The Jubilee of Hope 2025 has blessed St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish with the unique opportunity to welcome an influx of pilgrims from the Paterson Diocese and beyond. Some of the visiting faithful hadn’t previously known about the parish, located in the Mt. Hope neighborhood of Rockaway Township, N.J.
Catholics near and far have become more familiar with St. Bernard’s, one of five designated Jubilee sites in the diocese for Catholics to go on pilgrimage during the Universal Church’s Jubilee of Hope 2025.
St. Bernard’s, at 22 St. Bernard Road, will host the fifth and final local Jubilee pilgrimage on Sunday, Aug. 17. That day, pilgrims will be celebrating the feast of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, which occurs on Aug. 20.
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
The Aug. 17 pilgrimage will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Mount Hope Pond, located behind the Mount Hope firehouse. Bishop Sweeney will celebrate Mass in St. Bernard Church at 10:30 a.m., followed by a barbecue, at the parish office.
Shuttle buses will be available for people to and from the pilgrimage site, the church, and the barbecue.
“St. Bernard Church is perfect to be a diocesan holy site for the Jubilee of Hope,” Father Edward Rama, pastor of St. Bernard’s, said. “A pilgrimage can be good for people. It can help them step out of their normal pace and grow in faith.”
Pilgrims can receive a plenary indulgence for themselves or their deceased loved ones — a special blessing granted by the Church for this holy year — during local pilgrimages or visits to the designated churches.
Pilgrims to St. Bernard’s have often visited on Mondays for the 6:30 p.m. Mass and stayed for 7 to 8 p.m. confession and adoration. About 40 people attend, including some who come regularly. Groups from some parishes have also visited the Morris County church.
Visitors are invited to visit the stone grotto on the wooded property next to St. Bernard’s Church. Father John A. Tracy, a former pastor, built it in 1935 and established a novena in honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. The parish continues the devotion today on Mondays, following the 8:30 a.m. Mass.
“The grotto was constructed during the Great Depression amid economic despair in the United States. Still, our people had great hope,” Father Rama said.
Father Rama encourages the Jubilee pilgrims to visit the “quaint” wooden country church, built in 1869.
St. Bernard’s worship space features a balcony with an organ, a wooden altar, religious statues, and many stained-glass windows.
Previous one-day pilgrimages with Bishop Sweeney were held at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., the Shrine of St. Joseph in the Stirling neighborhood of Long Hill Township, N.J., St. Luke Parish in the Long Valley neighborhood of Washington Township, N.J., and St. James the Greater Parish in Montague, N.J.
These holy sites are available throughout the holy year for visits by the faithful, who can attend their services during the week.
Because each of the three holy sites will provide food for their pilgrimages, please register.
