Service of Remembrance Tonight



Raising of Lazurus - Carl Bloch

Through music, scripture and the reading of names, we come together this evening at 7:30 p.m. to remember and pray for our loves ones who have passed from this world into eternal life in Christ.

Our music is the Requiem Mass of Gabriel Fauré, performed by the Adult Choir and the Blessed Sacrament Festival Orchestra. The Bells of Blessed Sacrament will begin and end the service.

Whether you have suffered a loss or come as a companion to one who has, this evening will be inspirational. Please join us.

Matthew Kelly Coming to Speak on March 22, 2014

Acclaimed writer and speaker Matthew Kelly is coming to the Arlington Diocese for a special event -- "Living Every Day with Passion & Purpose." Co-hosted by Blessed Sacrament and other parishes, this morning-long celebration of faith will take place on March 22, 2014, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Saint Mary's church in Alexandria.



"Are you aching for more? Do you want to experience your faith more deeply? Draw closer to God, deepen your understanding of his plan for your life, and gain renewed passion to live that plan out."
-- This program seeks to help you to become a bold and dynamic Catholic, "living with passion and purpose."

Said one pastor about Kelly's book Rediscover Catholicism, “Continually, parishioners tell me how much they are enjoying the book, learning from it, re-reading it, sharing it with others, and discovering a side of their Catholicism they had not seen before. People continue to talk about this book, both in and out of confession.”

So, save the date, tell your friends, and get tickets here for this exciting event.

Election Day 2013

Tuesday, November 5th, is Election Day in Virginia. All Catholics capable of doing so are encouraged to fulfill the moral obligation to vote, exercising a well-formed conscience. This year, the Virginia Catholic Conference provides the results of a candidate survey of all major races to assist you. As well, Bishop Loverde of Arlington and Bishop DiLorenzo of Richmond have issued a joint letter to help Catholics make informed decisions in light of Church teachings.

"Many issues are important [but] not all issues have equal moral weight. . . . When the issue is whether to protect or deny the fundamental right to life, it outweighs other matters," Bishops Loverde and DiLorenzo explain. "This consistent ethic of life provides the proper moral foundation for our engagement in political life. As Catholics, we must seek the best ways to respond to the many needs of our neighbors, at every stage of life and in every condition. Indeed, we must be attentive to all issues that affect human life and dignity and the common good."

Francis on St. Thérèse Before He was Pope

Love in Little Things

Letter to St. Thérèse
Albino Cardinal Luciani (Pope John Paul the First)

Love in little things. Often this is the only kind possible. I never had the chance to jump into a river to save a drowning man; I have been very often asked to lend something, to write letters, to give simple and easy instructions. I have never met a mad dog; instead I have met some irritating flies and mosquitoes. I have never had persecutors beat me but many people disturb me with noises in the street, with the volume of the television turned up too high or unfortunately with making noise in drinking soup. To help, however, one can not take it amiss, to be understanding; to remain calm and smiling (as much as possible) in such occasions is to love one’s neighbor without rhetoric in a practical way.

-From the book, Illustrissimi