Top stories of 2023

Pro-lifers carry signs at the Virginia March for Life in Richmond Feb. 1. ZOEY MARAIST | CATHOLIC HERALD

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge dedicated Christendom College’s new Christ the King Chapel in Front Royal April 15. The dedication marked the culmination of the college’s 45th anniversary. ANNA HARVEY | CATHOLIC HERALD

Fr. Charles Trullols, director of the Catholic Information Center in Washington, carries the monstrance in a Eucharistic procession that passes by the White House in Washington May 20. The Eucharistic procession was the first held by the CIC, with more than 700 people in attendance, including many from the Arlington diocese. ANNA HARVEY | CATHOLIC HERALD

Bishop Burbidge ordains eight men to the priesthood at Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville June 3: (from left) Frs. Charles C. Wilton, Michael T. Nugent, Timothy A. Courtney, Jonathan “Tony” Bennett, Andrew W. Clark, Zinjin N. Iglesia, Stanley “Luke” Poczatek IV and David C. Witherow. ANNA HARVEY | CATHOLIC HERALD

Fr. Elder A. Maldonado blesses his mother, Pastora Maldonado, after his ordination to the priesthood at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Pontifical North American College in Rome May 27. PNAC PHOTO SERVICE/STEVEN LANG | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

The new St. Ambrose Church in Annandale was dedicated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge July 15. More than 800 parishioners attended. The new church features an antique rose window sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council No. 8403 and stones from various holy sites in Israel, including Bethlehem, Nazareth and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, are embedded in the center aisle and the altar. ANNA HARVEY | CATHOLIC HERALD

Pilgrims from Nativity Catholic Church in Burke (from left) Lizzy Gedra, Lex Smith and Megan Smith display the diocesan banner in Fatima, Portugal, July 30 during World Youth Day. Approximately 130 diocesan pilgrims traveled to Lisbon for the Aug. 1-6 gathering of Catholic young people from around the world. COURTESY

Washington Nationals pitcher Trevor Williams talks faith and baseball with religious sisters from the Arlington diocese Aug. 31. Williams invited the women religious to attend the Nationals’ Ladies Night game, where the Nationals played the Miami Marlins. ANNA HARVEY | CATHOLIC HERALD

More than 1,300 people from the Arlington diocese pray at the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Emmitsburg, Md., Oct. 7. Bishop Burbidge led the pilgrimage to the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the grotto on the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. The pilgrimage was part of the Marian-themed second year of preparation for the 2024 Diocesan Golden Jubilee. MARY BRODEUR | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

Bishop Burbidge prays solemn vespers at adoration at St. Michael Church in Annandale Nov. 26. Hundreds of worshippers, dozens of priests and Bishop Emeritus Paul S. Loverde attended the celebration, which marked the beginning of the Diocesan Golden Jubilee Year. The jubilee year was preceded by two preparatory years with the themes “Remember” and “Rejoice.” HANNAH CAMEROTA | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD