In a new message to the faithful, called “Our Pilgrimage of Hope,” Archbishop Vigneron shares plans for the Archdiocese of Detroit to become a “Church on pilgrimage” during the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025. Read on to learn more about the Jubilee of 2025 and find out how you can become a “pilgrim of hope” without leaving southeast Michigan.
“In a few weeks, the universal Church will experience the beginning of a sacred time when Pope Francis opens the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and ushers in the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025. Since 1300, jubilee celebrations have marked not only the passing of years and centuries but have also served as holy times in human history when we pause, pray, seek the Lord’s pardon, and praise him for his merciful grace.”
The jubilee year has its roots in the Old Testament. Since 1300, the Roman Catholic Church has observed Ordinary Jubilee Years at regular intervals (every 25 years since 1470) and Extraordinary Jubilee Years (most recently, the Year of Mercy in 2016). Whether Ordinary or Extraordinary, the purpose of any jubilee year is to pause, pray, and give glory to God.
How can we participate?
Archbishop Vigneron encourages you to respond to Pope Francis’ invitation and become a true “pilgrim of hope,” both spiritually and physically. First, you can go to (or return to), the sacrament of reconciliation. In addition, you can visit any of the official archdiocesan pilgrimage churches, where you will be able to pray the official prayer for Jubilee Year 2025, and unite yourself spiritually with all who will journey as pilgrims to Rome, and obtain a plenary indulgence.