Washington National Cathedral

Visitors to Washington National Cathedral can continue the inaugural celebration by lighting candles, leaving messages of hope, saying prayers for the nation and viewing photos of presidential visits, including photos of the inaugural prayer service for President Barack Obama.

The national prayer service will take place at the Cathedral on Wednesday, January 21, 2009, at 10 am, and will be webcast live on the Cathedral’s web site. The Cathedral is not distributing passes to the service; more information is available at www.pic2009.org.

“A Spiritual Home for the Nation: Presidents and Washington National Cathedral,” a new participatory exhibit, will run January 22 through President’s Day, February 15. This special photo exhibit features photos of past presidential visits to Washington National Cathedral and will include photos from the 2009 Inaugural Prayer Service for President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Joseph Biden.

Online participants can light “virtual” candles and leave personal prayers of hope, renewal and reconciliation at www.nationalcathedral.org. Online visitors can also access an historic presidential photo gallery, view video footage of the national prayer service, and explore the role of this church for national purposes throughout the years.

Washington National Cathedral will be open Inauguration Day, Tuesday, January 20, 10 am to 12:30 pm. The Cathedral will be closed to the public the morning of Wednesday, January 21, and will reopen at 1 pm.

The Cathedral’s Center for Prayer and Pilgrimage is open for quiet prayer and meditation Monday, January 19, 10 am–4 pm, Tuesday, January 20, 10 am–12:30 pm, Wednesday, January 21, 1–4 pm, Thursday, January 22–Saturday, January 24, 10 am–4 pm, and Sunday, January 25, 12–4 pm.

Please visit the Cathedral website, www.nationalcathedral.org, to learn about special inauguration offerings beginning Wednesday afternoon, January 21.

SOURCE: Washington National Cathedral