Promoting a Culture of Life
The Respect Life Ministry is concerned with promoting and cultivating a culture of life and witnessing to the dignity of all human life, from conception to natural death.
Monthly Rosary for Life
The monthly Rosary for Life in the Cathedral resumed in June 2021. We gather for the Rosary for Life after the 12:10pm Mass every fourth Saturday of the month. All are invited to join the Respect Life Ministry as we pray the Rosary and litanies to Our Lady & St. Joseph for the intention of upholding the dignity of all human life, from conception through natural death. "There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot solve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." - Sr. Lucia of Fatima
40 Days for Life Campaigns - Lent & Advent
The Respect Life Ministry invites you to participate in 40 Days for Life Spring Campaign, by praying for an end to abortion, from March 2 - April10. You can be a part of the Washington D.C. local campaign at Planned Parenthood. If you are interested in forming a parish group to pray together at the local Vigil site, please email Justin and Christina Silvers. Click here for information on the current campaign.
Annual Mother's Day Drive
Each year we offer an opportunity to make a donation to the good works of The Northwest Center, a pro-life pregnancy center and maternity home located in the DC area.
Youth Mass of Celebration and Thanksgiving
In partnership with the Archdiocese of Washington, St. Matthew's has hosted a special liturgy on or near January 22, the anniversary of the U. S. Supreme Court decision in Roe v.Wade, at which we have welcomed groups from across the country who participated in the March for Life along Constitution Avenue.
In the wake of the overturning of Roe v.Wade on June 24, 2022, the Archdiocese of Washington in November 2022 canceled the 2023 Youth Rally and Mass for Life and announced plans for Cardinal Gregory to preside at a Youth Mass of Celebration and Thanksgiving at the Cathedral on January 20, 2023. Cardinal Gregory invites youth from the Archdiocese of Washington parish and school groups to join him for this Mass.
Human Trafficking
Labor trafficking is a real problem in the Washington, DC area .It is defined as the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining a person for labor or services through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage or slavery. Learn more about Human Trafficking and how you can help.
HIV/AIDS Support
St. Matthew's ministry hosts a special liturgy for World AIDS Day, December 1, which includes Mass, a candlelight vigil, and a reception.
This year's prayer vigil will take place on Sunday, December 5th, 2021 - following the 5:30pm Mass. It will be co-hosted by Always God's Children. Please see flier for details.
Volunteering with the Respect Life Ministry
Volunteers interested in expanding this ministry in the areas of service, education and witness should contact Justin Silvers or Ricardo Tobar.
