Let's Keep Pope Francis in Our Hearts and Prayers

Read Pope Francis' Message for Lent 2025 HERE.

Lent Is 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.

Stations of the Cross Every Friday of Lent

The Stations of the Cross will be prayed in English every Friday of Lent, immediately following the 5:30pm Mass, and in Spanish on Sundays at 2pm. Fr. Joseph Champlin adapted the Stations from the ones used by Pope John Paul II at the Roman Colosseum on Good Friday 1991. The Resurrection of the Lord is included as the Fifteenth Station.

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). Please join us for The Sounds of Lent, Monday, March 10, 7pm, in the North Conference Room.

Installation Mass of Robert Cardinal McElroy, 8th Archbishop of Washington

All are invited to attend the installation Mass for Cardinal McElroy as the eighth archbishop of Washington on Tuesday, March 11. The liturgical procession will begin promptly at 1:30 p.m. ET and the Mass will begin at 2:00 p.m. ET at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Details HERE.

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. 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! You may also find the link to make a donation HERE. Or you may scan the QR code below. Thank you for your support!

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.

Vocations Tree

Pray for Our Seminarians. It’s not too late to choose an archdiocesan seminarian and commit to praying for him each day during the remainder of Lent. Stop by the “Vocations Tree” in the narthex and support – with your prayers – the men called to serve as priests. Please don’t let any of them go without our prayers! Who knows? You might be praying for someone who will someday serve you as a priest in our parish. 

Spiritual Reading

Selected by Fr. Joseph McHenry

From Pope St. Clement

Let us fix our attention on the blood of Christ and recognize how precious it is to God his Father, since it was shed for our salvation and brought the grace of repentance to all the world.

If we review the various ages of history, we will see that in every generation the Lord has offered the opportunity of repentance to any who were willing to turn to him. When Noah preached God’s message of repentance, all who listened to him were saved. Jonah told the Ninevites they were going to be destroyed, but when they repented, their prayers gained God’s forgiveness for their sins, and they were saved, even though they were not of God’s people.

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the ministers of God’s grace have spoken of repentance; indeed, the Master of the whole universe himself spoke of repentance with an oath: As I live, says the Lord, I do not wish the death of the sinner but his repentance. He added this evidence of his goodness: House of Israel, repent of your wickedness. Tell the sons of my people: If their sins should reach from earth to heaven, if they are brighter than scarlet and blacker than sackcloth, you need only turn to me with your whole heart and say, “Father,” and I will listen to you as a holy people.

In other words, God wanted all his beloved ones to have the opportunity to repent and he confirmed this desire by his own almighty will. That is why we should obey his sovereign and glorious will and prayerfully entreat his mercy and kindness. We should be suppliant before him and turn to his compassion, rejecting empty works and quarrelling and jealousy which only lead to death.

Brothers, we should be humble in mind, putting aside all arrogance, pride and foolish anger. Rather, we should act in accordance with the Scriptures, as the Holy Spirit says: The wise man must not glory in his wisdom nor the strong man in his strength nor the rich man in his riches. Rather, let him who glories glory in the Lord by seeking him and doing what is right and just. Recall especially what the Lord Jesus said when he taught gentleness and forbearance. Be merciful, he said, so that you may have mercy shown to you. Forgive, so that you may be forgiven. As you treat others, so you will be treated. As you give, so you will receive. As you judge, so you will be judged. As you are kind to others, so you will be treated kindly. The measure of your giving will be the measure of your receiving. Let these commandments and precepts strengthen us to live in humble obedience to his sacred words. As Scripture asks: Whom shall I look upon with favor except the humble, peaceful man who trembles at my words?

Sharing then in the heritage of so many vast and glorious achievements, let us hasten toward the goal of peace, set before us from the beginning. Let us keep our eyes firmly fixed on the Father and Creator of the whole universe, and hold fast to his splendid and transcendent gifts of peace and all his blessings. (Image above: Saint Clement, by Tiepolo.)

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

First Friday Adoration March 7

All are welcome to adore our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament this First Friday. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is held in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel (to the left of the sanctuary) following the 12:10pm Mass until 5pm. Chairs and kneelers are provided. "In a world where there is so much noise, so much bewilderment, there is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host. . . . It is a source of comfort and light, particularly to those who are suffering.” — Pope Benedict XVI

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 scripture 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.

Social Justice Committee 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.