Lent and Easter
“The economy of salvation is at work within the framework of time, but since its fulfillment in the Passover of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the culmination of history is anticipated ‘as a foretaste,’ and the kingdom of God enters into our time.”
– Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1168
As we prepare our hearts for the Passion and Resurrection of the Lord, we invite you to walk with us here at the Basilica. Meditate on the Stations of the Cross, join the Church in its common prayer, participate in adoring our Lord, partake in the Sacrament of Penance, or join us for Mass throughout these seasons of preparation and celebration.
Lent
“We could not do any better than to follow in the footsteps of our ancestors and use these days of Lent as an opportunity to rediscover the power and peace that comes from making our lives whole.”
– Monsignor Walter R. Rossi, Rector
Sundays of Lent
February 26, March 5, March 12, March 19, March 26
Masses will be celebrated: 4:30 PM (Saturday Vigil), 7:30 AM, 9 AM, 10:30 AM, 12 Noon (Choir), 2:30 PM (en Español), & 4:30 PM.
Solemn Vespers will be celebrated at 4 PM in the Great Upper Church.
The 12 Noon Mass, 2:30 PM Mass in Spanish, and 4 PM Solemn Vespers will be livestreamed.
Lenten Retreat – Eucharistic Revival
March 9 @ 5:15 pm
Crypt Church
The season of Lent is a time to reflect on the solemnity of the Lord’s sacrifice and prepare our hearts…
24 Hours for the Lord: 40 Hours Devotion
March 16 – March 18
Great Upper Church
In observance of Pope Francis’ annual Lenten initiative “24 Hours for the Lord,” the Basilica of the National Shrine of…
CANCELLED – Lenten Retreat – “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”
March 21 – March 23
Crypt Church
Due to unforeseen circumstances, this retreat has been cancelled. We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to welcoming you for other Lenten Devotions at the National Shrine: www.nationalshrine.org/lent.
Stations of the Cross
February 25, March 4, March 11, March 18, March 25, April 1
Following the 12:10 PM Mass in the Crypt Church
Join the Basilica for this special Lenten devotional in which we meditate on Christ’s Passion.
Holy Week
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord 2023
April 2
As we celebrate Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, we rejoice in Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem and…
Holy Thursday
April 6
Great Upper Church
As we prepare our hearts and minds at the Table of the Lord, we invite you to join us for…
Good Friday
April 7
Great Upper Church
We invite you to join us as we commemorate the earthly death of our Lord. Please note: there are no…
Holy Saturday
April 8
We invite you to join us as we prepare our hearts for and celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection. Confessions Time: Location:…
“Exult, let them exult, the hosts of heaven, exult, let Angel ministers of God exult, let the trumpet of salvation sound aloud our mighty King’s triumph!
Be glad, let earth be glad, as glory floods her, ablaze with light from her eternal King, let all corners of the earth be glad, knowing an end to gloom and darkness.”
– Excerpt from The Exsultet: The Proclamation of Easter
Holy Saturday
April 8
We invite you to join us as we prepare our hearts for and celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection. Confessions Time: Location:…
Easter Sunday
April 9
Alleluia! He is Risen! We invite you to join us in celebrating the Solemnity of the Resurrection of Our Lord…
Divine Mercy Sunday
April 16
As we conclude the Easter Octave, we celebrate and give thanks to our almighty God for His mercy that was…
Octave Day of Easter Concert
April 16 @ 7:00 pm
Please join the National Shrine on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 16, 2023, for our annual Octave Day of Easter Concert. Michael Hey, Associate Director of Music and Organist at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, will perform.
Ascension of the Lord
May 21
We invite you to join us in celebrating the Ascension of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The Solemn Mass of the…
Pentecost Sunday
May 28
We invite you to join us in celebrating Pentecost Sunday. The Solemn Mass of Pentecost will be celebrated at 12…
Sundays of Easter
April 16, April 23, April 30, May 7, May 14
Masses will be celebrated: 4:30 PM (Saturday Vigil), 7:30 AM, 9 AM, 10:30 AM, 12 Noon (Choir), 2:30 PM (en Español), & 4:30 PM
Solemn Vespers will be celebrated at 4 PM in the Great Upper Church.
The 12 Noon Mass, 2:30 PM Mass in Spanish, and 4 PM Solemn Vespers will be livestreamed.
Easter Novena Enrollment
As we anticipate the joy of the Resurrection, we invite you to enroll your loved ones, living or deceased, in our Easter Novena of Masses beginning on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023.