2024 Marks 125 Years Since Our Monastery Was Founded
The inaugural Mass took place on September 17th, 1899 on the Feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis. To mark this important milestone, we are hosting a week of special events.
These celebrations are designed to strengthen the spiritual and institutional ties between our Monastery and Jerusalem, as part of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land. We will also acknowledge the American pilgrims who, through the Washington Commissariat of the Holy Land, have enhanced the link between the U.S. and the Holy Land over the years.
Fr. Francesco Patton, OFM, our Custos, will lead a conference sharing his experiences and offering an update on recent developments in the Holy Land. The week will culminate with a solemn Mass to commemorate our anniversary and give thanks to God, presided over by H.E. Cardinal Wilton Gregory.
Browse the details for each of the celebration events:
Music at the Monastery – Sunday, Sept. 15
Come celebrate with us the 125th anniversary of our Monastery! The festivities start with an outstanding concert on Sunday, September 15, at 4 p.m., in the Main Church. Enjoy organ music performed by six artists gathered for this special occasion!
This will also be the first concert of the new Music at the Monastery season, which will feature a concert every second Sunday of the month, since the summer break.
This will be a beautiful way to begin the week of celebrations in honor of our 125 years with you in Washington D.C.
Mass of the Stigmata – Tuesday, Sept. 17
Join us in one week, on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 5:30 PM, for a special Holy Mass, as we commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Stigmata of Saint Francis. The celebration will take place in the Main Church and is part of a series of events marking the 125th anniversary of the Monastery.
The Stigmata of Saint Francis refers to the miraculous marks resembling the wounds of Christ’s crucifixion that appeared on Saint Francis of Assisi’s body after a profound spiritual experience on Mount La Verna in 1224. These mark symbolize his deep union with Christ and his commitment to living a life of humility, prayer, and service.
To learn more about the Stigmata of Saint Francis – Download the PDF
The Custos’ Conference – Thursday, Sept. 19
On Thursday, September 17, at 6 pm, the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Patton, OFM, will give a conference here in Washington, DC, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Fr. Francesco Patton was appointed Custos of the Holy Land by Pope Francis in 2016. As such, he is a member of the Heads of the Churches of Jerusalem.
Fr Francesco, who lives in Jerusalem as Guardian of the Holy Places for the Catholic Church, will offer a unique testimony about life in the Middle East nearly a year after the start of the war that has devastated the region; he will witness how life goes on for the Christian community in the complicated environment in which the Franciscans of the Holy Land are called to express their delicate mission.
This event will take place at Saint Francis Hall, located at 1340 Quincy Street NE, Washington, DC, and is part of a series of events organized by the Franciscan Monastery to celebrate its 125th anniversary.
Family Day – Saturday, Sept. 21
Join us for Family Day on Saturday, September 21, from 10 am to 3 pm. A day open to all, full of activities and discoveries of the Monastery.
On this occasion, the winner of the photo contest will be announced.
The Family Day is part of a series of events organized by the local community to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Monastery.
Solemn Mass, Card. Gregory, Archbishop of Washington – Sunday, Sept. 22
Join us on Sunday, September 22nd at 11 am, for a solemn Mass of thanksgiving and celebration of our 125th anniversary, presided by His Eminence Cardinal Wilton Gregory, in the presence of Fr. Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land.
This celebration will be the culmination of our week of festivities for our anniversary.