Named Among Sacred Sites during Jubilee Year Saint Louis Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski has designated Saint Mary’s of the Barrens — National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Perryville as one of nine sacred sites across the Archdiocese of St. Louis during the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope.
In May 2024, Pope Francis proclaimed “Pilgrims of Hope” as the theme of the Holy Year. The declaration of a jubilee continues an ancient papal tradition of announcing a year of enriched faith and devotion every 25 years.
“During the Holy Year, we are called to be tangible signs of hope for our brothers and sisters who experience hardships of any kind,” the Holy Father said.
The jubilee begins officially in Rome on Tuesday, Dec. 24, with the opening of the Holy Door at the Basilica of Saint Peter following the Christmas Vigil Mass, and it continues through Jan. 6.
The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal will open the Jubilee Year of Hope during Sunday Mass at 11 a.m. (CT) Dec. 29. All are welcome to attend.
“I truly believe this Holy Year will be a time for rediscovery and unity,” the Archbishop wrote, “opening hearts of many to receive the fullness of God’s love and mercy...”
By making a solemn, prayerful visit to the National Shrine and/or any designated sacred site, the faithful can obtain a Jubilee Indulgence:
– by participation in Holy Mass or another liturgical service such as morning or evening prayer or acts of piety such as Stations of the Cross, praying the Rosary, or visits to the Blessed Sacrament.
– and there, for a suitable period of time, engage in Eucharistic adoration and meditation, concluding with the Our Father, the Profession of Faith from Mass, and a prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Those unable to participate in the prescribed pilgrimage for serious reasons can obtain the Jubilee Indulgence by uniting in spirit with the faithful taking part in person and reciting the above prayers in their homes.
Pilgrims visiting Saint Mary’s of the Barrens and National Shrine will be greeted with a beautifully restored historic church on a 40-acre campus that includes:
– gently rolling prayer pathways and a century-old grotto
– a Marian Meditation Walk featuring 12 hand-carved Italian marble statues
– an array of statues honoring Mary and various saints connected with Marian devotion
– a visitor center, gift shop, and more
Saint Mary's is the historic seat of the Vincentians, an order of priests founded by St. Vincent de Paul. Since its establishment in 1818, the grounds have also included an educational institution, a Vincentian house of formation, a Vincentian community residence, and the national shrine commemorating the Blessed Virgin Mary’s entrustment of the Miraculous Medal to Saint Catherine Labouré in Paris in 1830.
The national shrine welcomes thousands of visitors yearly and is home to the Association of the Miraculous Medal, a devotional organization of more than 300,000 members dedicated to drawing the world closer to Jesus by spreading devotion to Our Blessed Mother Mary.
The National Shrine is located 80 miles south of Saint Louis, off the Perryville exit from Interstate 55 (Exit 129) at 1805 W. Saint Joseph Street. The church is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with outdoor grounds open to the public every day of the year. Mass is celebrated at 12:10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and at 11 a.m. Sunday at (CT). The visitor center and gift shop are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The church and the shrine are handicap accessible.
Guided tours are available most days except on major holidays.
To learn more, call 1-800-264-MARY (6279) or visit the website at www.amm.org.
