All Catholics in the diocese have a home parish, but many don’t know that they have a second home — the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington.
“The cathedral is literally everyone’s home,” said Father Patrick L. Posey, rector. “No matter where you live, it is the mother church of our diocese. The cathedral itself is beautiful and in it we can see so much history — of our faith, our patron saint, and many of the holy men and women whose lives left indelible marks on generations.”
The renovated cathedral reopened Sept. 4, 2024, with a standing-room-only dedication Mass attended by 29 U.S. bishops and three cardinals. A feast awaits any pilgrim eager to learn about church architecture and “furniture” distinctive to a cathedral.
“The art and architecture combine to create more than just a building, but an experience,” said Father Posey, who emphasized that the vision was “to bring the fullness of our faith in artistic and liturgical expression.”
Pilgrims are advised to begin their cathedral tour by scrolling through the interactive touchscreen kiosk just inside the main doors. It serves as an information booth, describing guidelines, architectural features and sacred spaces. You can scroll through the entire easy-to-read presentation in minutes and garner a profound appreciation of what you’re about to encounter.
Among the most compelling additions to the cathedral are the 24 lifesize statues of saints and those on the path to sainthood representing the many cultures present in the diocese. “They are close to the people, literally,” said Father Posey. “You can see the tiniest details — the veins on a hand, the folds of a robe, the lines on a face. Their realism reminds us that the saints, even ones long gone such as Sts. Peter and Paul were real people. The statue of St. Michael is a big hit with our younger visitors — maybe it’s the sword? The dragon? There’s definitely a big “Oooh!” when they see it.”
Those wanting to explore Washington should consider taking the Metro and parking in one of the garages near the Ballston Metro stop, less than a mile away from the cathedral. It’s a relaxing way to see the capital without having to worry about D.C.’s notorious traffic and parking. But don’t overlook Ballston, which boasts more than 80 restaurants within five blocks, featuring diverse international cuisines.
Father Posey’s recommendation for the most underrated attraction is watching the Washington Capitals hockey team practice at the Med Star Complex in Ballston, a half-mile from the cathedral on Glebe Road. Look for Alex Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, who is expected to return for the 2025-26 season. There’s no charge to attend the practice sessions beginning Sept. 19 and updates are posted on the Capitals website.
In addition to the Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, there are many reasons to keep your pilgrimage south of the Potomac River. A Modo Mio at 5555 Langston Blvd. was just named among the top 50 pizzerias in America by the Italian-based Top 50 Pizza website.
Owners Rosario and Vicenzo Farrugio immigrated from Sicily, but A Modo Mio is famous for its authentic Neopolitan style pizza. “That means that we use fresh mozzarella and tomatoes from Italy,” said Rosario, who attends the Italian language Mass at Holy Rosary Church in Washington. “We cook with an Italian dough mixture and Italian brick oven, so the cooking process is all authentically Neopolitan. It stays hydrated and doesn’t become crispy so you can still taste the breadiness of that soft dough. It’s the best in my opinion.”
Rosario added that the criteria for the award ranks the pizza, atmosphere and service, and indeed, A Modo Mio might be about as close to Italy as you’re going to get in an American pizzeria.
The thriving restaurant and shopping scene of the Del Ray neighborhood in Alexandria is a short drive from the cathedral. French Country Cuisine at the Del Ray Cafe is one of many cozy restaurants in the pedestrian-friendly district. Other popular diners include The Evening Star Cafe and Holy Cow, known for its burgers and sweet potato waffle fries.
Back at the Cathedral, the most important part of the pilgrimage is to allot plenty of time to take in everything it has to offer including the excellent gift shop.
“You are met, as soon as you enter the nave, with a powerful reminder of our calling to be baptized as disciples of Christ,” said Father Posey. “The font welcomes you as a child of God to our faith family, and then again welcomes you home to God at your funeral Mass. The rose window is a tremendous accomplishment. I love how it is literally the backdrop to the crucifix. Christ died for our salvation and his image behind the agony of the cross is one of victory over sin and death. It’s just beautiful. I am so grateful to all the craftsmen and workers whose efforts gave us such an incredible church.”
Find out more
See more on the rich symbolism of the cathedral at bit.ly/4lTsuJ9.
For a sneak peek of the Cathedral and local sites, go to bit.ly/4o6mZsx.
