Advent 2021
During Advent we are called to prepare for Jesus the only gift he desires – the gift of ourselves, our hearts, open to the love of God. We hope you will take advantage of the many opportunities at St. Matthew's for Advent preparation, including Marian celebrations, prayer & meditation, worship, Confession, study, and Christmas shopping!
Confessions during Advent
- Confessions with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Monday - Friday | 11am - 12 Noon through and including Friday, December 24 (except Wednesday, December 8)
- Confessions: Saturday | 4 - 5pm
- Confessions by appointment (call the rectory office at 202-347-3215 to make an appointment)
- Advent Communal Penance Service, "Come Home for Christmas, | Tuesday, December 14, 12:10pm
- Evening Penance Service (in Spanish) with Confessions in Spanish and English | Tuesday, December 14, 17pm
- Eucharistic Holy Hour with Confessions | Monday, December 20 at 6pm
Advent Liturgies and Events
- Adopt-a-Family Christmas Gift Card Drive – donate online or by drop-off at the rectory office by Sunday, December 12
- Meditation Groups | throughout Advent
- First Friday Adoration | December 3, 12:45 - 5pm, in Blessed Sacrament Chapel (socially distanced chairs & kneelers provided)
- Advent Day of Recollection: "Fully Enjoying Life" | Saturday, December 4, 8:30am to 12Noon, led by L.J. Milone
- First Saturday Devotions | Saturday, December 4 at 12:45pm
- Candlelight Prayer Service for World AIDS Day | Sunday, December 5 following the 5:30pm Mass
- Masses for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation | Tuesday, December 7 at 5:30pm and 7pm (in Spanish), and Wednesday, December 8 at 7:30am, 11am, 12:10pm (Cardinal Gregory) and 5:30pm (12:10pm Mass livestreamed on ADW YouTube channel)
- Walk with Mary (not at the Cathedral this year) | Saturday, December 11, Procession (from Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament to the Basilica), Rosary & Mass
- Advent Communal Penance Service, "Come Home for Christmas" | Tuesday, December 14 at 12:10pm, Msgr. Jameson, presider and homilist (multiple priests available for Confession, in English and Spanish)
- Evening Penance Service (in Spanish) with Confessions in Spanish and English, Fr. John Benson | Tuesday, December 14, 17pm
- Edith Stein: Essential Writings, Cathedral Book Club | Thursday, December 16 at 7pm
- Holy Land Gifts Sale by Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation | Saturday & Sunday, December 18/19 in the East Conference Room after all Masses (including the Vigil and 5:30pm Sunday Masses)
- Eucharistic Holy Hour with Confessions | Monday, December 20 at 6pm
Understanding Advent
"Advent - Christ Comes," a short article written by Deacon Bart Merella, reveals some lesser known facts about the Advent season and its origins. Find out about the distinctive characteristic of the 4th week of Advent - the 'O Antiphons' - and discover how King Pepin of France figures into the season!
Celebrating Christmas
Did you know that it took three centuries before early Christians finally decided that the Incarnation of Jesus would be festively celebrated at all, much less on a specific date? In "The Origins of Christmas," Deacon Bart Merella walks us through a fascinating history of the celebration of the Birth of Christ.