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 for the celebration of the birth of our Savior, we invite you to be a part of the events which we will host here at the Basilica! Hear the festive melodies of the season in our Christmas Concert and Choral Meditations on the Nativity, volunteer to help those in need, or join us for Mass throughout Advent and Christmas.
Sundays of Advent
December 3, December 10, December 17
Masses will be celebrated: 4:30 p.m. (Vigil), 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12 Noon (Choir), 2:30 p.m. (en Español), and 4:30 p.m.
Solemn Vespers will be celebrated at 4 p.m. in the Great Upper Church.
The 12 Noon 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 9
The Faithful of the Archdiocese of Washington will hold their annual Walk with Mary procession and Mass…
Choir of the Basilica Christmas Concert 2023
December 16
The Choir of the Basilica will offer a one-hour Christmas Concert free and open to the public. Seating…
Blessing of the Bambinelli
December 23
The faithful are invited to bring the Baby Jesus from their Nativity scenes to be blessed at the National…
December 24
Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve
Masses for the Fourth Sunday of Advent: 4:30 p.m. (Vigil), 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., & 12 Noon (Choir, in English y Español)
Vigil Mass on the Nativity of the Lord: 4:30 pm
Choral Meditations on the Nativity: 10 pm
Solemn Mass on the Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord: 10:30 pm (Choir)
Christophe Cardinal Pierre
Apostolic Nuncio to the United States
Celebrant & Homilist
Please note: there is no 2:30 p.m. Mass in Spanish or 4 p.m. Solemn Vespers on December 24.
The 4:30 p.m. Mass is celebrated as the Vigil Mass on the Nativity of the Lord.
“So when we call him God with us, Emmanuel, He is just not present as a little baby. He is with us in the Eucharist. He is with us in flesh and blood, not only for us to adore, but for us to partake. And that is how you and I are called to go forth and proclaim the good news that the angels proclaimed to these people in salvation history, Joseph, Mary, Zechariah or Elizabeth, who submitted to God’s will even when they could not fully understand his plan.”
Monsignor Vito A. Buonanno, Director of Pilgrimages
December 25
Christmas Day
Masses: 7:30 am, 9 am, 10:30 am & 4:30 pm
Solemn Mass on Christmas Day: 12 Noon (Choir)
Wilton Cardinal Gregory
Archbishop of Washington
Celebrant & Homilist
Misa de la Natividad del Señor: 2:30 pm (Coro)
Reverendísimo Evelio Menjivar-Ayala
Obispo auxiliar de Washington
Celebrante y homilista
There are no Confessions scheduled on Christmas Day.
2023 Christmas Dinner
December 25
The Basilica will provide meals for hundreds of people living in the District of Columbia…
Solemnity of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
December 31
We invite you to join us in celebrating the Solemnity of the Holy Family of…
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 7
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 power of prayer. Join the National Shrine in joyous celebration of Our Lord’s birth with the 2023 Christmas Novena Enrollment Cards!