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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Every prayer as our liturgical year is coming to a close and we look forward to beginning the great season of Advent. I write this letter to you with an invitation for all in our Diocese to become “Pilgrims of Hope.” That is the motto chosen by Pope Francis for the upcoming Jubilee Year. The year will begin at the Vatican on Tuesday, Dec. 24, with the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica.

Here in the Albany Diocese, we invite all first to take part in a Eucharistic Consecration, beginning on Wednesday, Dec. 4. This will be very much part of our prayerful preparations to celebrate the Jubilee Year. Take part in this Consecration as a parish, a parish network or with some friends, but know that others across our Diocese will be joining you in prayer. The book we will use is “33 Days to Eucharistic Glory.” You can get a discount if you buy in bulk at https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/33-daysto-eucharistic-glory/33PE-PO.html.

The Consecration will end on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, with a celebration officially opening the Jubilee Year here in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. We will have Mass at 3 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (125 Eagle St., Albany). There will be an opening service or “collectio” (gathering) at Historic St. Mary’s (10 Lodge St., Albany) at 1:30 p.m., followed by a pilgrimage procession to the Cathedral. If you would like to take part in that service and procession, plan to be at the Cathedral by 1 p.m. to catch a shuttle bus to St. Mary’s and email Kathy Barrans, communications director by Monday, Dec. 23, at [email protected] to let her know you would like to be on the shuttle.

The Diocesan Communications Office has also created a special webpage — https://www.rcda.org/jubilee2025 — offering tools aimed at helping everyone across our Diocese to become Pilgrims of Hope. It includes a step-by-step guide to Reconciliation, answers to questions many have if they haven’t gone in a while, Adoration sites across our Diocese, a link to “The Power of One Hour,” a video series teaching about the Mass, and information on various forms of prayer.

There is much going on in the world today to cause worry, but we serve a loving God who gives us many reasons to hope. Let’s celebrate this Jubilee Year, taking the opportunity to go deeper in our faith, together, as one body in Christ. In Him, with Him and through Him, let’s become Pilgrims of Hope, and pray that through us, others will come to know Him.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Edward B. Scharfenberger

Bishop of Albany

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