Advent & Christmas
“When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming.”
Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 524
As we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Christ, we invite you to take part in the events happening at the Basilica this Advent and Christmas! Join us in prayer for the special liturgies and Masses during this sacred season, hear the festive melodies of the season in our Christmas concert and Meditations on the Nativity, or volunteer to help those in need at our Christmas Day dinner.
Sundays of Advent
November 30, December 7, December 14, December 21
Masses: 4:30 p.m. (Vigil), 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:10 a.m., 12 Noon (Choir), 2:30 p.m. (en espanol), and 4:30 p.m.
Solemn Vespers will be celebrated at 4 p.m. in the Great Upper Church.
The 12 Noon Solemn Mass, 2:30 p.m. Mass in Spanish, and 4 p.m. Solemn Vespers will be livestreamed.
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
December 8
We invite you to join us in celebrating the Patronal feast day of the Basilica and of the United States of America…
Archdiocese of Washington Walk with Mary Pilgrimage in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe
December 13
The Archdiocese of Washington invite pilgrims to participate in the 2025 Walk with Mary Pilgrimage…
Advent Rorate Mass
December 19
Please join the Basilica for the celebration of an ancient Advent tradition, the Rorate Mass…
Choir of the Basilica Christmas Concert 2025
December 20
The Choir of the Basilica will offer a one-hour Christmas Concert free and open to the public…
Blessing of the Bambinelli and Lighting of the Christmas Tree
December 21
The faithful are invited to bring the Baby Jesus from their Nativity scenes to the Hall of American Saints…
2025 Christmas Dinner
December 25
The Basilica will provide meals for hundreds of individuals living in the District of Columbia…
December 24
Christmas Eve
Vigil Mass on the Nativity of the Lord: 4:30 p.m.
Carillon and Organ Meditations on the Nativity: 9 p.m.
Choral Meditations on the Nativity: 10 p.m.
Solemn Mass during the Night on the Nativity of the Lord: 10:30 p.m.
Christophe Cardinal Pierre
Apostolic Nuncio to the United States
Celebrant & Homilist
Please note: The Choral Mediations on the Nativity at 10 p.m., and the Solemn Mass at 10:30 p.m. will be livestreamed.
“The Blessed Mother is central to the Christmas story as she is the one who gave birth to the Savior of the World. Throughout her life, Mary placed herself in God’s hands and at God’s service. The recorded words of Our Lady are rather limited, but the words we have are extremely significant: ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your word.’ Mary’s Fiat, her ‘yes’ to God, should serve as a model for each of us in life.”
Monsignor Walter R. Rossi, Rector of the Basilica
December 25
Christmas Day: The Nativity of the Lord
Masses: 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 4:30 p.m.
Solemn Mass on Christmas Day: 12 Noon (Choir)
Robert Cardinal McElroy
Archbishop of Washington
Celebrant & Homilist
Misa Solemne de la Natividad del Señor: 2:30 p.m. (Coro)
Reverendísimo Evelio Menjivar-Ayala
Obispo auxiliar de Washington
Celebrante y homilista
There are no scheduled Confessions on Christmas Day.
Please note: The 12 Noon Solemn Mass and 2:30 p.m. Mass in Spanish will be livestreamed.
The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
December 28
We invite you to join us in celebrating the Solemnity of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph…
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
January 1
We invite you to join us in celebrating the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God…
Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
January 4
We invite you to join us in celebrating the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord…
Christmas Novena Enrollment Cards
There is no greater gift that we can give our friends and family than the gift of prayer. Join the National Shrine in joyous celebration of Our Lord’s birth with the 2025 Christmas Novena Enrollment Cards!
