“We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire…”
– Pope Francis
The Jubilee is a special year of grace, in which the Catholic Church offers the faithful the possibility of asking for a plenary indulgence, the identifying sign of the Jubilee Year, as handed down since the first Jubilee of the year 1300. The indulgence that “intends to express the fullness of God’s forgiveness which knows no bounds,” through the Sacrament of Penance and signs of charity and hope, for the remission of sins for themselves or for deceased relatives.
The Jubilee Year will begin with the opening of the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve, 2024. The Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica is opened by the Pope only at the beginning of a Jubilee Year. It is usually the first door to be opened to indicate the beginning of the Holy Year. This first evidence of the rite happening in St Peter’s was in the year 1500 during the papacy of Alexander VI.
The Holy Father’s expressed desire to personally open a Holy Door in a prison “to offer prisoners a concrete sign of closeness.” On December 26, 2024, the feast of St. Stephen, Pope Francis will open a Holy Door in the Roman prison of Rebibbia, marking a historic moment in the history of Jubilee years. It will be the first time that – in addition to the Holy Doors opened in the four Roman Papal Basilicas – one will also be opened in a penal institution too.
On December 29th, the Pope will open the Holy Door of the Archbasilica of St John Lateran, the Cathedral of Rome. On the same day, every Cathedral and co-Cathedral throughout the world will have Mass celebrated by the local Bishop to mark the opening of the Jubilee. Bishop Mark Rivituso will celebrate Mass as the solemn opening of the Jubilee at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis on December 29, 2024, at 10:00 am.
On the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, January 1, 2025, Pope Francis will open the Holy Door for the Basilica of St Mary Major, with the Holy Door for the Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls being opened on January 5th. These doors will remain open throughout the Jubilee year.
“In the course of the year,” Pope Francis had written, “every effort should be made to enable the People of God to participate fully in its proclamation of hope in God’s grace and in the signs that attest to their efficacy.”
As part of the Jubilee, Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski designated nine sacred Jubilee sites where the faithful of the Archdiocese of St. Louis may make a pilgrimage to obtain the grace of the Jubilee Indulgence.
Northern Vicariate
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
- Basilica of St. Louis, King of France
- Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters at Mount Grace Convent
- Carmel of Saint Joseph at the Chapel of the Most Precious Blood
Southern Vicariate
- St. Mary’s of the Barrens National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
- Monastery of Saint Clare of the Immaculate Conception
Western Vicariate
- Passionist Nuns of St. Louis
- Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church – New Melle
- Immaculate Conception Catholic Church – Union
For more information, please see the resources below available for download.
The full list of conditions to receive the Jubilee Plenary Indulgence are published in the “Decree on the Granting of Indulgence during the Ordinary Jubilee Year 2025.” Please click here to read the decree.
For more information and FAQ’s, please visit:
the official Vatican Jubilee 2025 website to learn more about the Jubilee Churches in Rome, find useful information about pilgrimages, download and listen to the official Jubilee Hymn, and much more.
the official USCCB Jubilee 2025 website to learn how the USCCB will support the Holy Father, including a 2025 Calendar of Events for each Jubilee celebration.
For the Jubilee of Young People, one of the major events in Rome in July-August 2025, this special information sheet includes important details. Also check out the USCCB web page for the Jubilee of Young People.