Jubilee 2025: Complete Guide to Celebrations and Religious Pilgrimages in Apulia.

What is the Jubilee?

The Jubilee is a special year of celebration in the tradition of the Catholic Church, occurring every 25 years. During the Jubilee year, the faithful can obtain a plenary indulgence, which is the complete remission of temporal punishment for sins that have already been forgiven.

Traditionally, the Jubilee is characterized by a series of religious events, pilgrimages, and liturgical celebrations, and is proclaimed by the Pope. Each Jubilee has a specific theme and may include special initiatives to promote spiritual renewal, service to the poor, and reconciliation.

The first Jubilee was proclaimed by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300, and since then it has become an important part of the life of the Catholic Church. The next Jubilee will be in 2025, with the specific theme and celebrations to be announced closer to the date.

Jubilee in Puglia

If you are thinking of planning a vacation in Puglia in 2025, know that Puglia is ready to welcome all those who, like you, choose religious and cultural tourism for the Jubilee 2025.

The Jubilee 2025 will begin on December 24, 2024, with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter's in Rome and will close on January 6, 2026, under the theme 'Pilgrims of Hope'.

It will involve, in addition to Rome, the most important sanctuaries and sacred places throughout the country, initiating a continuous and growing flow of millions of tourists and pilgrims.

The importance of the Jubilee is recognized and respected by other faiths around the world.

If the dioceses in Puglia are designated as important locations for Jubilee celebrations, there could be the establishment of local 'Holy Doors' similar to those in Rome, which the faithful can visit as part of their Jubilee pilgrimage.

Guide Puglia, anticipating the needs of travelers, has gathered all possible information to facilitate the planning of your personal travel experience to the Sanctuaries and Churches of Puglia in view of the Jubilee 2025.

Puglia is one of the Italian regions with one of the highest concentrations of sanctuaries in Italy.

These Sanctuaries, in addition to being well-distributed throughout the Pugliese territory, are rich in history, culture, and art, but above all, they are among the most favored destinations for pilgrims from all over the world.

Among them, we remember:

• Sanctuary of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (San Giovanni Rotondo)
• Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel (Monte Sant'Angelo)
• Sanctuary of Saint Michael in Monte Laureto (Putignano)
• Sanctuary of the Madonna Incoronata (Foggia)
• Basilica of the Madonna del Pozzo (Capurso)
• Sanctuary of Saint Matthew (San Marco in Lamis)

This is the right time, plan your trip to Puglia and choose the Jubilee 2025 destination you have in mind!"

Jubilee Puglia 2025: A Guide to Pilgrimage Sites

The Giubileo Puglia marks a profound spiritual occasion, offering a renewed focus on faith and compassion. In 2025, more than 80 jubilee churches will grant the opportunity to obtain plenary indulgence through celebrations, Eucharistic adorations, and acts of mercy.

The 2025 Jubilee in Puglia involves every Diocese, each asked to designate sacred sites for pilgrimages. This year, special attention has been devoted to the incarcerated, who can also receive indulgence within prison chapels or by symbolically passing through their cell door with a sincere spirit of renewal.

Below you can read the list of churches, parishes, dioceses, basilicas, sanctuaries, cathedrals and co-cathedrals indicated as jubilee churches in Puglia.

The Apulian episcopal districts in which it is possible to obtain plenary indulgence are:

• Archdiocese of Bari-Bitonto
• Archdiocese of Trani-Barletta-Bisceglie
• Diocese of Andria
• Diocese of Conversano-Monopoli
• Diocese of Molfetta-Ruvo-Giovinazzo-Terlizzi
• Archdiocese of Otranto
• Archdiocese of Brindisi-Ostuni
• Diocese of Nardò-Gallipoli
• Archdiocese of Foggia-Bovino
• Archdiocese of Manfredonia-Vieste-San Giovanni Rotondo
• Diocese of San Severo
• Diocese of Cerignola-Ascoli Satriano
• Diocese of Lucera-Troia
• Archdiocese of Taranto
• Diocese of Oria
• Diocese of Castellaneta
• Archdiocese of Lecce
• Diocese of Ugento–Santa Maria di Leuca
• Diocese of Altamura-Gravina-Acquaviva of the Sources

