By Matthew Gambino • Posted November 5, 2025

More than 1,600 clergy, religious, and lay faithful from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia made their way by bus, train, and car to Washington, DC and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

The archdiocesan pilgrimage marked the Jubilee Year of Hope begun by the late Pope Francis last year and continued by Pope Leo XIV.

The jubilee year employed the image of a ship’s anchor – an ancient symbol for hope – and the archdiocesan pilgrimage to the grandest shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the United States took the theme, “Hope Anchored in Jesus.”

That theme was echoed in catechetical talks and prayers, in the words of Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez who led the pilgrimage, and on the minds of many of the faithful participating in the day-long event.

All were struck by the artistic beauty of the grand church built in honor of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

“I’ve been here many times over my priesthood and I always discover something new. It’s such a beautiful shrine,” said Archbishop Pérez in his homily for the celebration of Mass that concluded the pilgrimage.

While people came to pray and learn in Mary’s shrine, Archbishop Pérez pointed out that “Our Lady is the shrine. In her, we find her Son, who is of course our Lord.”

Reflecting on the theme of Jesus as the anchor of Christian life, the Archbishop said that “life can be great, can be wonderful and exciting, but it can also be tough, challenging, sad. Hope helps us to navigate it, helps us to hold on to Christ.”

>>> PHOTOS: Archdiocesan Pilgrimage Draws Faithful to Washington for Jubilee Year of Hope

An anchor itself is not hope, but rather where it is anchored to is most important, the Archbishop said.

“Where are you anchored to?” he asked. “We can be anchored in a lot of places. Some are great, some are challenging. Some are holy, and some are (places) where I have to change. The goal is to be anchored in Christ. Mary is the shrine. Our hope has to be anchored in the fruit of her womb.”

Recognizing that people had offered their prayer intentions throughout the day, Archbishop Pérez advised them to “continue to pray for the grace you have been seeking, for the prayer that you have been asking. Hope that the Lord will answer that prayer in His time and in His wonderful loving way.”

The Archbishop asked all the young people present to stand for applause and recognition, saying he was “very moved” by their presence at the pilgrimage.

In addition to young adults, student groups represented Roman Catholic, Cardinal O’Hara, and Little Flower high schools, Nazareth Academy, St. Laurence School in Upper Darby and St. Monica School in South Philadelphia, as well as seminarians from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.

“I hope that you hear our call to you that we need you, and we need you to be active in Christ and the heart of the Church and the world,” Archbishop Pérez said. “We love you, we see you, and we hear you.”

Pilgrims young and old enjoyed a full day of prayers including a welcome by shrine officials, a series of educational talks, broad opportunities to receive the sacrament of penance and reconciliation, Marian devotions including a communal rosary, ample time for eucharistic adoration, and the celebration of Mass.

Music filled the basilica throughout the day, and congregational singing was led by the Nazareth Academy Chorale and cantors Amelie Staron of Sacred Heart Academy in Bryn Mawr; Charlene Angelini, director of music for the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul; and Catherine Oniate of Nazareth Academy.

All of it was set in the beauty of the shrine, which made an impression especially on those visiting for the first time.

“The art on the ceiling, the mosaics” stood out most for Lauren McPhillips, a freshman from Nazareth Academy in Philadelphia. “We have a chapel in our high school but this is a lot different than the one that we have.”

“At our chapel it’s mostly painting, so it’s really interesting to see (the mosaics),” said McPhillip’s classmate, Esther Coyle. “This is really special, especially since it’s the jubilee year in the Catholic Church and it’s a way for everyone to come together to learn more about our faith.”

Pilgrims Chris and Anita Lindsey from St. Jude Parish in Chalfont found it hard to put their awe for the shrine into words, but nonetheless lauded the pilgrimage.

“It’s spectacular (and) we’re very thankful to come on this pilgrimage,” Chris Lindsey said. “It is a holy experience for us. We’re blessed to be here, for different reasons: to find spiritual healing, to build on our faith, to set our faith on fire.

“For me it’s really important for me to be amongst all these people who are pilgrims coming to do much the same thing, seeking a deeper relationship with God.”

Rob and Patty Hessler of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Warrington had only first visited the shrine last year. During this week’s pilgrimage, in addition to enjoying the mosaic art and numerous side chapels of the shrine, they reflected on the jubilee year.

“God’s mercy, (by) going to confession, that gives me hope,” said Patty. “Every retreat I’ve ever been on, confession is a big piece of it, so it fits.”

The truth of God’s revelation to the world is key for Rob. “There is no hope if what we believe in is not the truth,” he said. “Without the truth, then there is no hope.”

Sisters Marcia Lupton and Betty Willis of St. Cyprian Parish in Philadelphia appreciated the ample time for prayer provided during the pilgrimage.

“These days we need so much prayer, which gives me so much solace in my heart,” Lupton said. “When you pray, it opens your mind up to other things and gives you so much peace.”

“Especially this world we’re living in now, and the times we’re living in, we need prayer,” Willis said.

The pilgrimage and the whole of the jubilee year brought the virtue of hope and its source into focus, according to one archdiocesan leader.

“Jesus is our center (and) our model, and we need to, as faithful Catholic Christians, hold on to Him,” said Sister Melissa Mastrangelo, I.H.M., principal of St. Monica School in Philadelphia.

“It’s like the Gospel message of holding onto the hem of His garment. With Him all things are possible. We can achieve great things but only with Him as our stronghold, our anchor. You build a foundation on something strong, and Jesus is it.”