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.”)
Holy Mass to open the Jubilee Year will be celebrated in our diocese on Dec. 29 at 3 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Grand Rapids (301 Sheldon Blvd. SE). All are welcome!
Mass will be livestreamed on the diocesan website and YouTube for those who are unable to attend.
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 of course a fundamental element of every jubilee event. 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.
Dec. 29, 2024 – Holy Mass to open the Jubilee Year
April 6, 2025 – Hispanic Community
June 22, 2025 – Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy
June 29, 2025 – Families: Youth, Parents & Grandparents
Sept. 28, 2025 – Vietnamese Community
Nov. 2, 2025 –Young Adult and College/University Students
Dec. 28, 2025 – Conclusion of the Jubilee Year
International Pilgrimage: Shrines of Italy – April 28-May 7, 2025
There are only a few spots left to join Father Lam Le, pastor of St. John Paul II and Mary Queen of Apostles parishes, and Catholics from the Diocese of Grand Rapids on a special pilgrimage to celebrate the 2025 Year of Jubilee in Italy! (Pilgrimage Flyer)
Highlights include:
- An opportunity to attend a Papal Audience, visit the Trevi Fountain, and the Holy Stairs in Rome.
- Participate in a Mass celebrated by Fr. Lam at the Basilica of St. Mary Major
- Visit the Abbey of Monte Cassino in San Giovanni Rotondo
- See the confessional where Padre Pio heard numerous hours of confession. Participate in the weekly candlelight procession at the Sanctuary of Padre Pio.
- Travel along the beautiful Gargano Peninsula to the Grotto of St. Michael the Archangel.
- Tour the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi where you will see the tomb of St. Francis and tour the picturesque town, where St. Francis and St. Clare both followed God’s call to rebuild his Church.
- Visits to many other popular and devotional sites
To register, contact Pattie Reynolds, preynolds@GRdiocese.org or 616-288-0910.
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.:
Feb. 25, 2025 – St. Francis de Sales Church in Muskegon
Sept. 16, 2025 – Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel on the campus of Aquinas College
Dec. 2, 2025 – St. Mary Church in Big Rapids
The Creed Series – March 6-27, 2025
“The coming Jubilee Year will also coincide with a significant date for all Christians, namely, the 1700th anniversary of the celebration of the first great Ecumenical Council, that of Nicaea.” (Spes non confundit, 17)
Offered on Thursdays, March 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Catholic Information Center (360 Division Ave. S, Grand Rapids), and online. The topics for each session in the series align with each section of the Creed. Dr. Jared Ortiz will present the sessions on March 6 and 27 and Father Lam Le will present the sessions on March 13 and 20:
March 6: I believe in God the Father Almighty
March 13: I believe in Jesus Christ
March 20: I believe in the Holy Spirit
March 27: I believe in the Holy Catholic Church
About the presenters: Dr. Ortiz is the co-author of The Nicene Creed: A Scriptural, Historical, and Theological Commentary and founder and executive director of the Saint Benedict Institute on the campus of Hope College, where he teaches Catholic theology. Father Lam Le is pastor of St. John Paul II Parish in Cedar Springs and Mary Queen of Apostles Parish in Sand Lake. He is the diocesan director of evangelization and director of continuing formation for priests. Father Le chairs the diocesan Jubilee Committee.
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: Pilgrim’s Backpack
Read the papal bull | Decree on the granting of the Jubilee Year indulgence (Vatican website, multiple languages)
