Jubilee Year of Hope
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JUBILEE OF HOPE
2025 is the Jubilee Holy Year, the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation of our Lord, an "event of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the Church." The concept of "Jubilee" has its origins in the Book of Leviticus (chapter 25) as a special year of reconciliation, pilgrimage, and coming home. Pope Francis has designated the 2025 Holy Year as a time to renew ourselves as "Pilgrims of Hope."
This web page can offer Catholics resources and ideas for celebrating the 2025 Jubilee locally or by making a special pilgrimage to Rome. The site is regularly updated with the latest news, so be sure to check back regularly.
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Let Us Pray for Pope Francis
Let us join together in praying for the health and recovery of Pope Francis.In his Angelus message on Sunday, March 2, the Holy Father shared:
"Sisters and brothers, I am still sending you these thoughts from the hospital, where as you know I have been for several days, accompanied by doctors and healthcare professionals, whom I thank for the attention with which they are taking care of me. I feel in my heart the “blessing” that is hidden within frailty, because it is precisely in these moments that we learn even more to
trust in the Lord; at the same time, I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share in body and spirit the condition of so many sick and suffering people. I would like to thank
you for the prayers, which rise up to the Lord from the hearts of so many faithful from many parts of the world: I feel all your affection and closeness and, at this particular time, I feel as if I am “carried” and supported by all God’s people. Thank you all! "
For the full text of the Holy Father’s address, click here.
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Detroit Pilgrimage
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Over two separate days, Saturday, March 22nd, and Wednesday, March 26th, over 120 pilgrims from St. Joseph Parish embarked on a meaningful Jubilee Pilgrimage to the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit. This special journey allowed participants to engage in prayerful reflection and veneration of the relics of 12 of Christ’s apostles, set beneath magnificent wooden statues.
Highlights of the PilgrimageThe Detroit Saint Walk at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament offers a unique opportunity for the faithful to come close to and pray before relics of 12 of Christ’s apostles. These include ten of Jesus’ original apostles, along with St. Paul and St. Matthias, the apostle who replaced Judas.
The Cathedral is home to fourteen striking wooden statues, each carved from a single tree trunk in St. Ulrich Groeden, Italy, in 1927. These statues, originally housed in St. Benedict Church in Highland Park before its closure, include depictions of the apostles and two angels.
As part of the 2025 Jubilee, this pilgrimage was carefully planned to ensure a serene and prayerful experience. Our group was granted exclusive access to the Cathedral during our visit, allowing for quiet reflection and prayer. The pilgrimage included a docent-led tour, providing insight into the Cathedral’s rich history, religious significance, and stunning artwork. Following a brief intermission, pilgrims embarked on the "Journey with the Saints Pilgrimage," a spiritually enriching experience designed to deepen their faith and connection to the saints.
A heartfelt thank you to Colleen DiMattia, parishioner and owner of Mexican Town Restaurant at 24th and Bagley Street in Detroit. Pilgrims enjoyed a delicious lunch with wonderful service, and Colleen generously provided complimentary sopapilla desserts for everyone.
We also extend our deepest gratitude to Kim Donahue, St. Joseph Parish Director of Religious Formation, for her dedication in planning and organizing this remarkable event.Click the link below to view our photo album from the March 26th Pilgrimage
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As part of the 2025 Jubilee, millions of Catholics will make a pilgrimage to Rome and other holy sites. A pilgrimage is a special journey to a sacred place.
During this holy Jubilee year, pilgrims can experience a deep spiritual renewal, receive special indulgences, and participate in unique ceremonies at the heart of the Church. They can also connect with fellow Catholics from around the world. The theme for the 2025 Jubilee is “Pilgrims of Hope.”
During the Jubilee year, embark on a spiritual pilgrimage as a family. Make visits to special Catholic sites, shrines, or local churches throughout the year, in person or virtually! And, as you do, reflect on the journey of hope, healing, and renewal.
As a family or group of friends, select a series of local or regional Catholic sites to visit during the Jubilee Year. These could include:- Local churches or chapels with historical significance
- Catholic shrines or places of devotion
- Historical cathedrals or parishes with a special connection to your diocese or family history
- Outdoor shrines or pilgrimage trails, if available, that offer a peaceful place for prayer and reflection
If travel options are limited, create a virtual pilgrimage by researching online tours of holy sites, streaming Masses from different shrines, or watching documentaries about famous pilgrimage routes like the Camino de Santiago.
Plan to visit one site a month, or a few key destinations, depending on your location and schedule.