Archdiocese of Bari-Bitonto

• Bari, Basilica Cathedral
• Bitonto, Co-Cathedral Church
• Bari, Pontifical Basilica of Saint Nicholas
• Bari, Parish-Shrine of Saint Anthony
• Bari, Parish-Shrine of Saint Fara
• Bitonto, Parish-Shrine of the Holy Doctors
• Bitetto, Shrine of Blessed Giacomo
• Capurso, Shrine of Our Lady of the Well

Archdiocese of Trani-Barletta-Bisceglie

• Trani, Basilica Cathedral
• Trani, Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel
• Barletta, Basilica Co-Cathedral
• Barletta, Shrine of Maria SS. dello Sterpeto
• Bisceglie, Basilica Co-Cathedral
• Corato, Church of S. Maria Maggiore
• Margherita di Savoia, Parish-Shrine of SS. Salvatore
• Trinitapoli, Parish of S. Stefano
• S. Ferdinando di Puglia, Parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary

Diocese of Andria

• Andria, Cathedral of S. Maria Assunta in Cielo
• Andria, Parish Church-Basilica of S. Maria dei Miracoli
• Andria, Casa Accoglienza (Santa Maria Goretti)
• Andria, Masseria San Vittore
• Canosa di Puglia, Parish Church-Co-Cathedral Basilica of San Sabino
• Canosa di Puglia, Shrine of S. Maria di Costantinopoli
• Minervino Murge, Parish Church of Madre S. Maria Assunta
• Minervino Murge, Parish Church-Shrine of Madonna del Sabato

Diocese of Conversano-Monopoli

• Conversano, Basilica Cathedral
• Monopoli, Basilica Co-Cathedral
• Alberobello, Basilica of the Holy Doctors Cosmas and Damian

Diocese of Molfetta-Ruvo-Giovinazzo-Terlizzi

• Molfetta, Cathedral
• Ruvo, Co-Cathedral
• Giovinazzo, Co-Cathedral
• Terlizzi, Co-Cathedral

Archdiocese of Otranto

• Otranto, Basilica Cathedral
• Galatina, Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria
• Castro, Shrine of the Madonna of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii
• Cursi, Shrine of Mary Most Holy of Abundance
• Palmariggi, Shrine of Mary Most Holy of Montevergine
• Sanarica, Shrine of Our Lady of Graces
• Martano, Church of Santa Maria della Consolazione

Archdiocese of Brindisi-Ostuni

• Brindisi, Basilica Cathedral
• Ostuni, Basilica Co-Cathedral
• San Vito dei Normanni, Basilica of Santa Maria della Vittoria
• Mesagne, Basilica of the Most Holy Virgin of Carmel
• Brindisi, Shrine of S. Maria Mother of the Church (Contrada Jaddico)

Diocese of Nardò-Gallipoli

• Nardò, Basilica Cathedral of Mary Most Holy Assumed
• Gallipoli, Basilica Co-Cathedral of Saint Agatha
• Parabita, Basilica of Santa Maria della Coltura
• Alezio, Shrine of Santa Maria della Lizza

Archdiocese of Foggia-Bovino

• Foggia, Basilica Cathedral
• Foggia, Basilica-Parish of Saint John the Baptist
• Bovino, Basilica Co-Cathedral
• Foggia, Church of Saint John of God (located in Policlinico Riuniti, on special occasions)
• Foggia, Local correctional facility (on special occasions)

Archdiocese of Manfredonia-Vieste-San Giovanni Rotondo

• Manfredonia, Cathedral
• Vieste, Basilica Co-Cathedral
• Monte Sant’Angelo, Basilica-Shrine of Saint Michael the Archangel
• San Giovanni Rotondo, Shrine of Saint Mary of Graces
• Rodi Garganico, Shrine of Mary Most Holy of Liberty

Diocese of San Severo

• San Severo, Cathedral dedicated to Mary Most Holy Assumed
• San Severo, Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Help

Diocese of Cerignola-Ascoli Satriano

• Cerignola, Cathedral
• Ascoli Satriano, Co-Cathedral
• Ripalta sull’Ofanto, Shrine of Our Lady of Ripalta

