Christian Cyclopedia

Also called Holy Years. In 1300 Boniface VIII (see Popes, 12) offered plenary indulgence to all the faithful who, in 1300 and every 100th yr. thereafter, would make a stated number of daily visits to the chs. of Peter and Paul in Rome with pious prayer and penitent confession. A yr. of Jubilee was celebrated again 1350 (by a 1342 decree of Clement VI [Pierre Roger; 1291–1352; b. Correze, Fr.; pope 1342–52]) and 1390 (by direction of Urban VI [Bartolommeo Prignani; 1318–89; b. Naples, It.; pope 1378–89], who set the cycle at 33 yrs. on the analogy of the length of Christ's life). Further adjustments were made in the 15th c.; in 1470 Paul II (Pietro Barbo; 1417–71; b. Venice, It.; pope 1464–71), in view of the shortness of human life, reduced the time to 25 yrs. beginning 1475. Jubilees usually begin with opening of the “holy doors” of the basilicas of Peter, Paul, John Lateran, and Mary Major at Vespers December 24. Essential modern ceremonies were specified by Alexander VI (see Popes, 18). Twentieth-century Holy Years include 1933, 1975, 198##