Factbox: A guide to Jubilee years in the Catholic Church

(ANSA) - Rome, March 16 - Pope Francis declared an extraordinary Holy Year, or Jubilee, on the theme of divine mercy, to begin on December 8 and continue until November 20, 2016. Here are a few facts related to Jubilee celebrations at the Vatican.
    1. What is the history of a Jubilee year? In the ancient Hebrew tradition, the Jubilee year was celebrated every 50 years and designed to rebalance rights and justice. It would offer families that had lost property and sometimes their freedom an opportunity change their circumstances. It was also a reminder to the rich of their obligations to the poor and a reminder that slaves could again become their equals.
    2. What is the history of a Jubilee year in the Catholic context? The Catholic Church says its Jubilee years give a more spiritual meaning to the justice and mercy issues, by including a general pardon and an indulgence open to all. It is the year of the remission of sins and punishment of sins, reconciliation, conversion and sacramental penance.
    3. What is the purpose of a Jubilee year? In addition to the remission of sins and reconciliation, a Holy Year is aimed at providing an opportunity to deepen an individual's faith.
    4. What are some of the initial rituals involved in a Jubilee? The event begins with the opening of the Holy Door in St.
    Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. The door normally remains sealed, opening only for Jubilee years and remains open throughout the Holy Year. After that door is opened, similar Holy Doors in Rome's other three major basilicas are also opened, including St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls and Santa Maria Maggiore. 5. What is the significance of opening the Holy Door? The act symbolically provides an "extraordinary journey" for the faithful toward salvation. 6. When was the first Jubilee in the Catholic Church? The very first was called in the year 1300 by Pope Boniface VIII.
    7. What is the significance of the start date of the next Jubilee? The opening of the Jubilee on December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception which is also the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council in 1965. This is of great significance, for it provides an impetus for the Church to continue the work begun at Vatican II.
    8. When will this Jubilee close? On November 20, 2016 with the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.
    9. Why is this called an 'extraordinarily' Holy Year? The Catholic Church generally holds its ordinary jubilees every 25 years, but extraordinary jubilees can be called to mark an event of special importance or when a pope senses a strong need.
    10. What is the theme of the upcoming Jubilee? Pope Francis has called this Holy Year to focus on divine mercy, which has been a recurring theme for this pontiff.
    11. When was the most recent Jubilee? Pope John Paul II celebrated an ordinary Jubilee Year in 2000.
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