Pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Louisville have responded to Pope Francis’ invitation to become “pilgrims of hope” during the Jubilee Year of Hope, which began on December 24, 2025, and will continue through January 6, 2026. The archdiocese designated six pilgrimage sites across Kentucky for this occasion: the Cathedral of the Assumption and the Shrine of St. Martin of Tours in Louisville; the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral in Bardstown; the Church of St. Augustine in Lebanon; the Church of St. Helen in Glasgow; and the Church of the Holy Cross in Loretto.

Groups from schools, parishes, and local organizations have organized visits to these sites as part of their observance. Students and staff from St. John Paul II Academy visited two pilgrimage sites on October 8 as an all-school field trip. Bethany Figueroa, a teacher at the academy, said, “It was a living lesson in faith, history and tradition.” She added that students were particularly struck by relics at St. Martin of Tours and reflected on “the resilience of Louisville’s Catholic community during times of prejudice and hardship.” Figueroa noted that they returned with gratitude “for our faith, for those who built the Church before us, and for the chance to walk, learn and pray together during this special Jubilee year.”

On October 20, about 60 parishioners from St. John Vianney Church participated in a walking pilgrimage from their parish to the Cathedral of the Assumption. Led by Father Anthony Vu Minh, participants ranging from children to seniors walked 5.4 miles while praying together. Parishioner John Pham said that it created a “shared experience” among members and made him feel closer to his parish community. He described it as a “physical reminder” of hope: “Pilgrims seek a destination,” he said, drawing parallels between physical journeys and spiritual life.

The parish plans to repeat this event annually each October.

American Heritage Girls troops also took part in Jubilee activities by visiting the Shrine of St. Martin of Tours on November 22. According to Kathleen Hudson, coordinator for Troop KY1031, around 30 girls attended with leaders and family members for a program including historical talks, tours, Mass attendance, and a scavenger hunt focused on reverence for sacred spaces. Participants earned a commemorative patch recognizing their involvement.

The Annunciation Catholic Church in Shelbyville organized its own Jubilee Pilgrimage with 260 parishioners attending Mass at the Cathedral of the Assumption after traveling together by bus or car from Shelbyville. A spokesperson described how participants wore matching shirts representing different ages and backgrounds: “Parishioners of all ages — families, young adults and seniors from our Hispanic and Anglo communities — joined together as one family... We spent time in adoration, praying the holy rosary as one voice... At the conclusion... Father Jean (González Romero) invited families to come forward for a special blessing.” The day ended with fellowship before returning home.

Several individuals shared experiences from pilgrimages abroad during this period as well as local visits within Kentucky’s historic churches:

“Melissa and I were fortunate to make our first visit to Rome during the Jubilee Year... We were blessed to visit three of the four papal basilicas — two more than once — ... At times... St Peter’s feel less like the sacred space we know it to be... However... only the Catholic Church and tomb of St Peter can draw these numbers... Ultimately you hope each pilgrim experiences transformational power...” Another person reflected on visiting local holy sites with choir members: “These were very different and very diverse churches... Truly, Catholic faith is vast and diverse.”

Others described making individual pilgrimages or joining Bible study groups at various designated sites throughout Kentucky.

“Myself and my wife Courtney Fischer spent our honeymoon in Italy,” another participant wrote after visiting all four major basilicas there during their trip: “Walking through all four Holy Doors with other pilgrims throughout world made me realize breadth of Catholic Church... participating in Jubilee Year strengthened my faith.”