Palm Sunday & Holy Week

In his Easter letter Msgr. Jameson writes:

"We mark so many dramatic events at this time: Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem; his poignant last meal with his friends; his trial and brutal execution. But the darkness of Good Friday leads inexorably to the glorious "Alleluia! The Lord is Risen!” of Easter Sunday. It is our annual pilgrimage into both the darkness of human existence and the life-giving light of the Resurrection."

All are welcome to the Cathedral for Holy Week and Easter!

All liturgies are open to the public, with no seating limits or tickets needed. Seating is first-come, first-served.

_________

April 13, 2025

Readings

Luke 19:28-40 | Philippians 2:6-11 | Luke 22:14—23:56

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Ps 22:19-20)

Holy Week and Easter 2025

Palm Sunday, April 13

The Cathedral opens at 6:30am and closes at 7:00pm. Masses with the distribution of palms:

• 5:30pm (Saturday, April 12, Vigil) (Cantor)
• 7:00am
•  9:00am (Cantor) 
• 11:00am with Blessing of Palms, Cardinal Robert McElroy, Archbishop of Washington (Schola Cantorum) (ADW livestream)
• 12:15pm, Via Crucis (en español)  
• 1:00pm (en español) con Bendición de Ramos y Procesión, Rev. Isaac Sagastume (Coro Hispano)
• 5:30pm (Contemporary Choir)

Monday of Holy Week, April 14

• 7:00am The Cathedral opens.
• 7:30am | Mass
• 8:30am The Cathedral closes and reopens at 1:00pm.
• † 2:00pm | Chrism Mass, Cardinal Robert McElroy (Schola Cantorum) (ADW livestream)  
• 5:30pm | Mass (The Cathedral closes at 6:30pm.)

Tuesday of Holy Week, April 15

The Cathedral opens at 7:00am and closes at 6:30pm.

• 7:30am | Mass
• † 12:10pm | "Come Home for Easter," Communal Penance Service (Cantor)
• 5:30pm | Mass

In addition to English, we’re pleased to offer confession services in American Sign Language (ASL), French, German, Italian, Haitian Creole, and Spanish for our diverse community. 

Wednesday of Holy Week, April 16

 The Cathedral opens at 7:00am and closes after the 7:30pm Tenebrae Service.

• 7:30am | Mass
• 11:00am – 12 Noon | Confessions
• 12:10pm | Mass 
• 5:30pm | Mass
• 6:15 – 7:00pm | Confessions
• 7:30pm | Liturgy of Tenebrae (Schola Cantorum) 

† - Interpreted for the Deaf

Holy Thursday, April 17

The Cathedral opens at 8:00am and closes immediately after Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

• 9:00am | Morning Prayer in the St. Anthony Chapel
• 11:00am – 12 Noon | Confessions 
• 12:10pm | Mass of the Lord's Supper, Rev. Msgr. W. Ronald Jameson, (Contemporary Choir)
• 5:30pm | Solemn Mass of the Lord's Supper with Washing of the Feet, Cardinal Robert McElroy (bilingual in English and Spanish) (Schola Cantorum) (ADW livestream)   
• 7:00pm | Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the St. Anthony Chapel
• 9:45pm | Night Prayer in the St. Anthony Chapel
• 10:00pm | Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament 



Good Friday, April 18

The Cathedral opens at 8:00am and closes immediately after Stations of the Cross.

• 9:00am | Morning Prayer in the St. Anthony Chapel
• 11:00am – 12 Noon | Confessions  
• 12 Noon | Reflection on the Lord's Passion, Rita Ferrone (Schola Cantorum)   
• 1:00pm | Liturgy of the Lord's Passion, Cardinal Robert McElroy (Schola Cantorum) (ADW livestream)   
• 4:00pm | Liturgia de la Pasión de N.S. Jesucristo, Adoración de la Santa Cruz, y Santa Comunió (en español), Most Rev. Evelio Menjivar
• 7:30pm | Stations of the Cross (in English) 

Holy Saturday, April 19

8:00am The Cathedral opens.

• 9:00am | Morning Prayer in the St. Anthony Chapel
• 11:00am – 12 Noon | Confessions
• 12 Noon the Cathedral closes and reopens at 7:00pm.
• 8:00pm | Easter Vigil, Cardinal Robert McElroy (bilingual in English and Spanish) (Schola Cantorum) (ADW livestream) (The Cathedral closes immediately after the Vigil.)

