The Holy Year, or Jubilee, is an exceptional period in the life of the Catholic Church. Decreed by the Pope, it is marked by special indulgences and invitations to deep conversion. When a Holy Year coincides with Lent, the opportunity for spiritual renewal is even greater. This forty-day period, already dedicated to prayer, fasting and almsgiving, then takes on an exceptional jubilee dimension, in which each member of the faithful is called to live divine mercy to the full and to draw closer to Christ.
The meaning of Lent in the Holy Year
Lent in the Holy Year is an invitation to live the pillars of the Christian faith more intensely. This period of penance and conversion takes place in an exceptional setting in which the Church encourages the faithful to renew their commitment to God and to their fellow man. Jubilee indulgences provide an opportunity to experience a deep inner purification, by receiving divine forgiveness and performing acts of charity and prayer.
In this dynamic, every Christian is called to review their spiritual journey and intensify their relationship with Christ. Going through the Holy Door, regular confession and involvement in concrete acts of mercy become privileged ways of living Lent under the sign of the Jubilee.
The essential practices of Lent in the Holy Year
1. In-depth prayer
Prayer is at the heart of Lent, but in the Holy Year it must take an even more important place in the life of the believer. It is recommended to:
Participate regularly in the Eucharist, especially during the week, to nourish one's faith.
Recite the rosary and meditate on the mysteries of Christ's Passion.
Read and meditate on the Word of God, especially the passages on mercy and conversion.
Participate in spiritual retreats and times of adoration to deepen one's personal bond with God.
2. Fasting and penance
Fasting is a traditional Lenten practice, symbolising the renunciation of earthly pleasures in order to refocus on what is essential. In the Holy Year, this renunciation can take the form of:
A more rigorous food fast, limiting excessive consumption and avoiding superfluous distractions.
A spiritual fast, depriving ourselves of that which distances us from God (excessive media consumption, useless words, anger, etc.).
A commitment to simplify our lifestyle and adopt an attitude of humility and service.
3. Confession and the Sacrament of Reconciliation
In the Holy Year, the Church particularly encourages confession. This sacrament makes it possible to receive the grace of divine forgiveness and to set out again on a path of holiness.
It is advisable to go to confession regularly and to make a thorough examination of conscience.
Receiving the sacrament of reconciliation makes it possible to benefit from jubilee indulgences and to experience divine mercy to the full.
4. Almsgiving and charity
Lent is a time for generosity and sharing. In the Holy Year, charity takes on a special dimension:
Providing concrete help to the most needy, through donations, time or involvement in charitable associations.
Practising corporal works of mercy (feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, helping the homeless) and spiritual works of mercy (forgiving, encouraging, educating).
Dispensing with superfluous possessions to help those in need.
5. Passing through the Holy Door
One of the emblematic acts of the Holy Year is passing through the Holy Door, a sign of profound spiritual renewal. Every member of the faithful is invited to go through this door with a purified heart, as a symbolic passage towards a renewed life in Christ. This act must be accompanied by confession, the reception of the Eucharist and a prayer for the Pope's intentions.
Living Lent as a path towards Easter
Lent in the Holy Year is a privileged time to move forward on a path of holiness and renewal. This liturgical season invites Christians to refocus on what is essential, to deepen their relationship with God and to become actively involved in the life of the Church and the community.
By preparing their hearts for the Resurrection of Christ, the faithful can thus experience a profound and lasting spiritual renewal. The Holy Year is a unique opportunity to experience a Lent marked by grace, mercy and hope, in the perspective of the new life Christ offers us through his Passion and victory over death.
