Pope Francis has inaugurated the Jubilee Year 2025 by opening the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome on December 24, 2024. This event marks a significant occasion in the Catholic Church, occurring every 25 years. The Jubilee celebrations will continue until January 6, 2026, under the theme "Pilgrims of Hope."

In alignment with this global event, Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr will commence the Jubilee Year within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The opening ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, December 29, at 4 p.m., at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains in Cincinnati.

The faithful will initially gather in the cathedral's undercroft for prayers and readings before proceeding to the main worship area for Mass. A special Jubilee Cross will lead this procession. This cross is crafted to resemble those used by the Cathedral Basilica but holds historical significance as it features a corpus from its original dedication in 1845.

The Jubilee Year serves as a period encouraging holiness through reconciliation and communion among individuals. Designated prayer sites within the Archdiocese include the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics, and Emmanuel Church.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati ranks as the 45th largest diocese nationwide with nearly 440,000 Catholics and operates one of the largest Catholic school systems with over 40,000 students across its territory.

For further details on local events during Jubilee Year 2025, visit https://catholicaoc.org/jubilee-2025.