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Holy Years

A Holy year for Santiago is one in which the day of Saint James' (the 25th of July) falls on a Sunday and it is known as Ano Santo Jacobeo or Another Santo Xacobeo in Galician.





This occurs in a pattern of 6-5-6-11 years (this pattern comes from the occurance of leap years and the fact that there are seven days in the week, without leap years there would be a Holy Year every seven years and there was a modification in 1582 when the Gregorian Reform occured) so that the most recent Holy Years were 1993, 1999, 2004 and 2010 so that the next one will be in 2021 and the first was granted by Pope Calixtus II in 1126. This all means that there are 14 Holy Years in every century.



According to the Catholic church Catholics can obtain the bula jubilaror jubileo (jubilee indulgence which is a plenary indulgence to forgive the punishment that sins deserve) if the below are fulfilled:

1. After walking at least 100km visit the Cathedral in Santiago
2. Pray at the Cathedral and attend the mass
3. Receive the Sacraments of Penance (can be up to 15 days before or after) and Communion

During a Holy Year the Holy door is open.

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