Father Joseph Townsend begins priestly ministry at the Basilica of Saint Mary

Father Joseph Townsend celebrated his first Mass as the new Parochial Vicar at the Basilica of Saint Mary on June 25. He celebrated the 12:10 pm Mass.

This is the first priestly assignment for Father Joseph. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Michael Burbidge on June 5 at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More in Arlington.

Father Joseph replaces Father Nicholas Blank, who had served as a Parochial Vicar at the Basilica since June of 2019. Father Nicholas is now a Parochial Vicar at Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Warrenton.

View photos from the first Mass he celebrated in the Basilica of Saint Mary here.