Jubilee Year
"No confidence",
"Hope Does Not Deceive"
(Romans 5:5)
(Year of yobel, jubilee, joy)
What is a Jubilee?
The term "jubilee" has two roots: "yobiel" (Hebrew), referring to the ram's horn used to announce a special year, and "jubilum" (Latin), the joyous cry of shepherds.
The Jewish Jubilee has its background in Leviticus 25, which refers to the Hebrew Sabbath year that came every 50 years, when the land was at rest, debts were forgiven, and slaves were freed.
Catholic jubilees have also been celebrated every 50 years, but in 1475 Pope Paul II ordained that they be celebrated every 25 years so that all generations could receive the grace of plenary indulgence.
Catholic Chofu Church Youth Pilgrimage Church
Pope Francis has announced that 2025 will be a Holy Year. In his Bull called "Hope Does Not Deceive," he designated 2025 as a Holy Year and invites us to celebrate it with the theme "Pilgrims of Hope."
Chofu Church has been designated as a pilgrimage church (especially for young people) by the Tokyo Diocese.
Holy Year 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope
https://www.cbcj.catholic.jp/catholic/holyyear/jubilee2025/
A Jubilee is a special celebration that the Church observes at least once every 25 years. It is a year of pilgrimage, focusing on the spiritual life,
It is a year in which we go to confession, celebrate special masses, and turn to God in thanksgiving and repentance.
The Holy Year will begin on December 24, 2024, with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
The Ordinary Jubilee will conclude with the closure of the door on the Feast of Epiphany on January 6, 2026.
Chofu Church will start as a pilgrimage church (especially for young people) on December 29, 2024.
The Jubilee Year is an opportunity to receive hope from God's grace and to be strengthened in our journey toward God.
We are called to be a source of hope to many in times of difficulty.
In order to share this blessing with many people, Chofu Church encourages people to interact with the relics in the church.
We are preparing a pilgrimage course for you to experience the presence of God.
Pilgrimage route information
Click to enlarge
Chofu Catholic Church
The parish, whose patron saint is St. John Bosco, was approved in 1967. The current church was built in 2008 and is located on the grounds of the Salesian Seminary. The Cimatti Hall (parish hall), which can be used for various events such as concerts, is also located next door.
Cathedral (outside)
The chapel of Chofu Church was designed based on the motif of the tabernacle where Moses met with God, and is a sacred place.
Tabernacle of Meeting
(Exodus 33:7-23)
"And when Moses entered the tabernacle, the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses. And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the door of the tabernacle, they rose up and worshiped, every man at the door of his tent. And the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend."
Cathedral (inside)
Inside the church, all the seats are arranged to face the altar and the cross of Jesus. There are also 12 small stained glass windows on both sides of the church, which represent the 12 apostles watching over the church.
Salesian Seminary Church
At the entrance, there is a replica of the painting "Father Kibe and the 187 Martyrs" by Ando Maki.
At the front of the church is the bronze statue of Jesus on the cross by Munehiro Ikeda. The reading stand and altar are inscribed in seal script with the words "Faith, Hope, and Love," which are the basic principles of Christian life.
Vincenzo Cimatti
Born in Faenza, Italy, he came to Japan in 1926 as a missionary for the Salesian Order, which focuses on the training of young people. He devoted himself to music and prayer, as well as to establishing churches, schools and orphanages, and did his utmost to evangelize Japan, before passing away in 1965. In 1991, the Church declared him "Venerable," acknowledging that he lived a heroic life of the virtues of "faith, hope and charity." Father Cimatti's body is enshrined in the Seminary Memorial Chapel. When an autopsy was performed 12 years after his death, it was confirmed that his body had not decayed and that his skin was still elastic, and he is still placed in a sarcophagus in the Memorial Chapel.
Cimatti Museum
This museum was built in 1983 on the grounds of the Salesio Seminary to commemorate the virtues of Father Cimatti and to preserve and study his materials. On the first floor is a music archive with a collection of over 950 pieces composed by his master. Halfway up the stairs are photographs from his time in Italy, and on the second floor are many exhibits, including his research and collections as a doctor of natural sciences, his maestro diplomas on music theory, harmony, and other drafts and handwritten notes on all areas of music, as well as 6,300 letters collected to date, and an introduction to his missionary life in Japan.