Knowing that very few of us can travel to Rome to pass through the Jubilee’s Holy Doors in the Eternal City, Archbishop Vigneron has designated several pilgrimage sites throughout the Archdiocese where the faithful will be able to pray the official prayer for Jubilee Year 2025 and unite themselves spiritually with all who will journey as pilgrims to Rome. https://www.aod.org/jubilee- Basilica of Sainte Anne de Detroit
- Blessed Solanus Casey Center, Detroit
- Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit
- Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield
- National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
- Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, Riverview
- Our Lady of Hope Cemetery, Brownstown
- Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel, Madonna University, Livonia
- Shrine of Jesus, The divine Mercy, Clinton Township
- Shrine of St. John Paul II, Orchard Lake
- Shrine of St. Joseph, Detroit
- Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pontiac
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Saints inspire us to trust in God’s mercy, even in the toughest times, and to always hold on to the hope of his love. Saints demonstrate, through their lives, how deeply God’s mercy extends, showcasing forgiveness, compassion, and love even in the face of challenging situations.
Saints are seen as living examples of how to live a life fully devoted to God, which often includes acts of great mercy towards others, demonstrating the possibility of experiencing and sharing God’s mercy. Many saints show us ways to use our experiences, talents and interest to make the world a better place and glorify God.
During the Jubilee Year of Hope, make a decision to learn about different Saints and their amazing stories each month. Let’s begin with a well-known February Saint. St. Valentine was a priest in Rome. He died for his faith in the one true God on February 14. We honor the memory of St. Valentine by showing love for others on Valentine’s Day with cards, candies, flowers and special gifts.
What are some of the different ways that you can show love to others throughout the year?
Saints show us that God calls everyone to be a saint – that means YOU!How will you be a saint today?
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Jubilee Articles and Information
- Let the Jubilee of Hope Begin
- Pope Francis Wants All Catholics to Be Pilgrims
- How Can We Be Pilgrims of Hope This Year
- Jubilee Doorway at Home
- Ways That Catholic Kids and Families Can Take Part in the Jubilee Year
- 52 Sundays
- Jubilee of Catechists Pilgrimage
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On December 24, 2024, Pope Francis officially opened the Holy Year with the rite of the Opening of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter. The Jubilee Year will offer the faithful opportunities to participate in various jubilee events at the Vatican and in their own dioceses. Other holy doors will be opened at the Rome basilicas of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls.
For pilgrims who cannot travel to Rome, bishops around the world are expected to designate their cathedrals or a popular Catholic shrine as special places of prayer for Holy Year pilgrims, offering opportunities for reconciliation, indulgences and other events intended to strengthen and revive faith.
In the Archdiocese of Detroit, Archbishop Vigneron encourages the faithful to embrace the invitation to become true pilgrims of hope, both spiritually and physically. Catholics are encouraged to go to (or return to), the sacrament of reconciliation, “one of the greatest acts of hope a Catholic can make … entrusting yourself fully to God’s divine mercy. God is always ready to forgive.”
In addition, we encourage as many as possible to visit one of the official archdiocesan pilgrimage churches, where you will be able to pray the official prayer for Jubilee Year 2025, unite yourself spiritually with all who will journey as pilgrims to Rome, and obtain an indulgence freeing you from the temporal punishment caused by sin.
The Holy See has also designated specific dates throughout the year as times when specific groups are encouraged to make special pilgrimages together, supported in prayer by the entire Church.
Amid all the stresses, concerns, and fears that affect us today, Pope Francis has spoken widely and often about the virtue of hope, the virtue that helps to ground faith and leads to love. The secret, he says, is realizing that hope is already within us. All we need to do is ask God to strengthen hope in us, and we can share that hope with others.
Pope Francis stated in his February 2022 letter announcing the Jubilee 2025: "We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire..."
Knowing that very few of us can travel to Rome to pass through the jubilee’s Holy Doors in the Eternal City, Archbishop Vigneron has designated several pilgrimage sites throughout the Archdiocese, where the faithful will be able to pray the official prayer for Jubilee Year 2025 and unite themselves spiritually with all who will journey as pilgrims to Rome. To find the list of Pilgrimage Sites in the Archdiocese of Detroit, go to:
https://www.aod.org/jubilee
The Jubilee Prayer
Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within
both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.
Amen.
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A jubilee is a special time for asking God to change us and make us holy. It is a time for praying to grow closer to God. This jubilee year’s theme is “Pilgrims of Hope.” A pilgrim is a person who is on a journey. A Christian’s life is a journey to Heaven. We journey together with Jesus, Mary, the saints, and faithful friends and family. We try to live better lives and become more like Jesus.
The goal of the Jubilee Year is to offer pilgrims opportunities for reconciliation, indulgences, prayer, and reception of the sacraments. The benefits of these activities include strengthened personal relationships with Jesus Christ and enriched faith journeys. People who walk through a Holy Door, visit a jubilee church, or do works of mercy and penance may receive a plenary indulgence.
