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Terry & Michael’s Marian Jubilee Journey
This blog chronicles our pilgrimage to churches named for Mary in the Arlington Diocese (northern Virginia). As part of the Diocese’s 2024 Jubilee celebrations, Bishop Burbidge suggested that the faithful visit the twelve Marian-named churches in the Diocese. Here are accounts of those visits by Terry and Michael, starting in July of 2023.
UPDATE : As of Dec 2, we completed our Mary Jubilee Celebration Journeys! Posts on each visit are listed below in reverse chronology, plus a few “side visits” along the way.
See below for all our visits, in chronological order, July to December, 2023
“To visit devoutly three churches designated by the bishop; or one of them at three different times.”
“Behold, I make all things new”
dec 12: Feast of our lady of guadalupe
“JUAN, DEAREST JUAN DIEGO. LISTEN, MY DEAREST AND YOUNGEST SON, JUAN. WHERE ARE YOU GOING?”
“BUT IT IS VERY NECESSARY THAT YOU, PERSONALLY, GO AND PLEAD, THAT MY WISH, MY WILL, BECOME A REALITY, BE CARRIED OUT THROUGH YOUR INTERCESSION“
As part of the 2024 50th anniversary Jubilee celebrations of the Arlington Diocese, Bishop Burbidge has encouraged the faithful to visit the twelve churches named for Mary or one her titles across the Diocese: A Jubilee Journey with Mary (arlingtondiocese.org) From the Bishop: A Jubilee Journey with Mary Mary has been given titles from Scripture,…
We happily started off our “Jubilee Journey” celebrations at one of the most beautiful churches in the Diocese, the Basilica of Saint Mary in Alexandria. And what a fortunate visit it was, as we unknowingly joined a very special mass with Father Bob Monagle. Visit date: Saturday, July 1, 2023 Mass: 5:00 pm Saturday Vigil…
We anxiously anticipated our next Mary-named church visit, with this week’s selection of Queen of the Apostles with hopes to see Father Berghout. Although he was not there, we had the special honor of attending Mass and afterwards speaking with Father Alex, who welcomed us enthusiastically. Visit date: Saturday, July 8, 2023 Mass: 8:00 am…
Our next visit was to another nearby church, this one in the Aurora Hills neighborhood, which is tucked in just above Crystal City. At the church, one would never know that the airport and Pentagon are within walking distance. It’s a beautiful church, and has an amazing history, we were to discover, thanks to a…
Terry’s business trip to Boston turned into another of our magnificent Mary-centered encounters and celebrations. Read below for her amazing story! Visit date: Sunday, July 16, 2023 Mass: Sunday Address: 800 Boylston Street, Suite 1001, Boston, MA 02199 Website: Oblates of the Virgin Mary – St. Francis Chapel (omvusa.org) Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Lectionary:…
We arrived with few expectations for our this next selection, as it was unclear to us on the map where was the new church in relation to the old, historical one, and what’s it all about, anyway? Turned out a wonderful surprise: gorgeous new church building, welcoming and enthusiastic community, and another great experience for…
Michael the historian was excited about this visit, having read through the extensive histories of the old, historical church. No let downs, other than we were unable to peak inside, as there was a service in progress when we arrived. Fun visit, nevertheless, and beautiful grounds. Visit date: Saturday, July 22, 2023 Mass: after 9:15…
Michael’s choice this week, as he had lived for a time in Vienna some years ago and knows the area well and has friends who had attended Good Counsel High School. Mass with Father Kumar was brilliant, and he kindly shared his inspiring personal story, while taking us a special tour of the main church,…
Terry was very excited about this visit, as we’re not only getting to halfway through our Mary-named church visits and celebration, but this one, out in Potomac Falls, is near to her 98 year old Godmother — who can recall every detail about Terry’s baptism. Visit date: Saturday, August 5, 2023 Mass: 8:30 am Saturday…
We’ve been on a roll, really enjoying our Saturday visits to Mary-named churches and attending Mass at all these different places, with different people and priests. If you’re from Arlington, you won’t think much about Woodbridge, other than a place to pass by on the way to the Ikea… No way! Our new friend, Tom,…
Our Jubilee Journey with Mary has so far brought us to seven churches in the Arlington Diocese. We’ve had wonderful experiences, but how blessed and happy we are to have been able to include in this year’s celebrations this very special trip to the most special Basilica of Saint Mary of Guadalupe in Mexico City.…
This post explains the historical context of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Here for Our Visit to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City and for a Photo Gallery of our visit. The morning of Saturday, December 9, 1531, ten years after the fall of the Aztec empire to the Spanish Hernan Cortés, Our Lady, Mother of…
We have the wonderful blessing to spend time each summer at a family camp in the Central Lakes region of Maine. Serving the Catholic community there is the parish of Saint Michael, which is based in Augusta and that includes churches in the towns of Gardiner, Hallowell, Whitefield, and, closest to us, Winthrop. Visit dates:…
This week we finally visited the Mary-named parish that is closet to our home, but one that is the furthest from our experiences in our Mary church visits. Fascinating and illuminating visit, so glad we made the short trip! Visit date: Saturday, September 16, 2023 Mass: 5:30 Saturday Vigil Mass Address: 2700 South 19th Street,…
As of September 25, we have visited eight Mary-named churches, so there are four to go! Our church selection has led us on a fun circle around Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties. Now, we’re heading west and, ultimately south for our last destination at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Fredericksburg. Two…
It’s great fun to see the article in this week’s Arlington Catholic Herald about our Jubilee Journey pilgrimage to Mary-named parishes in the Diocese of Arlington. Terry and I had lots of fun speaking with the Catholic Herald Staff Writer, Anna Harvey, who is super nice and a very astute reporter. She asked great questions,…
We sadly had to miss the Archdiocese pilgrimage to National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes on October 12, led by the Bishop (see here for Arlington Catholic Herald article), so we very much anticipated a tour of the National Shrine arranged by our Parish, the Cathedral of St. Thomas More. Turns out to be…
While not a Mary-specific pilgrimage, our side-trip to a wedding in Sacramento turned into another wonderful Marian experience! Besides, what’s not to say about “Saint Joseph” when talking about Mary? A wedding at this lovely missionary church brought us closer than ever to Our Lady. Visit date: Saturday, Nov 11, 2023 Mass: Wedding Mass 1:00…
Late November, and we’re finally back out on the road for our Diocese Mary-named churches pilgrimage — this time to Luray, Virginia. Our first visit to one of the Diocese of Arlington’s “western” churches, Our Lady of the Valley, reminds us why we’ve so much enjoyed these trips. It also launched Michael into a deep…
Even skiers ought to repose in the the lap of the Lord — and here at Bryce ski resort, wonderfully, amazingly, is a Catholic church, right at the foot of the main slope. What a happy visit we had — if off-season, but that just means we must return soon! Visit date: Sunday, November 26,…
Back out on I-66 West, this time veering south on Route 29 towards Charlottesville, a most familiar route. New to us on this trip, was a stay at the 18th century mansion, Inn at Meander near Culpepper, where we enjoyed the sunset over the Blue Ridge and a hearty colonial meal, then off to Our…
Our Rejoice in Mary Jubilee Journey ended magnificently at Fredericksburg. I commenced writing this post on the evening of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which brings even fonder memories of our visit to this extraordinary parish. Father Dansereau, who joyously welcomed us to the parish, pointed out the connection between the church and the…
