Archbishop Vigneron joins cohosts Mike Chamberland and Mary Wilkerson to discuss the upcoming Jubilee Year of Hope, including the history and purpose of jubilee years, the meaning of the “Pilgrims of Hope” theme, Archbishop Vigneron’s new message to the faithful about the jubilee, and opportunities for pilgrimages within the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Archbishop Vigneron joins cohosts Mike Chamberland and Mary Wilkerson to discuss the upcoming Jubilee Year of Hope, including the history and purpose of jubilee years, the meaning of the “Pilgrims of Hope” theme, Archbishop Vigneron’s new message to the faithful about the jubilee, and opportunities for pilgrimages within the Archdiocese of Detroit.
(0:23) Hosts Mike Chamberland and Mary Wilkerson welcome Archbishop Vigneron to another episode of Eyes on Jesus. It has been a couple months since our last episode, so Archbishop Vigneron shares some of the highlights of his fall.
(5:43) Mary introduces today’s topic: the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025. Archbishop Vigneron begins by summarizing the history of jubilees, with roots in the Old Testament when the Law of Moses called for every 50 years to be dedicated to the renewal of the life of the children of Israel. The Church’s first official jubilee year was held in 1300, when Pope Boniface VIII declared a special year of grace and pilgrimage to Rome. Over time, the practice was regularized to include Ordinary Jubilees every 25 years and Extraordinary Jubilees proclaimed at the discretion of the Holy Father.
(8:08) Mary recalls attending World Youth Day in Rome during the Great Jubilee of 2000, noting that she was particularly moved by St. Pope John Paul II’s expression of trust in young adults to carry the truth of the Gospel into the world. Archbishop Vigneron highlights the fact that each jubilee year carries with it a special grace for every person, and specifies that while a person’s participation in the jubilee may be very personal, it is not private. It is a communal celebration of pilgrims united in prayer.
(15:09) Mike asks Archbishop Vigneron to share about the theme of this jubilee year, “Pilgrims of Hope.” The Archbishop begins by explaining the nature of hope and touching on what the Holy Father has said about his chosen theme. The group then discusses the power of authentic hope found solely in the person of Christ through the gift of the Church and the Eucharist.
(20:57) Archbishop Vigneron details how the opening of the Jubilee Year will unfold, beginning with Pope Francis opening the first Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Dec. 24. Over the Christmas season, he will open four more Holy Doors, including one in a Roman prison. Locally, the Archbishop will celebrate a Mass with the Rite for the Solemn Opening of the Jubilee Year on Sunday, Dec. 29, the Feast of the Holy Family.
(22:56) Unique to this jubilee year, there will be no Holy Doors outside of Rome. Instead, the Archdiocese of Detroit has designated 12 local pilgrimage sites where the faithful will be able to pray the official prayer for jubilee and unite themselves spiritually with all who will journey as pilgrims to Rome. Archbishop Vigneron lists and discusses some of those sites.
(27:49) Archbishop Vigneron introduces the concept of indulgences, the remission of the temporal punishment (the effects of sin that linger in us) caused by sin. Pilgrims can obtain an indulgence by visiting one of the designated pilgrim sites within the Archdiocese of Detroit, as long as they also strive for a complete detachment from sin, offer prayers for the Holy Father, go to Reconciliation, and receive Holy Eucharist within a reasonable amount of time. Archbishop Vigneron then talks about his recent message to the faithful, “Pilgrims of Hope,” and shares his intention to release additional messages to the faithful as the jubilee year unfolds.
(37:45) Archbishop Vigneron answers listener questions about celebrating Mass at his childhood parish and his favorite Advent and Christmas hymns. He then closes the episode with a prayer and blessing.