Cardinal Wuerl to Celebrate Christmas Masses
Washington, D.C. – Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, will celebrate Christmas this year with the blessing of the crèche and Christmas Eve Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle followed by a noon Mass on Christmas Day at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
Schola Cantorum and Festival Singers
Saturday, Dec. 24 at 9:15 p.m.
Solemn Mass of Christmas (and Blessing of the Crèche)
Saturday, Dec. 24 at 10 p.m.
Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle
1725 Rhode Island Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
At 9:15 p.m., the Schola Cantorum and Festival Singers will lead worshippers in a musical prelude. Then at 10 p.m., Cardinal Wuerl will bless the crèche (manger scene) in the St. Anthony Chapel and celebrate the Solemn Mass of Christmas.
Christmas Day Mass
Sunday, Dec. 25 at Noon
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
400 Michigan Ave. N.E.
Washington, DC 20017
The Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) and The Catholic Channel on SiriusXM Satellite Radio will broadcast live the Cardinal’s noon Mass.
Following Mass at the Basilica, Cardinal Wuerl will stop in to visit the guests who are in attendance at the Shrine’s Christmas dinner. In an annual tradition, volunteers serve a free Christmas meal to those who are alone or are in need as well as deliver additional meals to families throughout the region, serving more than 2,000 people.
The Archdiocese of Washington is home to over 620,000 Catholics, 139 parishes and 95 Catholic schools, located in Washington, D.C., and five Maryland counties: Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s.
