Day of Saint Francis Assisi – The Blessing of the Animals

Day of Saint Francis Assisi – The Blessing of the Animals

The Blessing of the Animals is a tradition inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, known for his deep love of all God's creatures. Bring your pets to participating parishes to be blessed, acknowledging the bond between humans and animals, and recognizing them as gifts from God.

The Blessing of the Animals is a tradition inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, known for his deep love of all God's creatures. Bring your pets to participating parishes to be blessed, acknowledging the bond between humans and animals, and recognizing them as gifts from God.

The Blessing of the Animals is a tradition inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, known for his deep love of all God's creatures. Bring your pets to participating parishes to be blessed, acknowledging the bond between humans and animals, and recognizing them as gifts from God.

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Mass to Commemorate the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees

Mass to Commemorate the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees

The livestream recording of this special Mass in solidarity and prayer for migrants and refugees at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle is now available to watch online, along with the full text of the homily.

The livestream recording of this special Mass in solidarity and prayer for migrants and refugees at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle is now available to watch online, along with the full text of the homily.

The livestream recording of this special Mass in solidarity and prayer for migrants and refugees at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle is now available to watch online, along with the full text of the homily.

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‘A Social Contract for the Digital World’

‘A Social Contract for the Digital World’

Read the text of the Thomas Verner Moore Lecture for 2026 given by Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, at St. Anselm’s Abbey School in Washington, D.C.

Read the text of the Thomas Verner Moore Lecture for 2026 given by Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, at St. Anselm’s Abbey School in Washington, D.C.

Read the text of the Thomas Verner Moore Lecture for 2026 given by Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, at St. Anselm’s Abbey School in Washington, D.C.

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Lift Your Heart in Song: Upcoming Music Offerings

Lift Your Heart in Song: Upcoming Music Offerings

Discover inspiring musical liturgies and concert series taking place across the archdiocese.

Discover inspiring musical liturgies and concert series taking place across the archdiocese.

Discover inspiring musical liturgies and concert series taking place across the archdiocese.

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37th Annual East of the River Revival: "Peace, the Gift the World Cannot Give"

37th Annual East of the River Revival: "Peace, the Gift the World Cannot Give"

Join the Southeast Deanery from October 3 and October 5–7 for an inspiring week of spiritual renewal featuring powerful guest speakers, youth fellowship at St. Joseph, and evening revival services at Mount Calvary.

Join the Southeast Deanery from October 3 and October 5–7 for an inspiring week of spiritual renewal featuring powerful guest speakers, youth fellowship at St. Joseph, and evening revival services at Mount Calvary.

Join the Southeast Deanery from October 3 and October 5–7 for an inspiring week of spiritual renewal featuring powerful guest speakers, youth fellowship at St. Joseph, and evening revival services at Mount Calvary.

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A Confidential Day of Prayer and Healing for Women

A Confidential Day of Prayer and Healing for Women

If you are seeking healing from an abortion, find confidential accompaniment and compassionate care with the Project Rachel Ministry.

If you are seeking healing from an abortion, find confidential accompaniment and compassionate care with the Project Rachel Ministry.

If you are seeking healing from an abortion, find confidential accompaniment and compassionate care with the Project Rachel Ministry.

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Sanctuary Course for Catholics

Sanctuary Course for Catholics

Hosted by the St. Dymphna Ministry at St. Ann in DC, this eight-week series offers believers a safe space for dialogue and spiritual accompaniment surrounding mental health challenges.

Hosted by the St. Dymphna Ministry at St. Ann in DC, this eight-week series offers believers a safe space for dialogue and spiritual accompaniment surrounding mental health challenges.

Hosted by the St. Dymphna Ministry at St. Ann in DC, this eight-week series offers believers a safe space for dialogue and spiritual accompaniment surrounding mental health challenges.

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74th Annual Red Mass: Invoking Blessings Upon the Administration of Justice

74th Annual Red Mass: Invoking Blessings Upon the Administration of Justice

Celebrate the annual Red Mass with the John Carroll Society and The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington via livestream in Washington, DC, on Sunday, October 4, to pray for our legal, judicial, and public officials.

Celebrate the annual Red Mass with the John Carroll Society and The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington via livestream in Washington, DC, on Sunday, October 4, to pray for our legal, judicial, and public officials.

Celebrate the annual Red Mass with the John Carroll Society and The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington via livestream in Washington, DC, on Sunday, October 4, to pray for our legal, judicial, and public officials.

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Shape the Vision for Black Catholic Ministry

Shape the Vision for Black Catholic Ministry

Join the upcoming regional listening session on to share your faith, insights, and recommendations for our archdiocesan pastoral plan.

Join the upcoming regional listening session on to share your faith, insights, and recommendations for our archdiocesan pastoral plan.

Join the upcoming regional listening session on to share your faith, insights, and recommendations for our archdiocesan pastoral plan.

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Finding Comfort and Hope in Times of Grief

Finding Comfort and Hope in Times of Grief

St. Elizabeth Parish is offering a free, virtual eight-week bereavement support series on Thursday evenings to walk with adults healing from the loss of a loved one.

St. Elizabeth Parish is offering a free, virtual eight-week bereavement support series on Thursday evenings to walk with adults healing from the loss of a loved one.

St. Elizabeth Parish is offering a free, virtual eight-week bereavement support series on Thursday evenings to walk with adults healing from the loss of a loved one.

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The Way Women’s Retreat

The Way Retreat

The Way is a free, 3-day guided meditation and prayer program for survivors of abuse.

The Way is a free, 3-day guided meditation and prayer program for survivors of abuse.

The Way is a free, 3-day guided meditation and prayer program for survivors of abuse.

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October is Respect Life Month: Protecting the Dignity of All God’s Creation

October is Respect Life Month: Protecting the Dignity of All God’s Creation

Discover this year’s "Mary, Mother of Life" parish resources, action guides, and daily novenas to help build a culture of deep respect for human dignity in every stage and circumstance.

Discover this year’s "Mary, Mother of Life" parish resources, action guides, and daily novenas to help build a culture of deep respect for human dignity in every stage and circumstance.

Discover this year’s "Mary, Mother of Life" parish resources, action guides, and daily novenas to help build a culture of deep respect for human dignity in every stage and circumstance.

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Join us for Sunday Mass!

Join us for Sunday Mass!

We welcome you to join us in worship. Locate your nearest parish using our online parish finder.

We welcome you to join us in worship. Locate your nearest parish using our online parish finder.

We welcome you to join us in worship. Locate your nearest parish using our online parish finder.

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Catholic Standard, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Washington, reports on news and events from parishes, schools and the community and showcases how the Catholic faith is being lived in the metro area, around the nation and throughout the world.

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