Proclaiming Christ: Yesterday, Today, Forever
The marking of the 150th Anniversary of the Diocese of Peoria is meant to be a time of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the local Church.
The 150th anniversary of the Diocese of Peoria will begin on February 12, 2025 with the opening Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria, and will continue until the closing Mass on May 22, 2027.
We will be celebrating this milestone for two years. As the story goes, on February 12, 1875, the Holy Father established the Diocese of Peoria and sent a letter, appointing Fr. Michael J. Hurley as Bishop.
Fr. Hurley wrote back to the Holy Father, saying he did not accept the appointment. However, Rome never received the reply as the ship that carried the letter sank! Finally, after being made aware that there was no Bishop to oversee the new Diocese, Bishop John L. Spalding was appointed and began leading the Diocese in 1877.
The marking of the 150th anniversary of the Diocese of Peoria is meant to be a time of great spiritual, ecclesial and social significance in the life of the local Church.
Proclaiming Christ and Making Disciples are the central messages that will be encompassed through pilgrimages, formation, social service opportunities, and other events through the two year period.
150th Anniversary Prayer
Heavenly Father, we praise You for the gift of faith in Your Son, Jesus.
We thank you for the gift of the Church in the Diocese of Peoria.
As we celebrate 150 years as this local Church, we are grateful for all who have come before us laying the foundations and building up the community of faith.
In this moment, we pray that the grace of the Holy Spirit renews our own witnessing to Jesus, so that in all our words and deeds we will move forward together on the way to God’s kingdom.
May Mary, Mother of the Church, intercede for us.
May St. Joseph, protector of the Church, watch over us.
May Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen, inspire us to Proclaim Christ, yesterday, today, forever!
BISHOP LOUIS TYLKA
Diocese of Peoria
The faithful will be able to obtain the 150th Anniversary indulgence granted by the Holy Father if they partake in a pious pilgrimage to any sacred pilgrimage site. Receive a stamp in your pilgrimage site PASSPORT as you visit each location!
PEORIA
GALESBURG
CHAMPAIGN
MOLINE
NAUVOO
UTICA