Pilgrims of Hope

Pope Francis has declared 2025 to be a Jubilee Year within the Church. Jubilee Years are years set aside to encourage us to seek God's mercy, to renew the focus on our spiritual life, or even embark on a pilgrimage. This Jubilee Year, Pope Francis has asked us to reflect on God’s boundless mercy and embrace our mission to live out the Gospel in everyday life.

The jubilee calls for us to set out on a journey and to cross boundaries. When we travel, we do not only change place physically, but we also change ourselves. Pilgrimage is an experience of conversion, of transforming one's very being to conform it to the holiness of God. During the pilgrimage, one also shares in the experience of those who, for various reasons, are forced to leave their homelands to seek a better life for themselves and their family. The Archdiocese of Chicago has designated 24 churches and missions as Pilgrimage Sites, including St. Gianna.

To encourage participation in the Jubilee celebration, St. Gianna is adding a weekday Mass and extended Confession times during Lent. Join us on Wednesday evenings during the season of Lent for Confession from 6:15-6:45 p.m., followed by the celebration of Mass at 7:00 p.m. We will also offer extended Confession time on Saturday, from 2:30-3:45 p.m.

Pope Francis has granted special indulgences to those who participate in the celebration of the Jubilee. One may gain this special Indulgence by participating in any pilgrimage to one of the 24 churches across the Archdiocese designated as Jubilee pilgrimage sites (including to St. Gianna), and fulfilling the usual conditions during the pilgrimage.