The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown will launch the local observance of the Jubilee Year 2025 with a special Mass on December 29 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona, with Bishop Mark as celebrant and priests of the diocese as concelebrants. All 87 parishes throughout the eight-county diocese were invited to send representatives to the Mass, and all local Catholics are warmly invited to attend.
A Jubilee occurs in the Catholic Church universal every 25 years. Pope Francis will launch the Jubilee on Christmas Eve in Rome. He asked dioceses around the world to begin their local observances on December 29, the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The theme for Jubilee 2025 is Pilgrims of Hope, as declared by the Holy Father.
“This upcoming Jubilee Year is a special time of grace for all Catholics during which we will highlight the hope that we share in Christ and share with each other,” said Diocesan Communications Director Tony DeGol. “The theme hits especially close to home here in Altoona-Johnstown because it aligns with Bishop Mark’s episcopal motto Christ Our Hope in Glory.”
Besides the December 29 Mass, the diocese is planning many local observances.
Bishop Mark has designated 13 parishes as “Holy Sites” for the Jubilee Year:
- Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona
- Saint John Gualbert Cathedral in Johnstown
- Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel in Loretto
- Immaculate Conception in Dudley
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Altoona
- Our Lady of the Alleghenies in Lilly
- Our Lady Queen of Angels in Central City
- Our Lady of Victory in State College
- Queen of Archangels in Clarence
- Saint Joseph Mission Church in Carrolltown
- Saint Mary in Shade Gap
- Seven Dolors of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Bean’s Cove
- Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Johnstown
“The faithful are invited to visit any or all of those 13 sites as a pilgrimage experience during the Jubilee,” DeGol mentioned. “The diocese has created ‘passports,’ which are available at any parish, for the pilgrims to have stamped as they visit each site.”
A special diocesan pilgrimage, led by Bishop Bartchak, to the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., is planned for October 17, 2025, continuing the diocese’s rich tradition of pilgrimages to that historic location.
On June 29, 2025, a special Jubilee event will happen in Loretto with speakers highlighting the missionary outreach in our diocese and a special outdoor Mass at the Our Lady of the Alleghenies Shrine.
Special musical events are planned during the Jubilee Year, including the Westminster Cathedral Choir of Boys and Men from London performing on April 3 at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, and an ecumenical choral concert happening on October 5, 2025, at Saint John Gualbert Cathedral in Johnstown.
“Expressions of Hope” art, photography, and poetry, as submitted by local Catholics of all ages, will be displayed throughout the year at various diocesan events and on the diocese’s Proclaim! media platforms.
The diocese will close out the Jubilee on December 28, 2025, with a special Mass at Saint John Gualbert Cathedral.
For updates on Jubilee 2025 throughout the year, visit the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown website.
