A Blessed Beginning to the Holy Year of Jubilee 2025

By Kristine Rilling

01/07/2025

The Diocese of Erie joyfully commenced the Holy Year of Jubilee 2025 with a solemn and inspiring celebration led by Bishop Lawrence Persico on December 29, the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. All across the world, the bishops celebrated Mass on this opening of the Jubilee Year. Saint Peter Cathedral, the Mother Church of the Diocese of Erie, overflowed with faithful united in prayer, gratitude and hope as we embarked on this sacred year of renewal and grace. 

The Jubilee Year, a tradition rooted in the Catholic Church’s rich history, calls for a time of reflection, reconciliation and recommitment to faith. In his homily, Bishop Persico emphasized the Jubilee’s theme: “Pilgrims of Hope.” Bishop Persico spoke of Pope Francis’ Bull of Indiction – a Papal document proclaiming a Holy Year. Bishop Persico referenced a quote from Pope Francis found in the document, which states: "Everyone knows what it is to hope. Within each person's heart, hope resides as both the desire and anticipation for good things to come, even amidst the uncertainty of what the future holds."

Bishop Persico continued to share more aspects of the Holy Year such as the opening of the Holy Doors in Rome and the granting of a Plenary Indulgence. To be granted a Plenary Indulgence in the Diocese of Erie, you must first receive sacramental confession and absolution and then receive Holy communion, and carry out any of the following outlined here. One plenary indulgence, for oneself or one deceased, can be received per day.

Concluding his homily, Bishop Persico underscored this message: "May this coming Jubilee marked by hope help us to recover the confident trust we require, in the Church and in our society, in our interpersonal relationships, in international relations and in our task of promoting the dignity of all persons and respect for God’s gift of creation.? May the witness of believers be for our world a leaven of authentic hope." 

For updates on Jubilee events and resources, visit the diocese’s dedicated website:?www.eriercd.org/holyyear2025.html.

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