National Shrine To Celebrate 70th Jubilee With 'Gratitude, Hope, And History'

DOYLESTOWN, PA – The Pauline Fathers and Brothers at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa have announced plans for a solemn celebration of the 70th Jubilee of the shrine’s founding, to be held on Sunday, June 29 in the Main Church.

The event will be a day of praise, hope, and gratitude for seven decades of the shrine’s spiritual mission in Doylestown and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

The Jubilee Day Celebration begins at 10:30 a.m. with a Jubilee Patriotic Concert followed at 11:30 a.m. by a Solemn Jubilee Mass (Bilingual: English/Polish) with the Most Rev. Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, as the main celebrant, and visiting bishops and clergy from the United States, Poland, and Europe serving as concelebrates.

The celebration will be broadcast live around the world by EWTN and Telewizja TRWAM.

The Jubilee, coinciding with the church’s Universal Jubilee Year 2025: “Pilgrims of Hope," will welcome distinguished guests, including church leaders, diplomats, and community representatives from Poland, Europe, and across the United States. Dozens of priests are expected to concelebrate, affirming the shrine’s vital spiritual presence in the life of the Church.

“This Jubilee is more than a milestone,” said Fr. Krzysztof Wieliczko, OSPPE, Provincial Superior of the Pauline Fathers. “It is a profound moment of grace — an invitation to renew our hope, strengthen our faith, and entrust our future once again to the Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Czestochowa.”

Founded in 1955 by Father Michael Zembrzuski, OSPPE, the Shrine began with a faithful replica of the miraculous icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa placed in a converted barn chapel. From these humble beginnings, it has become a center of Marian devotion, Polish-American heritage, and national pilgrimage.

Highlights of the shrine’s campus today include:

• The Main Church, dedicated in 1966, with seating over 1,400 people, is adorned with two monumental stained-glass murals — one depicting 1,000 years of Polish history, the other of the Americas.
• The 22-ton Austin Organ, recently restored in 2025, originally dedicated to Blessed Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko, martyr and chaplain of the Solidarity movement.
• A 200-foot tower, housing a chapel of 10,000 votive candles and memorial stained glass.
• The Chapel of Our Lady of Czestochowa, modeled after the original in Jasna Góra, as well as the historic original 1955 chapel relocated to Beacon Hill, is the “heart” of the complex, used for daily Mass and adoration. The faithful copy of the original icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, was touched to the original at Jasna Gora, Poland was blessed by Saint John Paul II.
• A Relic Shrine featuring nearly 200 relics, including new additions from Blessed Józef and Wiktoria Ulma and their children.
• The cemetery, with more than 10,000 burials, clergy, Polish war veterans, distinguished Poles, with numerous memorials and statues.
• Rosary Walks, scenic and prayerful paths with meditative sculptures and stone benches.
• The Ave Maria Retreat House, Visitor Center, and an upcoming Shrine Café enhance the pilgrimage experience for all.

Annual Events

• Polish American Festival: Held during Labor Day weekend and the following weekend, attracting thousands for food, music, history and entertainment.
• Annual Walking Pilgrimage: Begun in 1988, with pilgrims walking from New Jersey to the shrine, following Polish tradition.

“American Czestochowa has always been a beacon — literally and spiritually,” Fr. Krzysztof said. “It sits atop Beacon Hill and calls all to encounter God through the intercession of Our Lady. Whether Polish-American or from elsewhere, all are welcome here. She leads us.”