About St. Ann · Scranton, Pennsylvania
The Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Ann is a Minor Basilica and National Shrine of the Catholic Church located in West Scranton, Pennsylvania, within the Diocese of Scranton. Founded and still served by the Passionist order (Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ), the parish is one of the most beloved pilgrimage churches in the anthracite coal region, drawing thousands of pilgrims each summer for the Solemn Novena to St. Ann (July 17–26). On October 27, 1997, Pope John Paul II elevated the 1929 church to the rank of Minor Basilica, making it a national shrine to St. Ann, mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary and patroness of mothers, grandmothers and — as the Scranton miners discovered — coal miners.
- Established
- 1902 (temporary chapel/Passionist foundation); parish formally recorded as founded 1901
- Patron
- St. Ann (mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. James J. Paisley (Pastor); Rev. Richard W. Burke, C.P. (Rector of St. Ann's Monastery and Shrine Director)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Scranton
Why belong here
St. Ann Basilica is one of the most storied devotional sites in Northeast Pennsylvania — a 1,500-family parish that still draws thousands of pilgrims each summer for the century-old Solemn Novena (July 17–26) and gathers weekly for the Monday novena to St. Ann. Worshippers are drawn by the recently restored Romanesque basilica, the Passionist heritage, six-plus daily Masses during the Novena, ongoing Reconciliation throughout the week, RCIA and Pre-K–8 faith formation, a strong choir and lay-ministry tradition, home visits to the sick and homebound, and a real sense of intergenerational Catholic identity in West Scranton. Since 2021 it has also been a merged faith community with the former Saints Peter & Paul Parish, offering the warmth of two congregations becoming one family.
Mass times at St. Ann
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 45 minutes before each Novena Mass (St. Ann's Upper Church)
- Tuesday–Friday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (St. Ann's Shrine)
- Saturday: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM (St. Ann's Upper Church)
- During the annual Solemn Novena (July 17–26), the Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered to pilgrims throughout the day, including before the 4:30 AM first Mass on the Feast of St. Ann.
Adoration times
- Outdoor Stations of the Cross and extended Eucharistic devotion are part of the July 17–26 Solemn Novena; an outdoor Eucharistic Procession and Benediction is held during the Novena week.
History of St. Ann's Monastery and Basilica
The Passionists came to Scranton in 1902 at Bishop Michael J. Hoban's invitation and built a temporary chapel on a ten-acre plateau known as the Round Woods in West Scranton. The monastery, designed by Owen McGlynn of Wilkes-Barre, was dedicated July 2, 1905. A coal-mine subsidence in 1911 damaged the structure, and a second shift on July 28, 1913 — two days after the Feast of St. Ann — became the founding miracle of the devotion when two huge boulders rolled into place and stabilized the foundation. Locals raised $37,000 to make the building secure, and it was rededicated in 1916.
Founding the Solemn Novena (1924)
In November 1924 laypeople asked the rector of the monastery to open the Passionists' weekly St. Ann novena to the public. Father John Joseph Endler, C.P. (1892–1957) was appointed to lead the services, first in the monastery parlor, then under a tent borrowed from the Scranton Fire Department, then in a wooden structure holding about 200 people. In 1925 Father Endler launched the annual Solemn Novena, July 17–26, which has continued uninterrupted for a century.
- Parish website: stannbasilica.org
- Shrine and Novena site: stannsmonasterybasilica.org
- Novena information site: stannsnovena.org
The 1929 Basilica Building
Ground was broken in 1927 for the present church, designed by the Boston firm of Maginnis & Walsh in Romanesque Revival style and dedicated on April 2, 1929. The building seats roughly 1,500 worshippers and remained essentially unchanged until 1997, when hc architects restored the structure following its elevation to basilica status. The 1997 work redesigned the sanctuary to reflect Vatican II liturgical requirements while updating lighting, acoustics and HVAC without compromising the historic Romanesque fabric.
