Every 25 years the Catholic Church declares a “Holy Year of Jubilee”. The Pope opens special “Holy Doors” in the four major basilicas in Rome: St. Peter, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul. Pilgrims come to Rome to process through the Holy Doors, confess their sins, receive the Eucharist, and pray for our Pope’s intentions. By making the spiritual pilgrimage, the faithful may gain a Plenary Indulgence: remission of the temporal punishment due to their sins.
In the Oakland Diocese, the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland and Mission San Jose in Fremont have been designated as permanent sites for every day of the 2025 Jubilee Year. In addition, the following parishes are “Designated Pilgrimage Sites” for one day only:
- January 19: Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland (Holy Year Opening Mass)
- February 7: Saint Bonaventure, Concord
- March 7: Corpus Christi, Piedmont
- April 11: Mission San Jose, Fremont
- May 13: Saint Perpetua, Lafayette
- June 22: Monastery of Discalced Carmelite Nuns, Kensington
- July 3: Saint Anthony, Oakley
- August 1: Saint Joseph Basilica, Alameda
- September 12: Saint Isidore, Danville
- October 7: Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland
- November 7: Saint Felicitas, San Leandro
- December 28: Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland (Holy Year Closing Mass)
On these designated days, these parishes will celebrate a morning Mass, followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament all day, and offer extended hours for confessions. Please check with individual parishes for exact times.
In order to gain the Jubilee Plenary Indulgence, pilgrims need to: make a pious pilgrimage by visiting a designated site • receive Holy Communion • go to Confession • pray for the intentions of our Holy Father. (You may receive Holy Communion and make your confession during a ‘grace period’ of 20 days before or after your visit to a pilgrimage church.) For more information, click on the button below.
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