Dignity Washington

LGBT Catholics at Dignity Washington hosted a variety of Holy Week activities. These included: stations of the cross, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil.

Dignity Washington Walks the Stations of the Cross

Walking the Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross

On Saturday April 12, a larger than usual group of members from Dignity/Washington journeyed the Stations of the Cross together in the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land’s very beautiful garden near the campus of Catholic University in NE DC. The gardens are settled in many acres of the Monastery grounds with outdoor shrines and, of course, the Stations which lead you uphill to the eleventh station. That day everyone took turns reading the meditations as well as a prayer before each station. The majority of the group gathered for lunch and fellowship at a nearby Mexican restaurant afterwards.

Holy Thursday

On Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) Dignity/Washington and St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church celebrated an ecumenical liturgy. Both communities gathered in the social hall for the Liturgy of the Word, before feasting on a beautiful Agape meal (Love feast) of lamb or vegetarian stews, nuts, olives, and wine provided in the social hall. Rev. Emily Guthrie provided an amazing welcome and homily centered on service and love, even referencing the great works of Dorothy Day.

After the meal, both communities gathered in the church and the procession began. During the washing of the feet, all were invited to have their feet washed and wash the feet of others. Numerous members expressed how moved they were by the experience. The Eucharist was concelebrated by St. Margaret’s Rev. Kym and a priest from Dignity/Washington. After communion, both communities processed the Eucharist to the Altar of Repose where a vigil was held until 6:00 the following morning.

Seder Meal on Holy Thursday

Foot washing on Holy Thursday at St. Margarets

Good Friday

On Good Friday members of Dignity/Northern Virginia joined Dignity/Washington for a lay led service presided by members of both communities. The narrative and reflections of the “Seven Last Words” by Rev. Richard Fairchild was read and a candle was extinguished in Tenebrae style. A traditional procession of the cross to the foot of the altar and veneration took place before communion was distributed.

Good Friday–Dignity Washington

Good Friday at St. Margarets

Easter Vigil

Dignity/Washington celebrated the Great Vigil of Easter at 10:00 in the evening on Holy Saturday with all of the incredibly traditional and powerful grandeur. Some passers-by along Dupont Circle’s busy Connecticut Avenue even stopped to witness the lighting of the Paschal Candle.

It was an exceptionally Holy Night for the Dignity/Washington community as Jason, a young adult member, received the Sacrament of Confirmation after several months of formation and preparation. His sponsors, Kenneth and Alexander, and all in the community were invited to extend their hands during the laying of hands and anointing of his head with the Sacred Chrism. Jason chose the name “Francis” for his confirmation. After Mass, members gathered in the social hall for a late night dessert social and to present Jason with gifts.

Easter Vigil Fire

Jason is confirmed

Jason with his sponsors, Alexander (L) and Kenneth (R)

Mr. Chuck Hicks, Dignity/Washington president Dan Barutta, Mr. Phil Pannell, and D/W event coordinator Jose-Luis Sanchez

On Sunday, February 23rd, Dignity/Washington was pleased to host Mr. Chuck Hicks, DC Black History Celebration Committee activist and librarian, for a special presentation in commemoration of Black History Month. Mr. Phil Pannell and Mr. Courtney Williams, long-time DC gay black activists, joined Mr. Hicks in speaking from their own life experiences about the history, purpose and on-going value of Black History Month. Mr. Hicks related how the month grew out of early black celebrations of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass whose birthdays both occurred in February.

Panelists Mr. Chuck Hicks and Mr. Courtney Williams listen in as Mr. Phil Pannell (center) answers an audience question.

Mr. Pannell praised Dignity chapters whose foundations followed closely after the 1969 Stonewall riots and drew upon the spiritually militant yet non-violent Catholic tradition of Dorothy Day and Dan and Phil Berrigan. Mr. Williams spoke about growing up as a gay black teenager at historically African-American St. Luke’s Catholic Church in NE DC and the changes in consciousness over the years about the contributions of African-Americans and LGBT individuals to the District.

This event was the latest in an ongoing special lecture series, sponsored by Dignity/Washington and was held at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 1820 Connecticut Avenue, NW.