The Basilica of Saint Mary — Attraction in Alexandria

The Basilica of St. Mary, while it lacks the unique smell of a church steeped for years in candles and incense, is visually quiet and quite beautiful. It exudes an air of holiness.

Its priests are both serious and loving; that is, they are quite clear about the demands God places upon Catholics and also quite clear about the mercy and grace afforded to us by God.

The congregation, in all of the many services, is a broad mix of ages (with a lot of babies and children), income levels, and backgrounds.

It's a wonderful community to belong to and Father Hathaway, the rector, is a spiritual leader...

Love this Parish! If you consider yourself a “traditional Catholic” I think you’ll like it here! Beautiful old building, kneeling for communion, which I love, altar boys only, which I also love, very active Knights of Columbus. Every time I come here the Knights are always doing something positive. I wish there was a Latin Mass here, but this is the next best thing! Love the Latin and chants! Wish you used incense more often and had some murals on the plain walls around the sanctuary; those are my only critiques! Very active Parish in a beautiful historic part...

I encountered a very racially insensitive interaction with a white priest here. An EMHC, I asked for a host for my pyx to take to a sick and shut in Catholic. Even though I had all my materials and proof of my role, this priest interrogated me as though I were a thief and refused to give me a host, even though he was preparing other pyxes. I believe he did this because I was not white. It is unfortunate, for this is what makes many people of color question whether the Catholic church is truly open...