In the Jubilee Year, Rome becomes a focal point for Catholic pilgrims seeking spiritual renewal and indulgences. The city is rich in sacred sites and traditions that offer unique opportunities for believers to deepen their faith and experience the mercy of God. For pilgrims visiting Rome during the Jubilee Year, there are several essential things to do to fully immerse themselves in this special time of grace.

Passing Through the Holy Doors in Jubilee Year

The Four Major Basilicas

At the heart of the Jubilee Year are the four Holy Doors which symbolise passages to spiritual renewal and grace. These doors serve as portals to divine mercy and forgiveness. Passing through these doors, with sincere repentance and devotion, grants pilgrims plenary indulgences, remitting all temporal punishment due to sin.

Each basilica holds a unique significance. St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world, stands as the epicentre of Catholicism. St. John Lateran, the Cathedral and so highest ranking basilica in Rome, is the mother church of Christianity. St. Mary Major, with its breathtaking beauty, honours the Blessed Virgin Mary. Finally, St. Paul Outside the Walls venerates the relics of the apostle Paul, offering solace to pilgrims.

The Jubilee indulgence can be gained by passing through the Holy Doors of the four major basilicas in Rome, where the faithful can also participate in liturgical celebrations and devotions in order to deepen their faith.

Conditions for Indulgences During the Jubilee

To receive the Jubilee indulgence, pilgrims must make a pious pilgrimage to one of the major basilicas, intend to receive the indulgence, receive sacramental Confession and Holy Communion within a few days of the indulgenced act, and pray for the good intentions of the Pope. Additionally, acts of penance and charity, such as fasting, donating to the poor, and supporting works of social benefit are encouraged as expressions of the penitential spirit of the Jubilee.

Through these acts, believers receive the abundant grace of God, nourishing their souls and deepening their relationship with God and His Church.

Climbing the Holy Steps in Jubilee Year

The Holy Steps

Adjacent to the Basilica of St. John Lateran lies the Scala Sancta, or Holy Stairs, revered as the staircase that Christ ascended during his trial before Pontius Pilate. Encased in marble, these twenty-eight steps are a sacred relic, attracting pilgrims seeking spiritual purification and redemption.

The steps were brought to Rome by St. Helena in 326 along with a plethora of Christ’s Relics and other sacred treasures of Christendom, all with the blessing of the Bishop of Jerusalem. St Helena was the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, who is credited with the legalisation of Christianity in 303 and Rome, being the epicentre of the empire, was a far safer and more appropriate place to store the patrimony of what would eventually become the world’s major religion. 

Climbing these steps on one’s knees is a traditional act of penance and devotion, offering pilgrims the opportunity to meditate on Christ’s Passion and seek spiritual purification.

NB: A few of our tours pass by the Holy Steps and talk about, for example, the Holy of Holies and the Acheiropoieta, but we do not usually stop the tour to climb the steps on our knees, as that takes around 40 minutes to do properly. Instead we encourage those of the faith who join our tours to go to the Holy Steps and partake in the tradition in their own time. It’s free to do so and the Church is open 6.00 am-1.00 pm and 3.00 pm-6.00 pm every day. Our standalone St John Lateran & Holy Steps Tour visits here at around midday so there’s a perfect opportunity at that point.   

Conditions for Indulgences

The Jubilee indulgence associated with the Holy Steps requires pilgrims to climb the steps on their knees, with an indulgence of 9 years per step being offered according to the old grants.  To gain the indulgence, Pilgrims should observe the universal conditions of indulgence (see above) with many pilgrims meditating on the mysteries of the faith in the Holy Rosary and seeking reconciliation with God through penance. This act of physical and spiritual exertion symbolises the journey of conversion and reconciliation that the Jubilee calls believers to undertake.

Other Important Sites for Catholic Pilgrims

The Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem

This basilica is one of the additional places designated for pilgrimage during the Jubilee Year, where pilgrims can seek the plenary indulgence by participating in liturgical celebrations and acts of devotion. Santa Croce is also the climactic location of our flagship Via Crucis Pilgrim Tour.

The Pantheon

Originally a pagan temple, the Pantheon now serves as a Christian church, housing the tombs of notable figures including the great renaissance artist Raphael. Its architecture and spiritual ambiance draw pilgrims seeking divine inspiration. Nearby, the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, with its Gothic beauty and Michelangelo’s sculpture of Christ the Redeemer, offers moments of prayer and reflection.

Catacombs 

For pilgrims seeking solace and reflection, the Catacombs of Rome provide a poignant reminder of early Christian martyrdom. These underground burial sites, adorned with frescoes and inscriptions, testify to the faith and courage of the early Church. Visiting these sacred grounds offers a profound encounter with the martyrs’ legacy and the enduring power of faith. There are several catacombs sites, among them Santa Priscilla, San Domitilla and San Callisto are the best known.   Read about our Rome Catacombs Tour to see what we offer!

Acts of Charity and Mercy

In addition to visiting sacred sites and participating in religious ceremonies, pilgrims are encouraged to perform acts of charity and mercy towards those in need, reflecting Christ’s call to serve the marginalised and vulnerable.

As the eternal city celebrates the Jubilee Year, devout Catholics embark on a sacred quest, seeking blessings, indulgences and a deeper connection with God and their faith. With a rich tapestry of religious sites and traditions, Rome offers a profound pilgrimage experience and the Jubilee Year offers a unique opportunity for Catholic pilgrims to seek reconciliation with God and experience the transformative power of mercy and grace. By participating in the traditions of passing through the Holy Doors, climbing the Holy Steps and engaging in acts of charity, believers can enrich their spirituality and draw closer to the heart of the Church. 

In the Jubilee Year, Rome beckons pilgrims with open arms, offering a transformative spiritual journey. From the Holy Doors to the Holy Steps, and myriad sacred sites in between, the eternal city invites believers to deepen their faith, seek forgiveness, and embrace divine mercy. As pilgrims traverse this hallowed ground, they embark on a pilgrimage of the soul, drawing closer to God and experiencing the timeless beauty of Catholic tradition.

May all pilgrims who visit Rome during the Jubilee Year be blessed with abundant graces and renewed fervour in their faith journey.