Archbishop Wuerl Celebrates Christmas in Washington with Blessing of the Creche and Two Masses

December 18, 2008

Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl will celebrate Christmas this year with the blessing of the crèche and Midnight Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle and a noon Christmas Day Mass:

Wednesday, December 24
11:00 p.m.: Christmas Concert followed by Blessing of the Creche and Midnight Mass
Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle
1725 Rhode Island Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20036

The doors to the Cathedral will open at 10:00 p.m. as worshippers crowd in for this Washington tradition. At 11:00 p.m., the Cathedral’s Festival Singers will lead worshippers in hymns. Then, just before midnight, Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl will bless the crèche at the St. Anthony Chapel and celebrate Mass as the clock turns to midnight and Christmas begins.

Thursday, December 25
Noon: Christmas Day Mass
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
400 Michigan Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20017

Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl will be the principal celebrant and homilist at this Mass, which will start with a blessing of the crèche and be attended by thousands of worshippers.

Also that day, in an annual tradition, volunteers will serve a free Christmas dinner for more than 1,000 people who are alone or in need in the Shrine cafeteria from 12:15 p.m.-2:30 p.m., and will deliver meals to families throughout the region. For information on this special dinner, contact the Basilica at 202-526-8300.

Contact:
Susan Gibbs
Director of Communications
301-853-4517
gibbss@adw.org

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