KC Reporter

Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr., has designated three locations in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph as national pilgrimage sites for the Jubilee Year 2025. These sites include 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.

Catholics visiting these sites can obtain a Jubilee Indulgence granted by the Holy Father under specific conditions. A plenary indulgence is described by the Catholic Church as a grace that removes temporal punishment due to sin, applicable to sins already forgiven.

Pope Francis expressed hope for the jubilee's potential to restore hope and trust, stating: “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.”

The designated pilgrimage sites hold historical and spiritual importance for both local churches and Catholicism's establishment in the Midwest during the 19th century.

The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception at Conception Abbey was established by an abbot and seven novices from Switzerland in 1873. It was declared a minor basilica by Pope Pius XII in 1941 due to its significance as a spiritual center.

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City originated from a log cabin church built in 1835. The current structure was dedicated in 1883 and remains notable for its gold dome on Kansas City's skyline.

In St. Joseph, Mass celebrations date back to 1838 with today's cathedral cornerstone laid in 1869 after establishing the Diocese of St. Joseph. The Co-Cathedral stands prominently on Cathedral Hill featuring relics such as those of St. Carlo Acutis.

Bishop Johnston emphasized: “A Jubilee Year is a time to recover and be spiritually renewed for the Church’s mission of proclaiming the Gospel and pastoral outreach.” He invites participation asking for divine graces during this period.

Further information about national pilgrimage sites is available at usccb.org/jubilee2025.

The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph was formed in 1956 through merging two earlier dioceses founded respectively in 1880 and 1868. It encompasses nearly 124,000 Catholics across northern Missouri under Bishop Johnston's leadership focused on spreading Jesus Christ's teachings while serving communities charitably throughout Missouri.