On the solemnity of Christ the King, the Arlington diocese will kick off Year Two of its Golden Jubilee celebration, a three-year lead-up to the diocese’s 50th anniversary. This year’s theme is “Rejoice in the current vitality of our diocese,” inspired by Mary’s exclamation, “My soul rejoices in the Lord.”
“We’re hoping in Year Two that our focus will be on our Blessed Mother, as it should be every day,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. “Rejoice is a powerful reminder, because we all have challenges, difficulties and pressures in our lives. (But) we can always rejoice if we are convinced of God’s abiding presence, of his great love for us, being aware of the many blessings that are in our midst every day, knowing that no matter what cross we’re carrying, he will give us the strength and the consolation to carry it. Now more than ever, our world needs to see from us a Catholic Christian witness of people who are not despairing, not gloomy, but people who rejoice.”
The theme for Year One was “Remembering the past with gratitude,” inspired by Christ’s words at the Last Supper, “Do this in remembrance of me.” The theme for Year Three is “Renewing and strengthening our faith for the future,” inspired by the verse in Revelation, “Behold I make all things anew.”
During Year Two, many of the diocese’s annual retreats and events will have Marian themes. The diocese’s jubilee webpage has Marian resources, including past Catholic Herald articles and a booklet of reflections on the rosary written by women religious of the diocese. The initiative to have each parish host a 40 Hours devotion, which began in the Eucharist-themed Year One, continues this year, though each parish is encouraged to add a Marian component, such as a Marian reflection or the recitation of the rosary. Throughout the diocese there will be talks on three prominent Marian apparitions: Lourdes, Fatima and Guadalupe.
In the new year, the diocese will launch a Marian pilgrimage program encouraging people to visit parishes named in honor of Our Lady. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for Military Services will speak at a Marian conference April 29. Representatives from each parish will make a pilgrimage to the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Emmitsburg, Md., in the fall. A number of additional events are still in the works, said Mary Beth Riordan, who along with her husband, Dan, lead a team of people organizing the Golden Jubilee initiatives as co-chairs.
“When you’re talking to the various heads of the committees for the jubilee, you realize just how rich we are as a diocese because we are so blessed to have the bishop we have, the priests and all the very active parishes,” she said. “I’ve always been very devoted to our Blessed Mother and I think of her as the perfect disciple — looking at her example, her humility, her obedience, her willingness to sacrifice for her child. As a mom, that really speaks to me.”
Father Edward C. Hathaway, rector of the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandra and a Golden Jubilee co-chair, encourages people to see Mary in her role as mother of the church.
“As Mary is grieving there at the foot of the cross, Christ in that moment turns her attention back to the church when he says, ‘Woman, behold your son,’ — (referencing) John. Tradition has always (professed) that John stands for every disciple, and as John took Mary into his home, we take Mary into our hearts,” he said. “That’s what we hope will happen during this jubilee year.”
Find out more
A solemn Eucharistic holy hour and rosary to inaugurate Preparation Year II of the Diocesan Golden Jubilee will take place Nov. 20 at 4 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington. To learn more about upcoming events for the Golden Jubilee, go to the Golden Jubilee webpage.
