Basilica of Saint Mary Podcast

Faith Matters is a weekly podcast for the Messenger newsletter of the Basilica School of Saint Mary, which gets distributed to Basilica School families. It features Father Edward Hathaway, the rector of the Basilica. In this week's episode, Fr. Hathaway reflects on the school's Virtue of the Month: Trustworthiness.

He also invites the public to attend a free concert to celebrate our new organ, which will be held in the church on Friday evening, October 24th, at 7 p.m. The concert will feature Paul Jacobs, a Grammy-award winning organist. Click here for more information and to reserve your seat(s): https://stmaryoldtown.org/concert2025

In this episode, the monthly series called "What Are the Sisters Reading?" continues. My guest for the month of October is from the Daughters of Saint Paul. Sister Allison Regina Gliot, FSP, shares about a young adult book she wrote called "The Curse He Chose," a riveting, genre-bending vampire book, the first installment of the In Aeternum trilogy, which unites the suspense of urban fantasy with the Christian drama of sin, grace, and redemption.

To check out more books on the Catholic faith and religious items of interest at the Pauline Books and Media Center at 1025 King Street in Alexandria, please click here.

Faith Matters is a weekly podcast for the Messenger newsletter of the Basilica School of Saint Mary, which gets distributed to Basilica School families. It features Father Edward Hathaway, the rector of the Basilica. In this week's episode, Fr. Hathaway focuses on the month of October being Respect Life Month.

Father Hathaway also invites parishioners to join us for Oktoberfest, our 230th anniversary celebration of our parish picnic. All are welcome to attend the 1 p.m. Mass this Sunday, Oct. 5, which will have Bishop Michael Burbidge as the main celebrant. Then, after the Mass, head over to the Basilica School, 400 Green Street, where the following festive fun will be occurring:

+ A tented Bavarian bier garden

+ German dancers and lessons

+ A German band

+ German food/desserts and a roasted pig

+ A petting zoo

+ Face painting

+ Contests for best Bavarian dressed couple and family

You will also have the chance to meet Bishop Burbidge, as he will be in attendance. Click here for more information.

Faith Matters is a weekly podcast for the Messenger newsletter of the Basilica School of Saint Mary, which gets distributed to Basilica School families. It features Father Edward Hathaway, the rector of the Basilica. In this week's episode, Fr. Hathaway focuses on the importance of Priesthood Sunday, which will be celebrated this Sunday, and how to foster a culture of vocations at home.

Father Hathaway also invited parishioners to be a part our Sept. 26th pilgrimage to Port Tobacco, as the oldest Catholic parish in Virginia — our Basilica— visits the oldest continuously active Catholic parish in Maryland: St. Ignatius Church in Chapel Point. This parish pilgrimage to historic Catholic sites in Maryland is part of our 230th parish anniversary celebration. Space is limited. Price of the $65 ticket includes bus transportation and lunch. Buy yours today by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4nmJ05d

He also mentions the parish's Vocation Crucifix Program to pray for an increase in vocations. You can find out more by clicking here.

Today's episode features Robert Nalewajek, Executive Vice President of CAPP-USA, which spreads the knowledge and encourages the practice of Catholic Social Teaching.

His talk -- titled "Catholic Social Teaching: Dynamic Truth for Policymakers and Engaged Citizens" -- will occur on October 7, 2025, at 7 p.m. in our Lyceum Auditorium, 313 Duke Street, in Alexandria, Virginia.

To learn more about the talk, click here.

To learn more about CAPP-USA, click here.

Faith Matters is a weekly podcast for the Messenger newsletter of the Basilica School of Saint Mary, which gets distributed to Basilica School families. It features Father Edward Hathaway, the rector of the Basilica. In this week's episode, Fr. Hathaway ties Bishop Burbidge's recent statement on the assassination of Charlie Kirk to the Basilica School's Scriptural Theme for the year as a way to remind us that love – that "bond of perfection" – is the way to become instruments of healing in a world torn by division.

Father Hathaway also invited parishioners to be a part our Sept. 26th pilgrimage to Port Tobacco, as the oldest Catholic parish in Virginia — our Basilica— visits the oldest continuously active Catholic parish in the U.S. This parish pilgrimage to historic Catholic sites in Maryland is part of our 230th parish anniversary celebration. Space is limited. Price of the $65 ticket includes bus transportation and lunch. Buy yours today by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4nmJ05d

Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector of the Basilica, shares a homily during the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It was given in the Basilica on September 14, 2025.

Faith Matters is a weekly podcast for the Messenger newsletter of the Basilica School of Saint Mary, which gets distributed to Basilica School families. It features Father Edward Hathaway, the rector of the Basilica. In this week's episode, Fr. Hathaway talks about the power and significance of the Cross, as he reflects on Sunday, September 14, being the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.

Father Hathaway also invited parishioners to be a part our Sept. 26th pilgrimage to Port Tobacco, as the oldest Catholic parish in Virginia — our Basilica— visits the oldest active Catholic parish in Maryland. This parish pilgrimage to historic Catholic sites in Maryland is part of us celebrating our 230th parish anniversary. Space is limited. Price of the $65 ticket includes bus transportation and lunch.Buy yours today by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4nmJ05d

He also shared that this weekend there will be a relationship health assessment survey using your phone will be occurring during all the Sunday Masses on September 13-14 and September 20-21. All replies will be anonymous.

Father Peter Clem, a parochial vicar, shares a homily during the Twenty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time. It was given in the Basilica on September 7, 2025.

Deacon Sam Martinez shares a reflection on the Fourth Luminous Mystery of the Rosary, the Transfiguration, for our Communal First Saturday for September. It was recorded on September 6, 2025.