When Cardinal Wilton Gregory was appointed as the archbishop for The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, he outlined his vision: “I seek to be a pastor for this entire family of faith.” Since then, he has traveled throughout the archdiocese, celebrating Mass, blessing sacred spaces, and meeting parishioners as part of his commitment to pastoral outreach.
Through visits to parishes large and small, he has joined communities in celebrating milestones, worshiping together, and reflecting on the Church’s mission to welcome, unify and serve.
At Our Lady of the Visitation Parish in Darnestown, Maryland, parishioners gathered on June 13, 2021 to mark the Church’s 30th anniversary. Cardinal Gregory spoke about the parish’s diversity and community spirit in his homily.
“You are a highly diverse community that welcomes people from many nations of the world to become one family in faith,” he said.
At Church of the Resurrection in Burtonsville, Maryland, he celebrated the parish’s 40th anniversary in November 2021, acknowledging the role of parishioners in shaping its history.
“To these pioneer families who are here present, and to those who could not join us today, I say from the heart, thank you, thank you, thank you,” he said.
His parish visits have also included blessing renovated spaces. In August 2021, he traveled to the Shrine of St. Jude in Rockville, Maryland, where he blessed the Church’s newly restored roof. The following June at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Silver Spring, he blessed the refurbished Adoration Chapel, emphasizing the role of sacred spaces in worship and prayer.
On Easter Sunday in April 2022 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Cardinal Gregory delivered a homily on the resurrection’s message for believers.
“Easter is a story that can only be spoken and must be communicated by ordinary people – folks like you and me – with all our faults, failings, inadequacies and fears,” he said.
He also welcomed new members into the Church, saying their presence strengthens the faith community.
“Today, the Church throughout the world is resplendent with joy because we have been enriched with new brothers and sisters in the family of faith,” he said. “The mystery, which is the Church, is renewed in them; we are a better Church today because of their presence.”
As the archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Gregory has celebrated annual Masses honoring health care workers and first responders to thank them for their service to the community.
At the Rose Mass at Church of the Little Flower in Bethesda in March 2021, he addressed health care professionals, expressing gratitude for their dedication.
“These fine men and women represent the bright light for us, and during this pandemic, they have increased that light,” he said.
At the Blue Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., in May 2023, he honored first responders for their role in safeguarding the public.
“The men and women charged with safeguarding public safety have long been heroes in our midst,” he said. “You are deeply respected for your courageous and generous spirit of public service.”
During parish visits, Cardinal Gregory has encouraged laypeople to actively participate in their faith and parish communities.
At a Mass for the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in Washington in January 2023, he urged Catholics to strengthen the Church’s social mission.
“In these difficult days, we need to reach out more broadly to make our case more effectively and call the entire Catholic community in the United States to a renewed and more urgent sense of social mission,” he said.
His pastoral engagement has also included recognizing the contributions of women in the Church. During the 100th anniversary Mass for the National Council of Catholic Women in August 2021, he expressed gratitude for their leadership, saying, “Your devotion to the mission of Christ inspires us to be more faithful, loving and devoted to the service of the Church.”
He also reflected on the resilience of Catholic women in times of crisis, noting their role in responding to global challenges.
Cardinal Gregory has also emphasized the importance of supporting older adults. At the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in July 2021, he marked the inaugural World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, urging Catholics to recognize their wisdom and contributions.
“Because of their age, they have memories of moments from the past which they are more than eager to share with us,” he said. “Our Holy Father, in designating this special moment for grandparents and the elderly, wishes all of us to deepen our concern for one another.”
In December 2020, following Cardinal Gregory’s elevation to the College of Cardinals, 17-year-old Rechelle Febrer, an Archdiocesan Youth Leadership Team member, reflected on his impact.
“Cardinal Gregory will be the first African American cardinal, which is so incredibly monumental,” she said. “Especially in the Archdiocese of Washington, we’re so blessed with such a diverse community of Catholics. His appointment will better represent and embrace our diversity.”
Reflecting on her encounter with Cardinal Gregory at the 2020 Rally and Mass for Life, Febrer recalled, “Our team was dancing together to the music when Cardinal Gregory came out to greet us with a bright smile on his face. He ensured that he shook the hand of every single member of the team, despite how many people were waiting to see him.”
Cardinal Gregory has also used technology to expand his outreach, engaging with digital platforms to foster dialogue and connection. He maintains an active presence on X, formerly Twitter, where he shares messages of faith, encouragement and social engagement with the broader Catholic community.
In February 2024 during a Jesuitical podcast from America Media titled A Listening Church in a Divided Nation, Cardinal Gregory emphasized the importance of open dialogue in the Church. Reflecting on the Synod of Bishops in Rome, he noted the diversity of participants and the value of synodality.
“Whenever I’ve experienced the Church in true dialogue and open conversation, that’s synodality. Whenever the Church gathers and everyone feels respected and can open their hearts, that’s synodality,” he said.
In the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, Cardinal Gregory urged unity and healing, addressing students at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C., one week later. He called on the community to reject division and bigotry, stating, “We need the Lord to cast out the spirit of evil, hatred, division, bigotry, racism, inequity.” Comparing the nation’s struggles to an illness, he added, “Just like Jesus did in his own day, we need to be healed of our illnesses and have the spirit of hatred and division cast out.”
Cardinal Gregory has remained committed to addressing past wrongs and supporting survivors of sexual abuse. During an April 2022 Mass at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Potomac, Maryland, to mark National Child Abuse Prevention Month, he expressed deep remorse, stating, “I must and I do accept as my own, the pain that has come to any of our people through the activities of my coworkers, and I need to apologize for any heartache that has been the result of their crimes and sins and that has touched the lives of any person in this local Church.”
At the Outreach LGBTQ Catholic Ministry Conference in June 2023, Cardinal Gregory highlighted the importance of dialogue and pastoral care for LGBTQ Catholics. He framed open conversation as a key aspect of synodality, stating, “Sincerely and openly speaking and listening to one another under the light and guidance of the Holy Spirit is the way that the Church grows in perfection.”
Recognizing the needs of LGBTQ Catholics, he called for compassionate pastoral care, saying, “I pray that this conference advances that goal and makes us a stronger, holier, and more welcoming Church and nation.”
From parish Churches and chapels to gatherings of Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Washington, Cardinal Gregory’s pastoral outreach has demonstrated his approach to engaging with the faithful. While celebrating parish milestones, offering blessings to different groups, or encouraging young Catholics, the cardinal in his pastoral visits has highlighted the connection between clergy, laity and the wider Church.
“Our Catholic Church is called to be a great sacrament of the love of God,” he once said.
