Basilica of Saint Mary Podcast

Episode 359: Father Peter Clem Introduces Himself to the Basilica of Saint Mary Community

Father Peter Clem, YA, is the Basilica of Saint Mary's new parochial vicar, effective June 30, 2022. He was ordained on June 4, 2022.  He shares about himself, including his vocation story, who some of his spiritual heroes are and what the secret is to giving an excellent homily. Click here to learn more about Youth Apostles (YA).

Episode 358: William Manaker, SJ, Shares about His Path So Far to Becoming a Jesuit Priest

William Manaker, SJ, who is discerning the priesthood for the Society of Jesus and whose family are parishioners at the Basilica,  talks about what led him to the Jesuits and what the differences are between a diocesan priest and a religious order priest. He also talks about how people can incorporate one of the core elements of Ignatian spirituality – finding God in all things – into their prayer life and every day lives.

Episode 357: Father Joseph Townsend's Homily for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Father Joseph Townsend, a Parochial Vicar at the Basilica of Saint Mary, shares a homily during the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time. It was given in the Basilica on June 26, 2022. 

Episode 356: Father Jerome Fasano Shares About the Influence of Saint Padre Pio in His Life

In this episode, you will hear a reflection about Saint Padre Pio by Father Jerome Fasano, the former pastor of Saint John the Baptist Church in Front Royal, Virginia, who spoke after the 12:10 p.m. Mass in the Basilica on June 23, 2022 in honor of Saint Pio’s relics being present in the Basilica on that day. Click here to see photos. 

Episode 355: Aaron Zanca Reflects on the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Aaron Zanca, the assistant director of the Youth and Young Adult Apostolates at the Basilica, recently gave a Theology on Tap talk. In this episode, Aaron offers a summation of the talk, during which he traces the history and the theological definition of the devotion to the Sacred Heart, whose feast day the church will celebrate on June 24th, 2022. He also talks about the social reign of Christ through the promulgation of just laws and the social doctrine of the Church, which reminds us tha...

Episode 354: Father Edward Hathaway's Homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus

Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector of the Basilica of Saint Mary, shares a homily during the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus. It was given in the Basilica on June 19, 2022. 

Episode 353: Father Bob Monagle, a Priest Who Assists at the Basilica, Talks about His Vocation Story and His Life as a U.S. Air Force Chaplain

Father Bob Monagle is a military chaplain, and a Colonel, with the U.S. Air Force. He occasionally assists at the Basilica of Saint Mary during weekend and daily Masses. He shares his journey to becoming a priest, what's involved in being a military chaplain and what he appreciates about assisting at the Basilica.  

Episode 352: Father David Dufresne's Homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Father David Dufresne, a Parochial Vicar at the Basilica of Saint Mary, shares a homily during the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. It was given in the Basilica on June 12, 2022. 

Episode 351: Father Edward Hathaway's Homily for Pentecost Sunday

Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector of the Basilica of Saint Mary, shares a homily during Pentecost Sunday. It was given in the Basilica on June 5, 2022. 

Episode 350: Father Joseph Townsend Shares a First Communal Saturday Reflection on the Fifth Luminous Mystery of the Rosary

Father Joseph Townsend, a Parochial Vicar at the Basilica, shares a First Communal Saturday reflection on the Fifth Luminous Mystery of the Rosary, the Institution of the Eucharist. It was given on June 4, 2022. 

Episode 349: What Are the Sisters Reading during the Month of June?

Welcome to another monthly episode of “What Are the Sisters Reading?" The guests are Sister Kathryn Hermes, FSP, who will share her thoughts on a book called “St. Charles de Foucauld: His Life and Spirituality.” The book offers an insightful portrait of this recently canonized saint. In the second interview, Sister Emily Beata Marsh, FSP, reflects on a children’s book called “St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” which she wrote. The feast of the Sacred Heart is coming ...

Episode 348: Father Edward Hathaway's Homily for the Ascension of the Lord

Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector of the Basilica, shares a homily during the Ascension of the Lord. It was given in the Basilica on May 29, 2022. 

