NH Eucharistic Pilgrimage

What is a Jubilee Year?

A Jubilee Year is traditionally proclaimed by the Universal Church every 25 years. It is a particular year set aside to encourage the faithful to embark on pilgrimages, to repent of their sins and forgive the sins of others, and to renew a focus on the spiritual life. In the Hebrew tradition, as recorded in Leviticus, a Jubilee was celebrated every 50 years with the freeing of slaves and the forgiveness of debts. In 1300, Pope Boniface VIII instituted the first Christian Jubilee, and since then the Church has designated each new Jubilee as a special year of grace and forgiveness, offering the faithful an opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence.


NH Jubilee 2025 Eucharistic Pilgrimage

Bishop Libasci invites everyone to participate in a special New Hampshire Eucharistic Pilgrimage during the Jubilee Year. For 33 days, from May 18 through June 19, 2025, our Eucharistic Lord will be prayerfully processed throughout the Diocese – which encompasses the entire State of New Hampshire – stopping at every parish and Catholic school.


The Daughters of Mary, Mother of Healing Love organized this pilgrimage in partnership with Bishop Libasci. Their careful consultation with other dioceses and commitment to spreading love and zeal for the Eucharist has resulted in a detailed logistical plan. It will provide the faithful with an opportunity to participate in their home parishes and schools with Eucharistic events such as Mass, adoration and public procession.


The New Hampshire Eucharistic Pilgrimage will kick off on Sunday, May 18 at the 10:30 AM Mass at Saint Joseph Cathedral and will end there on Thursday, June 19, the Feast of Corpus Christi. Information about the statewide route and specific dates the pilgrimage will available soon.


To learn more about the Diocesan Eucharistic Pilgrimage, visit:

https://www.catholicnh.org/worship-and-sacraments/faith/nhjubilee/ or download the official booklet here: NHEP Booklet



  • Origin and Significance

    • The concept of a jubilee year has ancient roots in the law of Moses. In the Book of Leviticus, it was prescribed that jubilee years should occur every 50 years. These years were marked by the return of lands to their owners and the forgiveness of debts – a manifestation of God’s justice and mercy.
    • Pope Boniface VIII established a similar practice in the year 1300 for the  Catholic Church.
    • The 2025 Jubilee Year follows the Catholic custom of celebrating a Jubilee every 25 years.
    • It begins on December 24, 2024 (Christmas Eve) and concludes on January 6, 2026.
    • Extraordinary jubilee years can also be proclaimed by the Holy Father as when Pope Francis decreed the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2015.
    • Additional Information can be found at www.usccb.org/jubilee2025.

  • Theme and Motto

    • The theme for this Jubilee Year is “Pilgrims of Hope.” These words encapsulate the essence of our journey in this life. Both “pilgrims” and “hope” resonate with key themes of Pope Francis’ pontificate.
    • The logo shows four stylized figures, representing all of humanity, coming from the four corners of the earth. They embrace to indicate the solidarity which should unite all peoples. The figure at the front is holding onto the cross which will never abandon us. There are rough waves under the figures, symbolizing the fact that life’s pilgrimage does not always go smoothly in calm waters. The lower part of the cross is elongated into the shape of an anchor let down into the waves. The anchor is well known as a symbol of hope. Adapted from www.iubilaeum2025.va/en/giubileo-2025/logo.html

  • Jubilee Traditions

    • The Pope inaugurates the Jubilee Year by opening the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica. This Door is opened only during Jubilee years.
    • Subsequently, the Holy Doors of other papal basilicas—St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and St. Mary Major—are opened and remain so until the end of the Jubilee Year.
    • This Jubilee Year will not include Holy Doors in all the (arch)dioceses of the world, though a bishop may designate a place or activity in honor of the Jubilee Year for the faithful to obtain the graces they could receive as if they had traveled to Rome. Bishop Libasci has proclaimed that all those who participate in the NH Diocesan Eucharistic Pilgrimage May 18 – June 19, 2025, will have an opportunity for these special graces called indulgences.
    • Special Jubilee celebrations are held in Rome for many particular groups during this year. For example, the Jubilee of Artists is Feb. 15-18, the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers is April 5-6, and the Jubilee of Sports is June 14-15. And there are many, many more.

    Please go to www.usccb.org/jubilee-2025-calendar for more information.

Participating in the Jubilee Year 2025 is a wonderful opportunity for spiritual growth and fruitful reflection. Here are some ways you can engage in this special year:

  • Pilgrimage to Rome:

    • If possible, consider making a pilgrimage to Rome, the heart of the Catholic Church. During the Jubilee Year, the city will be bustling with pilgrims from around the world.

  • Participate in Local Events:

    • Even if you don't travel to Rome, many dioceses and parishes organize local events and activities to celebrate the Jubilee Year. This is what the NH diocesan Eucharistic Pilgrimage is all about. For more information, please go to: catholicnh.org/nhjubilee
    • Attend special Masses, prayer services, and retreats. Seek out opportuities for confessionand spiritual direction.

  • Learn About Plenary Indulgences:

    • The Jubilee Year offers the possibility of obtaining a plenary indulgence, which remits all temporal punishment due to sin.

    • To receive this grace, a person must fulfill the following conditions:

    1. Make a sacramental confession (within a reasonable time before or after the jubilee event).
    2. Receive Holy Communion.
    3. Pray for the intentions of the Pope (usually an Our Father and a Hail Mary).
    4. Visit a designated jubilee site (such as a cathedral or basilica) with a contrite heart.
    5. Detach from all attachment to sin, even venial sin.

    • For more information about indulgences, please go to: https://thenationalshrineofmarymotherofthechurch.com/plenary-indulgences-explained/

  • Reflect and Set Spiritual Goals:

    • Use this special year as an opportunity for introspection and growth.
    • Reflect on your life, your relationship with God, and how you can enrich your spiritual life.
    • Set spiritual goals—whether it’s deepening your prayer life, practicing acts of charity, or seeking reconciliation with others.

Remember that the Jubilee Year is a time of grace, mercy, and renewal. May it be a transformative experience for you, wherever you are on your faith journey.

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