Archbishop Vigneron has designated several pilgrimage sites throughout the Archdiocese of Detroit where the indulgence will be available for Catholics.
Opportunities to receive the sacrament of reconciliation and plenary indulgences are important aspects of the Jubilee Year. The gift of an indulgence provides the faithful – through the sacraments and good works – the remission of any punishment due to their sins upon death.
In granting indulgences, the Church doesn’t just want to help us satisfy the temporal punishment, but also wants to help us perform works of piety, penance, and charity.
WHAT DOES TEMPORAL PUNISHMENT MEAN?
Even though all of your sins are forgiven in Confession and the eternal punishment has been taken away, temporal consequences of the sin still remain. It is these temporal consequences of sin that send us to Purgatory before we can enter Heaven.- When you confess your sin, the guilt is removed. God forgives you and doesn’t give it a second thought.
- But, even after you are forgiven and your guilt is removed, there are remnants of that sin left in you. Temporal punishment is the consequences of sin.
So the Church has decided that there are some things that we need to do in order to gain the gift of an indulgence. We need to go to Confession and go to Mass. And we need to be prayerful. The whole point is that we are doing things that will help us turn away from the things of this world and turn towards God.
*Learn more about plenary indulgences in next week’s Bulletin.
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During this Holy Year, we should be reflecting on and living in hope. We can be hopeful people because Jesus modeled it for us.
What do you hope for? As Christians, we hope for good things for all people.
We trust God and the path Jesus shows us to follow. We hope for peace in our world. We hope for Heaven at the end of our lives on earth.
A Jubilee or Holy Year is a time of prayer, pilgrimage, and acts of mercy, built on the Old Testament tradition of a Jubilee Year of renewal, freedom, and celebration. Debts were canceled, people and the land could rest, prisoners and slaves were freed, and land was given to those who didn’t have any. It was known as the year of the Lord’s favor.
“Now the time has come for a new Jubilee, when once more the Holy Door will be flung open to invite everyone to an intense experience of the love of God”. People who walk through a Holy Door may receive a plenary indulgence – a special grace that removes all temporal punishment for their sins. Pope Francis has declared that the gift of the Indulgence “is a way of discovering the unlimited nature of God’s mercy…as expressions of the fullness of God’s forgiveness, which knows no bounds”.
What is a Plenary Indulgence? The Sacrament of Reconciliation removes the eternal punishment that our sins merit. But, once forgiven, the wounds and effects of our sins remain and block the full action of the Holy Spirit within us. The Church teaches that we must undergo temporal punishment either in this life or after death in Purgatory to remove the effects of sin. Temporal punishment may be diminished or removed by a partial or plenary indulgence.
Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, receiving Holy Communion, and praying for the intentions of the Pope are also required to receive the indulgence. If we do these things, our spiritual debts will be removed – like the people’s debts of money were forgiven during jubilee years in Old Testament times. We do certain things, with a certain penitent attitude, so that our temporal punishment can be paid and to help us turn to God.
To receive a plenary indulgence, we must meet the following conditions:- Celebrate a Sacramental Confession – being truly repentant
- Receive Jesus’ Body and Blood in Holy Communion.
- Pray for the intentions of the Holy Father.
- Eliminate all attachment to sin, whether moral or venial
- Carry out certain acts of devotion with sincerity in designated Pilgrimage Sites – for example, Mass, adoration, Rosary, and reciting the Creed and Our Father.
- Doing acts of service, such as giving food, clothing, and money to people who are poor – we are called to be tangible signs of hope for those of our brothers and sisters who experience hardships of any kind. (rediscovering the Corporal Works of Mercy and the Spiritual Works of Mercy).
- Forgiving those who have hurt you and asking forgiveness from the people you have hurt.
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As we reflect on being pilgrims of hope, Pope Francis encourages us to live with a “great symphony of prayer.” One way we can do this is to mark each day with prayerful reminders – physical signs that inspire us to prioritize God and glorify him by our lives.
There is a wonderful tradition of marking the beginning of a Jubilee Year by opening holy doors to specific churches. The first holy door was opened by Pope Martin V in 1423 at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran. For the start of Jubilee 2025, Pope Francis opened the holy door of Saint Peter’s Basilica.
Since each Christian family is a domestic Church, designate a doorway in your home as a holy door. Through this doorway, your family can pass as pilgrims of hope during Jubilee 2025. Let this doorway be a reminder to celebrate each day with a symphony of prayer.DIRECTIONS: Designate a doorway or threshold at home as your family’s holy door. Invite the family to decorate this area with images and words to celebrate Jubilee 2025.