Episode 347: Deacon John O'Farrell's Journey to Becoming a Priest

Deacon John O'Farrell, a Basilica parishioner, will be ordained to the priesthood on June 4th, 2022, at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More. He will celebrate his first Mass as a priest in the Basilica of Saint Mary on June 5th at 1 p.m., followed by a reception that all are invited to attend in the Basilica’s Lyceum Auditorium. In this podcast, Deacon O’Farrell talks about his journey to becoming a priest and what he looks forward to once he is ordained. 

Episode 346: Father Joseph Townsend's Homily for the Sixth Sunday of Easter

Father Joseph Townsend, a Parochial Vicar at the Basilica, shares a homily during the Sixth Sunday of Easter. It was given in the Basilica on May 22, 2022. 

Episode 345: How to be Being Prepared and at Peace for Funeral Services and Estate Planning

This episode features Antonia Cummings, a Catholic licensed funeral director, and J. Douglas McCarthy, a partner with the law firm of McCarthy & Akers, who shared on various issues relating to the end of life, funeral services, and estate planning. This podcast was recorded on May 12th, 2022 in the Basilica's Lyceum Auditorium. The afternoon's topic was titled: "Being Prepared and at Peace: A Funeral Services and Estate Planning Program."

Episode 344: Father Hathaway's Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Easter

Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector of the Basilica of Saint Mary, shares a homily during the Fifth Sunday of Easter. It was given in the Basilica on May 15, 2022. 

Episode 343: Father David Dufresne's Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Easter

Father David Dufresne, a Parochial Vicar at the Basilica of Saint Mary, shares a homily during the Fourth Sunday of Easter. It was given in the Basilica on May 8, 2022. 

Episode 342: Father Edward Hathaway Reflects on the Fourth Luminous Mystery of the Rosary

Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector of the Basilica of Saint Mary, offers a reflection on the fourth Luminous Mystery of the Rosary, the Transfiguration, during our Communal First Saturday for May. This meditation was recorded on May 7, 2022.

Episode 341: Sister Emily Beata Marsh Talks about "Everyday Holiness: Not As Complicated As You Think"

Sister Emily Beata Marsh, FSP, the vocation director for the Daughters of Saint Paul, shares a Theology on Tap talk called “Everyday Holiness: Not As Complicated As You Think.” It was recorded at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub on May 2, 2022.

Episode 340: Msgr. Michael Morgan, a Priest Who Assists at the Basilica, Shares His Vocation Story and Why He Loves Celebrating Mass Here

Msgr. Michael Morgan is a priest of the Diocese of St. Augustine and a canon lawyer for the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C. For the past seven years, he occasionally assists at the Basilica of Saint Mary during weekend and daily Masses. He shares his vocation story, what he does for the Apostolic Nunciature, and why he loves celebrating Mass at the Basilica.  

Episode 339: Spotlight on World Day of Prayer for Vocations with Seminarian Alex Solsma

In this episode, in honor of World Day of Prayer for Vocations, which will be celebrated on May 8, 2022, my guest is Alex Solsma, a seminarian with the Diocese of Arlington and the former director of communications and evangelization at the Basilica. He talks about his journey of discernment for what he hopes is his future vocation as a priest and the importance of prayer during that journey.   The purpose of World day of Prayer for Vocations is to publicly fulfill the Lord's instructi...

Episode 338: Father Hathaway's Homily for the Third Sunday of Easter

Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector of the Basilica, shares his homily for the third Sunday of Easter. It was recorded in the Basilica on May 1, 2022.

Episode 337: What Are the Sisters Reading during the Month of May?

This episode is another in a monthly series called “What Are the Sisters Reading?” Sisters from the Daughters of Saint Paul will review and reflect upon spiritual books that will help Catholics grow in relationship to God. In today's episode, Sister Sean Mayer, FSP, and Sister Kathryn Hermes, FSP, are the guests. Here's what they are reading: Sister Emily shares about "The Journey of our Love: The Letters of St Gianna Beretta & Pietro Molla." You can purchase it by clicking here.  Meanwhil...

Episode 336: Father Joseph Townsend's Homily for Divine Mercy Sunday, the Second Sunday of Easter

Father Joseph Townsend, a Parochial Vicar at the Basilica of Saint Mary, shares a homily during Divine Mercy Sunday, the Second Sunday of Easter. It was given in the Basilica on April 24, 2022. 

Episode 335: Father Hathaway's Homily for Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord

Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector of the Basilica, shares his homily for Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord. It was recorded in the Basilica on April 17, 2022.

