Bishop Gregory Parkes has designated six churches in the Diocese of Saint Petersburg as pilgrimage sites during the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, including Sacred Heart.
Catholics who visit these churches and commit to certain prayers and practices receive a Plenary Indulgence from Pope Francis. A “Passport” has been created as a keepsake and guide for this pilgrimage, with information about each of the sites. These passports can be found in the back of the church, and by clicking here.
Hours and Availability
Sacred Heart is open to the visiting public Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with weekday Masses at both 7 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. The church opens at 4:15 p.m. on Saturdays ahead of the 5:30 p.m. Vigil, and is open for prayer between the Sunday morning Masses at 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and Noon. The church reopens on Sunday afternoon about 30 minutes before the 5:30 p.m. contemporary Mass.
Groups (10 or more)
Groups of 10 or more are asked to contact the parish office at 813-229-1595 ext. 216 or via email to inform the parish of their intended visit, providing date and time. As our parish hosts many additional sacramental Masses, including weddings and funerals, we want to ensure the church is available and that we may be hospitable upon your arrival. Groups may also request the presence of a docent from our parish Historical Society, who can provide a guided tour (subject to volunteer availability).
What is a Jubilee?
The practice of a jubilee year has ancient roots. In 1300, Pope Boniface VIII instituted the first Christian Jubilee, a year set aside to encourage the faithful to embark on pilgrimages, to repent of their sins and forgive the sins of others, and to renew a focus on the spiritual life. Since then the Church has designated each new Jubilee as a special year of grace and forgiveness, offering the faithful an opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence.
Originally occurring every 5o years, today this practice is observed every 25 years, and serves as a reminder of God’s love, mercy, and continual call to conversion.
The 2025 Jubilee will be centered on the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”
Celebrating the Jubilee
The pope inaugurated the Jubilee Year at the Vatican on December 24, 2024, with the opening of the Holy Door of the Basilica of Saint Peter. The Jubilee will conclude with the closing of the Holy Door at the Basilica of Saint Peter on January 6, 2026, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.
In his Papal Bull Spes non confundit (Hope Does Not Disappoint) Pope Francis communicates to all Catholics his vision for this Holy Year. Founded on the apostle Paul’s message to the Christians of Rome, the theme of hope encourages all Christians to look beyond the darkness of our world today to the hope that all find through a life in Christ, and to be tangible witnesses of hope to others.
“The Jubilee Year will be a time of hope, conversion, renewal, and evangelization. Our Diocese will unite with our Holy Father and Catholics all over the world in celebrating this special year of grace and favor,” says Bishop Gregory Parkes of the Diocese of St. Petersburg.
What is an indulgence, and how do I earn one?
An indulgence is a special grace given by God, through the Catholic Church, for the removal of temporal punishment for sins already forgiven in the Sacrament of Confession. While Confession absolves guilt, temporal punishment due to sin still remains. The Jubilee Indulgence is a special plenary indulgence available to the faithful during the Jubilee Year. It can be obtained – given the completion of the ordinary conditions – through pilgrimages, pious visits to holy sites, or works of mercy and penance.
Catholics will be able to receive a plenary indulgence for each visit to a pilgrimage site in the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. Conditions to receive a plenary indulgence in all cases:
- Detachment from all sin, even venial.
- Sacramental confession, holy Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the pope.
- Sacramental confession and receiving the Eucharist can happen up to about 20 days before or after the act performed to receive a plenary indulgence.
