Year of Hope Begins
Place Your Trust in God

Pope Francis opened the Year of Hope with the Church’s ancient rite of the Opening of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter on December 24, 2024. This symbolizes a journey toward spiritual salvation and redemption. While the Holy Father encourages pilgrims to visit all the Holy Doors of Rome, he has also charged his bishops to create their own pilgrimage sites, welcoming pilgrims to cross the threshold and enter as invited guests into Christ’s Church to see His mercy and embrace the hope, forgiveness, and grace we obtain when we receive Christ.

The theme for this jubilee year is “Pilgrims of Hope” as we are in a world suffering the impacts of war, the lasting effects of the pandemic, and climate crisis. The Pontiff proclaimed in his Papal Bull, “Spes Non Confudit,” which translates “Hope does not disappoint.”

“Everyone knows what it is to hope,” said Pope Francis. “In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring. Even so, uncertainty about the future may at times give rise to conflicting feelings, ranging from confident trust to apprehensiveness, from serenity to anxiety, from firm conviction to hesitation and doubt. Often, we come across people who are discouraged, pessimistic and cynical about the future, as if nothing could possibly bring them happiness.

“For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope. God’s word helps us find reasons for that hope. Taking it as our guide, let us return to the message that the Apostle Paul wished to communicate to the Christians of Rome – be pilgrims of hope of Christ,” the Holy Father said.

Find strength in reading St. Paul’s letters to the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, Thessalonians, and to Philemon. Spend this year hopeful through his preaching and teaching on Christian living, grace, and salvation that is the true gift from God through our faith in Jesus Christ and His Church. Continue the mission to bring others to Christ, knowing that we should not hesitate to do these good works and deeds for God.

Note: Pope Francis designated five Holy Doors in Rome for the Jubilee. In addition to the Holy Doors at Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Holy Father also declared Holy Doors at Rome’s Rebibbia prison; Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran; the Bascilica of Saint Mary Major; and Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.

What is a jubilee year?

Traditionally the Church celebrates a “Jubilee” every 25 years and emphasizes a different focus.

In 1300, Pope Boniface VIII called the first Jubilee, also known as a “Holy Year,” since it is a time in which God’s holiness transforms us. The frequency of Holy Years has changed over time: at first, they were celebrated every 100 years; later, in 1343 Pope Clement VI reduced the gap between Jubilees to every 50 years, and in 1470 Pope Paul II made it every 25 years. There have also been “extraordinary” Holy Years: for example, in 1933 Pope Pius XI chose to commemorate the 1900th anniversary of the Redemption, and in 2015 Pope Francis proclaimed the Year of Mercy as an extraordinary jubilee. The way in which Jubilee Years are marked has also changed through the centuries: originally the Holy Year consisted of a pilgrimage to the Roman Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul, later other signs were added, such as the Holy Door. By participating in the Holy Year, one is granted a plenary indulgence.

The Jubilee Year of Hope invites you to focus on the hope that the Gospel brings to the world, particularly in times of crisis and uncertainty.

What is the significance of the logo?

The logo shows four stylized figures, representing all of humanity, coming from the four corners of the earth. They embrace each other to indicate the solidarity and fraternity which should unite all peoples. The figure at the front is holding onto the cross. It is not only the sign of the faith which this lead figure embraces, but also of hope, which can never be abandoned, because we are always in need of hope, especially in our moments of greatest need. There are the rough waves under the figures, symbolizing the fact that life’s pilgrimage does not always go smoothly in calm waters. Often the circumstances of daily life and events in the wider world require a greater call to hope. That’s why we should pay special attention to the lower part of the cross which has been elongated and turned into the shape of an anchor which is let down into the waves. The anchor is well known as a symbol of hope. In maritime jargon the ‘anchor of hope’ refers to the reserve anchor used by vessels involved in emergency maneuvers to stabilize the ship during storms.

What is an indulgence?

To quote the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), an indulgence is “a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints” (CCC 1471).

