Freepik
Since it is the vital event in Christianity, Jubilee 2025 presents an opportunity of a lifetime that ushers these pilgrims back out of rediscovery and celebration of their religion in depth. This holy year is celebrated every twenty-five years through the spiritual renewal of the self by Christians through pilgrimage to sacred places of adoration. Imagine all these great places that give an unforgettable, enlightening experience when you are planning your Jubilee 2025 trip. Make sure everything, from the Jubliee 2025 pilgrimage kit, is ready well in time to avoid any last-minute mishaps.
The Great Rome
Dive right into the midst of Jubilee festivities in Rome. Rome is a city steeped in religious history and is home to the Vatican, the hub of the Christian faith, with the leading derivative being St. Peter’s Basilica. During Jubilee years, pilgrims open the Holy Door so as to participate in special Masses and papal audiences. Other basilicas in Rome have special places of worship and meditation that stand out, like the Santa Maria Maggiore, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and St. John Lateran. When you walk the ancient streets of Rome, you find it easy to reflect on the early days of the Christian community and their continuing legacy in the Church.
The Sacred Assisi
Stop by Assisi on your way out of Rome to visit the birthplace of one of Christianity’s most beloved saints: St. Francis. Nestled in the soft Umbrian Hills lies this pretty town, an oasis of calm and respect. The saint’s tomb and the magnificent frescoes painted by Giotto can be found inside the UNESCO World Heritage Site Basilica of St. Francis. Assisi is the most appropriately located town, with serene surroundings and a storied history of St. Francis’s humble but deep-seated beliefs that were sufficient for contemplation and spiritual rejuvenation. Escape into this, a charming town with gently flowing lanes, historic churches, and breathtaking views, away from noise of the larger cities.
Next Stop, Jerusalem
Jerusalem is unmatched in its significance to Christians. Travel from Assisi to Jerusalem. To many, Jerusalem represents deep spiritual value since it is where Jesus was crucified and resurrected. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre encircles the very area of crucifixion and the tomb, while Via Dolorosa is the road Jesus is said to have walked toward Calvary. They can further put themselves in Jesus’ shoes while praying and meditating out in the Garden of Gethsemane and also on the Mount of Olives. That is to say, witnessing the rich tapestry of religion, culture, and heritage that is Jerusalem—truly a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Lourdes
This would be followed by the French shrine of Lourdes, where in 1858, St. Bernadette Soubirous had apparitions of the Virgin Mary, among other miraculous healings. It is visited by millions of people annually to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in search of relief both physical and spiritual.
Travel to Spain
Finally, a visit to Spain’s Santiago de Compostela offers the unique chance of merging physical with spiritual travel. According to legend, the bones of St. James the Apostle are preserved in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, along a set of pilgrim ways to the town called Camino de Santiago—or even by its more widely used English translation, Way of St. James. The Camino provides an opportunity for spiritual growth via contemplation, prayer, and camaraderie with other travellers. By the time you arrive in Church, you are in time to attend the Pilgrim’s Mass and watch the Botafumeiro or large thurible swung across the ceiling in a ritual of the service. There is no feeling quite like reaching the end of your Camino-it’s a marathon both physically and spiritually completed.
Final Words
Different activities are planned to welcome pilgrims into these places of pilgrimage to participate in the Jubilee year in 2025. Indeed, the reality at each of these places of pilgrimage has much—not insignificant—to contribute to spiritual growth and reflection. The pilgrimage is a journey of faith, discovery, and renewal. In meandering through these shrines, you will engage with Jubilee joy as you deepen your relationship with Christianity and its enduring legacy in the world.
