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On January 13, 2025, Most Reverend Efren V. Esmilla, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, performed the Blessing of the House upon The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. He also blessed all in attendance and all who pilgrimage to the Basilica Shrine during this Jubilee Year.
Bishop Esmilla’s hope for the people who pilgrimage to the Basilica Shrine is for them to “find the peace and healing for which they search.” (Learn more about Jubilee Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope below.)
Then, Bishop Esmilla blessed chalk packets prepared for distribution to attendees, so that they could use them to bless their own homes for this coming year.
“May your homes be filled with peace and the joy of Jesus, and be places of hospitality and welcome to all who visit,” said Bishop Esmilla.
The bishop then told the congregants more about this Catholic tradition of people blessing their own homes.
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He explained how to inscribe their door posts with chalk: 2 0 + C + M + B + 2 5, which represents the year and the names of the three kings, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, who visited baby Jesus. CMB also means “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” (“May Christ bless this home.”)
The Blessing of the House was rescheduled from January 6, 2025. Be sure to watch the replay of our livestream.
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Jubilee Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope | |
In February 2022, Pope Francis proclaimed that 2025 would be a Jubilee Year with the theme Pilgrims of Hope. | |
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On December 24, 2024, the Jubilee Year officially began with Pope Francis opening the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter.
For pilgrims who cannot travel to Rome, Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of the Diocese of Philadelphia, has designated the Basilica Shine as a Jubilee Pilgrimage site. Those visiting the Basilica Shrine during the Jubilee Year can obtain the Jubilee Indulgence if the general conditions are met.
Discover more about Jubilee Year 2025 and our special designation.
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We hope you had an opportunity to visit the Basilica Shrine during the holiday season. Whether you joined us for Christmas Mass, New Year’s Eve, or to celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, we hope you had a chance to see and experience the wonder and beauty of the Basilica Shrine.
As we look ahead, we invite you to explore our Winter of Hope 2025 events. Our Perpetual Novena and Holy Mass has been uninterrupted since 1930. If you have never experienced this, we welcome you to join us.
Other upcoming events include January 27, when we will celebrate the founding of the Congregation of the Mission (the Vincentians). An Anointing of the Sick Mass will take place in February, as will a Blessing of Couples and Those Looking for Partners on St. Valentine’s Day.
To discover all that awaits you in January and February at the Basilica Shrine, please view our Winter of Hope Events page.
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On Friday, December 13, we celebrated the Feast of St. Lucy (Lucia) at the
Basilica Shrine. At the end of Mass, celebrant Fr. John Kettelberger, CM, gave a special Blessing of the Eyes in honor of the patron saint of the blind and those with eye trouble. He then invited those in the congregation to come up for a personal blessing.
We invite you to join us at the Basilica Shrine for events like these, as well as our regular Masses. Plan your visit today!
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Start The Year With Mary
Start the Holy Year with Mary, Queen of Peace. This Jubilee Year is an invitation to draw closer to Jesus through Mary. Amid the challenges of our world, we turn to Mary, Queen of Peace, for her intercession.
When St. Catherine Labouré received the Miraculous Medal from Our Lady, it was a sign of hope for a struggling world. Mary is our light in uncertain times.
Renew your personal devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary for 2025 to receive her miraculous Rays of Grace in your life.
As you join us in prayer and reflection, we humbly ask your support of our mission.
Because of you, the Basilica Shrine is a place of comfort and healing. It is a refuge in times of trouble. Because of you, we can continue to help us fulfill Mary's request to bring her Miraculous Medal to the world so others can find solace and peace in their devotion to Our Blessed Mother. Please consider making a gift today.
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Beyond Sunday® Hosts
Mercy Career and Technical School
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Catholic Schools Week, an annual celebration of Catholic education in the U.S., will take place January 26-February 1, 2025. The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal is blessed to work with many Catholic schools in and around Philadelphia, and across the country through our Beyond Sunday® program. This program offers personally and spiritually rewarding retreat and pilgrim experiences to students of all grades and their educators.
Recently, Beyond Sunday® welcomed more than 100 students and chaperones from Mercy Career and Technical School to the Basilica Shrine over two days. Both programs included a walk and tour, Mass, Investiture, group photo, visit to the Gift Shop, Blessings of Religious Articles, and lunch.
The Basilica Shrine welcomes individuals and groups of all sizes and ages, from parish to school pilgrimages, and we can create a custom visit according to your needs.
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In moments of doubt and fear, remember that Our Blessed Mother is always by our side, interceding on our behalf. God's blessings come in many forms when we keep our minds, hearts, bodies, and souls open to receiving them. | |
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Recently, a devoted follower of Mary shared with us:
“I am truly addicted to sugar. My father had early-onset dementia and ate more sugary foods than anyone can imagine. I am genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease as well. I have worn the Miraculous Medal for years. Through the Blessed Mother’s intercession, I have been able to start avoiding sugary foods, and I can tell she’s helping me.”
We invite you to share your story of favors granted with us and others.
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