Join Us For An Anniversary Mass
Sunday, October 2, 2022
11:00 AM
Main Celebrant
His Eminence Cardinal Seán Patrick O'Malley, OFM Cap.
Archbishop of Boston
A catered outdoor reception will be offered following the Mass in the Rectory Garden. All are invited to attend, free will offering.
Please note that only one Mass will be offered on October 2nd to allow all of our communities to celebrate together.
Boston’s Basilica
A fortress of the faith, whose every stone was set in place long ago by the sacrifices of the poor. It was built on their love, cemented by their devotion, and points to their reward.
Media Memories
“They had the courage, the optimism, the foresight, the faith to build this tremendous church”,
was a statement made by Rev. Joseph Manton C.Ss.R. (1904-1998) as he reflected on the founding Boston Redemptorists.
In this 1992 interview with Rev. Edward McDonough, C.Ss.R. (1921-2008) Fr. Manton shares personal insights into our parish's history, his Novena ministry and the priesthood. Having served at the Basilica for 59 years, Fr. Manton became known as the “Novena priest”. His Redemptorist vocation impacted millions of people in Boston and beyond. Fr. McDonough founded the Healing and Restoration ministry in the 1970’s and it endures to this day. For 150 years, the Redemptorists continue to be stewards of the world’s first church dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. As New England’s greatest Marian shrine, Boston’s Basilica is a time honored place of faith, love, and inspiration.
A Special Tribute
As part of our 150th celebration, the parish has commissioned composer Felicia Sandler and playwright David Mulei to create a musical work inspired by the well-known and beloved play, Pilate’s Daughter.
The idea arose to reimagine “Pilate’s Daughter” as an oratorio. We have named this oratorio “The Mystic Rose.” The communion meditation during our 150th parish Mass will feature an introduction to this incredible project which will be presented in its entirety on a future date.
Pilate’s Daughter was a sacred drama written by Redemptorist Father F. L. Kenzel in 1902 and had its first production here in the parish. From that humble beginning it grew in time to become a national sensation. Over the next sixty years, more than 3 million people would see “Pilate’s Daughter” including a production on Broadway. The last time the play was performed here was over a half century ago.
“Make her known” was the simple command of Pope Pius IX when he entrusted the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help to the care of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, the Redemptorists, in 1866. One of the first copies to arrive in the United States came to Boston and was venerated in a simple wooden church. From that point on, the lives of the faithful have been impacted in miraculous ways.
For 150 years, the Redemptorists continue to be stewards of the world’s first church dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. As New England’s greatest Marian shrine, Boston’s Basilica is a time honored place of faith, love, and inspiration. We are grateful for the Redemptorists past and present who have made such an impact on countless souls.