About St. Anthony of Padua · Washington, District of Columbia
St. Anthony of Padua is a Catholic parish in the Brookland neighborhood of Northeast Washington, D.C. — an area known as "Little Rome" because more than 50 Catholic institutions settled there between 1900 and 1940 in the shadow of The Catholic University of America. The parish was canonically established in 1892, serves approximately 500 registered families, and is part of the Archdiocese of Washington. It is home to St. Anthony Catholic School (founded 1922), now part of the Consortium of Catholic Academies, and offers a rich schedule of Masses, devotions, and ministries including the traditional 13 Tuesdays Novena to St. Anthony.
- Established
- 1892
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Rev. Frederick J. Close (Fr. Fred Close, Jr.)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington
Why belong here
St. Anthony of Padua offers a deeply rooted Catholic community in the heart of Brookland's 'Little Rome,' just minutes from The Catholic University of America. Worshippers can join four Sunday Masses, a traditional 13 Tuesdays Novena to St. Anthony with Mass, Adoration, and Confession, and the popular Two Hearts First Friday–First Saturday devotion. The parish runs a full stable of ministries — RCIA, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, Charismatic Fellowship, Couples for Christ, Cub/Boy/Girl Scouts, and a music ministry — alongside an adjoining Catholic elementary school serving Pre-K3 through grade 8.
Mass times at St. Anthony of Padua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- First Friday, 10:00 PM to Midnight
- Sunday, 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM
- Monday–Saturday, 8:30 AM (after 8 AM Mass and Adoration, except on school Mass days or funerals)
- Monday, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Tuesday during 13 Tuesdays Novena to St. Anthony (after 6:30 PM Mass, until 8 PM)
Adoration times
- Monday–Saturday, 8:30 AM (after 8 AM Mass, except on school Mass days or funerals)
- Monday, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Tuesday, 7:20 PM to 8:00 PM (after St. Anthony Mass & Novena)
- First Fridays, 10:00 PM to Midnight (Alliance of the Two Hearts Devotion)
- 2nd and 4th Fridays, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Divine Mercy Prayer Group)
- 2nd and 4th Saturday, 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM (in Margot Hall with praise and worship)
Parish History & Founding
St. Anthony of Padua has an unusual founding story rooted in the devotion of one woman. Antoinette Margot, a native of Lyon, France, an associate of Clara Barton and a founding member of the International Red Cross, moved to the newly developed Brookland area in 1891. With her friend Leonide Delarue, she enlisted Fr. Henri Hyvernat, head of the Ancient Languages Department at The Catholic University of America, to organize a parish for the scattered Catholics near the university. The first Mass was celebrated on September 19, 1891, in the home she named 'Theodoron' at 10th and Bunker Hill Road, NE. Cardinal James Gibbons formally created the parish in 1892, appointed Fr. Desire DeWulf as its first official pastor, and suggested the name 'St. Anthony's' in honor of Miss Margot's devotion. The original wood-frame church was dedicated on St. Anthony's feast day, June 13, 1896.
- First Mass: September 19, 1891
- Canonically established: 1892
- First official pastor: Fr. Desire C. DeWulf (appointed Sept. 1892)
- First church dedicated June 13, 1896 (St. Anthony's feast day)
- Founder: Antoinette Margot, International Red Cross founding member and associate of Clara Barton
Little Rome — Brookland Neighborhood
St. Anthony of Padua sits in the heart of Brookland, the Northeast Washington neighborhood popularly known as 'Little Rome.' Following the establishment of The Catholic University of America in 1887–1889 on adjacent land, religious orders established seminaries, houses of study, monasteries, and other institutions in the neighborhood so their members could attend classes. Between 1900 and 1940 more than 50 Catholic institutions rented or owned property in Brookland, and religious men and women in habits were a common sight on the streets.
- Located near The Catholic University of America
- Near the Franciscan Monastery and Dominican House of Studies
- Adjacent to Brookland/CUA Metro station (Red Line)
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Frederick J. Close (Fr. Fred Close, Jr.), who also serves as pastor of the adjoining St. Anthony Catholic School. He is assisted by two permanent deacons — Deacon John Feeley and Deacon Kenneth Lee — along with parish staff handling religious education, business, and bookkeeping. The parish directory also lists Deacon Orlando Batongbakal, who leads the Couples for Christ ministry.
- Pastor: Rev. Frederick J. Close
- Deacon John Feeley
- Deacon Kenneth Lee
- Deacon Orlando Batongbakal (Couples for Christ)
- Business Manager: Ms. Elaine Schaller
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Mr. Arthur Linder
- Bookkeeper: Rose Johnson
Devotions & Novenas
St. Anthony of Padua is especially known for its devotional life. The signature devotion is the '13 Tuesdays' Mass and Novena to St. Anthony: a 6:30 PM Mass, followed by the Novena, Adoration, and Confession until 8 PM — repeated for thirteen consecutive Tuesdays leading up to the June 13 feast. The parish also hosts the Two Hearts First Friday–First Saturday Devotion (Alliance of the Two Hearts), the Nine Offices First Friday Devotion, the Immaculate Conception Novena (Mondays 5:30 PM), the Novena to the Miraculous Medal, and a daily evening Rosary hosted by the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women.
