The Jubilee Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope
““…and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.” ”
What is a Jubilee Year?
A Jubilee Year, or Holy Year, is a special year in the Catholic Church that is a time for Reconciliation, Conversion, Spiritual Renewal, and Pilgrimage. Download the Jubilee information sheet here.
What is the Theme?
The 2025 Jubilee Year will begin on Christmas Eve, 2024, and end on January 6, 2026. The theme for the year is "Pilgrims of Hope." Read More about Pope Francis’ announcement of the theme of the Jubilee Year.
What are Indulgences?
“All the faithful who are truly repentant and free from any affection for sin who are moved by a spirit of charity and who, during the Holy Year, purified through the sacrament of penance and refreshed by Holy Communion, pray for the Intentions of the Supreme Pontiff, will be able to obtain from the treasury of the Church a plenary indulgence, with remission and forgiveness of all their sins, which can be applied in suffrage to the souls in Purgatory.” (“Decree on the Granting of Indulgence during the Ordinary Jubilee Year 2025 called by His Holiness Pope Francis,” Angelo Cardinal de Donatis, 2024).
How may I obtain an indulgence?
*Pilgrimage to the Sacred Site to manifest great need for conversion and reconciliation
*Pious visits to sacred places for a suitable period of time, engage in eucharistic adoration and meditation, concluding with Our Father, the Profession of Faith, invocations to Mary, the Mother of God so that in this Holy Year everyone “will come to know the closeness of Mary, the most affectionate of mothers, who never abandons her children.” (Spes non confundit, 24).
*Participating in the Holy Mass and receiving Holy Communion
*Works of mercy and penance include participation in popular missions, spiritual exercises, or formation activities on Vatican II documents and the Catholic Church's Catechism.
*Praying for the Intentions of the Holy Father
How is the Shrine a Sacred Site?
Bishop Kevin Sweeney of the Paterson Diocese has designated the Shrine of Saint Joseph a sacred pilgrimage site for the Jubilee year. Every Saturday of the Month, the Shrine will offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Adoration from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. A 5:30 pm Vigil Mass will also be offered. Please check the Shrine calendar for other offerings during the Jubilee Year.
How Can I Find Out More?
The USCCB offers various resources related to the Year of Jubilee.
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
Calendar of Events
Sunday, January 26: Jubilee of the Word of God: Lectors
Prayers of gratitude and a special blessing will be offered for Lectors at all Masses.
Sunday, February 8: Jubilee of First Responders
Prayers of gratitude and a special blessing will be offered for First Responders at all Masses.
Wednesday, March 5: Ash Wednesday (Lent Begins)
Mass with the distribution of ashes will be celebrated in English at 8:00 am & at 7:00 pm in Spanish.
Ashes will be available at the office throughout the day.
Saturdays, March 8, 15, 21, 29: Lenten of Hope 4-week series, following the 5:30 pm Vigil Mass
This Lent, we can focus on the idea that even in a season of reflection and repentance, our ultimate hope lies in Jesus Christ's sacrifice and the promise of resurrection, highlighting that through our Lenten practices, we are drawing closer to that ultimate renewal and new life coming at Easter.
Sunday, March 9: Jubilee of Volunteers
A special prayer of gratitude will be offered at the end of Mass for all volunteers, followed by a coffee &...
Triduum Celebration: Solemnity of Saint Joseph, A Man of Hope
Saint Joseph consistently demonstrated HOPE in his unwavering faith in God's plan, even when faced with challenging situations like the virgin birth, always trusting that God would provide and guide him, offering hope to others through his steadfastness and ability to overcome adversity with a positive outlook; he is seen as a model for trusting in God's providence and finding hope in difficult times.
Monday, March 17, 8:00 am Mass: Saint Joseph, Patron of Families
Tuesday, March 18, 5:30 pm Mass: Saint Joseph, Patron of Immigrants
Wednesday, March 19, 8:00 am, 12 noon, 7:00 pm (Multilingual) Masses: Saint Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church: Bread will be available after all Wednesday Masses, and Saint Joseph’s Table will be offered after the 7:00 pm Mass. Please bring a dessert to share; thank you!
Friday, March 28 - Saturday, March 29: 24-Hours with the Lord Adoration of Hope
Friday: After 8:00 am Mass - Saturday: 8:00 am Mass. Please sign up to spend time in Adoration of the Lord.
Saturday, April 5: Jubilee of the Sick and Healthcare Workers: Healing Vigil Mass of Hope will be celebrated at 5:30 pm. *Healing masses offer hope and healing through prayer, anointing, and blessings:
Prayer: A healing mass to include prayers for healing, forgiveness, and new life.
Anointing: The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick may be offered at a healing mass, providing comfort and strength to those in need.
Blessing: A blessing with the relic of the True Cross could be offered at the end of a healing Mass.
Saturday, May 31: Jubilee of Families, Grandparents and the Elderly
12:00 Pilgrimage Walk: Location & Route TBD
1:00-3:30 pm Family Day (food, games, face painting)
3:30 pm Family Rosary
4:00 pm Vigil Mass with Bishop Kevin Sweeney
Sunday, June 8: Pentecost, 11:45 am Multilingual Mass followed by Reception
As we celebrate Pentecost, let's embrace the HOPE that comes with the Holy Spirit. This is a time to recognize how the Spirit brings fresh possibilities, encouraging us to make positive changes in our lives and the world around us. It’s a reminder of a future overflowing with God's love and grace. We can use this hope to inspire us to share the Gospel with others in the spirit of the Shrine’s founder, Fr. Thomas Judge, C.M.'s vision that every Catholic is an apostle, seeing Pentecost as a chance to fully welcome the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
July: Jubilee of Youth & Young Adults,
Paterson Diocese trip for young people to Seven Flags.
Thursday, September 11: Ecumenical Prayer Service: Hope of World Peace
All are invited to the annual ecumenical prayer service in collaboration with local clergy, which will be offered at 7:00 pm in the Chapel, and a special blessing will be offered for the Long Hill Township First Responders.
October: Jubilee of Missionaries, Annual Dinner of Gratitude: Date TBD
Sunday, November 02: Remembrance of Hope, The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, All Souls
All are invited to bring a photo no larger than 5x7 to place on the display, and special prayers of hope will be offered at all Masses.
Sunday, November 23: Feast of Christ the King, Founder’s Day
A special reflection from the Shrine’s founder, Fr. Thomas Judge, C.M., will be shared at all Masses.
Sunday, November 30: Advent of Hope
As we enter into the season of Advent, all are invited to join us for the special novena celebrations to prepare us for Christmas.
December 3-12: Our Lady of Guadalupe Spanish: 9-day Novena ending on December 12 with Mass at 7:00 pm in the Chapel, followed by a reception in the Auditorium.
December 15-23: Simbang Gabi English: The Simbang Gabi Christmas Novena will begin on December 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel, followed by a family gathering in the retreat room. Please join us for this special traditional Filipino celebration of the nine-day Novena in anticipation of the birth of Jesus.
December 16-24: Posadas Novena Masses Spanish: Las Posadas is a traditional Christmas celebration that re-enacts Mary and Joseph's search for shelter in Bethlehem. The celebration takes place over nine days, from December 16–24, and is a significant part of Christmas festivities.
Wednesday, December 24: Christmas Eve Vigil Masses
5:30 pm Chapel English
7:00 pm Chapel Spanish
9:30 pm Chapel English
Thursday, December 25: Christmas Day Masses
9:00 am Chapel English
11:45 am Chapel Spanish
Sunday, December 28: Feast of the HolyFamily, Closing of the Jubilee Year of Hope