Pope Francis: It is time to strengthen and share hope
In a ceremony before the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on Ascension Thursday 2024, Pope Francis released a papal bull proclaiming the Holy Year 2025. The Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee Year is entitled Spes non confundit (“Hope does not disappoint.”)
Traveling to Rome?
Pilgrimage resources are available on the Vatican’s Jubilee website
Visit the pilgrim’s info point in Rome, which is open every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Here, visitors are welcomed by volunteers who can help them with information on the Jubilee and give advice on registering for pilgrimages to the Holy Doors and the major Jubilee events.
Diocesan events for the Jubilee Year
The Jubilee Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope proclaimed by Pope Francis is meant to be a time focused on forgiveness of sin, conversion and joyful celebration. During this coming holy year, we invite your participation in the following diocesan events. May the Holy Spirit sustain and invigorate our lives so we can be pilgrims of hope for one another!
Pilgrimages: “Pilgrimage is a fundamental element of every jubilee. Setting out on a journey is traditionally associated with our human quest for meaning in life. In the coming year, pilgrims of hope will surely travel the ancient and more modern routes in order to experience the Jubilee to the full.” (Spes non confundit, 5)
Pilgrimages to the Cathedral of Saint Andrew – 301 Sheldon Blvd. SE, Grand Rapids
Each pilgrimage will start at 3 p.m. with Mass. A reception will follow at Cathedral Square Center. Although some days seek to draw together certain groups of pilgrims under a theme, all are invited to each event.
Nov. 2, 2025 –Young Adult and College/University Students
Dec. 28, 2025 – Conclusion of the Jubilee Year
Pilgrimage prayer card: English | Spanish | Vietnamese
Receive Christ’s forgiveness and mercy – Opportunities for the sacrament of confession
In addition to regularly scheduled confession times in our parishes, opportunities to participate in the sacrament of confession are offered as outlined below.
Bishop Walkowiak will preside at each of the following penance services, which will be from 6-8 p.m.:
The evening will begin with a prayer service, followed by the opportunity to participate in the sacrament of Reconciliation. Several priests will be available to hear confessions and will be stationed throughout the church with soft music/white noise playing. The evening will conclude with a final prayer and blessing.
Oct. 17, 2025 – Shrine of St. Francis Xavier & Our Lady of Guadalupe, Grand Rapids
Dec. 2, 2025 – St. Mary Church, Big Rapids
Rediscovering the sacrament of penance (USCCB)
Guide to confession (National Catholic Register)
Jubilee events at Aquinas College
ENCOUNTERING THE SAINTS OF DIVINE MERCY IN POLAND (Jubilee Pilgrimage to Poland)
November 3 – 11, 2025
Join Father Lam Le, pastor of St. John Paul II in Cedar Springs and Mary Queen of Apostles in Sand Lake, and Catholics from the Diocese of Grand Rapids as they embark on a special pilgrimage during this Jubilee Year to the homeland of Saint John Paul II.
Highlights include:
- Mass celebrated by Fr. Lam Le at St. James Church in Warsaw
- Explore Old Town in the center of Warsaw City.
- Visit the beautiful hilltop Jasna Gora Monastery, where Saint John Paul II made frequent visits throughout his life.
- Take a cable car ride to the breathtaking village of Zakopane and then head to the Jaszczurówka
- Chapel, which was visited many times by the young Karol Wojtyla (St. John Paul II).
- Explore Wawel Hill in Krakow. This hill is home to the Cathedral and Coronation Chapel, one of the most the most important sites in Poland.
- Spend time in prayer and reflection at the Auschwitz concentration camp. Visit the cell of St. Maximillian Kolbe.
- Visits to many other popular and devotional sites
For more information and to register, contact Pattie Reynolds at preynolds@grdiocese.org or https://www.206tours.com/cms/grdiocese/poland/.
Bishop Walkowiak celebrates opening Mass for Jubilee Year 2025 – Dec. 29, 2024
View video and photos
News and resources:
Proclaiming Holy Year, pope says its time to strengthen and share hope (USCCB)
‘A Jubilee grace’: Vatican announces Holy Year Indulgence (Vatican News)
Jubilee 2025 Special Report (October FAITH Grand Rapids magazine, p. 6)
Jubilee 2025 websites: Vatican (multiple languages)| USCCB
Official Jubilee 2025 store
The papal bull | Decree on the granting of the Jubilee Year indulgence (Vatican website, multiple languages)