- 13 Tuesdays Novena to St. Anthony (Tuesday 6:30 PM Mass, Adoration until 8 PM)
- Two Hearts First Friday–First Saturday Devotion
- Nine Offices First Friday Devotion (begins 8:30 PM Friday, continues through 12:15 AM Saturday Mass)
- Immaculate Conception Novena — Mondays 5:30 PM
- Novena to the Miraculous Medal
- Daily Rosary via conference call — 8 PM, hosted by Archdiocesan CCW
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Anthony of Padua spans a range of programs for children, youth, and adults. Sunday School (Coordinator of Religious Education: Mr. Arthur Linder) provides catechesis for parish children, while Catechesis of the Good Shepherd offers a Montessori-style atrium experience. RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) meets every Sunday at 9 AM in the Ministries Room for those exploring Catholicism or preparing to receive the sacraments. The parish also supports the Catholic school community right next door.
- Sunday School — contact Arthur Linder, [email protected]
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd — Cecile Salonga
- RCIA — Sundays 9 AM, Ministries Room; contact Andrew Russell, 202-526-2487
St. Anthony Catholic School
Adjoining the parish church, St. Anthony Catholic School was established in 1922 and currently serves approximately 225 students in Pre-K3 through grade 8. It is located 'in the heart of Brookland,' two blocks from the Brookland/CUA Metro station, and offers before- and aftercare. The school is part of the Consortium of Catholic Academies — a network of Catholic schools in Washington that reach out to underserved communities in the nation's capital. 100% of its graduates are accepted into the most competitive high schools in the region. Principal Michael Thomasian was recently named the Archdiocese of Washington's Principal of the Year.
- Established 1922
- Pre-K3 through Grade 8, ~225 students
- Two blocks from Brookland/CUA Metro
- Member of the Consortium of Catholic Academies
- Principal: Mr. Michael Thomasian
- Pastor (and school chaplain): Rev. Fred Close, Jr.
Parish Ministries & Community Life
The parish supports a wide stable of ministries and small communities. They include the Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Holy Name Society, and Sodality of Our Lady for adult formation and fraternity; Couples for Christ, Cursillo, and Charismatic Fellowship for spiritual renewal; Celebrate Recovery for those healing from hurts and habits; the Divine Mercy Prayer Group; Gabriel Network (pro-life support); St. Vincent de Paul Society, which runs the parish Emergency Food Pantry; and scouting — Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts. Lectors, Ushers, the Music Ministry, and a Parents Group round out parish life.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — Emergency Food Pantry (Wednesdays 9 AM–noon)
- Legion of Mary — weekly prayer meetings
- Knights of Columbus — James Bennett
- Couples for Christ — Deacon Orlando Batongbakal
- Charismatic Fellowship — Bob Quinlan
- Divine Mercy Prayer Group — [email protected]
- RCIA, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Sunday School
Outreach & Social Concerns
The Social Concerns Committee (chaired by Deacon John Feeley) coordinates the parish's outreach to those in need locally and beyond. The St. Vincent de Paul Society operates the parish Emergency Food Pantry on Wednesday mornings, and donations to 'St. Anthony's Bread' are directed to support it. Gabriel Network provides pro-life material and spiritual support for expectant mothers. In-kind donations to the food pantry are welcome, but monetary contributions are preferred.
- St. Vincent de Paul Emergency Food Pantry
- Social Concerns Committee
- Gabriel Network pro-life ministry
- Donations via Faith Direct or Venmo (@stanthonyofpaduaDC)
Liturgical Ministry — Lectors
The Lector ministry at St. Anthony of Padua takes the proclamation of scripture seriously, leveraging Ministry Scheduler Pro (MSP) to give lectors flexibility in choosing their assignments. Lectors serve approximately twice every six weeks and are expected to prepare by reading the assigned texts aloud and silently prior to their scheduled Mass. Both adults and children may serve, with adults mentoring younger lectors. Training is provided; the ministry coordinator is Amanda Alexander.
- Coordinator: Amanda Alexander — 202-526-7667, [email protected]
- Schedule managed via Ministry Scheduler Pro (MSP)
- Welcomes adults and children
Worship, Music & Margot Hall
Liturgical music is led by the parish Music Ministry (Lynné Gray). Adoration with praise and worship is hosted in Margot Hall on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Margot Hall — named for parish foundress Antoinette Margot — also hosts the weekly coffee-and-donuts fellowship after the 10 AM Sunday Mass and serves as the gathering space for ministry fairs, bake sales, and parish events.
- Music Ministry — Lynné Gray, [email protected]
- Praise-and-worship Adoration — 2nd & 4th Saturdays, 6:30–7:30 PM in Margot Hall
- Coffee & Donuts after 10 AM Sunday Mass in Margot Hall
Getting Involved & Communications
Parishioners can sign up to receive updates by Flocknote and follow the parish on Facebook. Online giving is available through Faith Direct, and donations can also be sent via Venmo (@stanthonyofpaduaDC) or by texting the keyword 'StAnthony' to (202) 858-1233. Ministries may post events by emailing [email protected] with at least one week's notice. The parish rector can be reached at [email protected] and the business manager at elaine.stanthon[ydc]@gmail.com.
- Online giving: Faith Direct (DC463)
- Venmo: @stanthonyofpaduaDC
- Text-to-give: keyword StAnthony to (202) 858-1233
- Flocknote email list
- Facebook: facebook.com/St.AnthonyofPaduaInLittleRome
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Henri Hyvernat1891–1892 (unofficial)
Head of the Ancient Languages Department at The Catholic University of America; organized the parish community, celebrated the first Benediction, directed the founding fundraiser that purchased the land, and continued as unofficial assistant to the first pastor.
- Fr. Desire C. DeWulfSeptember 1892–
Appointed by Cardinal James Gibbons as the first official pastor; during his tenure the original wood-frame church was built and dedicated on St. Anthony's feast day, June 13, 1896.
- Rev. Frederick J. Close (Fr. Fred Close, Jr.)present
Current pastor; also serves as pastor of the adjoining St. Anthony Catholic School.