2021 Year in review

Parishioners of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in Fredericksburg join a Eucharistic Procession for Life Jan. 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, led by Fr. John P. Mosimann, pastor. The March for Life in Washington was not open to the public due to the pandemic and was complemented by virtual events. LORI FOWLKES | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge ordains six permanent deacons in the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington Feb. 20. The deacons are (from left) Mark R. Jerge, Richard C. Vossler, Aaron L. Zaccagnino, Michael J. Watts, Matthew K. Noah, and Edward O. Devlin. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory (right) and Bishop Michael F. Burbidge participate in a Q&A session at a March 20 conference on racism at Church of the Nativity in Burke. The conference was sponsored by the diocesan Peace and Justice Commission and was titled “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love,” the name of the title of the pastoral letter against racism issued by the U.S. Catholic bishops in 2018. ANDREW BIRAJ | CATHOLIC STANDARD

The candidates for the transitional diaconate (from left) Peter Clem, Robert Renner, Daniel Rice, Peter St. George, Daniel Reuwer, John O’Farrell and Philip Briggs, stand in front of Bishop Michael F. Burbidge during Mass at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington April 10. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

Parishioners sit in the nave of Corpus Christi Church in Aldie during the Rite of Dedication May 2. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

Parishioners gather for the dedication Mass of the new St. Patrick Church in Fredericksburg June 13. ZOEY MARAIST | CATHOLIC HERALD

The ordinandi, including (from left) Deacons John Paul J. Heisler, Joseph B. Townsend, Jonathan M. Smith and Jonathan R. Fioramonti, pray during their ordination in the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington June 5. JOE CASHWELL | FOR THE CATHOLIC HERALD

Thomas Salas, 3, rides the merry-go-round at “Arise: A Diocesan Family Celebration” commemorating the lifting of pandemic restrictions at St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly June 26. ZOEY MARAIST | CATHOLIC HERALD

Solomae Likanos (center), a first grader at St. Joseph School in Herndon, listens attentively to her teacher on the first day of school Aug. 23. Catholic schools welcomed students back with fewer pandemic restrictions this fall. ZOEY MARAIST | CATHOLIC HERALD

Around 1,500 pro-lifers gather for the Virginia March for Life in Richmond Sept. 17. ZOEY MARAIST | CATHOLIC HERALD

More than 2,000 people gather at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington for the Arlington Diocesan Pilgrimage in the Year of St. Joseph Oct. 30. ZOEY MARAIST | CATHOLIC HERALD

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge (center), flanked by Fr. Michael Weston (left), director of the Office of Divine Liturgy, and Deacon Philip Briggs, a seminarian, speaks to the attendees during vespers at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington Nov. 21.ZOEY MARAIST | CATHOLIC HERALD

Pro-lifers rally in support of an abortion-restricting Mississippi law outside of the U.S. Supreme Court Dec. 1.ZOEY MARAIST | CATHOLIC HERALD