Father Chiara's grave
The gravestone that stands quietly in front of the museum is that of Father Giuseppe Chiara, who was the model for Rodrigo, the protagonist of Shusaku Endo's "Silence." In the 17th century, there was a "Kirishima House" near Myogadani Station in Bunkyo Ward, where ten missionary priests who renounced their faith in 1643 were interred. Father Chiara died of illness in 1685 and was buried at Koishikawa Muryoin Temple, but in 1943 Father Tassinari of the Salesian Society discovered the gravestone and moved it to Chofu Theological Seminary. It is currently designated as a cultural property of Chofu City.
Replica of the Shroud
According to the Bible, Jesus' body was wrapped in "linen, sindum, and shroud." The shroud, which is said to have been preserved, is in Turin, northern Italy, and a replica is on display at the Cathedral in Chofu (only at Chofu Church in Japan). The shroud bears the same bloodstains as Jesus', including the crucifixion, scourging, crown of thorns, nail marks, and piercing wounds to the chest, and records the suffering and resurrection of Jesus.
Holy Shroud Website
Plenary Indemnity
A plenary indulgence is a complete remission of the punishment that one would have received as an apology for a sin that has been committed, by God's mercy and grace.
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Parents may try to punish their children severely for the sake of their education, as they want to raise them to be considerate people because of their selfish behavior. By making them suffer a little, they make them realize the seriousness of what they have done. However, as soon as the child realizes his or her own fault, reflects on it, and apologises, the parents immediately waive the punishment and embrace the child lovingly, praising him or her for being honest.
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When we commit a sin, we hurt and sadden God and our neighbors by behaving selfishly. We also forget God's mercy and distance ourselves from him. However, when we sincerely regret the sin we have committed, receive the sacrament of penance, and resolve to move forward as new people, the Church can, on God's behalf, absolve us from making the reparation we should have made, that is, from accepting punishment as a sign of our apology. This is what is called "indulgence." God is pleased with and fully accepts our "sincere and honest attitude of remorse" and our "positive determination to deepen our love." This historical form, which God is full of love for human beings and which we are not aware of, is called "penal indulgence."
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In sending us his Son, Christ, God makes us realize his call to mercy. Christ has forgiven us, freed us from our sins, and redeemed us. In gratitude for this fact, the Church gives Christians public encouragement in the form of "indulgences," or "freedom of reparation," so that they too may love, support, and show solidarity with one another.
Conditions for Obtaining Plenary Indemnity
Moved by a spirit of charity, before and after carrying out the works (A, B, C) prescribed by the Church for a Plenary Indulgence , three fundamental conditions must be fulfilled:
Three basic conditions (01-03)
01
Receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Before receiving a plenary indulgence, one must receive the sacrament of reconciliation (confession).
02
Receiving Holy Communion
After receiving the sacrament of reconciliation, you must receive Holy Communion.
03
Praying for the Pope's wishes
We need to pray a special prayer that the Pope intends.
Lord's Prayer
Hail Mary Prayer
Glory Singing (Praise of the Most Holy Trinity)
Declaration of Faith
Works established by the Church for the Jubilee Year 2025 (A, B, C)
At least one of the following A, B, or C moves must be met.
A
Pilgrimage to the places designated for the Jubilee
In the Archdiocese of Tokyo, a condition for a plenary indulgence is to visit the Cathedral and three other pilgrimage churches.
During the Holy Year, Chofu Church will be accepting pilgrims as a pilgrimage church designated by the Archdiocese of Tokyo.
B
Making reverent visits to other holy places
At the Salesian Seminary, you can find the Cimatti Memorial Church (his grave) and other places.
