Jubilee year for diocese opens with Mass

By DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications
 
Bishop Walker Nickless officially opened the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope at a Jan. 26 Mass at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City.
 
“This is a busy Sunday,” he said in his opening greeting. “There are three things to celebrate – Catholic Schools Week, the Jubilee Year of Hope and special opening of the Jubilee year and the pope’s Bible Sunday, Sunday of the Word of God.”
 
The preparation/offertory hymn at the Mass was Pilgrims of Hope, the official hymn for the jubilee, led by the Cathedral Choir. The hymn text was written by Pierangelo Sequeri and has been translated into numerous languages for worldwide use. Francesco Meneghello wrote the musical score.
 
In his homily, the bishop challenged the faithful to ensure that they make 2025 a “truly holy year.”


“The theme for this holy year is, ‘Hope does not disappoint,’ and we are asked this year to become pilgrims of hope. During this year, let’s remember to pray for each other. Let’s pray that none of us lose hope in God’s love for us. This year, let’s be hopeful, not discouraged by the events in the world around us or in our own lives or the lives of those we love,” Bishop Nickless said.
 
He urged those at the Mass to hope and trust in God’s word and presence in their lives. The bishop stressed that the jubilee year is one of grace. As the Holy Father has asked for the faithful to make a pilgrimage to Rome or the Holy Land, the bishop selected local sites as a more realistic option for most. He encouraged visiting the Cathedral, the Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, the Shrine of Trinity Heights – Queen of Peace in Sioux City and/or St. Joseph Church in Milford.

 “When we visit these four places, special graces and favors are promised to us if we pray and meditate before the Blessed Sacrament, pray the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary and the creed. We are asked to go to confession in the days near our visit,” Bishop Nickless explained. 

Referring to Sunday of the Word of God or Bible Sunday, the bishop noted Pope Francis desires that the universal church make a special focus upon the Bible that weekend.
 
“We give thanks for the Bible and are asked to celebrate, study and share the words of Scripture with others. This Bible day is for us to grow in knowledge and love of the Scriptures,” Bishop Nickless said.
 
Pointing out the first reading from the Mass from Nehemiah 8, the bishop explained that Ezra read Scripture to the Jews for six hours. Rather than complaining about the length of time, the Jews instead were overwhelmed with emotion.
 
“(They) bowed down, kissed the ground and wept. It had been over 70 years since they heard God’s word and now, they heard it again, so grateful for God’s love being poured out to them from the reading of that word,” he said.
 
Referencing the second reading of the Mass from 1 Corinthians, the bishop explained that St. Paul proclaims that each of the faithful are part of the body of Christ and each has a different role to play.
 
“We need each other as we strive each day to grow into the holy body of Jesus the Christ,” Bishop Nickless stressed.
 
In the Gospel reading from Luke, Christ read from Isaiah in the synagogue and he tells the faithful “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” Christ was chosen to bring the good news to others.
 
“We by our own baptism and confirmation are also chose, anointed and sent out to others to share the good news – you are free from the devil’s power. You are forgiven of your sins. You are loved by God. That is good news. That is the Gospel. Share the word to all who cross your path,” the bishop said.
 Bishop Nickless directed the faithful to mesh the celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope with Scripture on a daily basis in the coming months.
 
“Reverence and cherish the word as you read and reflect on even short passages every day this year,” he said. “Become a pilgrim of hope, being signs of hope in this world which so often prefers darkness. Start today with acts of love, kindness and forgiveness to those who cross your path. Have a blessed and holy Jubilee year.”
 
 
  

• Refrain from Pilgrims of Hope, official Jubilee 2025 hymn, English translation by Andrew Wadsworth.