Seminarians of the Diocese and altar servers process the crucifix to the front of the cathedral to place it in the rear of the apse where it will remain for the entire Jubilee Year for veneration. The Message photo by Megan Erbacher
By Megan Erbacher
The Message editor
Bishop Joseph M. Siegel celebrated the Solemn Opening Mass for the Jubilee Year 2025 on Dec. 29, 2024, the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville.
Pope Francis inaugurated the Holy Year by opening the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican on Dec. 24, 2024. Then, on the Dec. 29 Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Bishops in dioceses worldwide opened the Jubilee Year for their local churches. Pope Francis chose “Pilgrims of Hope” as the theme for the Holy Year 2025, which will run through Jan. 6, 2026.
All the present faithful at St. Benedict Cathedral stood and faced the rear of the cathedral as Bishop Siegel began the local celebration of Jubilee 2025. Inclement weather prevented the celebration from starting outside on the plaza in front of the cathedral. Bishop Siegel began the introductory rites and invited the people to bless and praise God. He introduced the celebration of the Jubilee before reciting the following prayer:
“O Father, you are the hope that does not disappoint and the beginning and end of all things; bless the start of our pilgrim journey behind the glorious Cross of your Son in this time of grace; bind up the wounds of hearts that are broken, loosen the chains that hold us slaves of sin and prisoners of hatred and grant your people the joy of the Spirit so that they may walk with renewed hope toward their longed-for destiny, Christ your Son and our Lord. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.”
Transitional Deacon Clint Johnson proclaimed a passage from the Gospel of John 14:1-7, in which Jesus describes himself as “the way and the truth and the life.” Paul Leingang, retired editor of The Message, then read an excerpt from the papal bull written by Pope Francis for the Holy Year, “Spes non confundit,” a Latin phrase that translates as “Hope does not disappoint.”
Following the readings, the Jubilee Cross was carried into the cathedral where Bishop Siegel placed his hands on the crucifix to venerate it before it was processed to the front of the cathedral. The crucifix was placed in the rear of the apse where it will remain for the entire Jubilee Year for veneration.
Bishop Siegel then approached the font to lead the rite of commemoration of Baptism, in which he blessed and sprinkled holy water on the faithful in attendance. All then sang “Gloria” before Mass continued with the Liturgy of the Word.
During his homily, Bishop Siegel spoke about the Holy Family and how it was like other families in Nazareth in those days, except the big difference being Mary and Joseph’s child was the son of God. Mary and Joseph’s unique vocation was to form the humanity of God’s son, the bishop explained, and to prepare him for the mission for which the heavenly father sent him.
The Holy Family prayed together, discussed the law and the prophets, and there was no room for resentment or disunity, Bishop Siegel said, as they treated one another with love, spoke the truth graciously and maintained a sense of humor. He continued and said the importance of the day’s feast is that it’s not only a window into the life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, but it also reveals the truth, beauty and goodness of the vocation of marriage and family life. After all, he said, it is in the family that each of us learns to give and receive love.
Bishop Siegel said a healthy, happy parish resembles a healthy, happy family, which prays together, centers its life on the Sunday Eucharist and seeks the sacrament of reconciliation for the forgiveness of God, and others who may have been harmed by our sins.
During his homily opening the Holy Year on Christmas Eve, Pope Francis drew upon the Jubilee Year’s theme of Pilgrims of Hope. Bishop Siegel recalled that Pope Francis said hope calls us to become pilgrims in search of truth, dreamers who never tire, men and women who are open to being challenged by God’s dream which is the dream of a new world where peace and justice reign. The Holy Year calls us to spiritual renewal, Bishop Siegel said, and it commits us to transforming our world so that this year may truly become a time of jubilation.
For more information on Jubilee 2025, visit https://www.evdio.org/jubilee-2025.html.
Bishop Siegel, third from left, prays the Eucharistic Prayer Dec. 29, 2024. Also gathered around the altar are Father Tyler Underhill, far left, Transitional Deacon Keith Hart, Matt Miller, Transitional Deacon Clint Johnson, Father Ray Brenner and Father Alex Zenthoefer. The Message photo by Megan Erbacher