Basilica of Saint Mary Podcast

The guests in this episode are David and Claudia Arp, the founders of the 10 Great Dates Program, which fosters fun, romance and intimacy in several easy steps for married and engaged couples. One of our apostolates, Date Night at the Basilica, will be hosting the program on a monthly basis starting on September 17, 2022.

In part one, the Arps talk about why the program has been so successful over the years and how couples can benefit by going on a Great Date. Stay tuned for part two, the final episode, which will air tomorrow and feature four Date Night at the Basilica leaders who will add their insights into why this program will help couples who attend a Great Date. 

To sign up to attend the first Great Date on Sept. 17, 2022 -- you can attend one, some or all the 10 Great Dates in the upcoming months -- please click here. There is no charge.

Father Peter Clem, a Parochial Vicar at the Basilica, shares a homily for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time. It was recorded in the Basilica on August 21, 2022.

Father Joseph Townsend, a Parochial Vicar at the Basilica of Saint Mary, shares a homily during the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time. It was given in the Basilica on August 14, 2022. 

Robert Loia is The Basilica School of Saint Mary's new principal. In this episode, he shares about his journey in Catholic education, what inspires him as an educator and what ingredients are necessary to make a Catholic school great.

Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector of the Basilica of Saint Mary, shares a homily during the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time. It was given in the Basilica on August 7, 2022.

Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector at the Basilica of Saint Mary, offers a reflection on the Scourging at the Pillar for our August 6, 2022 Communal First Saturday. As part of our Communal First Saturdays, one of our priests reflects on a Mystery of the Rosary on the first Saturday of every month. 

Michelle Kelly, a student at Christendom College, who has been helping out with the Basilica’s Offices of Communications, Religious Education and Youth and Young Adults, and Luke Helbling, a seminarian with the Diocese of Arlington, have been working at the Basilica during the summer as interns. In this episode, they share about their experiences and the ways they have grown in faith.

In the podcast, Luke refers to a meditation that he prayed with and found particularly inspiring. It is from Magnificat, a spiritual guide available in the back of the Basilica, the August 2, 2022 meditation of the day, on page 38.

In this episode, we hear a Theology on Tap talk by Dr. Gregory Townsend, the Vice President of Academic Affairs and an associate professor at Christendom College. He talked about the intersection of faith and science. It was recorded at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub in Old Town Alexandria on August 1st, 2022.

Tushar Suthar, a Basilica parishioner, attended an ACTS retreat in 2020, and he still feels its impact. ACTS is an acronym for Adoration, Community, Theology and Service, and these four themes are the focus of the activities of retreat.

In this episode, he talks about the great news about the retreat being available for Basilica male parishioners to participate in -- from Thursday evening, September 22, 2022, until Sunday morning, September 25, 2022 -- and what a game-changer it is for not only those who attend but also for the parish community, at large. For more details and to sign up, please click here.

Welcome to another monthly episode of “What Are the Sisters Reading?" The guest for August is Sister Kathryn Hermes, FSP, who shares about "Coached By Joan of Arc: Lessons In Virtuous Leadership." The book is a dialogue between the reader and Saint Joan of Arc, a pious young French peasant teen in the 15th century who led French troops to several military victories over the English. The book is an exploration of her virtue-infused life and offers wise advice and lessons in noble leadership.

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.