Diocese Will Kick Off Three-Year Golden Jubilee Celebration on November 21, 2021
The following is an excerpt of a story in the Arlington Catholic Herald newspaper. To read the entire version, please click here.
Story by Leslie Miller/Catholic Herald Staff Writer
A three-year celebration of the Arlington diocese’s Golden Jubilee will kick off this November and continue through the official 50th anniversary in 2024, starting with Bishop Michael F. Burbidge holding Solemn Vespers with Exposition and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament on November 21 at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More. Click here to learn more.
The celebration is not just an extended party — the three-year focus is intended to spark “a spiritual and intellectual renewal bearing fruit in evangelization and works of mercy,” according to the Diocese.
Because of the extended COVID-19 crisis, with some people being away from Mass for many months, the bishop and planning team felt that “it would be more fruitful to prepare for the jubilee year, rather than jumping right into it,” said Father Edward C. Hathaway, rector of the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria and jubilee co-chair, along with Dan and Mary Beth Riordan, lay co-chairs.
“This three-year period of preparation is a unique opportunity to strengthen our bond as a diocesan family as we celebrate the past with a spirit of gratitude and look to the future with joyful hope,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge.
Nine steering committee subgroups have been planning programs and events in areas including marriage and family life, arts and culture, and Catholic schools. “There have been 80 people working on this for a year and half,” Father Hathaway said.
Each year of the three-year celebration will have its own theme, tied to a different aspect of catechesis, he said.
The first preparatory year’s theme is Remember — remembering the past with gratitude. The catechetical focus will be on the Eucharist (“Do this in remembrance of me”). The year will begin on the feast of Christ the King, with solemn vespers, Eucharistic adoration and benediction with Bishop Michael F. Burbidge Nov. 21 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington.
Events throughout the year will include programs on “the meaning of the real Presence and the Mass explained,” Father Hathaway said.
The liturgy subcommittee is coordinating vespers celebrations and monthly Forty Hours Devotions throughout the Diocese, and has put together a guide explaining the devotion, Mary Beth Riordan added.
The second year’s theme is Rejoice — rejoicing in the current vitality of the diocese, with a catechetical focus on Mary as a model of discipleship (“My soul rejoices in the Lord”). The emphasis will be on “Our Lady as the perfect response to the Eucharist. Mary responds to God with her whole being in a beautiful way that all Christians can seek to imitate,” said Father Hathaway. “We will learn more about her role in the church, her piety and devotion.”
The theme of the third year, the actual jubilee year, will be Renew — renewing and strengthening our faith for the future (“Behold, I make all things new”). The catechetical focus will be sharing the Catholic faith with others in word and deed, and the pastoral focus will be on evangelization and works of mercy, Father Hathaway said.
The preparatory years will “strengthen us for the jubilee, to bring other people into the beauty and wonder of the life of the church and shine forth into both spiritual and corporal works of mercy,” Father Hathaway said. This outreach will happen not just at the diocesan level, but also at the regional and parish levels. “Many parishes have apostolates that do works of mercy throughout the year, including Knights of Columbus councils, youth groups and pro-life groups, just to name a few. Multiply all of that by 70 parishes and you see what a tremendous response for works of mercy we could have,” he added.
A new diocesan jubilee website will include news and updates about jubilee events, general information, a letter from Bishop Burbidge and a timeline showing highlights of the history of the Diocese, along with photos, videos and podcasts. The site also will have a section with resources for priests and parishes, as well as posters and printable jubilee materials in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Korean.
“The story of the Diocese over the past 50 years is a happy story — we’re in a region that’s only been growing,” Father Hathaway said. “We’re not just a larger church than in 1974, but a more richly diverse church today, with more Catholics from all over the world.”
In addition to the diocese’s rich history, it is home to many influential policymakers and government officials. “God has blessed us for a reason, to let the light of the Gospel shine across this very important part of the country,” Father Hathaway said. “This anniversary creates an opportunity to reflect on the truth, goodness and beauty of God.”
