Spoiler Alert

This post is about my experiences during the Catholic church’s Jubilee Year.  Earlier in the year, I wrote a post about the Jubilee and a trip to Washington DC where I visited four churches. This post is about my internal journey during the Jubilee year. I wanted to write about what I experienced and to share it with others.  This post could be described as a witness testimony. In the post, I talk about things I did, places I visited, God, and some aspects of the Catholic faith. Some may find it interesting or helpful and others may not.

My Jubilee

This year (2025) is a Jubilee Year for the Catholic Church. I wrote about the Jubilee in a prior post, which you can read here – My Pilgrimage to Washington DC.

A Jubilee Year is a big deal. It’s a special time for people to turn towards God, to return to the church, and to seek forgiveness. It’s also a time when many people undertake pilgrimages to holy sites as a way of drawing closer to God. I couldn’t go to Rome or walk the Camino, but I wanted to experience the Jubilee and take advantage of the Jubilee Year privileges that were available locally and at other churches.

During the Jubilee Year, local Bishops can designate certain sites as pilgrim churches within their diocese and make available the same Jubilee year indulgences that are available to those visiting the holy sites in Rome. In my diocese, ten churches were designated as pilgrim churches.

So, in addition to my trip to Washington, I took small pilgrimages to local churches. I did a spiritual retreat and visited churches while abroad on a cruise. The church visits were not tourist visits to see a church. I used my visits to experience God in different settings. I engaged in services and activities at these churches – went to Mass, sat in adoration, went to confession, attended a special event. I didn’t have any expectations other than to be open to what the Holy Spirit would present to me.

I visited a total of twenty one churches during the Jubilee Year – Nineteen of these were Catholic churches. At most of these visits, I experienced something new, something unexpected, or something I didn’t previously know.

Here’s some the noteworthy things I experienced during my Jubilee year.

The Grace of Jesus’s Mercy and Forgiveness

Going to confession is a feature of the Catholic faith. It’s called the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It provides the opportunity to confess sins, to receive God’s forgiveness, and be reconciled back to God and the Church. Going to confession can be uncomfortable – telling the priest all the things you did wrong and maybe feeling like you’re being judged. When I was young, going to confession felt the same as going to the dentist – It was something I had to do but I was glad when it was over. Perhaps that’s why many Catholics don’t go to confession. A Pew Research study from 2025 showed only 23% of Catholics go to confession at least once a year and 47% never go.

When I came back to the church in 2022, one of the key things I had to do was go to confession. It had been over 40 yrs since I last went. It took me 3 weeks to prepare. I spent days sitting in the church rewinding 40 years of my life and writing down all the things I did that offended God. I went into to the confessional with a notebook. My confession went fine. Fr. Steve was very empathetic and listened quietly as I went thought the pages of my notebook. When I was done, it felt like a great weight had been lifted and I was glad it was over. I go to confession on a regular basis when needed but it still felt like an obligation versus a blessed gift.

I went to confession early in January during the Jubilee at the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Worcester MA. The experience transformed me and changed how I view confession. I only had a couple of sins to confess as I sat face to face with the priest. Fr. Juan leaned in and listened intently to my confession. He then leaned in further, resting his forearms on his legs, and just a few feet away from my face. He spoke softly to me – not about my sins and he offered no counsel on how to do better. He talked to me about the mercy of Jesus. How He wants us to come to Him to receive his mercy. He has empathy for us and like a forgiving father, to give us his grace and love by forgiving our sins. Like the lost sheep or the prodigal son, Jesus wants us to turn to him, to heal, and restore us.

Fr. Juan was a healer, not a judge or counselor. I envisioned that it was exactly what Jesus would say if he was sitting there. That short talk changed me and changed how I view confession – no longer as an obligation but as an incredible gift to be healed and restored.

During my pilgrimages, I went to confession at other churches (Holy Cross Church in Maine and the Basilica in Washington). I had very similar experiences of healing and restoration at both churches. And now that’s how I view confession – as an incredible gift and an opportunity to receive God’s healing grace.

