Pilgrims Gather for Mass to Close the Year of Jubilee

More than 1,000 Catholics from throughout the archdiocese along with parishioners of St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica gathered on December 28, 2025 for a Eucharistic Celebration to close the Year of Jubilee. Attendees included dozens of priests from the archdiocese, along with Auxiliary Bishops, religious men and women, representatives of lay movements and parishioners coming together from every region of our vast faith community.

Cardinal Frank Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto presided at Mass, thanking all those gathered for making this Year of Jubilee a profound, memorable and faith-filled journey. Recalling many high points experienced as “Pilgrims of Hope”, His Eminence noted special moments throughout the Jubilee Year including the archdiocesan pilgrimage to Rome, a communal gathering at the Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland as well as regional pilgrimages to designated churches throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto. He also expressed his appreciation and encouragement for all those who experienced the sacrament of reconciliation throughout the Jubilee Year, many in great numbers and with significant frequency.

In the words of Cardinal Leo: “As we close the Jubilee Year let us not close our hearts. They must always remain open to share mercy, kindness and joy, following the example of Jesus. Thank you to all those who have opened their hearts and shared a spirit of hope with others this year. We step into 2026 filled with the Lord's inspiration, his forgiveness and unbounding hope for each one of us.”

We thank all those who fully embraced this Year of Jubilee with special gratitude to the Archdiocese of Toronto’s Year of Jubilee Committee, under the leadership of Fr. Tim Hanley as well as pilgrim churches across the archdiocese. Let us continue the journey as pilgrims of hope, sharing the joy of our faith with all those whom we encounter.