By Chelsey Hare | Special to On Mission
The Universal Church celebrates a Jubilee in the year 2025, and it is an incredible opportunity for the faithful to renew their lives of prayer and receive special Jubilee graces along their journey to our heavenly home.
Looking to learn more about celebrating the Jubilee year in the Diocese of Green Bay? This guide dives into everything you need to know!
Pilgrims of Hope
This year’s Jubilee theme is titled “Pilgrims of Hope,” and it serves as a reminder for the Church to “fan the flame of hope that has been given to us and to help everyone gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart, and farsighted vision” (From the Holy Father’s letter to Archbishop Rino Fisichella about the 2025 Jubilee).
Inspired by these words, let us be drawn to the hope that does not fade — found in Jesus Christ — and may our witness to this hope spread to all who need it!
Pilgrimage Sites
Many Catholics choose to participate in a Jubilee Year and its opportunities for grace by pilgrimaging to designated Jubilee Pilgrimage Sites — from Rome to within their own diocese. These sites are usually cathedrals, shrines or churches devoted to a particular saint that can help the faithful encounter the beautiful and spiritual nature of pilgrimage.
Within the Diocese of Green Bay, Bishop David Ricken has designated three Jubilee Pilgrimage Sites for the faithful to visit during the year. These locations are:
- The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, 4047 Chapel Drive, Champion
- St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, 140 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay
- St. Pius X Catholic Church, 500 W. Marquette St., Appleton
First and foremost, a pilgrimage to these sites is an invitation to draw near to the heart of Jesus. Bring your cares, sufferings, hopes and fears with you and give them to God. He is longing to participate in your everyday life and to give you a renewal of body, mind and spirit — especially through the Sacrament of Confession.
While at these sites, be sure to look for the Diocese’s Jubilee Brochure! This resource — available in English and Spanish — can aid you in your prayer experience and guide you in how to receive the special Jubilee Indulgence. For more information on how to obtain the Jubilee Indulgence, you can read more here.
Planning Your Pilgrimage For Each Site
There are great opportunities to make the most of your pilgrimage to each of these holy sites by timing it around special events or devotionals at each location.
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion
Champion Shrine offers many devotional opportunities on its grounds, including daily Mass, confession, Adoration, rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet. Times for these daily activities can be found here.
The Shrine is known for its beautiful Marian devotion, especially to Our Lady of Champion, who appeared on its very grounds three times in 1859 to a young Belgian immigrant woman named Adele Brise. While on pilgrimage to these sacred grounds, make sure to visit the Apparition Oratory to pray with Our Lady, the Mother of Hope. Her greatest desire and goal is to bring us closer to the heart of her son, Jesus.
As you plan your trip to Champion, there are many unique events offered at the Shrine each year — from the Eucharistic Miracles of the World Exhibit to the Solemnity of Our Lady of Champion in October.
One standout for pilgrims is the Shrine’s Jubilee Mass on Sunday, July 20,, at 11 a.m. Celebrated by Bishop Ricken, this Mass will unite all pilgrims of hope — from near and far — under the mantle of the Blessed Virgin Mary. You can let the Shrine know you will be there and stay up-to-date on Jubilee events by visiting its Jubilee Informational Page.
St. Francis Xavier Cathedral
St. Francis Xavier Cathedral offers a variety of daily and Sunday Mass options, as well as confession on Wednesdays and Saturdays. In addition, St. Francis Xavier Cathedral has Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays from 3 to 8 p.m. For a full schedule of the cathedral’s Mass and confession times, click here.
Pilgrims can also see the Green Bay Diocese Museum on the 2nd Sunday of the Month after the 9 a.m. Mass, or by appointment by calling (920) 432-4348. This is a great way to take in the beauty of the cathedral’s artwork, windows and statues while there!
While at the cathedral, be sure to visit the Pilgrim Mission Cross. This type of cross was erected at each parish that Jesuit Fr. Francis Xavier Weninger visited while on mission, including this one from 1868 for St. Mary’s/St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. On the cross, you can read, “He Who Perseveres Will be Blessed Forever.” Fr. Weninger came from Austria to America in 1848 and eventually visited nearly every state. He died in 1888 at age 82.
St. Pius X Catholic Church
St. Pius X Parish offers daily and Sunday Mass times throughout the week for those wishing to receive Holy Eucharist while on pilgrimage. They also offer confession time on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and First Fridays. Their schedule for Mass and confession can be found here.
While visiting St. Pius X Church, be sure to stop by the Perpetual Adoration Chapel. You can visit the parish office to obtain the chapel entrance code. All pilgrims are also welcome to join the St. Pius X staff in daily Adoration Monday through Friday from 11:30 am to 12 noon in the main church.
A Call for All
Whether you are a young one, young adult or young at heart, a Jubilee Year is a great invitation for all to encounter the depths of God’s love for us! Let us each make a promise to God to respond to his call this year and receive the hope he desires to give to each of our hearts.
For more resources on the Jubilee Year, stay connected with OnMission from the Diocese of Green Bay or find materials at any of the three diocesan Jubilee Pilgrimage Sites.
May God’s hope live in your heart today and every day!