Second Sunday of Easter

Sunday of Divine Mercy

"Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.”

(John 20:19-20)

_________

April 27, 2025

Readings

Acts 5:12-16 | Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19 | John 20:19-31

Funeral Arrangements for Pope Francis Timeline

Please keep Pope Francis and the universal Church in your prayers during this time of remembrance and mourning.

(Rome time.)

Tuesday, April 22

• The Vatican officially announces funeral and burial plans through the Holy See Press Office.

Wednesday, April 23

• 9:00 AM – Rite of Translation:
• The coffin containing Pope Francis’ body is moved from the Chapel of Casa Santa Marta in a solemn procession.
• Led by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo.
• The procession will pass through Santa Marta Square, Square of the Roman Protomartyrs, exit through the Arch of the Bells, and enter St. Peter’s Basilica through the central doors.
• Liturgy of the Word is celebrated at the Altar of the Confession inside the Basilica.
• 11:00 AM – Midnight – Public Viewing Opens:
• The faithful may begin to pay their respects to Pope Francis as his body lies in state in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Thursday, April 24

• 7:00 AM – Midnight – Public Viewing Continues
• The Basilica remains open for those who wish to visit and pray before the Pope's body.

Friday, April 25

• 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM – Final Day of Public Viewing

Saturday, April 26

• 10:00 AM – Funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square:
• Presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals.
• Concelebrated by clergy from around the world.
• Ultima commendatio and Valedictio rites will conclude the Mass, initiating the Novendiales, nine days of mourning and prayer.
• After the funeral, Pope Francis' body will be taken into St. Peter’s Basilica, then transferred to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore for entombment.
• The novena, prepared by the USCCB (HERE), is intended to support prayers for the Pope during this period. The daily novena, which spans the novendiales from April 26 to May 4, 2025, includes a short reading from Scripture or another ecclesiastical text, along with brief prayers. These prayers are drawn from the Roman Missal and the Order of Christian Funerals.

Young Adults get ready for a weekend retreat focused on faith, fellowship, and prayer! This retreat offers young adults a chance to reflect, deepen their spiritual journey, and connect with others in our parish community. We hope you can join us—register today! Scan the QR code above or follow the link to register HERE. May 16-18, 2025.

Annual Ecclesial Movements and New Communities Mass

Celebrate with us at St. Matthew's with Bishop Evelio Menjivar, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington, on Saturday, May 17, at 5:30pm.

Pilgrimage & Celebration of the Holy Jubilee 2025

Schedule of events and more information can be found HERE. Saturday, May 31, beginning at 12pm, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Jubilee Cross & Jubilee Prayer

At St. Matthew’s Cathedral, the cross in the sanctuary has been specially designated as the Jubilee Cross for the Jubilee 2025 "Pilgrims of Hope." This sacred cross serves as a symbol of Christ’s love and the hope that guides us through this Jubilee Year. It stands as a focal point for our community, inviting all pilgrims to reflect on the significance of this special time of grace and renewal. Next to the cross, the Jubilee Cross Prayer is displayed, providing a spiritual guide for all who come to pray and reflect. As we gather in the presence of the Jubilee Cross, we are reminded of our shared journey of faith, unity, and the call to live out Christ’s mission of hope and love. We invite you to visit the Jubilee Cross in the sanctuary, where you can recite the Jubilee Cross Prayer or take a moment for personal reflection. You may read the Jubilee Cross Prayer HERE and/or the Jubilee Prayer by Pope Francis HERE. La oración de la Cruz Jubilar en español se puede encontrar AQUÍ.

Jubilee Events Led by St. Matthew's Faith Formation Director

Celebrate the grace of this Jubilee year! Join us for a series of meaningful and prayerful events, led by St. Matthew’s Faith Formation Director, L.J. Milone. These special gatherings are designed to renew our hearts, strengthen our community, and draw us closer to Christ through reflection, prayer, and fellowship. Embrace this opportunity to grow in your faith. To learn more about these events, please contact L.J. Milone at, ljmilone@stmatthewscathedral.org. We look forward to sharing this journey with you. LEARN MORE

Meditation Group

Are you looking for a way to explore or deepen your relationship with God? Come to the Meditation Group. You will discover a centuries-old prayer method that consists of simply sitting in silence with God - beyond thoughts, words, and emotions - and opening our mind, heart and whole being to the Ultimate Mystery.

In this workshop, you will learn the basics of Centering Prayer, experience it in a guided setting, and be able to ask questions and share experiences with the presenter and your fellow initiates.

Come, experience a Christian contemplative practice first described in The Cloud of Unknowing, written in the latter half of the 14th Century. It calls one to abandon all thinking and to surrender to God within.

It is a very personal prayer practice but is often practiced in groups. It opens one to God's infinite love and power to heal and opens the door to other related prayer practices around forgiveness and dealing with painful situations and emotions.

Sundays, 1:30 – 2:30pm on Zoom. See the cathedral website for the Zoom link HERE, or email L.J. Milone for the link.

40's and Above Catholics

Come join fellow middle-aged Catholics for social time and community. All are welcome. No registration necessary. For more information, please contact LJ Milone. Tuesday, April 29, 5:30pm-7pm, meet at City Tap House.

Save the Date!

The Eckhart Society: Special U.S. Conference. Registration and details HERE. May 15-17, 2025, at St. Matthew's Cathedral.

Happy Nothingness: A Retreat Series

Spiritual Teaching and Contemplative Silence

“Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” — (Mk 6:31)

Each session blends free-form contemplative teaching with ample time for silent prayer. Topics include: letting go as Jesus did, praying beyond thoughts, transforming fear and pain, the nature of faith, the Sermon on the Mount, living in the present moment, the cross as the central Christian practice, the true meaning of the end times, the parables, spiritual living in daily life, love as selflessness and tenderness, allowing God to be God, and exploring mystical nothingness. The teaching will last no longer than 45 minutes, and sometimes even shorter. Sessions always begin at 7pm. Following the teaching, the cathedral will remain open for prayer until 10pm. Participants are welcome to leave at any time. For more information, email the Director of Faith Formation: ljmilone@stmatthewscathedral.org. Monday, May 19, 7-10pm, in the Cathedral.

Mystical Word

A weekly reflection based on the Sunday Gospel reading, written by L.J. Milone, Director of Faith Formation at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle. Read this week's reflection HERE.

Clases de Inglés

Martes y miércoles, de 6:30 a 8:30 p.m. Si usted, o alguien que conozca, está interesado en clases de inglés, aún hay tiempo para inscribirse en las clases de este semestre. Las clases se imparten los martes y miércoles de 6:30 a 8:30 p.m. desde el 21 de enero hasta el 9 de abril. Si está interesado o tiene alguna pregunta, contacte a Anthony Arreaga a través del correo electrónico aarreaga@stmatthewscathedral.org o llame a la rectoría.

Santo Rosario por teléfono en español

Todos los días a las 3pm. (347-378-0694, PIN 283 201 937#).

Para más información, envíe un email a Fátima Aybar o llame a la oficina de la rectoría al 202-347-3215.

Annual Earth Day Clean-up

Celebrate Mother Earth’s new burst of life this spring with some spring cleaning of our river! In this Jubilee Year of renewal and hope, the Creation Care Green Team will again join the annual Earth Day Clean-up sponsored by the Anacostia Watershed Society for the benefit of all living in its watershed and for future generations. Saturday, April 26, 11am-1pm.

Always God's Children

Always God's Children is the Cathedral ministry to persons who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual, and their friends and family members. Sunday, May 18, at 3:30pm, in the West Conference Room.

Schola Cantorum: Winter Hiatus and Choir Openings

There are currently openings in the Schola Cantorum for experienced tenors or altos. Prospective singers should have adult choral experience, some sight-reading skills, and a pleasant, agile voice. The commitment of time and focused energy is significant, particularly during Holy Week. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings, 7-8:30pm, in the weeks when the choir is singing. If you have the appropriate experience and a desire to serve our Cathedral community in this very special way, please contact the Director of Music Ministries, Tom Stehle, at tstehle@stmatthewscathedral.org.

Save the Date!