Basilica of Saint Mary Podcast

Fr. Ken Geraci, CPM, of the Fathers of Mercy, previews the Lenten Parish Mission he will be leading at the Basilica on March 15-18, 2026. The title of the mission is called "Why Be Catholic?" Click here to learn more about the mission and Fr. Ken.

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, Father Hathaway reflects on how Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, is a time for our hearts to undergo an interior transformation, one that leads us closer to Christ.

Our Ash Wednesday Mass times are as follows: 6:30 a.m.; 8 a.m.; 12:10 p.m.; 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. (featuring the choir).

All are also invited to join Hallow, the prayer app, to participate in their Lent Pray40 Prayer Challenge during Lent. Click here for more information.

Steve Weidenkopf, an Adjunct Professor at the Christendom College Graduate School of Theology, shares part one of his five-part series chronicling Church history. It was recorded in our Lyceum Auditorium on Feb. 3, 2026.

This series presents a narrative summary of the major persons and events of Church history from Pentecost to the modern day. The story of the Catholic Church is presented in all its glory, success, and failure, along with fascinating vignettes about the men and women, saints, sinners, heroes, and villains who most shaped Catholic history over the last 2,000 years. Click here for more information.

Father Edward Hathaway, the rector of the Basilica, shares a homily during the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. It was given in the Basilica on February 8, 2026. In the homily, he also focuses donating to the Bishop's Lenten Appeal, as part of this weekend's in-pew/commitment weekend. Please click here to find out more and to donate.

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, he reflects on how Jesus teaches that a life rooted in holiness brings, flavor, meaning and light to a darkened world.

This month's guest for the podcast series called "What Are the Sisters Reading?" is from the Daughters of Saint Paul. Sister Emily Marsh, FSP, shares about a book called "The Shattering of Loneliness: On Christian Remembrance," by Bishop Erik Varden, a Norwegian Trappist monk. The book explores how Christian remembrance heals human loneliness by reconnecting individuals to their original divine image and communion with God.

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.

Father Peter Clem, a parochial vicar, shares a homily during the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. It was given in the Basilica on February 1, 2026. In the homily, he focuses on the importance of supporting the Bishop's Lenten Appeal. Please click here to find out more and to donate.

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, he shares about the importance of following the Beatitudes, as they are pathways to encounter happiness, conversion and holiness.

He also shared about some changes in the schedule of upcoming events, due to the frigid, icy weather:

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, he shares about the importance of Catholic education. The Basilica School will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week, which starts this Sunday.

Here is Pope Leo XIV's Apostolic Letter, called "Drawing New Maps of Hope," on the subject of Catholic education, which Father Hathaway mentions in this episode. To read it, please click here.

In this episode, Steve Weidenkopf, an Adjunct Professor at the Christendom College Graduate School of Theology, shares a preview of his five-part series chronicling Church history, which begins Feb. 3, 2026, in our Lyceum Auditorium (313 Duke Street). This series presents a narrative summary of the major persons and events of Church history from Pentecost to the modern day. The story of the Catholic Church is presented in all its glory, success, and failure, along with fascinating vignettes about the men and women, saints, sinners, heroes, and villains who most shaped Catholic history over the last 2,000 years. Click here for more information.