To read Pope Francis’ official decree granting the indulgence go to: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/tribunals/apost_penit/documents/rc_penitenzieria-ap_20240513_norme-indulgenza-giubileo2025_en.html

How can I receive an indulgence while in WV?

A Jubilee Indulgence is obtained after having completed:

Make a brief pilgrimage to one of the four locations designated as a pilgrimage site within the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston as a sign of your deep desire for true conversion and hope in the Lord’s Goodness.
Pray. Devoutly participate in one of the following at any of the four locations:
- Holy Mass
- Liturgy of the Hours (office of readings, lauds, vespers)
- Via Crucis (Way of the Cross/Stations of the Cross)
- Rosary
Confess in the Sacrament of Reconciliation within 20 days before or after your pilgrimage.
Receive Holy Communion, reflecting on the hope God gives.
Pray for the Pope and for the intentions that he bears in his heart for the good of the Church and of the entire world. Any prayer may be said, according to personal devotion, but the Our Father and Hail Mary are suggested.

Additionally, important to note, the Plenary Indulgence can be applied for yourself or souls of the deceased, but not other living souls. Further, a Plenary Indulgence can be gained only once per day. Though, a second can be obtained if it is applied to the souls in purgatory.

Pilgrimage Sites in WV Announced for Jubilee Year of Hope

The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston is pleased to announce four locations which have been designated as Pilgrimage Sites for the Jubilee Year 2025:

From now to December 28, 2025, Catholics from all over WV are invited to visit any and all of these locations obtain a Jubilee Indulgence called for by Pope Francis. A Jubilee Indulgence is obtained after having completed:
Make a brief pilgrimage to one of the four locations designated as a pilgrimage site within the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston as a sign of your deep desire for true conversion and hope in the Lord’s Goodness.
Pray. Devoutly participate in one of the following at any of the four locations:
- Holy Mass
- Liturgy of the Hours (office of readings, lauds, vespers)
- Via Crucis (Way of the Cross/Stations of the Cross)
- Rosary
Confess in the Sacrament of Reconciliation within 20 days before or after your pilgrimage.
Receive Holy Communion, reflecting on the hope God gives.
Pray for the Pope and for the intentions that he bears in his heart for the good of the Church and of the entire world. Any prayer may be said, according to personal devotion, but the Our Father and Hail Mary are suggested.

“May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven,” Bishop Mark Brennan said at the opening of the Jubilee Year in the diocese from the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling.
Let this Year of Hope energize our mission to lead others to Jesus. Place your trust in God who created you to do good works.

For More Information:

Each Jubilee Year brings with it the opportunity for the faithful to gain a Jubilee indulgence. To quote the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), an indulgence is “a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints” (CCC 1471).

To read Pope Francis’ official decree granting the indulgence CLICK HERE.

Pilgrimage Sites in WV

The faithful of WV may of course visit any of these churches at any time; however, on the first Sunday of each month at the principal Mass, anyone who is making a pilgrimage to that location will be acknowledged and a special blessing will be offered.

The USCCB has a list and map of all the Jubilee 2025 pilgrimage sites in the US the faithful are encouraged to visit. Access it here: https://www.usccb.org/jubilee2025/pilgrimage-sites-us.

Cathedral of St. Joseph, Wheeling – principal Mass Sunday 10:30am
Originally known as St. James Parish, the church was completed in 1823. It was the first church built in what became the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. The earliest parishioners were primarily Irish and German immigrants. A second church was built in 1849, and when the Diocese of Wheeling was created in 1850, St. James became the cathedral parish. The patronage was officially changed to St. Joseph in 1872.

St. Joseph Cathedral has been a center of Catholic life in Wheeling and the diocese from the time of its humble wood frame in 1823 to the majesty of its Romanesque carved stone, completed in 1926. All city parishes and many throughout the northern panhandle were formed from the St. Joseph Cathedral.
Various schools for boys and girls have been attached to the parish as far back as 1848, staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Xaverian Brothers, Marist Brothers, and lay teachers. Central Catholic High School was established in 1898.

Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Charleston – principal Mass Sunday 10:30am
Located in the capitol city of Charleston, Sacred Heart parish was established in 1866 by Rev. Joseph Stenger, affectionately remembered as the “Apostle of the Kanawha Valley.” The first pastorate was spread over Kanawha, Boone, Clay, Fayette, Nicholas, and Putnam counties. Mass was celebrated in a rented storefront until the first church was built in 1866. The second and current church was completed in 1897.

Diocesan priests staffed Sacred Heart until 1901 when Bishop Patrick J. Donahue invited the Capuchin Friars to take charge of the parish. The Capuchins remained at Sacred Heart until 1980, when the parish was transferred back to diocesan control.

In 1974, Sacred Heart was designated the Co-Cathedral of the diocese, and in 2009 was named a minor basilica. Considered the mother church of the Kanawha Valley, many area parishes can trace their origin to Sacred Heart. The parish’s first school was opened in 1867, and the present school was established in 1903. Central High School was established in 1923.

St. Patrick Church, Weston – principal Mass Sunday 10:30 am
A Catholic presence had been established in Weston as early as 1820 with many Irish and German immigrants who had labored on the Staunton & Parkersburg Turnpike. A priest from Pittsburgh visited the area until Rev. Austin Grogan was sent to Weston in 1845. Grogan was responsible for serving all of the Catholic faithful in central West Virginia. Mass was celebrated in private homes in Weston until a church was built in 1848, at which point St. Patrick was elevated to a parish, one of the earliest established in West Virginia. The earlier church was replaced in 1914 by the current stately stone church built by future bishop of Wheeling, Rev. John J. Swint.

St. Patrick has operated two grade schools (1855 – 1878; 1914 – present) and a high school (1918 – 1973). The Sisters of St. Joseph served the parish at Weston for nearly a century.

St. Joseph, Martinsburg – principal Mass Sunday 10:30 (English) Noon (Spanish)
Martinsburg was one of the earliest centers of Catholicism in the state, dating back to the late 1790s. The families gathered for Mass in private homes and later a rented house until the first church, St. John, was completed in 1830. The parish’s second and present church was completed in 1860 and dedicated to St. Joseph. The church sustained significant damage during the Civil War, with the main floor serving as an occasional hospital and the basement as a stable for the soldiers’ horses. St. Joseph remains the oldest Catholic church in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. A parochial school was opened in Martinsburg in 1870 and staffed by lay teachers until the arrival of the Sisters of Charity in 1883. A new school building was completed in 2000, with plans to open a high school in 2025.

Seminarian Michael Tupta Serves Historic Mass for Opening of the Holy Doors at St. Paul’s, Rome

NEWS FROM ROME: On Sunday, January 5, 2025, Seminarian Michael J. Tupta, who is attending the Pontifical North American College in Rome, served Mass on the eve of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord for Cardinal James Harvey, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. This is the fifth and final Jubilee Holy Door opening. The Church invites each pilgrim “to undertake a spiritual journey in the footsteps of faith,” Cardinal Harvey said.
Seminarian Michael, who is from Charleston, lead the procession of seminarians at the Mass and received Holy Communion from the Cardinal.
In his homily to more than 2,800 people in attendance, Cardinal Harvey said, “We need hope right now! In this post-pandemic period, unfortunately wounded by tragedies, wars, and crises of various kinds, hope, though undoubtedly linked to the future, is also experienced in the present.”
Hope “is not an empty word, or a vague wish of ours that things may turn out for the best;” rather, “hope is a certainty, because it is founded on God’s fidelity to His promises.”
Hope is not “a passive virtue… (but) “a supremely active virtue that helps to make things happen.”
The other four doors for the Jubilee Year of Hope are at: Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome’s Rebibbia prison, and the Basilicas of Saint John Lateran and Saint Mary Major.
The Basilica of St. Paul holds the relics of the Apostle of the Gentiles. Above the doors is a cross. Beneath it are two words in Latin: ‘Spes unica’ – Christ is the hope, the Door to enter the Kingdom of God.