Pilgrimages mark the Jubilee Year of Hope in the Diocese of Erie
By Allison Mosier10/07/2025
On Thursday, September 25, parishioners from Blessed Sacrament Parish in Erie set out on a Jubilee pilgrimage to St. Leo Magnus Church in Ridgway. The day began with Mass, where Father Justin Pino reflected on the meaning of pilgrimage in a Jubilee year: stepping out of the ordinary to walk with Christ in prayer and hope. The group then shared lunch, visited the Benedictine Sisters’ museum and gift shop in St. Marys, and ended the day surrounded by creation’s beauty at the Benezette Elk Visitor Center, where they spotted two elk cows.
Just a few days later, on Sunday, September 28, parishioners from St. Francis Xavier Parish in McKean gathered for their own pilgrimage. This time, the destination was Saint Peter Cathedral in Erie. There, pilgrims prayed for the intentions of the Holy Father, uniting their steps with Catholics around the world during this Jubilee Year of Hope.
Pilgrimage and the Jubilee
Pilgrimages within the diocese are a beautiful way to reflect, pray and journey together, but the official Holy Doors of the Jubilee are located in Rome. Passing through these doors is a profound sign of grace, symbolizing repentance and renewal. Pilgrims who walk through a Holy Door and fulfill the spiritual requirements, receiving the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist, reciting the Creed, praying for the Holy Father’s intentions and cultivating detachment from sin, may receive a plenary indulgence.
This month, 80 pilgrims from the Diocese of Erie will travel to Italy, walking through the Holy Doors in Rome. They will not only bring their personal prayers but also carry the intentions of the faithful from across our 13 counties. Submitting intentions allows every parishioner to be part of this sacred journey, whether near or far.
How to take part
If you are not able to travel to Rome, you can still unite spiritually with the Jubilee. Attend a local pilgrimage event, gather for prayer or spend time in Adoration. Most importantly, you are invited to submit your personal prayer requests so they can be carried by our diocesan pilgrims to the Holy Doors in Rome.
And closer to home, another diocesan pilgrimage is planned: on Thursday, October 23, parishioners from Warren will travel together to St. Leo Magnus in Ridgway for a day of prayer and fellowship.
Are you hosting a pilgrimage to Saint Peter Cathedral in Erie or St. Leo Magnus in Ridgway? Let us know! Contact Allison at amosier@eriercd.org.
Pilgrimage reminds us that faith is never static, it is a journey, often taken together, always leading us closer to Christ. This Jubilee Year of Hope is a powerful opportunity to walk in faith, step through the open doors of mercy and renew our hearts in God’s love.
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