Stephen Binz has been traveling with Select International Tours for over ten years, leading pilgrimages to sacred places throughout the world. He is the founder and author of Threshold Bible Study, used in Catholic parishes throughout the world, and he has written several pilgrimage books, including Holy Land Pilgrimage, The Way of Mercy: Pilgrimage in Catholic Poland, Saint Peter: Flawed, Forgiven, and Faithful, and Saint Junipero Serra’s Camino: A Pilgrimage Guide to the California Missions.
Q: Stephen, why are you looking forward to the upcoming Jubilee Year in 2025?
A Jubilee is a celebration of the universal church. They don’t come around very often; for some people it’s only once in a lifetime. I have fond memories of my first visit to Rome in 1975, during the first Jubilee of my lifetime. I was a college sophomore, enjoying a semester at the Rome campus of the University of Dallas. I clearly recall my first sight of St. Peter’s, passing through the Holy Doors, and experiencing the glories of the Eternal City. Now, 50 years later, I look forward to traveling to Rome as a more mature and seasoned disciple, to again experience the wonders of another Jubilee.
Q: Could you shed some light on the historical roots of the Jubilee? Where did this profound idea originate?
The Jubilee finds its origins in ancient Israel. The book of Leviticus tells us that a jubilee year was to occur every 50th year—at the end of every seven Sabbath years. During the Jubilee, slaves and prisoners were freed, debts were be forgiven, and the mercies of God were markedly displayed. The first Jubilee in the Catholic tradition occurred in 1300, proclaimed by Pope Boniface VIII, also emphasizing the themes of forgiveness, freedom, and mercy. By 1475, the time frame of the Jubilee was changed from every 50 years to every 25 years, so that more people would be able to experience at least one Holy Year in their lifetime.
Q: Stephen, what exactly is a “Jubilee Year” in our time and place? Why is it such a special event?
Throughout the centuries, these holy years have continued to emphasize forgiveness from God, reconciliation within families and with adversaries, and conversion of hearts to Jesus Christ. We might say that during a Jubilee, the floodgates of God’s merciful grace are opened wide. Lots of special Masses and events are scheduled throughout the year, in dioceses and especially in Rome. It is most especially a time of pilgrimage, and during this year in Rome, we will be able to experience most visibly, what James Joyce said of Catholicism: “Here comes everybody.” The theme and logo for Jubilee 2025 is “Pilgrims of Hope.”
Q: What exactly is a Plenary Indulgence for participating in the Jubilee?
The Catholic Church continues the ancient tradition of forgiveness of debts through what are called indulgences, and in particular the “plenary (full) indulgence” of the Jubilee. Because this practice is greatly misunderstood, it is important to realize that an indulgence is not the forgiveness of sins—only God can forgive sins, through the merits of Christ’s passion and the sacramental mediation of Christ’s Church. When God forgives our sins through the Sacrament of Penance, the “eternal punishment” that our sins deserve is forgiven. Yet, once forgiven, the wounds and effects of our sins remain, blocking the full action of the Holy Spirit within us. (For example, if I speak hateful words to my spouse, I may be forgiven for that sin, but the wounds and effects of that sin remain in our relationship, until I work to slowly regain trust. The same is true of our relationship with God: although God forgives our sins when we are sincerely sorry and confess them, the effects in our relationship with God remains until we work to remedy them.) The Church teaches that we must undergo this “temporal punishment” that sin creates either in this life or after death (through Purgatory) to remove the effects of sin and prepare us for the fullness of life with God. These temporal consequences of sin may be removed while we are still on earth by voluntarily uniting our sufferings with those of Christ and by our prayer and acts of charity.
Q: So, will everyone who goes to Rome in 2025 be forgiven of all their sins?
