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Catholic sites in Boston, Massachusetts

 

Catholic history of Boston:

Although today we often think of Boston as a heavily Catholic-influenced city, the early Catholics here were severely restricted in the practice of their religion.

The Puritans were intolerant of any religion other than their own, be it Protestant or Catholic. And the English made it illegal to practice The Faith throughout much of the period leading up to the American Revolution.

After 1776, when the French allied with the rebellious colonies, the situation began to change; although it was not until 1788, that the first public Mass was celebrated in Boston.

Anti-Catholicism remained though, as exemplified by the burning of an Ursuline Convent in 1834 by a Protestant mob (for which no one was convicted). The riot was sparked by un-founded rumors and stoked by local newspapers.

As time went on, though, the new immigrants arriving from Europe would change all that. It was the time of the Irish Famine, and with so many Irish….most of whom were Catholic…settling in Boston, the religious make up of the city changed dramatically.

Catholic sites of interest in Boston:

Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Madonna, Queen of the Universe National Shrine

St. Anthony Shrine

Saint Clement Eucharistic Shrine

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