251 A Year of the Lord's Favor - Joan Watson on the Jubilee Year of Hope

AMDG. “Go be a pilgrim of hope! There’s somebody in your life who needs the story of hope.”  

Pilgrimage leader, author, and catechist Joan Watson joins the Kolbecast to share everything you need to know about the Jubilee Year of Hope. Joan explains the biblical and historical roots of the Jubilee Year, and how the laity were the impetus behind the first Jubilee. She dissects the imagery behind the special Jubilee doors opened only once every twenty-five years and reveals ways to receive indulgences this year without even leaving your hometown. Joan gives her advice for those traveling to Rome, the must-see pilgrimage sites she visited this year, fasting recommendations for the Jubilee Year, and so much more. 

Links mentioned & relevant Kolbecast episodes: 

• Joan’s book Opening the Holy Door 

• Opening the Holy Door small group discussion guide 

• Kolbecast episode 235 The Disposition of Pilgrimage 

• Kolbe 2025 Commencement site named an official pilgrimage church in Georgia 

• Kolbe Academy 2025 Commencement registration form 

• Kolbecast episode 160 A Legendary Occasion, reflections and observances from those who attended Kolbe Academy’s 2023 Commencement 

• Pope Francis’s letter Spes Non Confundit ( “Hope Does Not Disappoint”) 

• Pope Benedict’s encyclical Spe Salvi (“On Christian Hope”) 

• Katie Bogner’s blog post on the Holy Door on her blog Look to Him and Be Radiant 

• Kolbecast episodes 184 and 248 with Katie Bogner & Shari Van Vranken 

• John Bergsma’s book Jesus and the Jubilee: The Biblical Roots of the Year of God’s Favor 

More about and with Joan: 

• website 

• Substack 

• YouTube channel 

• In Via podcast by Verso Ministries 

Other related links: 

• US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website feature on Jubilee 2025 

• Vatican Jubilee 2025 website: Iubilaeum 2025 

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