God’s Peace and Closeness During a Retreat

I’d never been on a religious retreat until the Jubilee Year. I’d heard about retreats and got intrigued with the idea as I talked with a church sister. My friend Gladys has been on many retreats. She shared with me some of what she experienced – being drawn closer to God and listening to Him during periods of silence. Listening to Gladys inspired me to learn more about retreat formats and opportunities.

After talking to my son, who works at a retreat center and manages retreats, I decided to undertake a self-directed retreat at my home at the start of Lent. I was home alone during February (my wife was in FL for a few weeks staying with a friend). Lent is a perfect time to draw closer to God. I researched some options and decided on a 4 day retreat, where I would disconnect from the world – no TV, no internet, no cell phone, no work, no regular worldly activities. I selected some spiritual books to read and some saints to research. I went to Mass each day at a nearby monastery (St. Mary’s Monastery), spent time in adoration, took walks, and read some of Liturgy of the Hours prayers each day. I created an outline for the four days, had a schedule for each day, and undertook the retreat from Thurs thru Sunday.

Those first few hours of being alone and disconnected were a little odd – I had to get used to the silence. But I got into a routine and stayed with my schedule. It was interesting – instead of focusing on the world or a to-do list, I was focused on God for extended periods. He occupied my thoughts. I slowed down, paid attention to my thoughts, just let my mind linger, and soaked it all in.

It was all good. I came away with a better perspective on Lent. I experienced the silence and quiet solitude at a Monastery (I went to the St. Mary’s Monastery and attended daily Mass at the Church of Mary Mother of God). I learned more about a saint, I grew more comfortable and accustomed to the Liturgy of Hours and have made it a daily habit. And I drew closer to God. FYI – I’m planning another retreat during Lent for this coming year.

A Heavenly State at St Joseph’s Basilica

St Joseph’s is a Minor Basilica in Webster, MA. It’s been on my list to visit for a couple of years. This church was built for the Polish community in Webster in 1910. The church is beautiful, well maintained, and loaded with imagery of Biblical scenes. Of all the churches I visited, this was the most impressive and beautiful.

For my visit, I was planning to attend the daily Mass and then sit in adoration. What I experienced was much more. The Mass was a special Mass for the parish’s parochial school children who attend St Joseph’s School. The Mass was attended by a handful of adults and over 100 elementary school children all dressed in their school uniforms. There were 6-8 altar servers and a children’s choir. The Mass was a beautiful high Mass, especially all the lovely hymns and prayer responses sung by the choir. After the Mass, the students remained and the priest conducted the Stations of Cross with students reciting the prayers. After the Stations of the Cross, the Eucharist was exposed in a Monstrance for Adoration.

I read that when we attend a Mass we experience a heavenly state joined by Jesus, the saints, and heavenly beings worshipping God together. And when we sit in Adoration we are sitting in the presence of Jesus. During my time at the Basilica I was in that heavenly state, close to God, and devoid of the outside world. It was timeless and boundless. I spent over 3 hours in the church just letting the whole experience wash over me as I studied the imagery on the walls and ceiling. I lingered and didn’t want to leave. When I finally did leave, I was alone in the church and found that the parking lot where my car was parked had been locked. I had to get a teacher from the school to unlock the gate so I could leave.

Embracing the Rosary

During some of my church visits, I sat with groups who were reciting the Rosary (either before the Mass or during Adoration). I’ve not been a person who recites the Rosary, but I respect those who do. While at the churches, I sat and silently recited the Rosary prayers along with the other people. During the Jubilee year, I gained a better view and appreciation for the Marian Rosary. It came from reading one of the many spiritual books I read during the Jubilee year – William Walsh’s book about Our Lady of Fatima.

For those not familiar with Fatima, in 1917, an apparition of Mary appeared to three little shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. She appeared six times to the children over the course of six months. Each time, she shared prophecies with the children and answered their questions. She also instructed the children on each appearance to keep praying the rosary daily. The little children were the only ones to see and hear the apparition of Mary. But prior to her last appearance (Oct 13, 1917) the lady told them she would give a sign for others to see. At noon on October 13, 1917, just as it was foretold to the children, the lady appeared to the children and over 70,000 people witnessed the Miracle of the Sun over Fatima.

