About Most Precious Blood · Hazleton, Pennsylvania
Most Precious Blood Church is a historic Roman Catholic church in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, at the corner of 4th and Seybert Streets, rooted in the Italian immigrant community of the 1880s. Founded in 1888 and built up over generations of Italian-American families, the parish is now part of the Diocese of Scranton and, since July 1, 2025, shares a pastor with its sister church Our Lady of Grace (formerly Queen of Heaven Parish) under the new combined name Our Lady of Peace Parish. The current pastor is Rev. Anthony J. Generose. Most Precious Blood is best known for its annual Madonna del Monte Festival (held since 1900), its Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, and its longstanding tradition of Italian-American devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Christ.
- Established
- 1888
- Patron
- Most Precious Blood of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Anthony J. Generose
- Diocese
- Diocese of Scranton
Why belong here
Most Precious Blood is a warm, multigenerational parish where Italian-American devotional traditions meet active parish life. Visitors and parishioners can worship at a church completed in 1915 and lovingly restored in 1983, join one of the most distinctive Italian religious festivals in Pennsylvania (the Madonna del Monte, running since 1900), pray the Rosary daily before Mass, light a candle at the Lourdes Grotto, or get involved with the youth group, music ministry, St. Joseph Vocation Ministry, or St. Vincent de Paul outreach. As of July 2025 the parish shares a pastor with sister church Our Lady of Grace under the new Our Lady of Peace Parish umbrella, but Most Precious Blood Church remains its own worship site with its own schedule, identity, and traditions.
Mass times at Most Precious Blood
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
Adoration times
- Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament follows the Madonna del Monte procession on the Sunday of the festival (early August), offered in the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto.
History of Most Precious Blood Parish
Most Precious Blood grew out of the Italian immigrant community that came to Hazleton in the 1880s from the Cilento region of Italy. After Bishop of Scranton assigned Father John Girimondo in 1885, Father Rosario Nasca was appointed first pastor in 1888 and the cornerstone parish was built at 4th & Seybert. The little church burned in 1901, was rebuilt by Father Landro, completed under Father Cassiba in 1915, and shaped over decades by the long pastorate of Monsignor Francis X. Molino (1921–1967) and the 1980s renovation under Father Gugliemelli. As of July 1, 2025, Most Precious Blood joined with Queen of Heaven Parish (Our Lady of Grace) to form the new Our Lady of Peace Parish.
- 1885 – Father John Girimondo assigned; Mass in a converted home on Fourth and Carson
- 1888 – Rev. Rosario Nasca named first pastor; three lots purchased at 4th & Seybert
- 1901 – Original church and records destroyed by fire
- 1901–1906 – Father Dominic Landro rebuilds; constructs the present parish hall
- 1915 – Current church completed under Father Gaetano Cassiba
- 1921–1967 – Monsignor Francis X. Molino serves 46 years; builds grotto, school, beautifies cemetery
- 1967 – Monsignor Molino Memorial Park dedicated across from the church
- 1980–1983 – Father Neil Gugliemelli renovates interior (mosaic, Holy Family carving, baptismal font)
- July 1, 2025 – Consolidated with Queen of Heaven Parish as Our Lady of Peace Parish
Madonna del Monte Festival & Italian Heritage
The Madonna del Monte Festival is the heart of parish identity at Most Precious Blood. Started in 1900 by Donata D'Alessandro — an immigrant who longed for the procession she had known in her Italian mountain village — it brings together families and friends each first weekend in August. Festivities include Mass, the traditional cinti (candlehouses) procession honoring the saints of the Cilento region, Benediction at the Lourdes Grotto, tricky trays, a grotto candle sale, live entertainment, Italian festival food (pasta fagioli, haluski, porketta, fried dough, cannoli, potato pancakes, pizzelles and biscotti), and the Sunday pasta-and-meatball dinner in the church hall. The 2025 celebration was the 126th anniversary.
- First weekend of August each year
- Cinti (candle house) procession through local streets after the 10:30 AM Mass
- Saints honored: St. Aniello, St. Mauro, Madonna del Monte, St. Nazarius
- Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto following the procession
- Annual parish fundraiser — sponsorship envelopes included in August envelopes
Clergy & Parish Leadership
Most Precious Blood Church is led by the pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish, Rev. Anthony J. Generose, who has shepherded the linked Italian-rooted parishes of Hazleton for several years. He is assisted by Rev. Rafael Ofarril Bermúdez González and Rev. Shawn M. Simchock (listed as senior priest in residence; the Diocese of Scranton has announced his reassignment effective July 15, 2026).