Suggested items for Display:- Favorite Scripture passages, (for example: “Open the gates of righteousness; I will enter and thank the Lord.”-Psalm 118:19 / [Jesus said] “…knock and the door will be opened to you.”-Matthew 7:7 / [Jesus said] “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved,…”-John 10:9)
- Photos of family members, both living and deceased, who are or were pilgrims of hope in passing on the faith
- Prayer cards or notes of encouragement
- Christian imagery
- Other items to celebrate each month throughout the Jubilee
POSTING PRAYERS:
The beautiful Jewish tradition of the mezuzah (meaning “doorpost”) dates back to Biblical times. These small scrolls include the Shema prayer and are affixed to the entryway of Jewish homes.
Many of our beautiful Catholic traditions have their origin in Jewish practices. Inspired by the mezuzah tradition, invite family members to affix short prayers to the door frame of his or her bedroom. Encourage each person to memorize and recite this prayer as he or she passes through the threshold of the room.
DIRECTIONS:
When passing through a doorway or threshold, recite from memory a prayer or Scripture passage. You can also simply mark yourself with the Sign of the Cross as you pass through a doorway. Here are some suggested aspirational or breath prayers to recite in the quiet of your heart:
“Lord, let me pass from sin into grace.”; “Lord, bless all who enter with your grace.”; “Lord, you alone are the door to Salvation.”; “Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me.”; “Come, Holy Spirit.”
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A Jubilee Year is a special year in the Catholic Church. Jubilee Years are a time for special celebrations, pilgrimages, acts of penance, and most importantly, focusing on God’s mercy and forgiveness. During this Holy Year, Pope Francis encourages all Catholics to renew their relationship with God through prayer, penance, and acts of kindness. The Jubilee Year is a time for all Catholics to grow closer to God and to each other, remembering that God always offers us new beginnings!
How can you, as a Catholic family, participate over the next year?- ow can you asMake time for daily prayer and reflection on the themes of hope, reconciliation, and mercy
- Read Scripture, specifically the psalms and Gospels, that speak to the promise of hopeRead Scripture, specifically the psalms and Gospels, that speak to the promise of hope
- Perform acts of mercy or kindness that make the world a better place and spread hope
- Celebrate the sacraments, particularly the Sacrament of the Eucharist and Penance and Reconciliation
- Make a pilgrimage, whether to Rome or to a nearby shrine or holy site
- Take part in retreats or catechetical events that focus on the themes of the Jubilee year to grow in understanding and build faith
- List your own ideas:
DID YOU KNOW???...
On October 28, 2024, Archbishop Rino Fisichella of the Dicastery for
Evangelization unveiled Luce as the official mascot of the 2025 Jubilee Year. He said that Luce was inspired by the Catholic Church’s desire “to live even within the pop culture so beloved by our youth”. Luce, which means “light” in Italian, is a pilgrim clad in a yellow raincoat and mud-stained boots, carrying a walking stick. She is a symbol of hope and love.
Designed by Simone Legno, Luce represents a Catholic pilgrim. She is accompanied on her journey by a pet dog named Santino and three friends named Fe, Xin, and Sky.
Luce has blue hair. Her yellow raincoat is colored in reference to the flag of the Vatican City as well as a symbol for “journeying through life’s storms”.The walking stick is a pilgrim’s staff, which represents “the pilgrimage toward eternity”, and her mud-stained boots show us she is ready for “a long and difficult journey”. The shells in her bright eyes are a traditional symbol of Catholic pilgrimage. Luce also wears a multi-colored World Mission rosary around her neck.
Luce reminds us that the Jubilee is a special time to come together. With her warm and cheerful smile, Luce helps spread a message of peace, happiness, and hope.
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52 Sundays
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In the busyness of everyday life, Sundays can easily blend into the routine. 52 Sundays invites families to reclaim the Lord’s Day with thoughtfully crafted resources that help parents strengthen their domestic church, foster discipleship, and create a faith-filled home.As part of the Jubilee Year celebration, we’re also offering free downloadable saint coloring pages to spark meaningful conversations about the lives of these holy men and women.
Sign up today to receive prayers, activities, and recipes delivered to your inbox every week- at no cost!
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Jubilee of Catechists Pilgrimage
September 23-October 2, 2025
Archbishop Charles C. Thompson, Chairman of the Committee on Evangelization & Catechesis invites you to join the official USCCB pilgrimage group for the Jubilee of Catechists. While in Rome we will have officials from the Dicastery of Evangelization joining us for private dinners. After the closing Mass, we will move on to Orvieto and Assisi for four days of prayer, reflection, and enjoying the wonders of Assisi.
Click here for more information.
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The Jubilee of Hope AoD Information
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Meet Luce - The Official Jubilee Mascot
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USCCB Jubilee 2025 Introductory Video
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