Mass at the Cathedral officially opens Jubilee Year in the Diocese of Portland 

Bishop James Ruggieri celebrated a special Mass on Sunday, December 29 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, marking the opening of the Jubilee Year of 2025 and the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis launched the jubilee with the rite of the opening of the Holy Doors at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome before celebrating Midnight Mass.

Dating back to the 13th century, Ordinary Jubilees are celebrated every 25 years; Extraordinary Jubilees may be called (such as Pope Francis' 2016 Jubilee of Mercy) by the Holy Father. The theme of this year's jubilee is "pilgrims of hope" and celebrations in Rome and around the world will include pilgrimages, special Masses and events. During this Holy Year, the Catholic Church offers forgiveness through plenary indulgences. 

The faithful gathered in the chapel to begin the Mass on the 29th, singing the jubilee hymn before processing into the main church. Altar servers carried a wooden jubilee cross made by Fr. Seamus Griesbach, rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and pastor of the Portland Peninsula & Island Parishes. 

"And now, let us make our symbolic pilgrimage to the Lord's house, the Cathedral church of our diocese. Dear brothers and sisters, let us go forth in peace," said Bishop Ruggieri.

Following the procession, which included the singing of the Litany of Saints, was the rite of commemoration of baptism. The bishop sprinkled holy water on all those in attendance.

To read a message from the bishop on the jubilee in the latest issue of Harvest magazine, visit https://portlanddiocese.org/news/hope-does-not-disappoint-rom-55