Bishop Michael
F. Burbidge celebrated a Mass Oct. 10 on the occasion of the 225th anniversary
of the founding of the Basilica of Saint Mary in Alexandria, noting that “the
history of our nation is intertwined with the history of this parish.”
Established in 1795, Saint Mary was the first
Catholic parish in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In late 2017, it attained the
additional distinction of being named one of 89 Catholic churches in the nation
designated as a minor basilica.
In his homily, Bishop Burbidge said Saint
Mary’s long history means that “the parish community has endured some of the
same trials that our nation has faced going back to its earliest days,
including wars at home and abroad and even a pandemic a century ago. And
through all of that, the parishioners persevered. We remember their steadfast
faith and fidelity to Christ and his church and allow their example to inspire
us as we confront these difficult times we are facing.”
He noted that the anniversary “is an occasion
for us to remember, to rejoice and to renew. We remember in a special way the
priests, consecrated religious and lay faithful, some of your family members
and friends, who lived, worshipped and served at Saint Mary’s throughout its
rich history and have gone home now to God.”
Father Edward C. Hathaway, rector, told about
150 parishioners present at the 8:30 a.m. livestreamed Mass, “From President
George Washington in 1795 to President Trump, Saint Mary’s has been a vibrant
light of Christ because of the faith, prayers, generosity and support of our
parishioners. We’ve waited 225 years for this celebration,” he added.
Basilica
The designation as a minor
basilica was an honor that “highlights the parish and its story, which is the
story of history in our region,” Father Hathaway said in an interview this
summer. No specific anniversary date in 1775 is recorded in the historical
records, so the basilica has been celebrating all year with lectures, displays
and other events.
Among visible signs of being a minor basilica are
the distinctive red and yellow “ombrellino” (symbolic papal umbrella) and
“tintinnabulum” (bells) hung to the sides of the marble altar.
The basilica’s theme for this 225th anniversary
year is “United in Faith, Family, Service, and Tradition.” That speaks to the
parish’s leadership in charitable work in the Alexandria community.
“We cannot say enough about the charity and
love for the poor the basilica has demonstrated, through their support of
Catholic Charities,” said Art Bennett, Catholic Charities president and CEO.
“Parishioners long ago embraced Christ House and all the programs that operate
there.”
From the Knights of Columbus to the parish
young adults group, the Hibernians and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, he
said parish groups “regularly offer financial support or volunteers, and
prayers, for our men’s housing program, evening meal for the homeless, food
pantry and emergency assistance program,” as well as many other projects.
The basilica community also has been a major
contributor to the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal. “The parishioners of the Basilica of
Saint Mary have always displayed tremendous support to the programs and
ministries funded by the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal,” said Bob Mueller, executive
director of the diocesan Office of Development. “Year after year, they have
surpassed their goal, which is a testament to their commitment to further the
diocesan mission to teach and grow our Catholic faith and reach out to those in
need.”
Catholic education
In his homily, Bishop Burbidge said he rejoiced
in “knowing the significant role Catholic formation and education has played in
the life of your parish, and how parents and parishioners have sacrificed
immensely to provide a school known for its strong Catholic identity and
excellence in education for 151 years.”
The Basilica School of Saint Mary, about six
blocks from the basilica, is the oldest and largest elementary/middle school in
the diocese; it celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2019 and currently has more
than 700 students. The Sisters of the Holy Cross opened the school in 1869 “as
a free school for all parish children,” according to a history on the school’s
website.
After the Mass, Bishop Burbidge accompanied
Father Hathaway to the school for a blessing of the first phase of a multi-phase
renovation, and an outdoor reception and tour for about 75 donors and guests.
The $8 million renovation project will
accomplish “the first serious and meaningful construction in 70 years,” said
Shawn McLaughlin, co-chair of the Mary Lead Us campaign, which already has
raised close to $6 million for the project, targeted for completion in 2023.
Phase 1 focused on security upgrades in the reception area; phase 2 will
include a “connector” section joining the original school with the old convent,
which houses the middle school. The connector will add extra classroom space and a
state-of-the-art information technology center, he said. Phase 3 will include
upgrades to turn an uneven blacktop parking lot into a multipurpose play yard
with turf that can also accommodate parking.
“Ensuring the religious education of our
children dates back to the very beginning of our parish,” Father Hathaway said
in remarks before the blessing. “This transformative building project is a
testament to those who have gone before us and a legacy we leave for future
generations.”
History
Its colonial roots make the basilica a popular
destination for Catholics from around the region, as well as anyone interested
in American history. The basilica’s website features an extensive historical
timeline, as well as architectural background and a virtual tour. A favorite
detail is that the first brick structure known as the Church of Saint Mary was
built on land purchased with a donation from George Washington, who made a
contribution in 1788, the year before he became president.
The parish moved to its present location in
1810. The sanctuary and a major portion of the present-day church were built in
1826 and dedicated in 1827. Many expansions and restoration projects have taken
place since then, always retaining the building’s historic yet intimate
ambiance.
Black parishioners from Saint Mary’s were
founding members of St. Joseph Church in Alexandria in 1915. St. Katharine
Drexel was a contributor to that parish.
Father Hathaway said that earlier this year,
the basilica founded the Saint Katharine Drexel Society “in response to
events of racial injustice. The society prays weekly for the healing of our
nation, especially for the historical wounds inflicted by slavery that continue
to affect our populace, and in reparation for the sins of racism, past and
present. I don’t know of another group quite like this in the diocese,” he
said.
Parishioners
Tom Carter has been a parishioner
of Saint Mary’s since 1964, when he was 12 years old and started attending
church there with his parents. Now his children are parishioners too. “There is
something so reassuring about belonging to a parish that is so solid and
constant,” he said. “It’s got roots.”
But Saint Mary’s is about more than history.
“It is so vibrant and there are so many ministries — page after page of
activities you can get into.” As a member of the parish finance council, he’s
learned a lot about how involved the parish is in the community, supporting
charities in Alexandria and beyond. “There are so many things we’re
contributing to that I didn’t even know,” he said.
George Lynch, a parishioner involved in many
parish ministries since the mid-1980s, agreed. “The history is there, but we’re
here now, and somebody is going to look back at us some day and call us
history. So, we do what we can to keep us going.”
But he also said he appreciates the parish’s
“deep roots. If you move around the Washington area and talk about Saint Mary’s
in Old Town, it’s recognized.”
He and his wife, Helen, are both daily
Massgoers, and he said they have found the pastors’ messages over the years
“consistently faithful and uplifting. If we don’t get there on a daily basis,
we feel like we missed something,” he said.
