What is a Holy Year?

A Holy Year is a time when the Church bestows special spiritual gifts on the faithful.

The origins of the Holy Years are in the Old Testament which established that a Jubilee Year be celebrated every 50 years. The Church also celebrates Holy Years. The most  Important are those of Rome, every 25 years, and the Compostelan which are celebrated when the feast day of St. James falls on a Sunday. There are other Holy Years also.