PILGRIMS OF HOPE
Jubilee 2025
PLANNING FOR A JUBILEE
On Christmas eve 2024, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, will open the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome to begin the Jubilee Year of Hope, “Pilgrims of Hope.” A few days later, on Dec. 29, the Jubilee Year of Hope begins across the globe for the Universal Church. In the Diocese of Greensburg, Bishop Larry J. Kulick will open the yearlong Jubilee during the Solemn Opening Mass of the Jubilee at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral at 3 p.m.
BISHOP KULICK ON THE JUBILEE YEAR
Bishop Kulick to open Jubilee Year in Diocese with Mass at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Mass to feature specially created cross representative of the faithful in the Diocese
Every 25 years, the Universal Church proclaims a Jubilee Year to encourage the faithful to embark on pilgrimages, repent of their sins, forgive the sins of others and renew a focus on their spiritual lives. On Christmas Eve, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, will begin the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, “Pilgrims of Hope,” with the official Opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. In the Diocese of Greensburg, Bishop Larry J. Kulick will open the 2025 Jubilee Year with the Solemn Opening Mass of the Jubilee, Sunday, Dec. 29, at 3 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral.
A CROSS OF HOPE
Deacon William Hisker’s important role in the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, “Pilgrims of Hope,” began when he was giving Bishop Larry J. Kulick a tour of the woodworking shop at his home in Greensburg. As part of the celebration, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, asked each Diocese around the globe to prepare and bless a Jubilee Cross that represents or has meaning for the Diocese. Bishop Kulick was impressed with Deacon Hisker’s woodworking skills and asked him to make the Jubilee Cross for the Diocese.
WHAT IS AN INDULGENCE?
“At its core, an indulgence is the faithful asking God for his treasury of merit and mercy for the forgiveness of sins,” said Father Christopher J. Pujol, Co-director of the Office of Worship. “It’s taking the merits of the faithful across the millennia of the saints to the good work we practice today that is stored in heaven, the treasury of heaven, and His treasury is being opened for an individual to receive a full remission and pardon of their sins.”
DECREE OF INDULGENCE FOR THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH
For increasing the religious practice of the faithful and for the salvation of souls,
I, The Most Reverend, Larry J. Kulick, JCL, by the power of the faculties granted to me by the Supreme Pontiff, Francis, Pope by Divine Providence, in the Bull, Spes non Confundit, and by the Apostolic Penitentiary, in consideration of the Jubilee Year of two thousand and twenty-five, from December twenty-ninth, two thousand and twenty-four until December twenty-eighth, two thousand and twenty-five, I hereby benevolently grant a Plenary Indulgence…
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE DIOCESE
There will be many opportunities for the faithful in the Diocese of Greensburg during the Jubilee Year of Hope, “Pilgrims of Hope,” according to Vincent Reilly, Managing Director for Faith, Family and Discipleship.
“We will keep our parishes open more often, with opportunities for reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, Holy Hours and many other various events throughout the year to recognize the people and the groups who make the Diocese of Greensburg a special place to celebrate all of the gifts God has blessed us with,” Reilly said.
JUBILEE OF HOPE PILGRIMAGE
March 25 – April 5, 2025
Join Bishop Larry Kulick on a spiritual Pilgrimage of Hope to Rome, Orvieto, and Assisi. The pilgrimage promises to be a journey of renewal, faith, and fellowship, and includes these unique highlights: Papal Audience with Pope Francis, the 24 Hours for the Lord Jubilee celebration, special retreat day in the Italian countryside, daily Mass with Bishop Kulick, and opportunities for private guided tours, prayer, and activities with personalized attention.
