Pope Francis has declared 2025 a Jubilee Year, with the theme "Pilgrims of Hope."
Jubilee Years ordinarily occur every 25 years, and they bring extra opportunities for formation and indulgences--a worldwide joyful celebration in the Church!
But what is Hope? Click HERE to learn more about what the virtue of hope really is.
If you are visiting one of the Pilgrimage Sites in the Diocese of Allentown for the Jubilee Year of Hope, please let us know by clicking the button below to record your date of visit.
While visiting the site, one can receive a plenary indulgence. See below to learn more about plenary indulgences.
Upcoming Diocesan Events for the Jubilee Year
11/22: Diocesan Youth Rally
Join us on November 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Bethlehem Catholic High School for a day of inspiring presentations, heartfelt prayer, uplifting music, and more, featuring Paul J. Kim, Catholic speaker and comedian, and Franki Moscato, American singer, songwriter, and actress. Together with your peers, you will celebrate the one true Light—Jesus Christ—and let His love “Reignite” you. The closing Mass at 4 p.m. will be celebrated by Bishop Alfred A. Schlert. Families are invited to join. $10 registration includes lunch. Questions? Contact Zelenda Hodgskin at [email protected]. Register here and view the flyer here.
12/13: Women's Advent Retreat
The Bishop's Commission for Women invites all women of the Diocese to a peaceful day of community, prayer, and reflection this Advent season. Join us on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Allentown from 8:30am - 1:00pm.
As Advent Women, we are called, like Mary Our Mother, to be bearers of Hope to our families and communities. Come, in this Jubilee Year of Hope, and rediscover your identity as a bearer of light in a world of darkness.
Space is limited, so please register as soon as possible. Learn more and register at https://www.allentowndiocese.org/catholic-life/resources-women/womens-advent-retreat-2025.
View the flyer here.
12/28: Closing Celebration of the Jubilee Year of Hope
All are invited to attend the closing celebration for the Jubilee Year of Hope on Sunday, December 28, the Feast of the Holy Family, the same feast on which we began the Jubilee Year of Hope one year ago. The celebration will take place at the Cathedral Church of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown.
The afternoon will include:
- 2:00 PM – A choral presentation of Vivaldi’s Gloria by the Cathedral Choir, beautifully interspersed with a Narrative Tour of the Cathedral Church, offering insights into the sacred art and architecture of the Cathedral in light of our diocesan history and mission.
- 2:00–3:00 PM – The Sacrament of Penance, which will be available in English and in Spanish.
- 3:00 PM – The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass closing the Jubilee Year celebrated by Bishop. Schlert.
Anointing of the Sick Masses
One of the primary ways we receive the gift of God's saving Hope is through the Sacraments.
Bishop Schlert will be celebrating Masses that offer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick in various locations throughout the year.
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is given to anyone who is seriously ill, either physically or mentally, or to anyone advanced in age or facing a medical procedure. This great gift of grace offers holistic healing by praying for a cure, but, more importantly, for the gift of hope and peace that the sufferer would be united to Christ on the Cross.
Upcoming: St. Joseph – Summit Hill – November 23, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Mass
Indulgences
A plenary indulgence is a grace granted by the Catholic Church through the merits of Jesus Christ to remove the temporal punishment due to sin.
The indulgence is a grace granted by the Catholic Church through the merits of Jesus Christ to remove the temporal punishment due to sin.
The indulgence applies to sins already forgiven. A plenary indulgence cleanses the soul as if the person had just been baptized. Plenary indulgences obtained during the Jubilee Year can also be applied to souls in purgatory with the possibility of obtaining two plenary indulgences for the deceased in one day, according to the Apostolic Penitentiary.
To obtain a plenary indulgence, one must have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin, even venial sin; make a sacramental confession; receive holy Communion; and pray for the intentions of the pope.
To receive a more thorough explanation of the conditions to obtain a plenary indulgence and find the ways to receive a plenary indulgence, please click HERE.
Pilgrimage Sites
One of the many ways to receive an indulgence this year is to make a pilgrimage. In the Diocese of Allentown, Bishop Schlert has designated the following pilgrimage sites for obtaining the Jubilee Indulgence:
The Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown
Located at 200 Block of North 18th Street, Allentown, PA 18104
Website: https://www.cathedral-church.org/
The National Centre for Padre Pio, Barto
Located at 111 Barto Road, Barto PA, 19504
Website: https://www.padrepio.org/visit/jubilee-year-of-hope-destination/
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Allentown
Located at Immaculate Conception Parish, 501 Ridge Ave, Allentown, PA 18102
Website: http://immaculateconceptionallentown.org/
The Shrine of Saint Therese of Lisieux, Nesquehoning
Located at St. Francis Parish, 15 E Garibaldi Ave., Nesquehoning, PA 18240
Only open on Saturdays for 9:30 am Mass.
Website: http://www.shrineofsainttherese.com/
Learn More About God's Gift of Hope
Check back regularly to view articles examining Hope in the Diocese of Allentown!
Bishop Schlert's Lenten Letter: Hail, O Cross, Our Only Hope
Bishop Schlert Celebrates the Opening Mass of the Jubilee Year of Hope
Catholic Schools are in the Business of Inspiring Hope
Hope is Present in Marriage and Annulments
The Sacrament of Confession Heals the Soul and Restores Hope
