On Tuesday, October 7, close to 2,500 pilgrims from the Diocese of Allentown braved Washington, D.C. traffic to embark on a Jubilee Year pilgrimage of hope to “Mary’s House,” the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Upon entering the Basilica, visitors from 28 different parishes and 19 diocesan schools were greeted by Pilgrimage Committee members and offered a booklet with resources and the day’s schedule, as well as a free October edition of the Magnificat. Confessions were available in both English and Spanish at various times throughout the day.
Shrine docents shared insights about the art and the 80 different chapels and oratories within the massive building. The Basilica is one of the ten largest churches in the world, and it is the largest Catholic church in North America.
Bishop Schlert led the assembly in a “rosary pilgrimage,” processing through the Upper Church as the congregation sang and prayed the Luminous Mysteries in five languages: English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Portuguese, and Latin.
“This whole day has been filled with reminders of the universality of our Church,” one pilgrim said. “The Shrine is filled with images and art from dozens of different countries and cultures, and even our praying of the Rosary in different languages pointed to how Mary is truly a mother to all people.”
After a break for lunch, pilgrims reconvened for keynote addresses in both English and Spanish. Meanwhile, youth attendees participated in a Holy Hour in the Crypt Church, which featured sung praise and worship.
Sister Léonie Thérèse of the Sisters of Life delivered the keynote in English. She noted that this feast day, which commemorates the victory of Christians at the Battle of Lepanto against all odds through Our Lady’s intercession, is a powerful occasion to recall our gift of hope—even when the world seems hopeless.
Sister outlined three “pathways of hope.” The first was through the Blessed Mother herself.
“Mary is our heavenly mother,” she explained. “We can look to her to guide us in all things.”
Mary’s hope was rooted in her trust that her Son’s words were true—believing them and pondering them even in sorrow and pain. Sister invited her listeners to pray the Rosary and to “wait with Mary in hope on Holy Saturday, with expectation in the Resurrection.”
The second pathway, she said, is trust and forgiveness. Fear and resentment weigh our hearts down, obscuring hope when we try to carry our burdens alone. But when we trust in our Good Father—naming our burdens and letting Him carry them—we can live with hopeful hearts.
Lastly, Sister suggested that beauty is also a pathway of hope. She described how her sisters in the convent take "beauty breaks" during the day because encountering beauty—and remembering that God is beauty—“does something to restore peace and order in the soul.”
She suggested that, if we feel there is no beauty around us, then we need to learn to see where God is at work. “Then we can see that there is some good in the world, and it is worth fighting for.”
The pilgrimage concluded with a celebratory Mass. Monsignor Walter Rossi, Rector of the Basilica, welcomed and thanked the Diocese of Allentown, noting its three-decade tradition of visiting and supporting the National Shrine.
“And wow,” he added, “I don’t normally see our whole Basilica filled on a Tuesday afternoon! And with forty-five priests concelebrating!”
Representatives from each parish participated in the opening procession, holding Jubilee Year banners representing their churches.
Bishop Schlert served as the principal celebrant and homilist. He reflected on the beauty and power of the Rosary:
“The Rosary is not simply a repetition of prayers—it is a path of contemplation. Each bead carries us deeper into the life of Jesus: His Incarnation, His Passion, His Resurrection, and His Glory… it anchors us in hope. It reminds us that God entered our history, that Christ conquered sin and death, and that Mary intercedes for us as our Mother.”
He addressed a special message to the youth in attendance:
“Sometimes worship in the Church can seem ancient or distant. But the Rosary—so simple, so portable—is a prayer made for you.”
He encouraged them to take up the heroic call of living visibly Catholic lives, a witness much needed in today’s world.
As the day came to a close, Father Allen Hoffa, Director of the Diocesan Pilgrimage Committee, thanked each committee member by name and urged all pilgrims to let the fruits of the day continue beyond October 7.
Pilgrims departed pondering words from Bishop Schlert’s homily in their hearts:
“A diocese that clings to Mary becomes strong in faith, steadfast in hope, and radiant in charity.”
Pictures by Norm Steinruck.
