With beautiful Christmas decor adorning the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains in Cincinnati, the Opening Mass for the Jubilee Year 2025 began with solemnity and joy at 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 29, 2024. The Knights of Columbus led the grand procession toward the altar, followed by Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr and priests from across the archdiocese.

The special Mass commenced with unique Introductory Rites, including an exhortation by the archbishop, a Gospel reading and a proclamation from the Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee Year.

A Call to Jubilee and Renewal

In his exhortation, Archbishop Schnurr invited the faithful to reflect on the deep spiritual meaning of the Jubilee Year, grounded in the mystery of the Incarnation. He stated: “Dear brothers and sisters, the mystery of the Incarnation of Our Savior Jesus Christ, fostered in the communion of the love of the Holy Family of Nazareth, is for us the ground of deep joy and certain hope… May Christ, our peace and our hope, be our companion on this journey in this year of grace and consolation.”

The choir’s voices soared, filling the Cathedral Basilica with notes of gladness as the congregation celebrated the start of this Holy Year.

Homily: The Spirit of the Jubilee

In his homily, the archbishop explained the biblical and historical roots of the Jubilee Year. “A Jubilee or Holy Year is a special year of forgiveness and reconciliation,” he said, “in which people are invited to come back into right relationship with God, one another and all of creation.” He noted that the Jubilee is a longstanding tradition in the Catholic Church, with its foundations in the Old Testament and Pope Paul II establishing the current 25-year cycle in 1470.

Archbishop Schnurr expounded on the theme “Pilgrims of Hope” chosen by Pope Francis for this Jubilee. Pope Francis calls on Catholics to reclaim their hope and embrace the mission of restoring justice and harmony in a fractured world. The Archbishop also reminded us that we are “pilgrims on the earth,” not masters of it, and the Jubilee invites us to renew our awareness of being stewards of creation.
Pilgrimage and Plenary Indulgences

Archbishop Schnurr placed special emphasis on making a physical pilgrimage to receive a “Jubilee Indulgence.” During the Jubilee Year, all faithful are invited to make one or more physical journeys that mirror the soul’s quest for God. While the faithful may journey to Rome with Archbishop Schnurr, the Archbishop has also designated three pilgrimage sites in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati: the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, Emmanuel Church in Dayton and the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics. Visits to these sites will offer opportunities for prayer, indulgences and reconciliation throughout the Jubilee Year.

The faithful can obtain a plenary indulgence at one of these pilgrimage sites by (1) receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist and (2) praying for the intentions of the Holy Father. As a special concession for this Jubilee Year, the faithful can receive a second plenary indulgence each day if they fulfill the appropriate spiritual works and offer the indulgence for a soul in Purgatory.

A Year for Reclaiming Our Christian Hope

During his homily, Archbishop Schnurr drew inspiration from Pope Francis’ papal bull, Spes non confundit (Hope Does Not Disappoint), underscoring the pontiff’s call for a “symphony of prayer” during the Jubilee. The Holy Father additionally challenges the faithful to work for peace and justice by addressing the roots of injustice, relieving debts and feeding the hungry.
Archbishop Schnurr closed his homily by quoting Pope Francis’ vision for the Jubilee Year 2025: “May the power of hope fill our days as we await with confidence the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and glory, now and forever.”

Click here for a livestream of the Jubilee Year 2025 Opening Mass and scroll below for a beautiful photo essay of this liturgy.