Lent at St. Matthew's

Each year on Ash Wednesday, we are reminded that all we see and experience in our world will pass away. Our only hope is in the Lord, who will rescue and bring us to eternal life in Him. May we find refreshment in our Lord this Lent!

Ash Wednesday

Join us on February 26 at any of 7 Masses with the Distribution of Ashes - 7am, 8am & 11am (cantor), 12:10pm (choir; interpreted for the deaf), 1:15pm (cantor), 5:30pm (cantor), and 7pm (Spanish, cantor).

Archbishop Gregory celebrates the 12:10pm Mass, and the Schola Cantorum returns from winter break to sing at that Mass, and resumes singing at 10am and 11:30pm Sunday Masses beginning March 1 .

Enjoy a taste of the Schola’s Ash Wednesday music

Pray the Stations of the Cross led by our Cathedral seminarians at 3pm (8pm in Spanish) on Ash Wednesday.

Lenten Day of Recollection

For this Day of Recollection falling early in Lent - Saturday, February 29 - come ready to be inspired (and to sing!) as Rev. Luke Melcher leads us in the Great Hall on "The Sanctifcation of Time: Hymns of Lent and Holy Week." A light lunch and 12:10pm Mass are part of the day.

Lenten Reconciliation

The Light is ON Wednesday Nights

In addition to our regular Confession hours (11am - Noon weekdays & Saturdays 4 - 5 pm), Confessions are heard on Wednesdays beginning March 4 from 6:30 to 8pm, with several priests available.

See a guide to the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Communal Penance Service - Tuesday, April 7, 12:10pm

Experience God's mercy and forgiveness at "Come Home for Easter," a communal penance service with at least 10 priests available for individual Confessions, in multipe languages.

Lenten Stations of the Cross

Come, pray and reflect on the Stations in the form adopted by St. John Paul II. Stations of the Cross led by our seminarians are prayed on Fridays at 6pm in English & Sundays at 2:15pm in Spanish. Friday night Stations are followed by a Simple Lenten Meal (below).

Celebrating and Studying the Word

Saturday Morning Study of the Gospel of John - March 7 & 21, and April 4

Join Fr. John Hurley and friends for a discussion of the readings from the Gospel of John that are proclaimed at Mass on the three Sundays preceding Palm Sunday - a great way to prepare for Holy Week.

Little Rock Study of the Gospel of Matthew - Sundays afternoons or Monday evenings

You may join in these studies at any point - meetings have begun, but you are welcome!. Participants are asked to purchase a text ($16.95).

Order the book

Contact Theresa Prymuszewski for more information

Thursday Night Liturgy of the Word - Come on Thursdays of Lent (Except April 9) for a simple liturgy of readings, a homily by Fr. John Benson, and prayers in the East Conference Room.

Opportunities for Lenten Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving

See also our guest speakers on these Lenten practices, belo w.

Simple Lenten Meals - Fridays of Lent, 6:30pm

All are invited following the Friday 6pm Stations of the Cross for a simple meal with the opportunity for almsgiving to a community-based charity, in the North Conference Room. On February 28 , the Knights of Columbus host the meal and representative of Horton's Kids share with us on their mission.

See the list of charities and sponsoring ministries

Liturgy of the Hours - Morning Prayer & Evening Prayer (leaflets provided)

Communal prayer in the St. Anthony Chapel is open to all. Join us for Morning Prayer at 7:30am on Tuesdays and Fridays (except Good Friday) and at 9am on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Pray Night Prayer with us on Holy Thursday at 9:45pm in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in repose.

Tuesday Night Guest Speakers on

Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving

We are delighted to welcome a trio of distinguished speakers to focus on these three pivotal spiritual practices for our personal and communal Lenten journey of faith. Block out these consecutive Tuesday evenings in March! All lectures are given in the North Conference Room from 7 to 8pm.

"Awakening to the Presence of God: Prayer in Lent" - Tuesday, March 10

Ppresented by L.J. Milone , Director of Faith Formation, St. John the Baptist Catholic Community, Doctoral Candidate in Preaching, author of "Nothing but God: The Everyday Mysticism of Meister Eckhart"

"Fasting: Taking a Fresh Look at a Lost Treasure" - Tuesday, March 17

presented by Rev. Thomas Ryan, CSP , Director of the Paulist North American Office for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, author of 17 books on the spiritual life, and popular retreat leader

"Almsgiving: The Treasure You Share is the Treasure You Receive" - Tuesday, March 24

P r esented by Rev. Msgr. John Enzler , President and CEO, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington

Guest Organ Recitals

The 2020 season of St. Matthew's Inaugural Concert Series celebrating the completion of our Lively-Fulcher organ continues with performances by two accomplished organists - one local and one from North Carolina. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Joy-Leilani Garbutt - Wednesday, March 18

Ms. Garbutt, Minister of Music at Christ Lutheran Church, Washington DC and the Takoma Park 7th Day Adventist Church, gives a 45-50 minute concert at 12:45pm, following the 12:10pm Mass.

Nancy Freitas Novelly - Wednesday, April 1

Ms. Novelly of Southport, NC gives a 45-50 minute concert at 12:45pm, following the 12:10pm Mass.

See 2019-2020 Inaugural Concert Series schedule

St. Matthew's Social Justice Advocacy Retreat

All are welcome on Saturday, March 7 to a day retreat at the Franciscan Monastery on advocating for change on a range of social justice issues. Gather to pray, reflect, and share on advocating for our brothers and sisters, and for God’s creation.

Lenten Music with St. Matthew's Schola Cantorum

In addition to accompanying the 12:10pm Ash Wednesday Mass and singing at the Sunday 10am and 11:30am Masses beginning March 1 , the Schola Cantorum will sing at these special Lenten celebrations. Plan now to join our parish community. All are welcome.

Laetare Vespers - Sunday March 22

Join us on Laetare Sunday for this annual Lenten evening prayer, sung by the Schola Cantorum entirely in Gregorian plainchant with renaissance and later motets, beginning at 4pm.

Tenebrae - Wednesday, April 18

The Schola Cantorum leads the assembly in the singing of psalms and canticles while soloists chant the traditional Lamentations of Jeremiah in this ancient and time-honored Liturgy of Tenebrae. Join us for this 7:30pm service, with Msgr. W. Ronald Jameson presiding.

Reflections on the Lord's Passion - Good Friday, April 10

Rev. Paul Dressler, OFM CAP reflects on the Seven Last Words of Christ, joined by the Schola Cantorum, beginning at Noon.

"The Mountain of Silence" - Our Lenten Book Selection

Let's Get Reading!

All are welcome to a discussion of "The Mountain of Silence," on Monday, March 23 , 6:45 - 8pm, with Fr. John Hurley in the East Conference Room. Told in lively form, it is the story of a Greek Orthodox monk in Cyprus, presenting a fine overview of traditional Orthodox spiritual teachings, as on the role of the Holy Spirit.

Lenten Brochure and Holy Week 2020

For the full schedule of liturgies and events during Lent and Holy Week, see our Lenten brochure available at Cathedral entrances. Look for an email update on Holy Week in early April.

Lenten Brochure - Folleto de Cuaresma

Vocations Tree 2020

If you haven't chosen a seminarian from the photo cards on our Vocations Tree to pray for during Lent, there's still time! Cards for you to take home and hang (cards with purple ribbons in English, with white ribbons, in Spanish) are available at the Cathedral main entrance before Ash Wednesday, and again for a few days after Ash Wednesday.