The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington will host its annual Mass honoring the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Shrine of Saint Jude Catholic Church, which is located at 12701 Viers Mill Road in Rockville, Maryland.
The Mass is held each January in observance of the national holiday commemorating Dr. King. Cardinal Robert W. McElroy, the archbishop of Washington, will serve as the principal celebrant and homilist.
Dr. King, a Baptist minister and leader of the American civil rights movement, is remembered for his advocacy of nonviolence, racial justice, and equal rights, and for his famous “I Have a Dream” speech during the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
This year’s Mass honoring Dr. King has as its theme, “The Church and the Dream: Building Peace through Justice.” The annual Mass provides an opportunity for Catholics in the Archdiocese of Washington to pray in remembrance of his life and to reflect on the Church’s call to uphold the dignity of every human person.
Catholic social teaching affirms the inherent dignity of all people and calls for the pursuit of justice, solidarity, and the common good. These principles have long shaped the Church’s engagement with issues of racism, discrimination, and social inequality, which Dr. King addressed throughout his ministry and public leadership.
Parishioners from across the archdiocese, along with members of the wider community, are invited to attend the Mass honoring Dr. King at the Shrine of St. Jude. American Sign Language interpretation is available upon request. Those in need of ASL interpretation are asked to contact deafcatholic@adw.org at least two weeks in advance of the liturgy.
Additional information about the Mass is available through the Secretariat for Evangelization and Synodal Renewal, which can be reached at 301-853-4468.
The Archdiocese of Washington has hosted the annual Mass honoring Dr. King for many years. The liturgy is one of several ways the local Church marks the legacy of Dr. King during the month of January, alongside educational and pastoral efforts that encourage reflection on racial justice and reconciliation.
The Jan. 18 Mass continues that tradition, bringing together clergy and faithful to commemorate the enduring legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through prayer and worship.
