
The 2025 Jubilee Year officially begins in the Archdiocese of Omaha with an opening rite and Mass at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha. SUSAN SZALEWSKI/STAFF
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Catholics in northeast Nebraska encouraged to see themselves as “Pilgrims of Hope”
January 23, 2025
In honor of the 2025 Jubilee Year, Archbishop George J. Lucas called on local Catholics to see themselves as Pilgrims of Hope, the theme of the Jubilee.
The Archdiocese of Omaha opened the 2025 Jubilee Year with a rite at Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart Chapel, followed by a procession to St. Cecilia Cathedral for Mass on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. This came just days after Pope Francis officially opened the 2025 Jubilee on Dec. 24, with the rite of Opening of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter by the Holy Father.
In his homily at the opening Mass, Archbishop Lucas said that during the upcoming year, the Church is to reflect on the Salvation Jesus won for us, to realize and experience the truth that Salvation is meant for us.
“This is for me, this is for you,” Archbishop Lucas said.
According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the concept of “Jubilee” originates in the Book of Leviticus as a special year of reconciliation, pilgrimage and coming home.
The Vatican has issued a decree outlining how Catholics can obtain a plenary indulgence during the 2025 Jubilee Year. These include 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.
While the Archdiocese of Omaha will not be leading a pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee, there are opportunities for the faithful to make pilgrimages to eight sites within the archdiocese for which a plenary indulgence may be obtained. Pilgrimage sites within the Archdiocese of Omaha:
- Saint Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha
- Saint 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
- Saint Benedict Center in Schuyler
- Saint Augustine Church in Winnebago
More information on these pilgrimage sites and the 2025 Jubilee can be found here.
Photos from the 2025 Jubilee Opening in the Archdiocese of Omaha. SUSAN SZALEWSKI/STAFF