Yes, under certain conditions. The “eternal punishment” due to our sins will be forgiven by God through the sacrament of Penance, and the “temporal punishment” due to our sins will be removed through the plenary indulgence given through the Church during this Jubilee. Both sins and the punishment due to them are removed through the magnanimous grace of God’s mercy and the merits of Christ’s sacrificial love for us. The conditions for receiving a plenary indulgence in Rome are the following: 1) When on pilgrimage, pass through the Holy Door of one of the major basilicas of Rome; 2) Receive the Eucharist the day the act of indulgence is performed; 3) Receive sacramental confession twenty days before or after the day the graced action is performed; 4) Sincerely strive to detach completely from any affection for sin, both mortal and venial; 5) Offer prayers for our Holy Father the Pope and his intentions. A plenary indulgence may be granted once each day, either for oneself or for a deceased person who may be undergoing cleansing in Purgatory. In this way, the Church offers its members a share in the merits of the saints through the ages and the power of the keys given to St. Peter by Jesus, removing the temporal consequences that still remain from sins committed.
Q: Stephen, how can pilgrims ensure that they are fully prepared for a spiritual journey to Rome? Which of your books might be most helpful for those preparing for this Jubilee year?
Saint Peter: Flawed, Forgiven, and Faithful will help pilgrims experience the dynamics of sin, forgiveness, and faithful life in the church through the extraordinary life of St. Peter. In this work, I narrate my own pilgrimages in the footsteps of Peter the Apostle, traveling from Galilee to Jerusalem and on to Rome. By reading this book in advance, you will discover why Michaelangelo and Bernini designed St. Peter’s Basilica as they did and the fascinating story of how the bones of St. Peter have been rediscovered in the last century directly below the dome, baldacchino, and papal altar. Most importantly, I let Peter himself inspire you with this own faith as well as the legacy of his life and martyrdom over the past two thousand years.
Q: In addition to St. Peter’s Basilica and seeing the Pope, what other spiritually-significant sites would you suggest that pilgrims visit? How will these sites contribute to the spiritual journey of the pilgrims?
Jubilee pilgrims will certainly want to visit each of the four major basilicas of Rome: St. Peter’s, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran, and St. Mary Major. Each of these date from the early centuries of the Church and contain the tombs of the saints. They are distinguished during the Jubilee because each contain an open Holy Door, the threshold to God’s mercy, the passageway to divine life. In addition, pilgrims might want to visit the other major pilgrim churches of the city, which include the Basilica of Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls, the Basilica of the Holy Cross (Santa Croce), which contains relics of the crucifixion brought to Rome by St. Helen, and the Catacombs of St. Sebastian or one of the other catacombs of the city. Pilgrims might also seek reservations for a Scavi Tour, to explore the tombs beneath St. Peter’s leading to the tomb of Peter himself. There are also many lovely towns outside of Rome which might provide opportunities to get out of the busy city.
Q: I’ve heard that Rome will be crowded in 2025. What advice do you have for those who don’t like crowds?
If you have a phobia or an aversion to crowds, it might be better to visit Rome at another time. But if you want to experience the richness of the universal church, with pilgrims coming from every continent and culture, then register your place today. The facades of churches have been cleaned, great works of art have been restored, infrastructure projects are being completed—all to prepare for the pilgrims coming to the Eternal City.
Q: What else is in store to make this Jubilee a memorable one for pilgrims?
The Jubilee is traditionally a time for the canonization of new saints. Today there are two young Italians who have been approved for canonization—Blessed Carlo Acutis, a great model for teens, and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, a great inspiration for young adults. Many have speculated that these two might be canonized together as “companion saints” in the midst of the celebrations accompanying Jubilee 2025. It might be a great year for young Catholics, because these two saints certainly epitomize the eternal youth of Christ’s Church.
Q: Stephen, you have a trip planned for the Jubilee with Select International Tours. Can anyone join your trip?
Yes, indeed, my group departs the day after Easter, 2025. We’ll spend most of our time in Rome, then visit Assisi and Orvieto at the end. We’ll be coming from several states, but we are limited to one coach bus. Select International has been my indispensable partner in pilgrimage for ten years now. I consider them the best at personal service, planning, arrangements, and seeing to every detail for our pilgrims. You can find complete details at the Select website or at my own website where you can find my books, speaking topics, and pilgrimages: www.Bridge-B.com
Permission is given to reproduce this article for free, if proper credit is given: © Stephen J. Binz, © Select International Tours