March 10, 2025

Bishop Byrne celebrates Mass at Thomas Aquinas College, a sacred site for Jubilee 2025

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

Bishop William D. Byrne celebrated Mass at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel, Friday, March 7 on the campus of Thomas Aquinas College in Northfield. The chapel is a designated sacred site for Jubilee 2025.

SPRINGFIELD – Bishop William D. Byrne celebrated Mass at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel on the campus of Thomas Aquinas College in Northfield, Friday, March 7, at 11:15 a.m. The chapel is one of seven designated churches in the Diocese of Springfield that will be a pilgrimage site during Jubilee 2025, which is entitled “Pilgrims of Hope.”  

On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis kicked off the celebration by opening the Holy Doors at St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. The jubilee year runs through Jan. 6, 2026, the Solemnity of the Epiphany. Other holy doors were opened at the Rome basilicas of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls. These basilicas and local churches are designated places where pilgrims will receive an indulgence after receiving Holy Communion, going to confession and praying for the pope’s intentions.

“This year I was able to designate seven churches across the diocese which are part of the jubilee  experience. It’s reminiscent of our journey to heaven. These special places of beauty and prayer remind us of heaven,” said Bishop Byrne.

The other local sacred sites are: St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield; the Dominican Nuns Adoration Chapel in West Springfield; National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge; St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Basilica in Chicopee; the Monastery Chapel at the Sisters of Visitation in Tyringham; and the Newman Catholic Center at UMass in Amherst.

“It’s always a blessing to have Bishop Byrne come to our campus. But this particular time as a jubilee site and the opportunity it offers for graces for the college, it’s a particular blessing especially on the third anniversary of the dedication of the chapel,” said Thomas Aquinas College president Paul O’Reilly.

“This is a moment of grace, not only for the church in general, but the church in Springfield,” said O’Reilly.

The Mass was attended by students, faculty and the wider Northfield community.

“He (Jesus) is the center, the peak and the goal,” said Pedro Da Silva, a senior at Thomas Aquinas College. “It’s easy for us to put ourselves and identities into different groups – I’m a philosopher, I’m a student. But being a son of God is the only identity that really matters. Having God in my life is the greatest blessing I have ever known.”

 Bishop Byrne introduced the “Walk With One,” program for the Jubilee Year, to invite those who have strayed from the church.

“A special emphasis this year is to walk with one, to pray for someone, get to know them, bring them back. Sometimes it starts with a cup of coffee, not in church, then by invitation,” the bishop.

Several events are planned for the jubilee year including pilgrimages to Rome, a diocesan men’s and women’s conference and a youth event.

To see a full listing of pilgrimages and events, go to diospringfield.org.

A video version of this story will be featured on Saturday’s edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22NEWS.