A sign for Pilgrims of Hope

This article is the first in a series featuring the Archdiocese of Omaha pilgrimage sites for the Jubilee Year 2025.

Archbishop Lucas has urged Catholics in the archdiocese to go on pilgrimage during the jubilee year, as an opportunity to renew their faith – and hope. The theme for the jubilee is “Pilgrims of Hope.”

The eight holy places in the archdiocese that have been designated as pilgrimage sites: St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha, St. Anthony Church in Cedar Rapids, Holy Family Shrine in Gretna, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Lynch, Immaculata Monastery in Norfolk, Immaculate Conception Church in Saint Helena, St. Benedict Center in Schuyler and St. Augustine Church in Winnebago.

Each pilgrimage site has its beauty and spiritual richness. This series of articles will focus on a particular aspect of  each site, as a possible source of inspiration for pilgrims.

“Hail, Cross of Christ, our only hope.”

Archbishop George J. Lucas opened Jubilee Year 2025 with those words, as a bare wooden cross that had been carried in procession was held aloft near the front entryway of St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha.

“The death and resurrection of Jesus is the heart of our faith and the basis of our hope,” Pope Francis wrote in the papal bull of indiction for the jubilee year, which has the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”

“For our sake, Jesus experienced the drama of death,” the pope said. “The Father’s love raised Him in the power of the Spirit, and made of His humanity the first fruits of our eternal salvation.”

Jesus’ Cross is indeed a sign of hope. And the crucifix at the cathedral, named “The Victorious Christ,” exemplifies that hope.

For pilgrims visiting the cathedral – which has been designated as one of eight pilgrimage sites in the archdiocese for the jubilee year – the crucifix behind the altar is hard to miss. It’s one of the cathedral’s most prominent features, positioned behind the altar, with a 7-foot, radiant bronze figure of Jesus juxtaposed against a large, dark cross.

Jesus is depicted lifting His head, gazing toward His Father, saying “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!”

This striking image has been a focal point for generations of worshipers at the cathedral.

Sculptor Albin Polasek was commissioned to create the crucifix in 1939. He considered the work his supreme accomplishment.

Father Jeremy Hans said St. Cecilia’s crucifix captured his attention as a young teen when he first walked into the cathedral. Now, as pastor of the parish and rector of the cathedral, the image still enthralls him.

“It is beautiful in that you can just see that relationship with the Father,” Father Hans said of the portrayal of the crucified Lord. “It’s not just Jesus suffering, dying on the cross, but He’s giving Himself to Somebody. He’s giving Himself to the Father for us.”

“Even in this misery, and even in His great suffering and pain of being on the cross, He’s looking to the Father.”

The cathedral’s crucifix is especially significant to him as priest, he said, and as pastor of St. Cecilia. “It’s just a beautiful reminder of being in relationship with the Father for the sake of the people.”

Many people familiar with the St. Cecilia crucifix have heard the legendary tale of how Polasek had carved most of the sculpture but stopped at Christ’s Face. He prayed for needed inspiration.

Soon, a stranger walked into Polasek’s workspace, looking for day work as a carpenter. As the two talked, Polasek became intrigued by the man’s facial features and resumed carving.

The carpenter was supposed to return the next day for work, but he never showed up. The artist, though, had found his inspiration.

Artist Albin Polasek  ALBIN POLSEK MUSEUM & SCULPTURE GARDENS

Polasek, who died in 1965, created other great works of art in the cathedral, including statues of the apostles Sts. John, Andrew, Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew.

On the ambo, where Scripture is proclaimed and homilies are preached, the artist carved images of several doctors of the Church.

Polasek made St. Cecilia’s circular bronze Stations of the Cross, too. As a  personal touch, he included his self-portrait in the lower right corner of the 12th Station, Jesus Dies on the Cross.

Other artists made statues based on Albin’s designs, including those of Our Lady of Nebraska and of the apostles Sts. James the Lesser, James the Greater, Philip, Matthias, Jude and Simon.

It’s the artist’s crucifix, though, that stands apart at St. Cecilia and continues to inspire.

“It’s a dynamic piece,” Father Hans said. “It’s not a static kind of Jesus, but Jesus actively calling out.”

“This is the victorious Jesus on the cross,” he said. “That in itself gives hope, that through all of our crosses, our God is still there. He hasn’t abandoned us. He’s going to bring us victory over the cross.”

Father Jeremy Hans ST. CECILIA CATHEDRAL SCHOOL

“Just looking at our Lord on that cross,” the pastor said, “it kind of teaches us to look to the Father even in those dark times and those tough times, those painful times.

“That’s what hope is, knowing that the Father has got something so wonderful and beautiful, so much better than whatever we have, waiting for us … that His love is going to bring in fullness.”

 “I think it’s very inspiring to have that crucifix there,” Father Hans said. “I hope it inspires hope in the hearts of the faithful.”

He encourages everyone to make a pilgrimage this jubilee year.

Opportunities range from making a pilgrimage to at least one of the four major papal basilicas in Rome, prayerfully visiting other specific churches, or practicing works of mercy during the holy year.  A plenary indulgence can be obtained with each pilgrimage.

“Taking a pilgrimage, in whatever form it is, can change us a little bit for the better and make us a little bit more people of hope,” Father Hans said.

“I think we all can see our culture, our society needs more hope these days. I think that’s something the Spirit can do within us in this jubilee year.”

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