Throughout the Jubilee Year 2025, a special holy year of grace, hope, and pilgrimage that happens at least once every 25 years, Pope Francis is calling all Catholics to go on a journey of conversion as “Pilgrims of Hope,” seeking to grow closer to the Lord, cultivating hope in their hearts, and bringing hope to others.
The Diocese of Venice is hosting five pilgrimage sites, as well as several events which brings to life the Jubilee’s theme: “Pilgrims of Hope.” The Diocesan website is a clearinghouse of information regarding Jubilee Year 2025 activities in the Diocese, as well as general information about the Jubilee Year.
Below is a list of some of the activities taking place within the Diocese of Venice where the faithful can participate in the Jubilee Year.
Five Diocesan Pilgrimage Sites
Bishop Frank J. Dewane has designated five locations as Jubilee pilgrimage sites within the Diocese of Venice. Each of these sites (Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, St. John XXIII Parish in Fort Myers, St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples, St. Paul Parish in Arcadia, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice), will include expanded times for Mass, Adoration, and Confession, as well as Lenten programming. Each of the sites will also be open to individual or large group pilgrimages. Recall that the Holy Doors established by Pope Francis are limited to five pilgrimage sites in Rome.
Jubilee Indulgence
One grace that “Pilgrims of Hope” may obtain during the Jubilee Year is an indulgence. This grace is granted by the Holy Father to anyone who travels to any sacred jubilee site, whether in Rome, or a locally designated sacred site. The Jubilee Indulgence is a concrete manifestation of God’s mercy and is a gift of grace specific to the Holy Year. To gain an indulgence during Jubilee Year 2025, the faithful can undertake a pilgrimage or pious visit to a Jubilee Site, including those designated by the Bishop. The person seeking the plenary indulgence must participate in Holy Mass or any of the following: celebration of the Word of God, Liturgy of the Hours, the Way of the Cross, Marian Rosary, or a penitential celebration which ends with individual confession. Further requirements to obtain an indulgence, including the usual conditions – the person must be detached from sin and repentant; receive the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion; and pray for the intentions of the Holy Father. These usual conditions may be met specifically at a Jubilee Site or at one’s own Parish but should be done on the same day or within a few days of the act of indulgence. Additional information about receiving a Jubilee Indulgence can be found at https://dioceseofvenice.org/jubilee-2025-pilgrims-of-hope/.
Next Youth Jubilee Adoration Night March 22
The Office of Youth and Young Adult Outreach is offering Youth Jubilee Adoration Nights as part of the Jubilee Year 2025. The evenings include Eucharistic Adoration, an inspirational talk, prayer, music, and the opportunity to take part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, concluding with Benediction. While the Youth Jubilee Adoration Nights are geared toward younger Catholics, with youth-focused music and talks, all are welcome. Each Adoration Night is 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Upcoming opportunities to participate are: Saturday, March 22, St. Patrick Parish, 7900 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota; and Friday, May 2, St. Paul Parish, 1330 E. Oak. St., Arcadia. There is no cost to attend. For more information contact Andres Prias at 941-441-1122 or prias@dioceseofvenice.org.
Twenty-Four Hours for the Lord
For the Jubilee Year, the Holy Father has called upon some Churches to observe a 24 Hours for the Lord event on March 28. Please check with your local Parish for designated times for the Sacrament of Confession. (Please note that this will be in addition to the designated Lenten Confession times for the Diocese of Venice, which will be held this year from 4 – 8 p.m., Friday, April 11, and 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, April 12.)
OLPH Jubilee Year of Hope Retreat April 11-13
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, 3989 S. Moon Drive, Venice, is hosting a Jubilee Year of Hope Retreat, April 11-13, 2025 (Palm Sunday Weekend), from Friday, 3 p.m. through Sunday at 1 p.m. The retreat is themed: “A Path to Healing Your Broken Heart,” and will be presented by Father Shawn Monahan, OMV. “This Jubilee, let us walk together on the journey of healing, restoring our hearts and preparing ourselves to receive Christ with open arms. With prayer and reflection, you’ll explore the parts of your heart that need healing. The retreat will help you surrender your brokenness to Jesus, trusting in His ability to heal and restore. You will experience spiritual renewal and rediscover the peace and joy that Christ brings in this Jubilee Year of Hope.” Father Monahan is an experienced guide who has a passion for helping others heal the wounds that come from living in a broken world so that they may experience a more abundant life in Christ. Register at www.olph-retreat.org and click on “Schedule of Events.”
As the Jubilee Year continues, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/jubilee-2025-pilgrims-of-hope/ frequently for updates on the latest Diocesan Jubilee Year activities.
The Jubilee Prayer
Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.
Amen