- Rev. Anthony J. Generose — Pastor
- Rev. Rafael Ofarril Bermúdez González — Assistant Pastor
- Rev. Shawn M. Simchock — Senior Priest in residence
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the sacraments of initiation, healing and service as listed on its Sacramental page. Baptisms are scheduled by appointment on Sundays following the 10:30 AM Mass, with a six-month active-registered-membership requirement for expectant parents.
- Baptism — by appointment on Sundays after the 10:30 AM Mass
- Reconciliation (Penance) — Saturdays 2:15–3:00 PM
- Anointing of the Sick — by request through the parish office
- Matrimony — by arrangement through the parish office, (570) 454-8714
- Eucharist — daily and weekend schedule above
Parish Ministries & Groups
Our Lady of Peace Parish invites parishioners to share their gifts in a wide range of liturgical, devotional, youth and outreach ministries. From the long-running Rosary Group and Music Ministry to the new St. Joseph Vocation Ministry and the Madonna del Monte Sodality that funds the parish's biggest annual celebration, there are many ways to participate.
- Rosary Group (daily, weekend, and Marian-month prayer)
- Music Ministry / Choir
- Madonna del Monte Sodality (fundraising; meets 2nd Tuesday evening)
- St. Joseph Vocation Ministry (traveling statue, monthly meetings)
- Our Lady of Peace Youth Group
- Grotto and Grounds (caring for Lourdes Grotto & Stations of the Cross)
- Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, Altar Servers
- St. Vincent de Paul Society and other social-justice ministries (homebound visits, food pantries)
- Men's and women's parish groups
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto & Stations of the Cross
The Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, built more than 75 years ago under Monsignor Molino, stands outside Most Precious Blood Church and is maintained by devoted parishioners. The garden path leading to the grotto is lined with the Stations of the Cross. The grotto is the site of Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament following the Madonna del Monte procession, and visitors are invited to light a candle in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes and pray for their special intentions.
- Built under Monsignor Francis X. Molino (1921–1967)
- Stations of the Cross set in a garden setting
- Site of the post-procession Benediction during the Madonna del Monte Festival
Faith Formation & CCD
Religious education for children of both consolidated parishes is run jointly as the Confirmation of Christian Doctrine (CCD) program. About 135 children from the two churches meet for CCD classes at Hazleton One Community Center, which operates in the former Most Precious Blood School building — a tangible link between the historic parish school and today's youth ministry.
- Joint CCD program across Our Lady of Peace Parish
- Classes held at Hazleton One Community Center (former Most Precious Blood School)
- Youth group focused on the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy
Visiting & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at (570) 454-8714. The church is located at 131 East 4th Street (at Seybert) in northeast Hazleton, with the Monsignor Molino Memorial Park (1967) directly across the street.
- Address: 131 E 4th St., Hazleton, PA 18201
- Phone: (570) 454-8714
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John Girimondo1885–1888
Assigned by the Bishop of Scranton to serve the Italian immigrant community; celebrated Mass in a converted room at Fourth and Carson Streets.
- Rev. Rosario Nasca1888–
First pastor; oversaw purchase of three lots at 4th & Seybert and the building of the original modest church.
- Rev. Dominic Peruzziuntil 1901
Second pastor; in his last year the church and its records were destroyed by fire.
- Rev. Dominic Landro1901–1906
Rebuilt after the fire; constructed what is now the church hall (used for Mass until 1915).
- Rev. Girardo Angio1906–1911
Succeeded Father Landro.
- Rev. Gaetano Cassiba1911–
Under his pastorship the current church was completed in August 1915.
- Rev. Francis X. Molino (later Monsignor)1921–1967
Served 46 years; beautified the parish cemetery, founded the parish school, and oversaw construction of the Lourdes Grotto.
- Rev. Neil Gugliemellifrom 1980
Planned and carried out the 1980–1983 renovation of the church (mosaic, Holy Family carving, baptismal font).