Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph designates national pilgrimage sites for 2025 Jubilee Year
Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr., has designated three locations in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph as Jubilee Year 2025 national pilgrimage sites: the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception at Conception Abbey, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City and the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in St. Joseph.
Catholic faithful who visit these sites as part of a pious pilgrimage will be able to obtain the Jubilee Indulgence granted by the Holy Father under the usual conditions.
A plenary indulgence is a grace granted by the Catholic Church through the merits of Jesus Christ to remove the temporal punishment due to sin. The indulgence applies to sins already forgiven. (Cf. Indulgences in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 1471-1479)
Pope Francis has said, “The forthcoming jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire; that is why I have chosen as the motto of the jubilee, Pilgrims of Hope.”
All three pilgrimage sites carry both historic and spiritual significance for the local Church and the establishment of the Catholic Faith in the Midwest in the mid to late 19th Century.
Basilica of the Immaculate Conception of Conception Abbey, Conception
An abbot and seven novices arrived from Switzerland in 1873 to establish a monastic community in the hills of Northwest Missouri. In 1941, on the 50th anniversary of its dedication, Pope Pius XII designated the church of Conception Abbey a minor basilica, an honorary title reflecting its dignity, historical significance and importance as a spiritual center. It was the first basilica west of the Mississippi River. Visit conceptionabbey.org to learn more.
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Kansas City
In 1835, a log cabin church was built on Pennsylvania Ave. between 10th and 11th Streets in downtown Kansas City. The current cathedral church on 11th Street and Broadway Blvd. was dedicated in 1883 and has undergone many renovations since. When the cathedral opened, it was the tallest building in Kansas City. Still today, the gold dome stands as a beacon of hope and a signature of the downtown Kansas City skyline. Visit kcgolddome.org to learn more.
Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, St. Joseph
While the celebration of Mass in St. Joseph can be traced back to 1838, the cornerstone for the present-day cathedral was not laid until 1869, a year after the establishment of the Diocese of St. Joseph. The Cathedral stands on the summit of Cathedral Hill as a vital presence to the city and a witness to the love of Jesus Christ. Be sure to visit the relic of St. Carlo Acutis, the first Millennial saint. Visit cathedralsj.org to learn more.
“A Jubilee Year is a time to recover and be spiritually renewed for the Church’s mission of proclaiming the Gospel and the pastoral outreach that goes with it,” said Bishop Johnston. “I invite you to partake in this Jubilee Year, asking for God’s graces as you become a pilgrim of hope.”
You can find more information, including a complete list of national pilgrimage sites, at usccb.org/jubilee2025.
About the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph was established in 1956 when the Dioceses of Kansas City (founded in 1880) and St. Joseph (founded in 1868) were combined. Led by Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr., the Diocese is home to nearly 124,000 Catholics in 80 parishes and 8 missions across 27 counties in northern and western Missouri. Under the guidance of Bishop Johnston, the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph continues its mission to announce the Gospel of Jesus Christ, celebrate the sacraments of salvation, and live and serve in charity in northern and western Missouri. kcsjcatholic.org
