The Jubilee Year is a special year of grace, in which the Church offers the faithful the possibility of obtaining plenary indulgences. Traditionally, it begins just before Christmas and ends on the Epiphany of the following year. In the United States, the Jubilee Year extends from the feast of the Holy Family (Dec. 29, 2024) until Dec. 28, 2025.
The Pope inaugurates the Holy Year with the rite of the opening of the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica. After that, the Holy Doors of the other papal basilicas – St John Lateran, St Paul Outside the Walls, and St Mary Major – are opened and remain so until the end of the Jubilee Year.
(Source: Vatican announces motto of Jubilee Year 2025: 'Pilgrims of Hope')
On the Feast of the Holy Family, Dec. 29, 2024, we opened the Jubilee Year of Hope in the Diocese of Cleveland. A procession from St. Peter Church preceded the opening Mass in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Bishop Malesic celebrated Mass and blessed special crosses that will be placed in each of the Sacred Sites around the diocese. To watch a replay of the Mass, please click here.
Visit the official website for the Jubilee Year here.
Tradition dictates that each Jubilee is proclaimed through the publication of a Papal (or Pontifical) ‘Bull of Indiction’. You can read more (here) about this important document on the Vatican's website for the Jubilee Year. The title for the Bull of Indiction is taken from the first words of the document, in this case, "“Hope does not disappoint."
Visit the Jubilee website from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops here.
We have also created a page of resources for individuals and parishes for the Jubilee Year of Hope (available here).
A pilgrimage is a transformative journey to a sacred site reminding us that we are pilgrims on a journey that begins and ends with God.
Bishop Malesic has designated the eight parishes and three shrines as sacred sites, places of pilgrimage in the Diocese of Cleveland at which the plenary indulgence may be obtained.
In observance of the Jubilee, the Church offers pilgrims the gift of indulgences as a chance to open themselves to the purity of heart and penitential spirit associated with this special year.
Check out some suggested resources for the faithful and parishes for the Jubilee Year of Hope.
Child & Youth Protection
Our promise to protect, our pledge to heal.
To report an abuse, please contact local law enforcement and:
Kathleen McComb, Victim Assistance Coordinator
Response Services – 216-334-2999
Catholic Diocese of Cleveland © 2025
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