Jubilee 2025

A Jubilee Year is a sacred time of renewal, grace, and forgiveness within the Catholic Church. Declared by the Pope, it invites people everywhere to embark on a spiritual journey toward a deeper understanding of God’s mercy. Through prayer, reflection, and acts of love, the faithful are encouraged to turn their hearts more fully to God, rediscover hope, and share the joy of the Gospel.

The upcoming Jubilee Year will begin the weekend after Christmas 2024 and continue through 2025. During this time, Catholics worldwide will be “pilgrims of hope,” traveling—physically or spiritually—to sacred sites, drawing closer to God’s mercy, and renewing their commitment to living as followers of Jesus Christ.

We are honored that Saint Helen has been chosen as a designated pilgrimage site for the Jubilee Year in Union County, in addition to 3 other churches within the Archdiocese of Newark. This special recognition is both a blessing and an invitation to our community and all who visit. Pilgrims are welcome to come here to pray, reflect, and deepen their relationship with God, preparing their hearts to celebrate this extraordinary Holy Year of grace and spiritual renewal.

Below, you can view the official decrees from Cardinal Joseph Tobin and Bishop Elias announcing Saint Helen as a pilgrimage site for the Jubilee Year. Click on each image to view it in full:

During the Jubilee Year, the Holy Father grants a special grace known as the Jubilee Indulgence. By making a pious pilgrimage to a designated Jubilee site—such as Saint Helen—either individually or in a group, the faithful can obtain a plenary indulgence once a day, under the usual conditions:

Sacramental Confession – Seeking God’s forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Eucharistic Communion – Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass.
Prayers for the Holy Father’s Intentions – Offering prayers for the intentions of the Pope.
Freedom from Attachment to Sin – Truly seeking to turn away from all sin, both mortal and venial.

An indulgence is a profound expression of God’s mercy, a gift that frees our hearts from the residual effects of sin. This “treasury of grace” flows from the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as well as the witness and prayers of the saints. By receiving a Jubilee Indulgence, we are reminded that God’s love surpasses human limits. Our hope for forgiveness is strengthened, because God not only forgives our sins but also lovingly heals the damage sin leaves behind.

Saint Helen is open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. We have weekday Mass at 9:00 AM. You are welcome to spend quiet time in prayer, reflection, and adoration in our church and chapel. We invite individuals and small groups to come whenever it’s convenient. No prior registration is necessary.

If you represent a parish, school, or other larger group planning a Mass, prayer service, or other devotional activity, please contact our office in advance. We will help you schedule a time and space—either in the main church or our chapel—to ensure a meaningful pilgrimage experience.

Our Jubilee Prayer Wall is a sacred space where our community comes together in prayer and hope. As we celebrate this extraordinary Holy Year, we invite you to share your prayer intentions, joining your prayers with those of our parish family. Whether you're seeking comfort, offering thanksgiving, or lifting up others in prayer, your intentions become part of our collective spiritual journey.

Prayers can be submitted in our church using an iPad in the gathering space, or through your own device by visiting prayerwall.sainthelen.org.

As part of your pilgrimage, consider the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), offered every Saturday at 4:00 PM. This is an ideal moment to open your heart to God’s mercy and receive the grace that prepares you for the fullness of the Jubilee experience.

We invite you to join us for Adoration, a time of quiet contemplation, inspiring music and prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Whether you come for a few minutes or for an extended period, Adoration provides a unique opportunity to sit in the presence of our Lord and experience His loving and healing grace.

We have Adoration at Saint Helen on the First Sunday of each month at 7:10pm with music and prayer in the Church and Quiet Adoration the Second Tuesday of each month from 2:00-8:00pm in the Chapel.

For more information on the Jubilee Year, planning your visit to Saint Helen, please contact our parish office (contact information below). We are here to support you in this journey of faith, hope, and renewal. May your pilgrimage lead you closer to God’s infinite mercy and love.