Divine Mercy Parish Chosen as a Special Pilgrimage Church
Get ready for a year of hope and grace right here in our community! We’re thrilled to announce that our very own Divine Mercy Parish of Blackstone has been selected as a Pilgrimage Church for the upcoming Jubilee Year in 2025! This is a significant honor and a wonderful opportunity for our town.
Now, you might be wondering, what exactly does it mean to be a Pilgrimage Church? Well, think of it as a special spiritual destination chosen by the Catholic Church. For the year 2025, Pope Francis has declared a “Year of Jubilee” with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.” This is a time for reflection, renewal, and seeking special graces. Our world faces many challenges, and this Jubilee Year is meant to be a beacon of hope and trust for everyone.
Pope Francis has asked every diocese around the world to celebrate this special year in their own way, right at the local level. The Worcester Diocese has listened, and they’ve chosen just ten parishes to be designated as Pilgrimage Churches – and guess what? Divine Mercy Parish in Blackstone is one of them!
This is incredibly exciting news for our community! It means that our local parish will be a central place for people to come on pilgrimage during this special year. Pilgrimages are journeys of faith, and being designated as a Pilgrimage Church means that Divine Mercy will offer unique opportunities for spiritual growth and reflection for both parishioners and visitors.
Divine Mercy Parish has a rich history in our town. Notably, St. Paul Church has deep roots in our community, with its history dating back to the mid-1800s. Construction on the historic St. Paul’s began in 1850, showcasing a long and dedicated presence of Catholic faith in Blackstone. This enduring legacy makes the selection of Divine Mercy as a Pilgrimage Church even more meaningful, building upon the strong spiritual foundation laid by its predecessor parishes. Under the leadership of Father John L. Larochelle, the parish has continued to be a vibrant center of faith in our community. The Divine Mercy Parish was formed in 2022 through the coming together of St. Paul and St. Theresa parishes in Blackstone, along with St. Augustine Parish in Millville.
The Year of Jubilee will officially begin on December 29, 2024, and will continue until December 28, 2025. This gives us all plenty of time to plan and participate in the special events and opportunities that being a Pilgrimage Church will bring to Divine Mercy Parish.
Want to learn more about what this means for Divine Mercy and the Jubilee Year? You can find more information on the parish website.
Let’s all celebrate this wonderful news for Divine Mercy Parish and our town! This designation as a Pilgrimage Church is a testament to the vibrant faith community we have here in Blackstone. Get ready to be “Pilgrims of Hope” right here at home.
