Father Hathaway’s Column — August 25, 2024
A HAPPY, HISTORIC DISCOVERY
Recently, two old, weathered marble tablets were discovered in a dark corner of the Basilica basement. No one knew where they had come from or why they were hidden in the cellar. The tablets were etched with the names of Father Denis O’Kane and Father Henry J. Cutler. Finally, a lifelong parishioner helped solve the mystery.
They are memorial plaques dedicated to two long-ago Saint Mary pastors:
Father O’Kane (pastor 1872-1891), the last Jesuit pastor to serve the parish; and Father Cutler (pastor 1891-1915), the first pastor appointed to serve Saint Mary by the Diocese of Richmond. The plaques once hung inside the church. Father O’Kane’s plaque was displayed next to the stained-glass window of Jesus with the Little Children. Father Cutler’s memorial was on the opposite wall, next to the window of Jesus with Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque.
The Alexandria Gazette carried this notice on December 15, 1900: “A marble tablet…was taken to Saint Mary’s Church…and put in place and will be unveiled tomorrow. It is of white marble and is inscribed: ‘Pray for the soul of Rev. Denis O’Kane, S.J., for eighteen years the beloved pastor of the church. Died at St. Thomas Manor, Maryland. August 12,1891.”
The plaque to Father Cutler (left) reads: “Pray for the soul of Rev. Henry J. Cutler, for 23 years pastor of this church. Born in Waterford, Ireland, Feb. 28, 1849. Died Aug. 30, 1915. R.I.P.”
During renovation of the church in the 1970s, the two marble memorials were removed and stored in the cellar, where they remained largely forgotten. Happily, they have now been restored and will be re-installed in the church this week, again paying proper tribute to two early, long-serving, beloved priests.
CONGRATS & THANK YOU TO JOHN HARCHICK
Congratulations and many, many thanks to John Harchick, who celebrates his 25th anniversary as our parish Director of Facilities this month. Since August 30, 1999, John has been an integral part of every physical change, update, upgrade, renovation and innovation – large and small – in our Basilica, parish offices, school and cemetery. He’s the guy who keeps things running! Please keep John in your prayers as he continues to serve our parish.
THE PASSION OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST – August 29
The Passion, or Beheading, of Saint John the Baptist is among the oldest feasts on the Catholic Church calendar. John is the only saint, other than Our Lady and Saint Joseph, to be honored with more than one feast Day: August 29 (this Thursday) to mark his martyrdom and death, and
June 24 to celebrate his birth. Saint John publicly denounced King Herod Antipas for divorcing his lawful wife and marrying Herodias, his sister-in-law and the wife of his still-living brother, Philip. As a result of John’s boldness, he was imprisoned by Herod and then beheaded for defending the dignity of marriage and family. May we, too, be courageous and truthful in defending the moral foundations of our Catholic faith.