Urgell Diocese Closes Jubilee Year with Packed Cathedral Mass

The Cathedral of Santa Maria d’Urgell reached full capacity on Sunday for the diocese’s closing Jubilee Year Mass, led by Bishop of Urgell Josep-Lluís Serrano and Bishop Emeritus Joan-Enric Vives.

The service brought together members of the Episcopal Council, diocesan priests, representatives from diocesan delegations, a large contingent from the Congregation of the Sagrada Família d’Urgell, and participants from various ecclesial movements. Worshippers filled the cathedral ahead of the entrance procession and the singing of the Jubilee Hymn, with liturgical music directed by Mn. Antoni Elvira.

In his opening remarks, Bishop Serrano described the Jubilee—or Holy Year—as a period when “the holiness of God transforms us,” expressing gratitude to all who contributed through their work and prayers over a year focused on reconciliation and hope. During the homily, he highlighted the diocese’s family spirit, calling the cathedral the “mother house” of Urgell at the end of this hopeful chapter. He referenced Pope Francis’s invitation to view pilgrimage as a journey toward hope, fraternity, and trust, while stressing the need to address poverty that undermines human dignity. The bishop added that the Jubilee had fostered a renewed atmosphere of hope and confidence, serving as a sign of urgently needed renewal. He urged efforts to rebuild universal fraternity amid such hardships.

Following the homily, the nuns of the Congregation of the Sagrada Família d’Urgell renewed their vows together before the bishop. The event marked the conclusion of Jubilee pilgrimages throughout the year by parish groups, youth organizations, schools, and ecclesial movements to the cathedral and the Sant Crist de Balaguer basilica.

Proclaimed by Pope Francis under the theme *Pilgrims of Hope*, the worldwide Jubilee started on 25 December 2024 and will conclude in Rome on 6 January 2026.