This article originally appeared in the summer 2025 issue of The Vincentian, the quarterly newsletter of the Congregation of the Mission Western Province.
Take a pilgrimage as part of 2025 Jubilee Year
On Christmas Eve, 2024, Pope Francis declared a Jubilee Year with the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope.” Pope Francis invited Catholics to renew their hope, encouraging a deeper faith and trust in God’s love and mercy.
The basis for a Jubilee year is found in 25th chapter of the book of Leviticus. The Jewish people were to observe a Jubilee every 50 years. It was a year of rest and liberation, symbolizing God’s mercy and care for his people. The Catholic Church has adopted the concept of a Jubilee, traditionally observed every 25 years, to emphasize themes of mercy, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
Jubilee years often involve physical pilgrimages, representing a return to God and a deepening of one’s faith. Many people will make pilgrimages to famous religious sites in Rome, Jerusalem, and other famous places. Closer to home, dioceses and archdioceses around the world have designated local churches and shrines as pilgrimage sites. The Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal at St. Mary’s of the Barrens in Perryville, Missouri, has been designated as one of nine pilgrimage sites for the Archdiocese of St. Louis. (Learn more by going to: amm.org)
Whether you are going near or far, making a pilgrimage is different than other kinds of travel, in that it is both a physical and spiritual journey. And just as one carefully prepares for recreational or business travel, a pilgrimage also requires preparation on the part of the individual pilgrim. Consider the following if you are planning to go on a pilgrimage yourself:
- Why you are going on this pilgrimage, and what you hope to gain from it. A pilgrimage begins before the start of the journey itself: the starting point is the decision to set out.
- Increase your daily prayer time and consider adding specific prayer intentions when you reach the church or shrine.
- Do some research. Learn about the historical and spiritual significance of the place you are planning to visit.
- To fully engage yourself in the pilgrimage, try to leave behind other commitments like your work or social life.
- Enjoy the journey. Expect new things to happen and plans to be changed along the way. This is a spiritual journey, not a vacation!
Whether your pilgrimage takes you halfway around the world or simply to the other side of your diocese, remember that you are setting out on a spiritual journey, one that will give you the opportunity to not only change your physical place but also to change yourself.
-Fr. Ray Van Dorpe, C.M.