On Christmas Eve at St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis symbolically opened the holy door that marks the Jubilee year, which happens every 25 years. This Jubilee is the Year of Hope, and will run until the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6, 2026. While only Rome has formal holy doors, the Archdiocese of New York is offering Jubilee pilgrimage sites where indulgences may be obtained as part of this very special time for the Church. St. Patrick's Cathedral has become an official site for the Jubilee Year of Hope.
A Special Message from Cardinal Dolan for the Jubilee of Hope
Conditions for the Indulgence
A plenary indulgence is a grace granted by the Catholic Church through the merits of Jesus Christ to remove the temporal punishment due to sin. The indulgence applies to sins already forgiven. A plenary indulgence cleanses the soul as if the person had just been baptized. Plenary indulgences obtained during the Jubilee Year can also be applied to souls in purgatory with the possibility of obtaining two plenary indulgences for the deceased in one day, according to the Apostolic Penitentiary.
For Catholics to obtain any of the plenary indulgences the following conditions must be fulfilled:
Detachment from all sin, even venial.
Sacramental confession, holy Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the pope. These three conditions can be fulfilled a few days before or after performing the works to gain the indulgence, but it is appropriate that Communion and the prayer take place on the same day that the work is completed.
A single sacramental confession is sufficient for several plenary indulgences, but frequent sacramental confession is encouraged to obtain the grace of deeper conversion and purity of heart.
For each plenary indulgence that is sought, however, a separate Holy Communion and a separate prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father are required.
The prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father is left up to the choice of the individual, but an Our Father and Hail Mary are suggested.
CLICK HERE for more information about the Ordinary Jubilee Year 2025.