Diocese plans for year long celebration of Jubilee

GREENSBURG – On Christmas eve, the Holy Father, Pope Francis,  opened the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome to begin the Jubilee Year of Hope, “Pilgrims of Hope.” On Dec. 29, the Jubilee Year of Hope begins across the globe for the Universal Church. In the Diocese of Greensburg, Bishop Larry J. Kulick will open the yearlong Jubilee during the Solemn Opening Mass of the Jubilee at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral at 3 p.m.

Father Christopher J. Pujol and Father Eric J. Dinga, Co-directors of the Office of Worship, have been working behind the scenes to plan this once-in-a-quarter-century event in the Diocese.

Every 25 years, the Universal Church celebrates a Jubilee Year. Its celebration dates back to the Old Testament. During those Jubilee Years, debts would be forgiven, and prisoners and slaves were freed. Now, Jubilees are celebrated as a time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another and with all of Creation. 

Father Pujol, Parochial Vicar at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral and Episcopal Master of Ceremonies, said a lot of preparation has been made to start the yearlong celebration in the Diocese.

“The Jubilee Mass will begin with the gathering of the faithful outside of the Cathedral,” said Father Pujol. “There will be the sign of the cross and readings that will come from Pope Francis’ Bull of Indiction, which establishes the Ordinary 2025 Jubilee.”   

Bishop Larry J. Kulick will bless the specially created Jubilee Cross, which plays a central role in the pilgrimage of the faithful.

“Bishop Kulick will carry the Jubilee Cross, followed by the faithful, to the doors of the Cathedral, where he will raise the cross. He will lead his faithful into the Cathedral to the baptismal font,” Father Pujol said.

Once the faithful are seated, Bishop Kulick  will bless them with holy water during a procession led by the Book of Gospels and the Jubilee Cross. Following the blessing, the cross will be placed near the baptismal font, where it will remain for the yearlong Jubilee.

The Jubilee Cross, built for this celebration by Deacon William Hisker, is the centerpiece of the Jubilee Year. The Holy See asked that each Diocese prepare and bless a Jubilee Cross for the celebration.

“After the blessing of the faithful, the Jubilee Cross is placed at the baptismal font to show that faithful that from the moment we enter the church, there are sufferings and challenges but there is the great hope that we have in  life eternal to come,” Father Pujol added.

Throughout the Jubilee Year, prayer and special activities will be held on the second Saturday of each month at the Cathedral, including confessions at 11 a.m. with priests from around the Diocese, Mass at noon.

Father Dinga, Pastor of Christ, Prince of Peace Parish, Ford City,  St. Mary, Mother of God Parish, Yatesboro, St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Kittanning, and St. Lawrence Parish, Cadogan, said parishes will also be involved in the yearlong celebration.

“The one thing  different with this Jubilee as opposed to others is that only the Cathedral has the cross that is at the center of the Jubilee Year. We are hoping there will be monthly activities at the parish level that can then be part of the  Diocesan events that happen as well,” he said.

Spiritually, those participating in the Jubilee celebrations are able to receive a plenary indulgence.

“It can be difficult to be totally free from sin and receive a plenary indulgence,” Father Pujol said. “That is  why in this circumstance, the Church opens wide the doors of this treasury of mercy and merit that we have the opportunity to reach in and ask for what we need.”

Father Dinga said the Jubilee reminds us not of what is to come but what has already happened, which is the sanctifying grace for us needed to enter the kingdom of heaven.

“This already happened with the person of Christ coming to us on earth. He has left us with the tools needed, and the Jubilee reminds us to use those tools to join in His salvation and bring others along with us.”