Elevation to Minor Basilica and National Shrine (1997)
Pope John Paul II declared St. Ann's a Minor Basilica on October 27, 1997. The formal rededication as a National Shrine Basilica took place on October 18, 1997, with Cardinal Achille Silvestrini presiding. A new Passionist monastery was built and dedicated on July 8, 2000 to support the growing ministry and broadcast operations.
Parish Mission, Vision and Membership
St. Ann's mission statement, posted on the parish website, commits the community to: proclaiming the Good News of Jesus in word and deed; recognizing the gifts and talents of every member; relating the Gospel to social concerns of justice, peace and equality; and building a Catholic faith community where all are welcomed, loved, needed and appreciated. Newcomers are invited to register as parishioners; an "Active Member" is defined as a registered parishioner who attends Mass regularly and uses envelopes. Only active parishioners can qualify as godparents or sponsors.
- Phone: (570) 342-5166
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours at 1250 St. Ann St.: Monday–Friday, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
The Solemn Novena to St. Ann (July 17–26)
For a century the Solemn Novena has been the heart of the parish's identity. Ten days of preaching by Passionist fathers — joined by Passionists from other monasteries and many diocesan priests — draw thousands of pilgrims each summer. The devotion includes daily Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, anointing with St. Ann's Oil and blessing with the relic of St. Ann, outdoor Stations of the Cross, a Eucharistic Procession and Benediction, and a Pontifical Closing Mass on the Feast of St. Ann. The 2024 Solemn Novena marked the 100th anniversary, with Bishop Joseph C. Bambera celebrating the closing Mass.
- Anointing with St. Ann's Oil
- Blessing with the relic of St. Ann
- Outdoor Stations of the Cross
- Eucharistic Procession and Benediction
- Pontifical Closing Mass with the Bishop of Scranton
Pilgrim Walking Traditions
On the Feast of St. Ann, walking pilgrimages from surrounding towns are a living tradition. A group from Dunmore leaves home at 4:00 AM and walks the 3 miles to the Shrine for the 6:00 AM Mass. A group from Pittston gathers at midnight to walk the 8 miles through Duryea, Old Forge and Taylor, arriving around 3:00 AM to walk the outdoor Stations and go to Confession before the first Mass of the day at 4:30 AM. Earlier generations walked barefoot and even crawled on their knees up Main Street and Main Avenue.
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Religious education is conducted from Pre-K through Grade 8 in the St. Ann's Shrine building. The parish also runs the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for adults interested in becoming Catholic or learning more about the faith. Both programs can be reached at 570-903-8408. Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation is offered through these programs.
- Pre-K through Grade 8 Religious Education
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
- Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
- Phone for Faith Formation: 570-903-8408
Baptism
Baptisms are normally celebrated on the third Sunday of each month after the 11:00 AM Mass. Parents expecting a first child — or whose last child was baptized many years ago — are required to attend baptismal preparation on the second Sunday of the month at 12:00 PM in the rectory across from the Basilica. There is no fee for baptism, though a customary offering to the priest is at the parents' discretion. Godparent requirements are strict: at least 16 years old, fully initiated Catholics in good standing, and (if married) in a marriage recognized as valid by the Catholic Church. Call the rectory at 570-342-5166 to schedule.
Marriage and Other Sacraments
Couples should contact the rectory (570-342-5166) to begin marriage preparation. The Anointing of the Sick is arranged through the rectory for those facing illness or surgery. Parish clergy also bring Communion to the homebound, hospitalized and residents of local nursing homes.
- Baptism
- First Communion
- Confirmation
- Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick
- Eucharist to the homebound and hospitalized
Parish Ministries and Lay Service
The parish maintains a robust lay-ministry program that has thrived alongside the Passionist community for generations. Liturgical roles — lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers — are filled by trained lay volunteers. The parish choir and music ministry support the wide range of daily Masses. Pastoral care ministers visit the homebound, those in nursing homes, and hospitalized parishioners. St. Ann's Media carries daily Mass and religious programming on cable television, radio and online. The parish also produced a 350-recipe commemorative cookbook in 2024, with proceeds supporting the Passionist priests.
- Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Altar Servers
- Parish Choir and Music Ministry
- Homebound / Hospital / Nursing Home Visitors
- St. Ann's Media (broadcast ministry)
- Parish cookbook project (2024)
Schools
St. Ann's Parish School opened in 1920 and at one time offered high-school diplomas (1926–1964). After 1964 it operated as a Catholic co-educational grade school serving roughly 175 students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. The school closed in 2000. Children of the parish now receive religious education in the parish Faith Formation program and attend local Catholic or public schools.
SS. Peter & Paul Consolidation (2021)
On December 3, 2021, as part of Bishop Joseph C. Bambera's Vision 2030 pastoral planning process, St. Ann Basilica Parish was consolidated with the nearby Saints Peter & Paul Parish, whose longtime worship site at 1309 West Locust Street in West Scranton remains in use. Father James J. Paisley, who had been guiding the two parishes since they were linked in September 2021, became the first diocesan priest to lead the parish in more than a century of Passionist pastorates. Sunday Mass is also celebrated at SS. Peter & Paul at 11:00 AM, with a Monday Mass there at 9:00 AM.
- SS. Peter & Paul worship site: 1309 West Locust St., Scranton, PA 18504
- SS. Peter & Paul rectory phone: 570-343-7015
- SS. Peter & Paul email: [email protected]
- Office hours at SS Peter and Paul: Mon/Wed/Fri, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
St. Ann's Media and Broadcast Ministry
A weekly radio broadcast of the Novena began in 1942 and ran until 1991. In 1955 a televised Sunday Mass was added (broadcast from a chapel set up in the WDAU television studio) and continued until 1991. Since 1991 St. Ann's Media has broadcast daily Mass and other religious programming on cable television, radio and the internet, extending the reach of the shrine far beyond Northeast Pennsylvania.
- Weekly radio broadcast, 1942–1991
- Televised Sunday Mass, 1955–1991
- St. Ann's Media — cable TV, radio and online, 1991–present
Getting Involved / Joining the Parish
Newcomers are invited to register as parishioners by contacting the rectory (570-342-5166). Active membership is required in order to serve as a godparent or sacramental sponsor. The parish welcomes volunteers in liturgical ministry, choir, faith formation, pastoral care, and the various lay organizations that support the basilica and the Solemn Novena.
Visiting the Basilica
The basilica sits on a hilltop in West Scranton, accessed by a steep climb up St. Ann Street. Pilgrims and visitors are welcomed at any Mass or during the weekly Monday Novena, and especially during the Solemn Novena (July 17–26), when the grounds include outdoor seating, granite benches, a tent for outdoor Mass, and the chance to walk the outdoor Stations of the Cross. Pilgrims are traditionally anointed with St. Ann's Oil and blessed with the relic of St. Ann. Parking is available on-site.
Diocese of Scranton
St. Ann Basilica Parish is one of more than 100 parishes in the Diocese of Scranton, which covers eleven counties of Northeast Pennsylvania. The current Bishop of Scranton is the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera. The parish's website, Mass schedule, clergy roster and contact information are also published in the diocese's parish directory.
- Diocese of Scranton website: dioceseofscranton.org
- Bishop: Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John Joseph Endler, C.P.1924–c.1929
Passionist priest (1892–1957) who began the weekly Monday Novena to St. Ann in November 1924 and launched the Solemn Novena in 1925; popular preacher most closely associated with the devotion's founding.
- Passionist rectors1902–present
The parish has been led by successive Passionist rectors for more than a century of continuous Passionist pastorate.
- Rev. Richard W. Burke, C.P.
Current Rector of St. Ann's Monastery and Shrine Director; cited by WVIA and the Diocese of Scranton as the public face of the 100th Novena in 2024.
- Rev. James J. Paisley2021–present
First diocesan priest to serve as pastor after the December 2021 consolidation with Saints Peter & Paul Parish; previously served St. Therese's Shavertown (17 years), St. Maria Goretti Laflin (12 years) and St. Patrick's Scranton (10 years). Celebrated 40th priestly anniversary on August 31, 2025.