The final regional Jubilee pilgrimage offers space for faith renewal among 1,200 relics with Bishop John Iffert

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The theme of the 2025 Jubilee Year, Pilgrims of Hope, has encouraged approximately 35,000,000 people from across the world to make that titular pilgrimage to Rome. However, for most, this kind of pilgrimage is unrealistic, cost-prohibitive and time-restrictive, though this does not mean they cannot make a pilgrimage during the Jubilee Year.

Bishop John Iffert, through the diocesan Office of Stewardship and Mission, has organized many regional opportunities for the faithful of the Diocese of Covington to make a pilgrimage with him. So far, there have been two regional pilgrimages: one to St. Mary of the Woods College, St. Mary of the Woods, Indiana, where the shrine of Saint Mother Guerin is located; the other to the Abbey of Gethsemani, Trappist, Kentucky, where Trappist Monks lead lives of prayer.

The final of these regional pilgrimages will take place Nov. 22, with Bishop Iffert and the faithful traveling to the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics, Maria Stein, Ohio. Jim Hess, director, Office of Stewardship and Mission Services, said, “The shrine itself is incredible. They have really beautiful grounds, they have over 1,200 relics, five different relics of the true cross.”

The shrine’s reliquary collection is one of the largest documented collections in the world; however, the unique opportunity to connect with the saints is not the only thing it offers. “This shrine really offers that beacon of hope for people,” said Mark Travis, executive director of the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics.

“Going on a pilgrimage is really an opportunity to be reminded of the fact that we’re meant to just sometimes be and reminded of our human beingness. To be able to take intentional time away from the to-do list, so sometimes in prayer and being in the chapel with all the relics, it’s really just a reminder of who we are as sons and daughters of Christ,” said Mr. Travis.

This year, the shrine has seen an “uptick” in their number of pilgrims as they have been designated as a Jubilee holy site by Archbishop Emeritus Dennis Schnur of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Pilgrims have traveled nationally and internationally to visit the shrine. “Having people go on pilgrimage here from all over the world definitely is a testament to how holy this place is and how necessary it is,” said Mr. Travis.

“You don’t have to travel to Europe; you don’t have to go to Italy or France to experience beautiful Catholic culture. It’s in these shrines in our region,” said Mr. Hess.

Mr. Travis said, “that special grace, by doing a pilgrimage to a holy site during a jubilee year, just making that personal recommitment of faith, no matter where you’re at in your faith journey, it’s a great opportunity to begin anew in a lot of ways.”

There is still time to sign up for the last of the regional pilgrimages; go to covdio.org/jubilee for more information.