On November 13, 2021 at the 5:30pm Vigil Mass, and at all Masses on November 14 - the actual anniversary date - we celebrate the 45th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Cathedral Church.

All Masses are open to the public. Visitors are most welcome! Face coverings are required inside the Cathedral, regardless of vaccination status.

• Masses | Saturday 5:30pm Vigil Mass (Cantor & Organ) & Sunday 7am, 9am (Quartet),11am (Quartet),1pm (Spanish) (Choir)& 5:30pm (Contemporary Choir)
• Cathedral Hours | 6:30am - 7pm
• Livestreams | The Sunday 11am and 1pm (Spanish) Masses are livestreamed on our YouTube channel and shared to our Facebook page. 

If you can't make it for Mass, we invite you to celebrate this occasion by taking our 360° virtual tour.

History of this Anniversary

Although St. Matthew's has been the cathedral church of the Archdiocese since the establishment of the Archdiocese of Washington in 1939, it was liturgically consecrated on November 14, 1976. 

As explained in an October 21, 1976 Catholic Standard article announcing the consecration, "Among the reasons that it has not yet been consecrated is the fact that it was built over a period of several decades and only recently has the interior been completed, with the addition of the baptistry, a new altar mensa and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel." 

Cardinal Baum, Archbishop of Washington at the time of the consecration, wrote, "The consecration of a Church is a sign of the intention and willingness of the People of the Church to dedicate themselves as well to God's holy purposes and to the accomplishment of His holy will. Since the Cathedral Church is the principal Church of the Archdiocese of Washington, its consecration is an area-wide celebration for the Catholic Church."