C
Doing works of mercy and redemption
Whatever you did for one of the least of these my brethren, you did it for me. Matthew 25:40
Pilgrimage course schedule and application method
1. Supervising priest: Father Yamanouchi
2. Schedule:
1st Saturday, January 18, 2025
Reception opens at 9:30, 10:00-16:00, 50 people (estimated)
Application period: 2024.12.8-12.29
2nd Saturday, February 15, 2025
Reception opens at 9:30, 10:00-16:00, 50 people (estimated)
Application period: January 19th to February 9th, 2025
3rd March 15, 2025 (Sat)
Reception opens at 9:30, 10:00-16:00, 50 people (estimated)
Application period: February 16th to March 9th, 2025
4th April 5, 2025 (Sat)
Reception opens at 9:30, 10:00-16:00, 50 people (estimated)
Application period: March 16th to March 30th, 2025
4th April 5, 2025 (Sat)
Reception opens at 9:30, 10:00-16:00, 50 people (estimated)
Application period: March 16th to March 30th, 2025
4th April 5, 2025 (Sat)
Reception opens at 9:30, 10:00-16:00, 50 people (estimated)
Application period: March 16th to March 30th, 2025
4th April 5, 2025 (Sat)
Reception opens at 9:30, 10:00-16:00, 50 people (estimated)
Application period: March 16th to March 30th, 2025
4th April 5, 2025 (Sat)
Reception opens at 9:30, 10:00-16:00, 50 people (estimated)
Application period: March 16th to March 30th, 2025
For the 5th event, we have adjusted the time slot based on the pilgrimage times for students of Salesian International School Meguro Seibi Elementary School and Seibi Elementary School, so that general pilgrims can make their pilgrimage without overlapping with the student pilgrimages. For this reason, we will be accepting applications from the general public for the 5th event as well, so we hope you will apply.
For the 5th event, we have adjusted the time slot based on the pilgrimage times for students of Salesian International School Meguro Seibi Elementary School and Seibi Elementary School, so that general pilgrims can make their pilgrimage without overlapping with the student pilgrimages. For this reason, we will be accepting applications from the general public for the 5th event as well, so we hope you will apply.
For the 5th event, we have adjusted the time slot based on the pilgrimage times for students of Salesian International School Meguro Seibi Elementary School and Seibi Elementary School, so that general pilgrims can make their pilgrimage without overlapping with the student pilgrimages. For this reason, we will be accepting applications from the general public for the 5th event as well, so we hope you will apply.
4. Participation fee: Free.
However, please bring your own lunch.
5. How to apply:
※Please fill in the attached PDF application form
Please fill it out and submit it to the church office.
(Currently, we are only accepting applications for the first session)
3. Contents (pilgrimage menu):
Spiritual concept of the pilgrimage menu
9:30-10:00
Registration begins at the Seminary Cathedral
Distribution of pamphlets for plenary indulgence
10:00-11:00
After a short preparation, the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Meditation in the seminary chapel after the sacrament of reconciliation
* Priest in charge of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (tentative):
Father Yamanouchi, Father Marsilio, Father Compri,
Father Rapp, Father Nakata
11:00-11:30
Cimatti Museum
11:30-12:00
Cimatti Memorial Church (Tomb)
12:00-12:30
Holy Shroud @ Seminary Room 112
12:30-13:30
Lunch (brought by each person) @Cimatty Hall
After lunch, explanation of the plenary indulgence
13:30-14:30
Sharing (conversation in the spirit)
Preparation for Plenary Indulgence
(Write down each person's "gratitude, wishes, and promises" in the pamphlet)
14:45-16:00
Mass
*It is also possible to attend only the Mass . Please fill out your "Thanks, Requests, and Promises" in the Chofu Church original pamphlet that will be given to you in advance and bring it with you. It will be dedicated at the Mass, and after the Mass, a plenary indulgence stamp will be stamped on it and it will be returned to you as a record of your prayers and pilgrimage.
6. Contact: Chofu Church Office
TEL 042-482-3937
email: sdbchofuchurch@donboscojp.org
Record of the Journey of the Catholic Chofu Church
This record will begin in April 2024 and run through the Holy Year of 2025, the 100th anniversary of the Salesian Society's arrival in Japan.
This is a record of the graces that the Catholic Chofu Church community has received as a pilgrimage church from the Lord Jesus Christ and the journey that it has traveled together with the Holy Spirit .
