>> Except for his high school and college years, Jeffrey Dauses has spent his life training or serving people in Maryland. A true son of the Free State, he was born in Baltimore, where he had his Catholic seminary training and ordination. He then went on to parish work in Timonium, Clarksville, Bel Air, Hunt Valley and Gambrills, returning to Baltimore as rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in February. As trustee, appointed by Baltimore Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien, of America’s first Catholic cathedral, Dauses, 45, has responsibility for shepherding an active parish, while hosting gala events and preserving a historic edifice designed by architect of the U.S. Capitol, Benjamin Latrobe.
You’ve been entrusted with a major American and Roman Catholic landmark. How does that charge impress you?
It is at one and the same time humbling, intimidating, challenging and exciting. I’m constantly aware of the basilica’s incredible heritage. The danger is, however, to only focus on the history. The challenge is to always, while respecting and revering the heritage, look ahead to the many generations to come and cultivate this site as a place of living, breathing and vibrant faith.
The basilica [a term of honor bestowed by the pope in recognition of some historical importance] is named after a Catholic doctrine related to Mary, the mother of Christ. What is the relevance of Marian spirituality to modern, American women?
It’s profoundly relevant. Many people misread the role of Mary in the scriptures as subservient and male-dominated. But Mary was the first real disciple of her son and someone who was at the cross [when most male disciples hid]. Far from being an image of subservience, Mary is a model of radical faith. And women today, especially in the Catholic tradition, are really called to a radical, other-oriented faith. Marian spirituality always leads to greater union with Jesus and with God.
The basilica recently underwent a $34 million restoration. How can you justify that cost given the needs of the poor in Baltimore?
That’s a tough question, and I always refer to St. Francis of Assisi, a model of radical poverty, to answer it. When one of his order’s brothers requested that the gold chalices used in Mass be sold to help the poor, Francis responded that simplicity of life is what God calls us to do; but when it comes to [worship], we should give God the best. This basilica is also incredibly edifying for the many people who come here to visit and worship. So the $34 million is an investment for generations to come. The church exists within time and space, so we have to build [and maintain] buildings. But at the same time we have the responsibility to the poor — and to constantly balance the physical needs of the church and those of the poor.
How has Maryland helped form you as a person and a priest?
I love Maryland. It’s my native home. I’m a city boy who used to work at Memorial Stadium. The flavor of Baltimore is in my blood — its characters, its quirkiness. The state, with its geographic diversity, has always been like a little America to me. And the roots of the Catholic Church in America are here. It’s an incredible thing to know that every single diocese [of 195 dioceses, 19,000 parishes, 69 million Catholics] in the country has its roots here.
