Solemn Opening of the Holy Year

Despite a steady downpour of rain, the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King in Hamilton was filled to near capacity as Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI, presided over the 11 a.m. Mass on December 29, 2024, to solemnly open the Jubilee Year. The Mass marked the beginning of a year of hope and pilgrimage for Catholics in the Diocese of Hamilton.

The celebration featured the blessing of a replica of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. This symbolic gesture emphasized the local Church’s unity with the universal Church and its shared mission during this sacred year.

During his homily, Reverend David Wynen reflected on the significance of the Jubilee Year and the role of local pilgrim churches.

“Most of us, unfortunately, will not have an opportunity to go to Rome for pilgrimage this whole year, although the city of Rome is preparing to welcome some 35 million people who they expect to be arriving in Rome for pilgrimage during the whole year. So in our Diocese, and in all dioceses, the bishop has designated pilgrim churches so that Catholics can make a pilgrimage locally during the Holy Year. In Hamilton Diocese, the Cathedral Basilica is the principal place of the pilgrimage for the diocese. And there are five other churches, one in each deanery, that also will serve as pilgrim churches. Each of those pilgrim churches will have a replica of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s in Rome.”

Father Wynen also lightheartedly acknowledged the non-functional nature of the replica doors, adding, “Now unfortunately, this is not a door that you’ll be able to go through. If you did, that would be pretty miraculous. But it’s there to remind us of our union with our Holy Father and with Catholics throughout the world during this whole year of hope.”

He concluded with an invitation to the faithful to embrace their role as pilgrims of hope.

“Today, as the whole year of hope begins for us in our diocese, let us commit ourselves to be pilgrims of hope, proclaiming with our witness of faith that Jesus Christ lives, and that we, his disciples, having been fed at his table, bring this healing and peace into a broken world that longs for justice, peace, and mercy.”

The Mass concluded with a prayer of blessing and a call to embark on the Jubilee Year with hearts full of hope and faith, united in spirit with Catholics worldwide.