Bishop Thomas John Paprocki | Diocese of Springfield

Pope Francis initiated the Jubilee Year 2025 by opening the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024. The theme for this jubilee is "Pilgrims of Hope." This event marks the first ordinary jubilee since the Great Jubilee of 2000.

The ceremony to open the Holy Door, which had been sealed since the extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2016, included a reading from the Gospel of John where Jesus states: “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Pope Francis emphasized hope as a virtue that "does not deceive or disappoint because it is grounded in the certainty that nothing and no one may ever separate us from God’s love." He expressed his wish for everyone to experience a genuine encounter with Jesus during this jubilee.

Jubilee years are proclaimed every 25 years since the thirteenth century. They involve pilgrimages, processions, Mass celebrations, and an invitation to Confession. These events offer opportunities for mercy through practices like indulgences.

Key events during this Jubilee include canonizations: Blessed Carlo Acutis on April 27 during the Jubilee of Teenagers, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati on August 3 during the Jubilee of Young People, and a celebration for Families, Children, Grandparents, and Elderly from May 30 to June 1.

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki commenced the Jubilee Year at our diocese with Mass on December 29 at Springfield's Cathedral of Immaculate Conception. He described this as a symbolic pilgrimage uniting all faithful under God's word.

An indulgence is defined as grace remitting temporal punishment due to sin already forgiven but not rectified. It encourages devout practices aiding holiness growth. Bishop Paprocki explained that even after sacramental confession forgives sins' guilt; residual effects remain requiring purification either here or in Purgatory—this purification is facilitated by indulgences granted through Christ's grace.

For full remission using diocesan indulgence: faithful must be repentant without affection towards sin; partake Sacrament Penance & holy Communion; pray Pope intentions; undertake pilgrimage Cathedral Immaculate Conception Springfield participating Mass/Stations Cross/Rosary/penitential celebration ending individual confession penitent—all within prescribed timeframe aligning with Handbook Indulgences Norms Indulgences guidelines.

If unable visit Cathedral due serious reasons (e.g., cloistered nuns/monks/sick/prisoners/caregivers), faithful can obtain indulgence reciting Our Father & Profession Faith approved form alongside prayers aligned Holy Year objectives while offering personal hardships sufferings wherever confined (e.g., monastery chapel/hospital/nursing home/prison).