Une année jubilaire

Abstract

The first Jubilee of which we have clear record was proclaimed by Pope Boniface VIII in the year 1300. It was intended by him to be celebrated every hundred years. When the middle of the fourteenth century was reached, Clement VI was earnestly besought by the people of Rome to proclaim another Jubilee, this time a true Jubilee as occurring after a fifty years' interval. But in 1450 this period was replaced with a twenty-five years jubilee, so that every generation of Christians might normally hope to see during the time of their lifetime the occurrence of at least one such holy year of pardon. From 1475, when this arrangement first came into force, the celebration succeeded each other uninterruptedly every twenty-five years. The omission of the Jubilees of 1800 and 1850 was due to political disturbances. The most distinctive feature in the ceremonial of the Jubilee is the unwalling and the final walling up of the «holy door » (Porta Santa) in each of the four great basilics which the pilgrims are required to visit. The precise conditions for gaining each Jubilee or plenary Indulgence are determined by the Roman pontiff, and they are usually announced in a special Bull. The popes have constantly exercised their prerogative of conceding to all the faithful indulgences «ad instar jubilaei» which are commonly known as «extraordinary Jubilees». In our time the Holy Year remains a season of grace and spiritual renovation for many Christians.