Located just two blocks from the White House, the Catholic Information Center is situated close to the political heart of the world's only remaining superpower.

As I learned on a recent visit, it's also close — in a spiritual sense — to the heart of the Church.

The center offers a myriad of services and opportunities for Catholics who find themselves in downtown Washington. With a beautiful chapel, extensive bookstore and

opportunities for spiritual direction and reception of the sacraments, it's an oasis of orthodox Catholicity in the very seat of American governance.

The center was established in 1957 by Redemptorist Father James Coen. His aim was to not only support his order's works in D.C. but also to establish there a presence for people interested in exploring the Catholic faith. Although originally situated in small quarters and run on something of a shoestring budget, the center continued under the direction of the Redemptorists for 35 years. Hundreds of inquirers were received into the Church and thousands of others received ministry and aid.

In 1992, the Catholic Information Center became an official agency of the Archdiocese of Washington, placing it under the auspices of Cardinal James Hickey. Since that time, the work of the center has been entrusted to the priests of Opus Dei — first under the leadership of Father Michael Curtin and then under the center's current director, Father C. John McCloskey III.

Well known in circles far beyond the reach of the center, Father McCloskey is often associated with his ministry to high-profile politicians. A prolific author and media figure in both the Church and secular worlds, Father McCloskey seems to be just as at home when answering questions for Fox News and CNN as he does on EWTN. When he refers to himself with a laugh as a “Catholic crossover artist,” he's only half kidding.

When articulating a vision for ministry, however, he pushes all jokes aside. He notes that, although he appears to be a very public figure, he offers a very personalized ministry. “The most important thing I do is come in to the Catholic Information Center each day,” he says, pointing out that Mass is offered daily here, confessors are available throughout the day and the Eucharist is exposed for adoration every afternoon.

“My desire is that everyone who walks through the doors be treated as a son or daughter of God and get what they need for their spiritual journey,” he says. “Everything else is peripheral to that.”

A Wise Investment

Since assuming responsibility for the Catholic Information Center in 1998, Father McCloskey has over-seen a number of initiatives and two moves, including the one that brought the center to its present location.

Physically, the center is an inviting facility housed on the first floor of the historic Investment Building, which was built in 1924 and recently renovated, the building has a classic Renaissance-Revival exterior and a thoroughly modern interior. Its attractive new décor, prime location and historic underpinnings all contributed to its being awarded a special Star Award for Excellence from the Washington Building Congress in 2001.

The Catholic Information Center is home to tasteful meeting rooms, bright offices and the city's largest Catholic bookstore. This fits well with Father McCloskey's stated goal of establishing “the best Catholic bookstore in the United States.” The book selections are strong in terms of both quantity and quality. For those who need suggestions, Father McCloskey has developed a “Lifetime Reading Plan” that consists of 100 recommended titles. The plan is available free of charge at the center and is also posted on its Web site, www.cicdc.org.

All of the recommended texts are available in the bookstore; a third of them are also available in Spanish. For further direction, Father McCloskey plays the part of the good doctor. He is willing to dole out personal suggestions for reading, inscribed on a page from the thick “spiritual reading prescription pad” that sits on his desk.

St. Escrivá’ s Emblem

The Catholic Information Center has always housed a chapel — but now it's got an especially unique one: the only sanctuary in the United States dedicated to St. Josemaría Escrivá, canonized last Oct. 6.

St. Josemaría is well known as the founder of Opus Dei and for his strong articulation of the teaching that members of the laity are called to lives of true devotion and holiness in the midst of their everyday world. He believed that all members of the Church have an important role to play in transforming the prevailing culture for Christ. This message seems to be particularly timely during this era — and well suited for a chapel located in the nation's capital.

The chapel itself is well appointed. A beautiful gold tabernacle serves as the chapel's centerpiece and focus. Lovely statues of St. Josemaría and St. Catherine of Siena are located on either side of the altar. St. Jean Vianney, patron saint of parish priests, is featured in a stained-glass image that serves as a reminder of the center's pastoral mission to all who visit.

Meanwhile, a complimentary image of St. Thomas More, patron of politicians, calls to mind the center's outreach in the heart of our nation's government.

The chapel, which can accommodate 100 people, hosts a steady stream of visitors stopping in daily for reflection and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The noontime Mass typically draws a crowd of 75 or more, consisting of both visiting travelers and local regulars.

During my visit, I found the Catholic Information Center to be an amazing weave of both contemplation and activity. In addition to its regular offerings, the center also hosts what seems like an endless stream of special events: book signings by some of the nation's most prominent Catholic authors, screenings of movies with special appeal to Catholics, evenings of recollection for men and women, and an ongoing lecture series on a variety of topics. The week I visited, C-SPAN, the cable public-affairs channel, had already covered one event and was scheduled to return for another.

An invaluable resource for spiritual seekers, the Catholic Information Center is a must-stop for the Catholic traveler who finds himself in the nation's capital on business or for pleasure.

Patricia A. Crawford writes from Winter Park, Florida.