To truly understand what the Jubilee is, we need to journey back to the ancient Jewish tradition during the time of Moses, around 1200 BC. According to the Bible, God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. This day, known as the Sabbath, or Shabbat in Hebrew, became a symbol of rest and renewal.

The concept of rest extended beyond the seventh day. Every seven years, there was a special year called the sabbatical year. It was a time of liberation and renewal: slaves were freed, debts were forgiven, and even the land itself rested, with no cultivation.

Then, every 49 years (7 cycles of 7 years), a unique year was proclaimed with the sound of a ram’s horn called the Yobel. This is where the term “Jubilee” originates, signifying celebration and joy. During the Jubilee year, properties were returned to their original owners, and every Jewish slave was set free. It was a time of total renewal—spiritual, social, and environmental.

Centuries later, in the Middle Ages, Pope Boniface VIII sought to revive this tradition within Christianity. In 1300, he proclaimed the first Roman Jubilee in history through the papal bull Antiquorum habet fida relatio. Since then, the Jubilee has become a universal celebration within the Catholic Church, rich in spiritual and historical significance.

Today, the Jubilee is not only an opportunity for reflection and renewal of faith but also a chance to reconnect with ancient traditions that resonate deeply, bridging past and present in a powerful way.