Jubilee Year
Inspiring.Faith.Community.


Saint Cecilia Cathedral has been designated as a pilgrimage site.
2025 is the Jubilee Holy Year, the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation of our Lord, an “event of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the Church.” Pope Francis had designated the 2025 Holy Year as a time to renew ourselves as “Pilgrims of Hope.”
Participating in the Jubilee Year is an opportunity for spiritual renewal, personal growth, and a deeper connection with faith. The Jubilee is a special time in the Church, offering plenary indulgences, forgiveness, and a chance to start anew. It encourages believers to seek reconciliation, not only with God but also with others, fostering a spirit of mercy and unity. By engaging in the prayers, pilgrimages, and acts of charity associated with the Jubilee, we open ourselves to grace and transformation, strengthening our faith and commitment to living a life of holiness.
Beyond personal spirituality, the Jubilee Year calls us to serve and uplift those in need. Rooted in biblical traditions of debt forgiveness and social justice, the Jubilee reminds us of the importance of compassion and generosity. It is a time to examine our role in society, helping the poor, supporting those who are struggling, and promoting fairness and justice. By participating, we not only grow closer to God but also fulfill the Christian mission to love and care for our neighbors in meaningful ways.
When to visit
The Church is open for visit and prayer time M-F 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Saturdays 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, and Sundays 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Schedule a group visit and tour
Call the Cathedral Arts Project at 402-551-4888.
What to do during your visit
Pray in the main church or either of our side chapels
Marvel at the magnificent crucified Jesus above the main altar
Light a candle and pray for your intentions
Read our brochures from the racks
Stop in to the Nash Chapel for Jubilee Year information and prayer
View the stained glass windows
View the art on the walls
Pray the Stations of the Cross in the main church
Go to confession on weekdays: 11:50 am – 12:10 pm and Saturdays: 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Listen to the famous Pasi organ (if one of our organists is practicing)
Join us as we pray
Holy Mass
Sunday 8:30 am and 10:30 am (choir)
Monday – Friday 11:15 am
Saturday 7:30 am and 5:30 pm vigil
Confession
Saturday 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Monday – Friday 11:50 am – 12:10 pm
Or call 402-551-2313 to make an appointment
The Cathedral is open for individual prayer:
MTWF 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Thursday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Sunday 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament:
Thursdays, Noon to 6:00 pm in the Our Lady of Nebraska Chapel
VENI City-Wide Young Adult Holy Hour 2nd Fridays 7:30 pm in the main church
Rosary:
Saturday 5:00 pm before Mass in the main church
First Friday Devotion:
Follows 11:15 am Mass in the Our Lady of Nebraska Chapel
Mother of Perpetual Help Devotion:
Tuesdays following 11:15 am Mass in Our Lady of Nebraska Chapel
Plenary Indulgences
During the Jubilee Year, the Catholic Church grants plenary indulgences, offering the faithful a unique opportunity to receive complete remission of temporal punishment due to sin. To obtain a plenary indulgence, one must fulfill the following conditions: receive the sacrament of confession, participate in the Eucharist, pray for the Pope’s intentions, and be free from all attachment to sin—even venial sin. Traditionally, during a Jubilee Year, indulgences are granted to those who make a pilgrimage to designated Holy Sites, such as the four major basilicas in Rome or local diocesan cathedrals where special Jubilee Doors have been opened. This indulgence is a profound gift that allows the faithful to fully experience God’s mercy and grace, reinforcing their journey toward spiritual renewal.
For those who are sick, elderly, or homebound, the Church extends special provisions to ensure they, too, can receive a plenary indulgence. Since they may be unable to physically travel to pilgrimage sites, they can instead unite their sufferings with Christ, offer prayers, and participate in the Holy Mass or spiritual exercises through television, radio, or online broadcasts. The Church recognizes that those who are ill or in fragile health can still engage in the Jubilee’s spirit of repentance and faith, making it possible for them to fully participate from wherever they are. This adaptation ensures that no one is excluded from receiving God’s abundant grace.
A particularly moving aspect of plenary indulgences is that they can be offered for deceased loved ones. Since indulgences help remit temporal punishment, faithful Catholics can choose to apply them not only for themselves but also for souls in purgatory, helping to speed their journey toward heaven. This act of charity and intercession reflects the deep communion between the living and the dead within the Church. By praying for the deceased and fulfilling the required conditions of the indulgence in their name, we extend God’s mercy beyond our own lives, offering hope and assistance to those who have passed before us.
The virtue of plenary indulgences lies in their call to holiness, penance, and detachment from sin. They encourage believers to embrace a life of grace, strengthen their relationship with God, and engage in acts of devotion and charity. By participating in the Jubilee Year’s indulgence, we are reminded of the transformative power of God’s mercy and the importance of continual spiritual renewal. The indulgence is not just about personal benefit; it is a reflection of the Church’s mission to lead all souls toward salvation, inspiring acts of love, forgiveness, and devotion in the faithful.
The Jubilee also fosters a sense of global unity and pilgrimage, as millions of believers from all over the world come together to celebrate their faith. Whether visiting the Holy Doors of major basilicas or engaging in local religious activities, participation connects us to a larger faith community, reminding us that we are part of something greater than ourselves. This shared experience strengthens the bonds of the Church, creating a renewed sense of belonging and solidarity among believers.
Lastly, the Jubilee Year is a reminder that life offers us second chances and new beginnings. It invites us to reflect on our lives, let go of past burdens, and embrace a future filled with faith and hope. Whether through confession, acts of kindness, or deeper prayer, the Jubilee allows us to step forward with renewed purpose and a cleansed heart. By participating, we embrace the profound message of the Jubilee—that God’s mercy is infinite and that renewal is always possible for those who seek it.