“Nats Mass” and fervent prayers. Does that pique your interest? We’re standing before Saint Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church. This church isn’t just bricks and mortar. It is a place where faith meets baseball.
Saint Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church has stood here since 1903. Architects W. F. Wagner & Brothers designed this Romanesque Revival building. It sits on the corner of South Capitol and M Streets SE. It is one of the oldest church sites in Washington D.C.
Now let’s talk about baseball. Since 2008, when Nationals Park opened, this area gained new life. Saint Vincent de Paul started holding a special “Nats Mass.” This happens before Sunday games. Baseball fans can attend church and then cheer on their team. Imagine the faithful praying for a Nats win.
Back in 1801, this block was known as Cathedral Square. Daniel Carroll of Duddington offered it for D.C.’s Catholic cathedral. He wanted to encourage development in Carrollsburg. Carrollsburg was his family’s village south of the Capitol. But the city’s center grew elsewhere. St. Patrick’s became the unofficial cathedral. Later St. Matthew’s became the official one in 1939.
Even though Pope Benedict XVI in 2008 and Pope Francis in 2015 didn’t visit Saint Vincent de Paul, the “Nats Mass” has been a blessing. It connects the urban parish with Catholics from the suburbs. It also aids the church’s restoration efforts.
In 2017, Maria Bailey from Silver Spring, Maryland, attended the “Nats Mass” with her family. Her son even served as an altar server. She found it welcoming. The Knights of Columbus grilled hot dogs outside. They sold them cheaper than stadium prices. Sister Mary Bader, from St. Ann’s Center, also enjoyed the mass. She found Father Gonzalo’s homily simple and practical.
Father Andrew Gonzalo gives credit to his predecessor for the “Nats Mass” idea. He sees it as evangelization. He meets people where they are. It is like his work in the Congo. The Josephites founded this parish in 1903. They sought to serve African Americans. Now it is a diocesan parish.
Saint Vincent de Paul also hosts services for the Kidane-Mehret Ge’ez Rite Ethiopian Catholic Church. This helps them raise funds for their own building. The church continues to find new ways to serve its rapidly redeveloping neighborhood. So, whether you are a baseball fan or a person of faith, Saint Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church offers a unique blend of community and worship.