubilee Year a time of profound environmental renewal.