Easter Sunday, April 20

The Cathedral opens at 6:30am and closes at 7:00pm. Masses: 

• 7:00am 
•  9:00am, Cardinal Robert McElroy (Schola Cantorum) (ADW livestream)
• 11:00am (Schola Cantorum) 1:00pm (en español) (Coro Hispano)      
• 5:30pm (Contemporary Choir)

Penn Parking Garage Hours

April 13, Palm Sunday – 8:00am - 7:00pm

April 16, Wednesday of Holy Week with Tenebrae – 7:00am - 9:00pm

April 17, Holy Thursday – 7:00am - 8:00pm

April 18, Good Friday – 7:00am - 8:30pm

April 19, Holy Saturday – 6:00pm - 11:00pm

April 20, Easter Sunday – 8:00am - 7:00pm

We look forward to seeing you at the Cathedral for Holy Week!

Rev. Msgr. W. Ronald Jameson, Cathedral Rector, presides at the Liturgy of Tenebrae, joined by members of St. Matthew's Schola Cantorum, at 7:30pm on Wednesday of Holy Week, April 16, 2025. Join us in the Cathedral for the ancient, time-honored Liturgy of Tenebræ. Garage parking will be available until 9pm.

A Reflection on the Lord's Passion & The Seven Last Words

Join us for an evening of spiritual reflection as Rita Ferrone leads us in a meditation on the Lord's Passion and the Seven Last Words of Christ. Experience a deeper understanding of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and draw closer to the heart of the Gospel, with choral meditations by the Schola Cantorum. Good Friday, April 18, at Noon.

Pontifical Collection on Good Friday

Pope Francis has asked parishes to support the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, which helps Christians in the Holy Land, where they are now less than 2% of the population. Your support is essential to help the Church minister in parishes, provide Catholic schools, and offer religious education. The Pontifical Good Friday Collection also helps to preserve the sacred shrines of Christianity, including in Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem, to name only a few. We thank you for your support.

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.

Spiritual Reading

Selected by Fr. Joseph McHenry

From St. Andrew of Crete 

Let us go together to meet Christ on the Mount of Olives. Today he returns from Bethany and proceeds of his own free will toward his holy and blessed passion, to consummate the mystery of our salvation. He who came down from heaven to raise us from the depths of sin, to raise us with himself, we are told in Scripture, above every sovereignty, authority and power, and every other name that can be named, now comes of his own free will to make his journey to Jerusalem. He comes without pomp or ostentation. As the psalmist says: He will not dispute or raise his voice to make it heard in the streets. He will be meek and humble, and he will make his entry in simplicity.

Let us run to accompany him as he hastens toward his passion, and imitate those who met him then, not by covering his path with garments, olive branches or palms, but by doing all we can to prostrate ourselves before him by being humble and by trying to live as he would wish. Then we shall be able to receive the Word at his coming, and God, whom no limits can contain, will be within us.

In his humility Christ entered the dark regions of our fallen world and he is glad that he became so humble for our sake, glad that he came and lived among us and shared in our nature in order to raise us up again to himself. And even though we are told that he has now ascended above the highest heavens—the proof, surely, of his power and godhead—his love for man will never rest until he has raised our earthbound nature from glory to glory, and made it one with his own in heaven.

So let us spread before his feet, not garments or soulless olive branches, which delight the eye for a few hours and then wither, but ourselves, clothed in his grace, or rather, clothed completely in him. We who have been baptized into Christ must ourselves be the garments that we spread before him. Now that the crimson stains of our sins have been washed away in the saving waters of baptism and we have become white as pure wool, let us present the conqueror of death, not with mere branches of palms but with the real rewards of his victory. Let our souls take the place of the welcoming branches as we join today in the children’s holy song: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the king of Israel.

(Painting by Giotto, c. 1305, L'entrata in Gerusalemme, located in Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy.)

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. LEARN MORE

Cathedral Book Club

Join us as Fr. Jack leads a discussion of "Dagger John: Archbishop John Hughes and the Making of Irish America," by John Loughery. All are welcome to join the discussion! Thursday, April 10, 7-8:15pm in the West Conference Room.

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, April 14, 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.

 ____________________

Semana Santa y Pascua 2025

Domingo de Ramos de la Pasión del Señor, 13 de abril 

La Catedral abrirá a las 6:30am y cerrará a las 7:00pm. Misas con distribución de palmas:

• 5:30pm (Vigilia del sábado, 12 de abril) (Cantor)
• 7:00am
• 9:00am (Cantor)
• 11:00am con Bendición de Ramos, Cardenal Robert McElroy, Arzobispo de Washington (Schola Cantorum) (ADW Transmisión en Vivo)
• 12:15pm Vía Crucis (en español)
• 1:00pm (en español) con Bendición de Ramos y Procesión, Rev. Isaac Sagastume (Coro Hispano)
• 5:30pm (Coro Contemporáneo)

Lunes de Semana Santa, 14 de abril

• 7:00am La Catedral abre.
• 7:30am | Misa
• 8:30am La Catedral cierra, y abre nuevamente a la 1:00pm.
• † 2:00pm | Misa Crismal, Cardenal Robert McElroy (Schola Cantorum) (ADW Transmisión en Vivo)
• 5:30pm | Misa (La Catedral cierra a las 6:30pm.)

