Story and photos by Carolee McGrath, iObserve.org (Diocese of Springfield)

Bishop William D. Byrne, bishop of Springfield, enters St. Stanislaus Basilica.

Chicopee, Mass. – Diocese of Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne blessed the doors of St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Basilica before the 11 a.m. Mass, Sunday, Jan. 5, on the Feast of the Epiphany. The basilica is one of seven designated churches in the Diocese of Springfield that will be a pilgrimage site during Jubilee 2025, which is entitled “Pilgrims of Hope.”  On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis kicked off the celebration by opening the Holy Doors at St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. The jubilee year runs through Jan. 6, 2026, the Solemnity of the Epiphany.

“As we begin this jubilee year under the star in our own lives, what will it show,” the bishop asked the congregation during his homily, referring to the Star of Bethlehem that led the three Magi to Jesus. “The light shines upon the Magi. They follow the star. What does that light say to us? That Jesus came for the whole world, saints and sinners alike,” he said.

Other holy doors were opened at the Rome basilicas of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls. These basilicas and local churches are designated places where pilgrims will receive an indulgence after receiving Holy Communion, going to confession and praying for the pope’s intentions.

“I think it’s a great honor for St. Stan’s. I think because we are the only basilica in the diocese I was very grateful when Bishop Byrne called to ask me, he asked me permission if it was alright to do it. I said absolutely it’s alright to do it,” Friar Brad Milunski, OFM Conv., pastor of St. Stanislaus Basilica. “We are already known throughout the diocese as a place for confession and Adoration, so it really is kind of a natural thing for us to do, to be welcoming for this jubilee year,” he said.

Frair Brad Milunski, OFM Conv., pastor of St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Basilica in Chicopee, poses for a picture with the Dennis family and Bishop William D. Byrne after Mass Jan. 5.

St. Stanislaus Basilica has confession Monday through Saturday, and Adoration Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. In addition, Friar Milunski said he is planning additional events for the Holy Year including basilica tours.

“I think that for me the jubilee year and the whole sense of pilgrimage is really important. People of course ideally would like to go to Rome, But, if they can’t go, I’ve been telling people it’s much cheaper to go to Front Street or one of the other jubilee sites. We have to take pilgrimages in our life and the most challenging pilgrimage is the one inside. So I think the basilica and the places that have been chosen offer that environment where people can take that most important pilgrimage through their heart to God,” he said.

Bishop Byrne is also challenging Catholics with a new initiative called, “Walk with One.” He said that each of the faithful in the diocese should prayerfully consider asking a friend or family member who has been away from the church to come back. “You figure out who is the Lord asking me to invite back to the church, back to Mass, even back to having a cup of coffee and talking about it,” the bishop explained. “The first step is you pray. Lord, who should I bring home? Then you say Lord, how should I do that?”