This year, millions of Catholics around the world are converging on Rome for the Jubilee Year of Hope. It’s a special time for reflection, devotion, and spiritual renewal, offering Catholics the unique opportunity to obtain indulgences through pilgrimages, prayerful visits to specific churches, and acts of mercy. While many will make their way to Rome, there are ample opportunities for the faithful to participate in this spiritual journey closer to home.
Pilgrimage and the Indulgence
For those who cannot travel to Rome, the good news is that pilgrims anywhere in the world can still participate in this sacred time. “According to the Vatican, pilgrims anywhere in the world who undertake ‘a pious pilgrimage to any sacred jubilee site’ and devoutly participate in holy Mass can obtain the indulgence.” This means that even if you cannot physically make it to the Vatican, you can still receive the grace and blessings of the Jubilee by visiting a designated site within your community or area.
These designated sites are not limited to Rome but can include any jubilee site in your diocese. In fact, “In the U.S., bishops across the country have announced special designated jubilee pilgrimage sites throughout their dioceses, including cathedrals, basilicas, parish churches, local and national shrines, monasteries, and more.”
The Spiritual Practices of the Pilgrim
To fully benefit from the indulgence, pilgrims should engage in specific practices when visiting these sacred sites. At each designated location, the faithful are encouraged to take part in Eucharistic adoration and meditation for a suitable period. The visit should be concluded with prayers that include the “Our Father, the profession of faith, and invocations to Mary, Mother of God.” These steps ensure that pilgrims are not only physically present but spiritually engaged in the act of devotion, making the journey a transformative experience.
For those in the U.S., finding a pilgrimage site near you is simple. The Vatican offers an interactive map that “shows many of the pilgrimage sites that have been designated across the U.S. There is a search bar…where you can search for a specific location; or you can put in your home diocese and it will be highlighted for you, so you can see which designated sites are close by.” By clicking on the colored dots in the map legend, pilgrims can filter locations by type and easily navigate the map, helping them make the most of this spiritual opportunity.
Understanding the Indulgence
The concept of an indulgence is central to this year’s jubilee observance. An indulgence is “a grace granted by the Catholic Church through the merits of Jesus Christ to remit from a person the ‘temporal’ punishment they face for past sins that have already been forgiven.” It’s important to note that this does not remove the need for confession and forgiveness; rather, it frees the individual from the purification process that might otherwise occur in purgatory.
The Church teaches that every sin, no matter how small, involves an “unhealthy attachment to creatures,” which requires purification. “That purification frees a person — who has already gone to confession and obtained forgiveness — from what is known as the ‘temporal punishment’ of sin.” This is contrasted with the “eternal” punishment of hell, which occurs when someone dies in a state of grave sin, cut off from God.
Indulgences can be either “partial” or “plenary,” with the plenary indulgence removing all temporal punishment. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, indulgences serve to “spur them [the faithful] to works of devotion, penance, and charity,” a reminder of the Christian call to live in holiness and service to others.
Plenary Indulgence for the Deceased
One particularly meaningful aspect of the Jubilee Year of Hope is that plenary indulgences can be applied not only to the living but also to those in purgatory. “Plenary indulgences obtained during the jubilee year can also be applied to souls in purgatory,” offering a powerful way for Catholics to pray for their loved ones who have passed away. Catholics may obtain up to two plenary indulgences for the deceased in one day, according to the Apostolic Penitentiary.
Conditions for Receiving an Indulgence
To obtain an indulgence, a Catholic must fulfill certain conditions, which are clearly outlined in Church teaching. These “usual conditions” include being truly repentant, being free from attachment to sin, going to the sacrament of confession, receiving Holy Communion, and praying for the intentions of the pope. These steps ensure that the indulgence is not just a ritualistic act but a deep spiritual practice that encourages personal transformation and a closer relationship with God.
The Jubilee Year of Hope offers an incredible opportunity for spiritual renewal and grace through pilgrimages and indulgences. Whether traveling to Rome or visiting a nearby jubilee site, Catholics are invited to deepen their faith through devotion, reflection, and prayer. The path to obtaining an indulgence is one of repentance, devotion, and charity, guiding us all on a journey toward greater holiness. As we reflect on these opportunities, let us also remember the words of the Vatican: “Indulgences are offered not only to help Catholics but also to ‘spur them to works of devotion, penance, and charity,’” inviting us to become agents of grace, not only for ourselves but also for those around us.
