General
Jubilee of Priests USCCB Resource Packet (English)
Pilgrims on the Way of Hope: A Resource for the Jubilee of Priests
Jubilee 2025: Pilgrims of Hope
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Jubilee of Priests: Resource Packet
June 25-27, 2025
INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW
The Holy See has designated a number of Jubilee Days throughout 2025 to recognize and celebrate different groups of people and various ministries in the Church.
The Jubilee of Priests will be held from Wednesday, June 25, to Friday, June 27, 2025; however, these resources can be used for engaging and celebrating priests at any time throughout the Jubilee Year.
In the Catholic Church, priests are ordained men who share in the ministry of Christ through their preaching and administration of the sacraments in their diocese, eparchy or religious institute or society of apostolic life. The office of the priesthood, instituted by Christ and passed down through the apostles, conforms men to “Christ the Priest in such a way that they can act in the person of Christ the Head" (Second Vatican Council, Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests (Presbyterorum Ordinis), no. 2). Through their preaching, prayer, and celebration of the sacraments, priests guide the body of Christ to the Father.
Priests serve God "in the midst of the flock [where] they adore Him in spirit and in truth,” offering their voluntary poverty, chastity, and obedience as a sacrifice to God (Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, no. 28). The practice of the evangelical counsels serves as a means for priests to reach the perfection of charity (Second Vatican Council, Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests (Presbyterorum Ordinis), no. 14). Priests grow in charity in a particular way through the celebration of the Eucharist, which brings about “a bond of priestly perfection which draws their life and activity to unity and coordination" (Ibid., no. 14). A priest’s life images the life of Christ when centered around the Eucharist: a life dedicated to bringing others to the Father out of an unwavering love of God himself (Ibid., no. 14).
This resource packet is for anyone who finds it useful. It can be used and/or adapted by dioceses, eparchies, or religious institute or society of apostolic life, parishes, schools, campuses, apostolates, movements, organizations, or individuals to plan their celebration of the Jubilee of Priests. It might also serve as a catalyst or inspiration for the creation and development of local or year round resources for those active in this ministry.
For priests who are making a Jubilee pilgrimage to Rome or to a designated special place (or particular Jubilee celebration) in a diocese or eparchy within the United States during 2025, this packet can also serve as an aid in the preparation or experience of that trip.
Additional resources for the Jubilee of Priests and other celebrations can be found online at the USCCB Jubilee Year web pages: available in English at https://www.usccb.org/committees/ jubilee-2025 and available in Spanish at https:// www.usccb.org/es/committees/jubileo-2025.
FOR MORE, PLEASE CONTNUE TO THE LINK BELOW.