Prayer for Pope Francis

Heavenly Father,

We lift up Pope Francis to You in prayer. We ask that You surround him with Your loving care and grant him strength and healing in his time of illness. May Your grace flow through him, restoring his body and spirit to full health.

Lord, You are the Great Physician, and we trust in Your power to heal. We pray that You ease any pain and bring comfort to him. We ask for Your wisdom and guidance for his doctors and caregivers, that they may be instruments of Your healing work.

Bless Pope Francis with courage and peace, and may Your Holy Spirit be his constant companion. We also pray for his continued ministry to Your Church, that he may be a source of inspiration and guidance for all the faithful.

Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, we pray for Pope Francis’ speedy recovery.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Lent is almost here!

Get ready for this season of reflection and renewal by exploring our Lenten Brochures, available in both English and Spanish. Click the links below to access the brochures. Lent & Holy Week Brochure HERE. Folleto en Español AQUÍ.

To hear the Schola Cantorum rehearsing a motet for the Third Sunday of Lent please click on the image above. You will hear Meditabor in Mandatis by Palestrina. The text reads, “I will meditate on your commandments, which I dearly love; I will lift up my hands to your commands which bring me delight.” This passage is from Psalm 119 (118).

Spirit of Hope: The 2025 Annual Catholic Services Appeal. This weekend we have been asked prayerfully to consider making a gift to the 2025 Annual Catholic Services Appeal. Please complete or take a commitment form at Mass this weekend or make your gift at give.adw.org. Visit appeal.adw.org to learn more about how the Appeal benefits our parish and serves people in need throughout the archdiocese. It is our goal that every parish family will participate this year. All gifts will be credited towards our parish goal. Thank you in advance for your generous response to the 2025 Annual Catholic Services Appeal!

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Jubilee Cross & Jubilee Cross 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.

Vocations Tree

Pray for Our Seminarians

Please stop by our “Vocations Tree” in the church narthex, where you’ll see cards for each of the seminarians of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington. Choose one or more cards and pray for your chosen seminarian(s) each day during Lent. Make it a beautiful offering to the Lord this Lent to pray for those whom He calls to give their lives in service of His Church. 

Meditation on Zoom

Meditation Group meetings on Zoom are led by L.J. Milone, Director of Faith Formation, each week on Sundays and Wednesdays. Join us to discover a meditation practice deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus. Immerse yourself in a space of healing and refreshing silence. READ MORE

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.

Women in the Old Testament

Join us as we meet women who helped establish a monarchy, defended Israel’s interest and reflected God’s image in unique ways. Explore stories of Judith, Esther and others who played important roles in salvation history. Mondays, from March 3 to March 24, 7pm via Zoom. READ MORE

Lenten Morning Retreat: Lenten Reflections for the Mental Health Crisis

Join us for a presentation by Deacon Michael Meyer, Doctor of Ministry in Preaching. Saturday, March 8, 9-1pm, in the North Conference Room. For more information, please contact L.J. Milone, ljmilone@stmatthewscathedral.org.

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 be 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, March 10, 7-10pm, in the Cathedral.

The Knights of Columbus

Cathedral men's breakfast social and Sunday reading discussion will be held on Saturday, March 15, at 9am, in the East Conference Room.

Eucharistic Holy Hour with Confessions

All are welcome to adore our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament at a Eucharistic Holy Hour. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available during the Hour.

Monday, March 17, 6-7pm.

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.

Simple Lenten Meals

Join us during Lent for a Simple Lenten Meal. We serve Simple Lenten Meals in the North Conference Room on the Friday evenings of Lent, following the 6pm Stations of the Cross. Join us for the sustenance of food and fellowship! Each Friday we collect donations to benefit a different charitable organization. For more information, please contact Anthony Arreaga at aarreaga@stmatthewscathedral.org. Friday, March 7, 6:30pm, in the North Conference Room.

Always God's Children

Always God's Children, the Cathedral ministry to persons who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual, and their friends and family members. Sunday, March 9, at 3:30pm, in the West Conference Room.

Schola Cantorum: Winter Hiatus and Choir Openings

The Schola Cantorum is on winter hiatus until Ash Wednesday, March 5, and the First Sunday of Lent, March 9.

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.