Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
King of the Universe
November 24, 2024
Pastoral Letter on the Jubilee 2025
Dear Clergy, Religious and Faithful of the Diocese of Kamloops,
As we approach the Holy Year 2025, themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has graciously provided a guide on Plenary Indulgences for the Jubilee Year. I warmly encourage you to reflect on this valuable resource, which is enclosed here and also available on our diocesan website, and to embrace the spiritual treasures it offers.
In the Diocese of Kamloops, we will commence the Holy Year on the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph on December 29, 2024 with a special liturgy at 1:30 PM followed by Holy Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral. The Jubilee Year will conclude with another special liturgy on December 28, 2025. This sacred time offers a profound opportunity to deepen our faith through two central elements of the Jubilee: pilgrimage and the Holy Door. These spiritual practices invite us to draw closer to God, renewing our hearts in His grace.
Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is far more than a physical journey—it is a spiritual endeavor, reminding us of our ultimate journey toward God. Jesus Himself teaches us, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). From the footsteps of Abraham and Moses to the Magi and countless pilgrims throughout history, a pilgrimage offers us a profound encounter with God. Whether undertaken in solitude or with others, it is the intention of the heart that transforms the journey into an act of faith.
The Holy Door
The Holy Door symbolizes Christ as “the door” (John 10:9), representing the passage from sin to grace and from separation to communion with God. Passing through the Holy Door is a powerful expression of faith, signifying our openness to God’s mercy and our desire to live in His love.
To bring the blessings of this Jubilee Year closer to you, I have designated three churches in our diocese as pilgrimage sites, each with its own Holy Door through which the faithful may pass and receive the graces of a plenary indulgence:
Sacred Heart Cathedral, Kamloops
St. James, Vernon
Sacred Heart, Williams Lake
I invite you to prayerfully visit these holy sites during the Jubilee Year and experience the richness of God’s grace. This is a time for renewal, healing, and growth as disciples of Christ. Let us respond to this sacred invitation, seeking God’s mercy, strengthening our faith, and journeying together as a pilgrim Church.
May this Holy Year be a time of abundant grace, profound hope, and renewed unity for all of us.
With prayerful hope in Christ,
Joseph Phuong Nguyen
Bishop of Kamloops
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