Commemorating Our 225th Anniversary

"From the Archives" Web and Bulletin Series

The Basilica of Saint Mary is presenting a weekly feature online and in our bulletin spotlighting the history of the parish.

"To Jesus Through Mary" Documentary

To Jesus Through Mary, a documentary about the Basilica of Saint Mary, is currently in production. The film will chronicle the history of the parish and showcase the church’s beautiful architecture and art. It will premiere later this year.

"1795 Series" Lectures

Our “1795 Series” lectures will occur throughout 2020.

• The World and the Church in 1795 with Robert Royal. A podcast of his lecture from January 21 is available here.
• The Jesuit Martyrs of Virginia with Father Andrew Fisher. A podcast of his lecture from February 8 is available here.
• The Catholic Church in Colonial America with Father Charles Connor. A podcast of his lecture from February 18 is available here.

Future lectures will be announced in the bulletin, on our website and in our parish e-mail newsletter.

Padre Pio Relic Tour

This event has been postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. 

Relics from Saint Pio of Pietrelcina will be at the Basilica of Saint Mary for veneration on Wednesday, March 25, as part of the Saint Pio Foundation’s national relic tour. Individual veneration will be available all day when Mass is not being celebrated. There will be a special Mass at 7:00 pm for the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, with music and a homily by Father Jerome Fasano. Individual veneration will resume after Mass.

The Crown and Keys Gala

Parishioners and friends of the Basilica of Saint Mary will celebrate the legacy of the parish and learn more about restoration and preservation efforts at the church. The Crown and Keys Gala will be held on Saturday, October 17, at the Holiday Inn in Old Town. Contact Anne Mathis at [email protected] for more information and to learn about sponsorship opportunities.

Parish Mission in Lent

The parish mission with Father Emmerich Vogt is canceled on March 17, 18 and 19 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. A podcast of his talk from March 16 is available here.

Father Emmerich Vogt will be at the Basilica of Saint Mary for a parish mission during Lent in March. The theme of his mission will be “Principles of the Spiritual Life: Spiritual Healing.” He will preach at the Vigil Mass on Saturday, March 14, and at all Sunday Masses on March 15. He will then give a series of talks on Monday, March 16, through Thursday, March 19. See the schedule of his talks here.

The Dominican priest has been featured on EWTN and is the author of The Freedom to Love: Recovery and The Seven Deadly Sins and Eucharistic Principles of the Spiritual Life.

Anniversary of Basilica Designation

Bishop Michael Burbidge is scheduled to celebrate the 11:30 am Mass at the Basilica on Sunday, December 6, to commemorate the third anniversary of our parish being designated a minor basilica by Pope Francis. December 6 will also be the fourth anniversary of Bishop Burbidge’s installation as the Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington.

Concert Series and Music Workshop

The Basilica will present concerts throughout the year, including performances from:

• The Catholic University of America Chamber Choir on Thursday, April 2, at 7:30 pm
• The Thirteen (an a cappella choir based out of Washington, D.C.) on Tuesday, June 23, at 7:00 pm

More concerts will be added throughout the year.

The Basilica will host Dr. Peter Latona, Music Director at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, for a workshop on Saturday, April 18, at 10:00 am. The topic is “What Makes Music Suitable for Worship?”

"Saint Mary's: 225 Years for Christ" Book

Historian Kitty Guy is updating our parish history book, which was published in 1995 for our 200th anniversary.