Martes de Semana Santa, 15 de abril

La Catedral abrirá a 7:00am y cerrará a las 6:30pm.

• 7:30am | Misa
• † 12:10pm | Servicio Penitencial Comunal, “Ven a Casa para Pascua” (Confesiones en español)  (Cantor)
• 5:30pm | Misa

Miércoles de Semana Santa, 16 de abril

La Catedral abrirá a las 7:00am y cerrará al terminar la Liturgia de Tenebrae.

• 7:30am | Misa
• 11:00am - Mediodía | Confesiones
• 12:10pm | Misa
• 5:30pm | Misa
• 6:15 – 7:00pm | Confesiones
• 7:30pm | Liturgia de Tenebrae (Schola Cantorum)

† - Interpretada para Sordos

Jueves Santo, 17 de abril

La Catedral abrirá a las 8:00am y cerrará después de la Reposición del Santísimo Sacramento.

• 9:00am | Oración de la Mañana en la Capilla de San Antonio
• 11:00am - Mediodía | Confesiones
• 12:10pm | Misa de la última Cena de Nuestro Señor (Coro Contemporáneo)
• 5:30pm | Misa de la última Cena de Nuestro Señor con Lavado de Piés, Cardenal Robert McElroy (bilingüe en inglés y español) (Schola Cantorum) (ADW Transmisión en Vivo) 
• 7:00pm | Adoración al Santísimo Sacramento en la Capilla de San Antonio
• 9:45pm | Oración de la Noche en la Capilla de San Antonio
• 10:00pm | Reposición del Santísimo Sacramento

Viernes Santo, 18 de abril

La Catedral abrirá a las 8:00am y cerrará después de terminar el Vía Crucis (en inglés).

• 9:00am | Oración de la Mañana en la Capilla de San Antonio
• 11:00am - Mediodía | Confesiones
• Mediodía | Reflexión sobre la Pasión del Señor, Rita Ferrone (Schola Cantorum)   
• 1:00pm | Liturgia de la Pasión del Señor, Cardenal Robert McElroy (Schola Cantorum) (ADW Transmisión en Vivo) 
• 2:30pm | Procesión de la Pasión del Señor, sale de la parroquia Reina de las Américas
• 4:00pm | Liturgia de la Pasión de N.S. Jesucristo, Adoración de la Santa Cruz y Santa Comunión (en español), Mons. Evelio Menjivar   
• ·7:30pm | Vía Crucis (en inglés) 

Sábado Santo, 19 de abril

• 8:00am La Catedral abre.
• 9:00am | Oración de la Mañana en la Capilla de San Antonio 11:00am - Mediodía | Confesiones 
• Mediodía La Catedral cierra, y abre nuevamente a las 7:00pm.
• 8:00pm | Vigilia de Pascua, Cardenal Robert McElroy (bilingüe en inglés y español) (Schola Cantorum) (ADW Transmisión en Vivo) (La Catedral cierra al terminar la Vigilia.)  

Domingo de Pascua, 20 de abril

La Catedral abrirá a las 6:30am y cerrará a las 7:00pm. Misas:

• 7:00am 
• 9:00am, Cardenal Robert McElroy (Schola Cantorum) (ADW Transmisión en Vivo)   
• 11:00am (Schola Cantorum)
• 1:00pm (en español) (Coro Hispano) 
• 5:30pm (Coro Contemporáneo)

Horario de Penn Parking Garaje:

Domingo de Ramos de la Pasión del Señor, 13 de abril – 8:00am - 7:00pm

Miércoles de Semana Santa, 16 de abril – 7:00am - 9:00pm

Jueves Santo, 17 de abril – 7:00am - 8:00pm

Viernes Santo, 18 de abril – 7:00am - 8:30pm

Sábado Santo, 19 de abril – 6:00pm - 11:00pm

Domingo de Pascua, 20 de abril – 8:00am - 7:00pm

Social Justice Committee Simple Lenten Meals Last One!

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, April 11, 6:30pm, in the North Conference Room.

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!