Visitors and Tours
All Are Welcome!
People from around the United States and around the world visit the Cathedral to join our parish community at Mass, to tour the Cathedral or simply to stop in for prayer in solitude. Individuals, families and groups are invited to schedule a guided tour of the Cathedral (see below) or to take a self-guided tour. If your parish or school group is planning to attend Mass, feel free to call ahead so that we can welcome you from the pulpit. If your group includes Catholic clergy, let us know so that we can extend an invitation to concelebrate or serve at Mass. View our Mass schedule.
Guest Musical Group
Choirs and instrumental groups (local, national and international) have participated in Cathedral liturgies and given special concerts. Find out more about Guest Concerts.
Guided Tours
Individuals, families or groups who wish to have a guided tour of the Cathedral and learn about its history, art and architecture are encouraged to schedule a tour conducted by one of our volunteer tour guides. Visitors also are welcome to take a self-guided tour using the color brochures available at the inside entrance to the Cathedral, beneath the guest registers.
Virtual Tour
Msgr. Jameson, the Cathedral Rector, and his staff are pleased to offer a virtual tour of the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, the artistically significant structure that serves as the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Washington, its Mother Church and principal Catholic church in the nation's capital. Click here to begin the tour.
With a drag or click of your mouse you can look up, down, left, right—all around—and zoom in and out of 11 different areas of the Cathedral interior: the main entrance, the nave, the sanctuary, each of the six chapels, the baptistry, and the burial crypt. The virtual tour was created and produced by Mr. Robert Bryer of Lewes, Delaware, and features panoramic photographs of each of these 11 areas. As you explore, enjoy a recording of St. Matthew’s Schola Cantorum, conducted by Thomas Stehle, Pastoral Associate and Director of Music Ministries, singing Factus est repente de caelo sonus (Suddenly a sound came from heaven) by G. P. da Palestrina (1525-1594). The recording was made in the Cathedral on Pentecost Sunday 2016.
School and Parish Pilgrimages
A pilgrimage may be appropriate for school groups, especially those preparing for the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Parish groups such as the Sodality, Holy Names Society, Knights of Columbus, or certain parish ministries such as servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion or ushers might form a pilgrimage group.
Contact
To notify us of your group's visit or to arrange a guided tour or pilgrimage, please email Dan Evans or call him at the rectory office at 202-347-3215.