Episode 334: How the Lenten Book Club Impacted Participants' Faith Lives

Several participants in the recent Lenten Book Club on Saint Augustine’s book, "Confessions," led by Dr. Chad Pecknold, the Basilica’s Resident Theologian for the Institute for Faith and Public Culture, share how the book club transformed their Lent and helped them grow closer to the Lord. Click here to learn more about the institute.   

Episode 333: The Mary Martha Guild Adds Beauty to the Basilica during Holy Week

Christine Kleiber is the Basilica’s leader for the Mary Martha Guild, an apostolate that maintains the Basilica church in harmony with the liturgical calendar through installation of floral designs and other displays. In this episode, she talks about the goal of the Guild, which is to support the parish as center of excellence through the beauty of art, and shares about what's involved in making the Basilica beautiful during Holy Week.  To contribute monetarily to the floral designs in the...

Episode 332: Father Hathaway's Homily for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector of the Basilica, shares his homily for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. It was recorded in the Basilica on April 10, 2022.

Episode 331: David Elliott Reflects on the Tenebrae Service at the Basilica during Holy Week

Episode 330: Dr. Chad Pecknold's Lenten Book Club on Saint Augustine's "Confessions" -- Part 5

Dr. Chad Pecknold, the Basilica’s Resident Theologian for the Institute for Faith & Public Culture, shares in part five of a five-part series of his Lenten Book Club series on Saint Augustine’s "Confessions." It was recorded on April 6, 2022.  Click here to learn more about the institute. 

Episode 329: Erin Thielman Talks about “The Weight of 40 Days: Encountering Christ” during Theology on Tap

In this episode, we hear a Theology on Tap talk by Erin Thielman, a Basilica parishioner and frequent guest on EWTN and the Catholic Faith Network. Her talk was called “The Weight of 40 Days: Encountering Christ.” It was recorded at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub on April 4, 2022.

Episode 328: Father David Dufresne's Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Lent

Father David Dufresne, a parochial vicar at the Basilica, shares his homily for the Fifth Sunday of Lent. It was recorded in the Basilica on April 3, 2022. 

Episode 327: Father David Dufresne Reflects on the Third Luminous Mystery of the Rosary

Father David Dufresne, a parochial vicar at the Basilica of Saint Mary, offers a reflection on the third Luminous Mystery of the Rosary, the proclamation of the Kingdom, during our Communal First Saturday for April. This meditation was recorded on April 2, 2022.

Episode 326: Dr. Chad Pecknold's Lenten Book Club on Saint Augustine's "Confessions" -- Part 4

Dr. Chad Pecknold, the Basilica’s Resident Theologian for the Institute for Faith & Public Culture, shares in part four of a five-part series of his Lenten Book Club series on Saint Augustine’s "Confessions." It was recorded on March 30, 2022.  Click here to learn more about the institute. 

Episode 325: What Are the Sisters Reading?

This episode kicks off a monthly series called “What Are the Sisters Reading?” Sisters from the Daughters of Saint Paul will review and reflect upon spiritual books that will help Catholics grow in relationship to God. Sister Emily Marsh, FSP, and Sister Sean Mayer, FSP, are today’s guests. In this episode, for the month of April, Sister Emily shares about Mysterion: The Revelatory Power of the Sacramental Worldview by Father Harrison Ayre, while Sister Sean reflects on Introduction to Chri...

Episode 324: Father Hathaway's Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent

Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector of the Basilica, shares his homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent. It was recorded in the Basilica on March 27, 2022. 

Episode 323: Basilica Apostolate to Help Those Suffering from the War in Ukraine

AnnaMaria Kaczmarski, a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas apostolate, talks about the importance of helping those who have been adversely affected by the war in Ukraine. The Catholic Daughters apostolate will be collecting free-will donations for Ukrainian refugees following the Masses on April 2-3, 2022. The collected donations will then be sent to Caritas Internationalis.

Episode 322: Dr. Chad Pecknold's Lenten Book Club on Saint Augustine's "Confessions" -- Part 3

Dr. Chad Pecknold, the Basilica’s Resident Theologian for the Institute for Faith & Public Culture, shares in part three of a five-part series of his Lenten Book Club series on Saint Augustine’s "Confessions." It was recorded on March 23, 2022.  Click here to learn more about the institute. 

