Saint John Paul wrote, “Since the publication of the very first document of my Pontificate, I have spoken explicitly of the Great Jubilee, suggesting that the time leading up to it be lived as ‘a new Advent.’ …preparing for the Year 2000 has become as it were a hermeneutical key of my Pontificate.”
There were many poignant moments during that special Jubilee year, beginning with the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter on Christmas night. The Holy Father, suffering from Parkinsons, fell to his knees at the opening of the door, seeming to carry the weight of the Church and the world on his shoulders as he carried it through this symbol of mercy and new life.
Mass of Pardon
On March 12, 2000, John Paul II celebrated a special Mass to ask God’s forgiveness for the sins committed by members of the Church in the past, particularly those committed in the name of the Church. After the homily, various Cardinal led the congregation in asking the Lord’s mercy for a variety of sins, including those committed in the service of the truth, those that had harmed the unity of the Body of Christ, sins against the Jewish people, and sins against the rights of people and cultures and women.
Travels
John Paul II also made historical trips during the Jubilee year, traveling to the Holy Lands of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Palestine. These were powerful trips from a Holy Father who had close Jewish friends and had been deeply affected by World War II. It had been a lifelong hope of John Paul II to visit the Holy Land. He became the first Pope to visit the Upper Room since St. Peter.
“Yesterday, from the heights of Mount Nebo I looked across the Jordan Valley to this blessed land. Today, it is with profound emotion that I set foot in the Land where God chose to “pitch his tent” (Jn 1:14; cf. Ex 40:34-35; 1 Kgs 8:10-13), and made it possible for man to encounter him more directly.
In this year of the two thousandth anniversary of the Birth of Jesus Christ, it has been my strong personal desire to come here and to pray in the most important places which, from ancient times, have seen God’s interventions, the wonders he has done. “You are the God who works wonders. You showed your power among the peoples” (Ps 77:15).”
Jubilee Days
Throughout the year, special days were dedicated to a certain sector of society. This included everything from scientists to the entertainment world, from families to Apostolic nuncios. One of these was World Youth Day, when 2 million young people came to Rome.
The Vatican has announced that something similar will happen for the Jubilee 2025. You can find the list of special dates here. Verso will be traveling to Rome for a number of these special events! Interested in joining us? You can find more information here.