Diocese of Lucera-Troia

• Lucera, Basilica of Saint Francis
• Lucera, Cathedral

Archdiocese of Taranto

• Taranto, Basilica Cathedral of Saint Cataldus
• Taranto, Co-Cathedral of the Great Mother of God
• Martina Franca, Basilica of Saint Martin
• Taranto, Madonna della Salute
• Talsano, Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima
• Pulsano, Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes
• Martina Franca, Shrine of Madonna della Sanità
• San Marzano, Shrine of Our Lady of Graces
• Grottaglie, Shrine of Our Lady of the Mutata
• Roccaforzata, Shrine of Our Lady of the Chamber
• Collegiate Church of Maria Santissima Annunziata in Grottaglie (throughout the Holy Year)
• Shrine of Cristo Spirante in Martina Franca (from March 5 to August 14, 2025)

Diocese of Oria

• Oria, Cathedral of Mary Most Holy Assumed
• Oria, Shrine of Saints Cosmas and Damian (S. Cosimo alla Macchia)

Diocese of Castellaneta

• Castellaneta, Cathedral Church of S. Maria Assunta
• Laterza, Diocesan Shrine of Mary Most Holy Mater Domini
• Massafra, Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Ravine

Archdiocese of Lecce

• Lecce, Cathedral of Mary Most Holy Assumed in Heaven

Diocese of Ugento–Santa Maria di Leuca

• Ugento, Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
• Leuca, Basilica-Shrine of Santa Maria de finibus terrae

Diocese of Altamura-Gravina-Acquaviva delle Fonti

• Altamura, Cathedral
• Gravina in Puglia, Cathedral
• Acquaviva delle Fonti, Cathedral

Tips for Pilgrims

• Check church opening hours beforehand.
• Participate in liturgies, prayer services, or confessions.
• Perform acts of charity and solidarity for those in need.

The Giubileo Puglia provides a remarkable chance to pursue a path of reconciliation and hope. Each jubilee church in Puglia welcomes both private and communal devotion, inviting the faithful to rediscover spirituality amid the fascinating landscape of Puglia.

Preparing for the 2025 Jubilee means nurturing a spirit of hospitality and mercy. A pilgrimage to these sacred sites is a unique experience that unites faith, culture, and scenic beauty in the heart of Puglia.

How the Jubilee Begins and Unfolds

The beginning of a Jubilee year is marked by a series of very significant moments. The focal point of this celebration is the opening of the Holy Door, a special door located in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome or in other designated major basilicas. This door remains sealed until the start of the Jubilee.

During a solemn ceremony, the Pope or his representative opens it, symbolizing the beginning of a period of grace and forgiveness. This act represents the official sign of the Jubilee’s commencement.

After the opening of the Holy Door, a solemn Mass is celebrated, often presided over by the Pope himself. This Eucharistic celebration marks the official start of the Jubilee year and includes special prayers and hymns reflecting the theme of the Jubilee.

Throughout the Jubilee year, the faithful are encouraged to make pilgrimages to sacred sites and to participate in various special events and activities organized around the world. These celebrations and activities serve to reflect and celebrate the theme of the Jubilee, offering believers the opportunity to experience a time of deep spirituality and renewal.

Why is the Jubilee held every 25 years?

The first Jubilee was initially intended to occur every 100 years, but the great turnout and success of the Jubilee of 1300 prompted subsequent popes to reduce the interval. In 1343, Pope Clement VI established that the Jubilee would be celebrated every 50 years, drawing inspiration from the Jewish tradition of the Jubilee, described in Leviticus 25, which occurred every 50 years as a time of liberation and renewal.

In 1389, Pope Urban VI further reduced the interval to 33 years, symbolically linked to the years of Christ's life. Finally, in 1470, Pope Paul II set the interval at 25 years, and since then, this has become the rule.

The 25-year interval is symbolically significant because it represents a generation. Every 25 years, it is considered that a new generation has reached adulthood and is, therefore, ready to fully participate in the life of the Church and benefit from the special graces offered by the Jubilee.