Third Sunday of Easter

"With that their eyes were opened and they

recognized him, but he vanished from their sight.”

(Lk 24:31)

_________

May 4, 2025

Readings

Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41 | Revelation 5:11-14 | John 21:1-19 

Photo by Getty/Nicholas Kamm



On September 23, 2015, Pope Francis visited St. Matthew’s Cathedral to meet with U.S. bishops during his historic six-day visit to the United States. During this midday prayer service, Pope Francis delivered an address emphasizing themes of unity, humility, and pastoral care. He urged bishops to lead with compassion, to embrace dialogue, and to remain close to their communities, particularly the marginalized.

He also acknowledged the Church’s efforts in supporting immigrants and promoting justice and peace. ​The event was attended by approximately 272 bishops, archbishops, and cardinals, along with staff from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Archdiocese of Washington. The cathedral's choir, composed of 50 musicians and singers, provided musical accompaniment. ​

Pope Francis’s visit to St. Matthew’s Cathedral was a poignant moment in his U.S. trip, reflecting his pastoral approach and commitment to fostering unity and compassion within the Church.

Sistine Chapel, Vatican City

Conclave to Begin on May 7

Cardinals will enter the Sistine Chapel on May 7 to vote for a new Pope, including Cardinal McElroy Archbishop of Washington and Cardinal Gregory, retired Archbishop of Washington. Please keep them in your prayers as they seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in this solemn and holy task.

Novendiales for Pope Francis at 12:10pm Masses

From Monday, April 28 through Saturday, May 3, the 12:10pm Mass will follow a series of special themes, which are composed of particular areas of emphasis from the pontificate of Francis. Everyone is welcome to join us in the Cathedral.

• Monday, April 28, Mercy and Forgiveness
• Tuesday, April 29, The Poor and Marginalized
• Wednesday, April 30, Peace
• Thursday, May 1, Care for Creation
• Friday, May 2, The Joy of the Gospel
• Saturday, May 3, Christian Unity

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.

Celebrate Earth Day with Us!

Join us for our annual Lessons & Carols for Earth Day, a beautiful afternoon of music and reflection featuring the Schola Cantorum. After the service, we invite you to the Eco-Fair in the Great Hall, where you can enjoy light refreshments and explore ways to make a positive impact on our planet.

Come be inspired—and learn how you can help care for Mother Earth in meaningful, everyday ways. Sunday, May 18, at 3:30pm.

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 - All are Welcome!

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. 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.

Conference at St. Matthew's | Meister Eckhart for Today

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.

A Song for Nagasaki

Father Paul Glynn, a Marist priest who served as a missionary in Japan for twenty-five years, presents here the extraordinary story of a convert in the historic Catholic district that was ground zero for the devastation from the second Atomic Bomb, dropped on August 9, 1945 and killing a majority of the Catholic population of Japan.

The meeting of the Book Club to discuss this moving and spiritual work will take place on Thursday, June 12, 7-8:15pm in the West Conference Room. The discussion will be led by Fr. Jack.

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.

Grupo de Oración

El Grupo de Oración en español se reúne en el salón de conferencias del norte a las 7pm para rezar el Rosario, martes, 5 de mayo.

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.

Gracias a todos los que asistieron a la Misa Conmemorativa por el Papa Francisco.



"La fe no es una luz que disipa todas nuestras tinieblas, sino una lámpara que guía nuestros pasos en la noche."

— Papa Francisco

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.