Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Students and staff at St. James School in Louisville returned from an extended winter break to attend a school Mass on January 13. The Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre at St. James Church, marked the beginning of the Archdiocese of Louisville's Jubilee Year of Hope.

Archbishop Fabre explained to the congregation that the Catholic Church holds a jubilee every 25 years, with the last ordinary jubilee occurring in 2000. He noted that Pope Francis had declared an Extraordinary Year of Mercy in 2015.

In his homily, Archbishop Fabre emphasized that the Jubilee Year is a chance to strengthen one's friendship with Jesus Christ, whom he described as "our hope." He shared with the schoolchildren that "Pope Francis has named this the Jubilee of Hope."

He clarified how the church's use of "hope" might differ from everyday usage. “You might say, ‘I hope we have hamburgers for lunch,’” he said, explaining that within the church context, hope points toward one's ultimate goal and longing. “Yes, we might say, ‘I hope for this, hope for that,’ but, in the end, we know our only hope is in Jesus Christ,” he added.

Archbishop Fabre spoke about seizing "the new chance that God is giving" through pilgrimage during this special year. He outlined a simple process for local pilgrimages aimed at deepening one's relationship with Jesus.

For this Jubilee Year of Hope, six archdiocesan pilgrimage sites have been designated: Cathedral of the Assumption and Shrine of St. Martin of Tours in Louisville; Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral in Bardstown; Church of St. Augustine in Lebanon; Church of St. Helen in Glasgow; and Church of the Holy Cross in Loretto.

As part of these pilgrimages, participants can seek reconciliation through confession and receive Eucharist at Mass while praying for a stronger bond with Jesus Christ. According to Archbishop Fabre, these acts performed at recognized pilgrimage sites offer God's grace and blessings uniquely during this year.

The Mass concluded with Archbishop Fabre encouraging students to live as "best friends to Jesus Christ."