On Thursday, July 4, Independence Day, and Friday, July 5, the Cathedral will open at 7:30am and close at 1pm. On both days, Masses will be celebrated at 8am and 12:10pm only, and there will be no confessions. On July 5, there will be no First Friday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The rectory office will be closed both days. Enjoy the holiday!
A treasure chest full of St. Matthew's memories was collected during our 175th Anniversary Year, in 2015. We share during this Independence Day weekend of 2019 a memory from a parishioner who descended from Msgr. Thomas Sim Lee, the builder and first pastor of St. Matthew's Church on Rhode Island Avenue. Note also the special relationship, through Msgr. Lee, between St. Matthew's and the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence!
Your help is needed to mark the 175th Anniversary of the Parish of St. Matthew the Apostle, now the Cathedral Parish, and since 1939, the seat of the Archdiocese. You are invited now and into the 2015 anniversary year to share stories and memories of how your Catholic faith has shaped your life, your faith and your family.
Holy Week and the Paschal Triduum celebrations are almost upon us! Read the Rector's prayers and wishes for his parishioners and all, and new of the liturgical and other highlights this April. Msgr.'s letter can be read in English and en español.
On Monday, June 10, we celebrate the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. Join us for Masses (regular weekday schedule). Mary received the title “Mother of the Church” from Pope St. Paul VI, and Pope Francis in 2018 added this memorial to the liturgical calendar. Read the Vatican decree that established this new memorial to Mary, whose arms are outstretched to all of humankind.
It's only there until Pentecost!The book displayed in front of the pulpit is the illuminated chant of the great hymn of the resurrection, the Exultet that is chanted at the beginning of the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday evening.
The Pentecost Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts is a powerful plea for the light, strength and love that we all need! We can prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit by praying the Novena at home with our families or friends beginning on Friday, May 31 and concluding on Saturday, June 5, the Vigil of Pentecost.
Sunday, May 26, 10am / El Domingo 26 de Mayo a las 10:00 de la mañana Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, seventh Archbishop of Washington, will offer a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle on Sunday, May 26 at 10am, with readings and intercessions in English and Spanish. All are most welcome.
El Arzobispo Wilton D. Gregory, séptimo Arzobispo de Washington, ofrecerá una Misa de acción de gracias en la Catedral de San Mateo Apóstol el domingo, 26 de mayo a las 10:00 de la mañana, con lecturas y peticiones en inglés y español. Todos son bienvenidos.
(Photo of Archbishop Gregory, then Archbishop of Atlanta, delivering the homily at the 2015 Red Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, Catholic Standard,Jaclyn Lippelmann)
Are you wondering what that book is that is displayed in front of the ambo (pulpit)? This book is the illuminated chant of the great hymn of the resurrection, the Exultet that is chanted at the beginning of the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday evening. This ancient hymn is sung, normally by the deacon, immediately after the incensing of the Paschal Candle. Scholarly research traces its origin to the 5th century. The first transcribed text was found in various liturgical manuscripts of the 7th century.
The Mass of Installation of Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory as the 7th Archbishop of Washington will be offered at 2pm on Tuesday, May 21 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The liturgical procession will begin at 1:30pm. Sections of the Basilica will be open to the public; these are expected to fill up quickly. Pope Francis named Archbishop Gregory as seventh Archbishop of Washington on April 4, 2019. Archbishop Gregory will offer a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Cathedral on Sunday, May 26 at 10am. All are most welcome.
Please note that in recognition of today's Mass of Installation, the Cathedral will close today at 1pm and reopen at 5pm, before its regular closing time of 6:30pm. There is no change to the Cathedral Mass schedule. The rectory office will close at Noon and will reopen at 9am tomorrow, Wednesday, May 22.
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