Episode 321: Father Edward Hathaway's Homily for the Third Sunday of Lent

Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector of the Basilica, shares his homily for the Third Sunday of Lent. It was recorded in the Basilica on March 20, 2022. 

Episode 320: Dr. Chad Pecknold's Lenten Book Club on Saint Augustine's "Confessions" -- Part 2

Dr. Chad Pecknold, the Basilica’s Resident Theologian for the Institute for Faith & Public Culture, shares in part two of a five-part series of his Lenten Book Club series on Saint Augustine’s "Confessions." Click here to learn more about the institute. 

Episode 319: Leonardo Defilippis Talks about "Tolton: From Slave to Priest" Theater Production

Leonardo Defilippis is the president of Saint Luke Productions. In this episode, he talks about “Tolton: From Slave to Priest,” a multimedia theater production that will be performed in the Lyceum Auditorium at 7 p.m. on March 28, 2022. The play focuses on telling the amazing story of the life of Augustus Tolton, a man who overcame great odds and institutional racism to become a priest. The play is being co-sponsored by the Basilica of Saint Mary, the Diocesan Black Catholic Ministries Off...

Episode 318: Sister Angela de Fatima Coelho Reflects on the Eucharistic Message of Our Lady of Fatima

A world-renowned expert and speaker on the Messages of Our Lady of Fatima, Sister Angela de Fatima Coelho, MD, ASM, shared  a morning reflection on the Eucharistic Message of Our Lady of Fatima on March 12, 2022 in the Lyceum Auditorium. She was invited to speak at the request of the Luminaries of Holy Mary, a Basilica apostolate that meets on the third Saturday morning of each month to prayerfully ponder the message of Fatima and grow closer to our Lord through a devotion to the Immaculate...

Episode 317: Father Hathaway's Homily for the Second Sunday in Lent

Father Edward Hathaway, the Rector of the Basilica, shares his homily for the Second Sunday in Lent. It was recorded in the Basilica on March 13, 2022. 

Episode 316: Dr. Chad Pecknold's Lenten Book Club on Saint Augustine's "Confessions" -- Part 1

Dr. Chad Pecknold, the Basilica’s Resident Theologian for the Institute for Faith & Public Culture, shares in part one of a five-part series of his Lenten Book Club on Saint Augustine’s "Confessions." Click here to learn more about the institute. 

Episode 315: Brendan Cooney Talks about the Upcoming Saint Patrick Irish Hooley

Brendan Cooney, the president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Alexandria, talks about the upcoming Saint Patrick Irish Hooley, a lively afternoon that honors and celebrates Irish heritage with food, music, singing and dancing. Families and children of all ages are invited to enjoy the festivities on Sunday, March 13, 2022 from 2 to 4 p.m. in The Basilica School of Saint Mary Gym, 400 Green Street, Alexandria. Tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for children. They are available for purc...

Episode 314: Praying for Vocations with the Serra Club of Arlington

In today's episode, Mary Petrino, a Basilica parishioner and vice president of communications for the Serra Club of Arlington, talks about the importance of promoting, fostering and praying for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life. She invites people to attend a Holy Hour with Solemn Vespers on Thursday, March 24, 2022, in the Basilica from 7-8 p.m. that is being sponsored by the Serra Club of Arlington. All are welcome to attend to adore the Lord in the Most Blessed Sa...

Episode 313: Father Noah Morey's Homily for the First Sunday in Lent

Father Noah Morey, a priest-in-residence at the Basilica and the chaplain of Bishop Ireton High School, shares a homily for the first Sunday in Lent. It was recorded in the Basilica on March 6, 2022. 

Episode 312: Father Noah Morey Reflects on the Second Luminous Mystery of the Rosary

Father Noah Morey, a priest-in-residence at the Basilica and the chaplain of Bishop Ireton High School, offers a reflection on the second Luminous Mystery of the Rosary, the miracle of the wedding feast at Cana, during our Communal First Saturday for March. This meditation was recorded on March 5, 2022.

Episode 311: Father Edward Hathaway's Homily for the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Father Edward Hathaway shares a homily during the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. It was recorded at the Basilica on February 27, 2022.

Episode 310: Father David Dufresne's Homily for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Father David Dufresne, a Parochial Vicar at the Basilica, shares a homily during the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. It was recorded on February 20, 2022.