One of the things that I pondered about Our Lady of Fatima was the consistent instruction to recite the Rosary daily. Why this instruction and this particular prayer sequence? Coming from a heavenly being it must be very important. She told them to pray for world peace, for those who don’t’ pray, and for the conversion of sinners. I concluded that the Rosary prayer sequence must be pleasing to God, which made me remember the sacrifices outlined in the Bible. As a way to shape his people and build their faith, God directed the Israelites to offer sacrifices to him. The items sacrificed were of value to show God their faith, love, and obedience. When offered properly, sacrifices are pleasing to God.

This made me think about the Rosary again. While I didn’t see the value in reciting repetitive prayers perhaps God does. Not as an activity but as a sacrifice. The most important thing we have to offer God is our time and it takes several minutes to pray the Rosary. When we recite the Rosary we turn our hearts to God and ponder the various mysteries of Jesus life. I realized that it’s not about the fifty Hail Mary’s. It’s about spending 20-30 mins with our hearts turned to God as a sacrifice to ponder his ultimate revelation to us – eternal life with him through faith in Jesus.

Half way through the Jubilee, I started praying the Rosary every day. I was fortunate to participate in a Jubilee prayer event where a group from my church prayed the Rosary as part of the worldwide Jubilee of Marian Spirituality event held on October 11, 2025. After praying the Rosary daily for the past 5 months, I’ve embraced the Rosary and it’s drawn me closer to God.

More Graces and Blessings

There’s more I experienced during my Jubilee Year – learning about the Franciscans of the Holy Land at their monastery in Washington, learning about St Cecilia at St Cecilia Church in Leominster, and participating in a true celebration of the Mass at St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church while visiting Bridgetown, Barbados.

I was blessed to have these experiences because God motivated me to venture out and explore the Jubilee.   I was open to what the Holy Spirit would present.  My pilgrimages to churches were not just visual experiences.    This was also an internal journey.  I was changed by what I experienced.  God revealed more of himself to me, I was drawn closer to Him, and my faith grew stronger.  This is exactly what God intended for the Jubilee – for people turn towards Him, to return, and be drawn closer to him.

Based on my age, I probably won’t be able to experience another Jubilee on earth (Jubilee’s occur every 25 years).  But. I know that each year can be a Jubilee.  In his book Jesus and the Jubilee, (which I read during the Jubilee) author John Bergsma concludes that Jesus is the Jubilee.  He’s who we walk with on our faith journeys to our ultimate home.  He’s our guide who shows us the way.

In closing, I offer this prayer to God for giving me this Jubilee Year.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for inspiring me to make these pilgrimages and visits and for drawing me closer. Your Holy Spirit awakened me and revealed to me more about you and your Kingdom. Thank you for showing me the way.  Thank you for watching over me on my travels and blessing me with all your gifts. Almighty God living and reigning now and for ever. Amen

 

PS – The Jubilee Year concludes on January 6, 2026 when Pope Leo will close the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica. For those interested, there’s still time to visit a church and listen for what God has for you.

Below is a list of the churches I visited during the Jubilee

Churches Visited

1. Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe – Orland, FL
2. Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception – Washington, DC
3. Washington National Cathedral – Washington DC
4. St John’s Episcopal Church – Washington DC
5. Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America – Washington DC
6. Cathedral of Saint Paul – Worcester, MA
7. Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church – Gardner, MA
8. Our Lady of the Rosary Church – Spencer, MA
9. Saint Paul’s Church – Blackstone, MA
10. Saint Joseph’s Basilica – Webster, MA
11. Saint John the Evangelist Church – Clinton, MA
12. Saint Cecilia Church – Leominster, MA
13. Catedral Menor Basilica de San Juan de la Bautista – San Juan, PR
14. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception – Castries, St Lucia
15. St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church – Bridgetown, Barbados
16. St Martin of Tours Catholic Church – Philipsburg, Sint Martin
17. St Mary’s Monastery – Petersham, MA
18. Saint Joseph’s Abbey – Spencer, MA
19. Holy Cross Church – South Portland, ME
20. Saint Thomas-A-Becket – Barre, MA
21. St Timothy Catholic Church, Lady Lake, FL