The Holy Year or Jubilee of Hope, declared by Pope Francis for 2025, offers Catholics around the world a unique opportunity for spiritual renewal, deeper engagement with the Church’s mission, and personal growth in faith. For Catholic professionals, this Jubilee presents a chance to reflect on how their work, relationships, and daily lives can become more aligned with the teachings of the Church and contribute to the building of God’s Kingdom on earth. As the Church enters this momentous occasion, here are five ways you can make the most of the Jubilee Year 2025.
1. Embrace the Call to Holiness in Daily Life
Pope Francis has consistently emphasized that holiness is not reserved for a select few but is a universal call for all Christians, including those who represent the majority in the Church: lay people. The Jubilee Year offers an opportunity to deepen this understanding and to strive for sanctity in the ordinary moments of professional and personal life. For Catholic professionals, this means reflecting on how their work—whether in business, healthcare, education, law, or any other field—can be a means of living out Christian values. Acts of honesty, integrity, justice, and charity in the workplace are all ways to manifest God's love in daily life.
As you prepare for the Jubilee, consider how your work can reflect a deeper commitment to the common good. Can you bring a sense of justice to your professional decisions? Can you treat colleagues with greater empathy and respect, fostering a work culture that reflects Christian charity? These are vital questions that can help you transform your work into an expression of holiness.
2. Make Time for Spiritual Reflection and Conversion
The Jubilee is traditionally a time for pilgrimage, penance, and reconciliation. While physical pilgrimage to Rome or other sacred sites may be part of your Jubilee observance, the internal pilgrimage toward deeper conversion is just as important. Catholic professionals can use this year to intensify their prayer life and engage in regular spiritual reflection. Setting aside time each day for prayer—whether it is the Angelus, the Rosary, the meditative reading of Scripture, or any other Catholic devotions—can help you grow closer to God.
Additionally, the Sacrament of Reconciliation holds particular significance during a Holy Year. If it has been some time since you last went to confession, the Jubilee Year is the ideal moment to receive the grace of reconciliation. Pope Francis has stressed that confession is a powerful means to experience God’s mercy and healing, especially during a time of special grace like the Jubilee of Hope.
3. Engage in Acts of Mercy and Service
In the spirit of the Jubilee, Pope Francis has highlighted the importance of mercy, both receiving and extending it to others. Catholic professionals can embody this principle by taking active steps to serve others, particularly the marginalized and the poor. Whether through volunteering, providing pro-bono services, or advocating for the protection of human dignity, the Holy Year is an opportunity to deepen your commitment to charity and mercy.
Moreover, this is a time to reflect on how your professional skills can be used for the good of others. Are there ways you can align your work more closely with the needs of those most in need? Can you mentor young professionals or create opportunities for those on the margins to access the resources and opportunities they need? By doing so, you not only serve others but also live out the call to be "salt of the earth" and "light of the world" (Matthew 5:13-14).
4. Participate in Church and Community Events
The Jubilee Year brings with it a host of events, both local and global, that will allow you to engage more deeply with the Church. Catholics can take part in local liturgies, prayer services, and other initiatives designed to mark the Holy Year. Participating in diocesan or parish pilgrimages, special Masses, or volunteer activities not only helps you grow spiritually but also builds community within the Church.
Consider organizing or participating in events that bring together Catholics for prayer, reflection, and fellowship. This could be an opportunity to share experiences and support one another in living out the faith in all contexts. Engaging with fellow Catholics in this way can deepen your sense of mission and foster a stronger, more vibrant faith community.
5. Reflect on Your Personal and Professional Mission
The Jubilee Year invites all Catholics to rediscover and renew their personal relationship with God and their sense of mission in the world. For Catholic professionals, this is a great time to reflect on your professional vocation as part of your overall calling as a disciple of Christ. How does your work contribute to the flourishing of society? Are there areas where you could make a greater impact for the common good? This year of grace offers a moment to discern how you can be a more faithful and effective witness to the Gospel in your profession.
Professionals may want to consider how their careers contribute to the development of a culture of life, dignity, and solidarity. Whether through ethical decision-making or works of mercy, what you do can be an avenue for fulfilling the Church's mission to heal the brokenness of the world.
Embracing Hope
The Jubilee 2025 offers Catholic professionals an exceptional opportunity to renew their faith, deepen their commitment to holiness, and contribute to the transformation of society. By embracing spiritual reflection, engaging in acts of mercy, and aligning their professional lives with the teachings of Christ, Catholic professionals can make this Holy Year a transformative moment in their personal and professional lives. As Pope Francis reminds us, the Jubilee is a time of grace, and by participating fully in its spiritual and social dimensions, we can experience the profound renewal that it offers.
