2025 Summer Novena of Hope
Summer Novena of Hope 2025
With Jesus and Mary, We Journey as Pilgrims of Hope
On Monday, June 30, we begin our Summer Novena of Hope at The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Join us for nine consecutive weeks as the Vincentians of the Eastern Province walk with us, Jesus, and Mary. The homilists will lead us through reflections on important topics that center on our earthly journey and the challenges along the way. Our weekly journey ends focusing on God’s eternal love for us.
Dates: Nine Mondays from June 30—August 25.
Novena/Mass times: 9 a.m., 12:05 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
Novena/Benediction time: 2 p.m.
Confession times: 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 6 p.m.
Watch online: Each 12:05 p.m. service will be livestreamed via YouTube.
General information: Join us at the Basilica Shrine and view our schedule.
Plenary Indulgence: Individuals who attend the Summer Novena and fulfill ordinary requirements of the Church may receive a plenary indulgence on Monday, August 25, the ninth day of the Novena.
Schedule: Dates, Presenters and Topics
June 30
Homilist: Fr. John Kettelberger, CM
Topic: Companions on a Journey
Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/zwLTvz3yxxY
Celebrant of the 12:05 p.m. Mass: Most Reverend Efren V. Esmilla, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
July 7
Homilist: Deacon James Mahoney
Topic: Praying with Mary
Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/E0AR2J7ncHo
July 14
Homilist: Fr. Michael Shea, CM
Topic: The First Apparition of the Miraculous Medal
Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/AVjxB30x7G8
Celebrant of the 12:05 p.m. Mass: Most Reverend Efren V. Esmilla, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
July 21
Homilist: Fr. Patrick Joseph Obot, CM
Topic: Hope When the Road Is Hard
Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/tkDQoEiLwfY
July 28
Homilist: Fr. Walner Diaz, CM
Topic: Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Lost Hope on the Journey
Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/GRyIO-9GC_c
August 4
Homilist: Fr. William Allegretto, CM
Topic: Forgiveness Is Always Available When We Fall
Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/SsKXLIDv0hY
August 11
Homilist: Fr. John Maher, CM
Topic: The Message of Our Lady of Kibeho
Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/VYd-ZaOaDUo
Celebrant of the 12:05 p.m. Mass: Most Reverend Efren V. Esmilla, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
August 18
Homilist: Fr. Michael Shea, CM
Topic: The Message of Our Lady of Knock
Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/tUzhVDBkPOk
August 25
Homilist: Fr. Charles Krieg, CM
Topic: The Promise: Heaven
Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/XoWO9wPyPyg
Homilist Biographies
Fr. John Kettelberger, CM, invested as the Rector of The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in May 2025, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In his 47 years of priesthood, Fr. Kettelberger has served 22 years as a pastor and 16 years as a college campus minister.
Deacon James Mahoney is a permanent deacon of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia assigned to St. Athanasius Parish in West Oak Lane. He also serves as associate director of The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
Fr. Patrick Joseph Obot, CM, was ordained in Nigeria in 2021. After three years in the Congregation of the Mission, he joined our Eastern Province in 2024. He currently works at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia.
Fr. Walner Diaz, CM, ordained in 2022, is among the Eastern Province’s younger priests. Born in El Salvador, Fr. Diaz came to the United States and attended both St. John’s University and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. After beginning his ministry at Our Lady of Gaudalupe Parish in Charolette, North Carolina, Fr. Diaz transferred to Philadelphia in 2023.
Fr. William Allegretto, CM, was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, and ordained as a Vincentian priest in 1985. While serving throughout the Eastern Province, Fr. Allegretto spent much of his time at Niagara University, his alma mater, including multiple stints as campus minister.
Fr. John Maher, CM, serves as the superior at St. Vincent’s Seminary, a position he has held since 2020. In his more than 40 years as priest, Fr. Maher has directed the vocation program of both Niagra and St. John’s universities.
Fr. Michael Shea, CM, has more than 50 years of service as a Vincentian priest, with many of those years devoted to education. He has taught throughout the Philadelphia area, including St. Thomas More, West Catholic, and Archbishop Wood high schools. Today, Fr. Shea works as a member of the Beyond Sunday® team from the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal.
Fr. Charles Krieg, CM, was born in Brooklyn, New York, and since 2018 has been assigned to pastoral ministry at St. Vincent’s Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ordained in 1963, much of his early service was at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. In 2010, he transferred to St. Vincent’s House in Emmitsburg, Maryland, to be assistant pastor at St. Joseph’s Church.
