About Saint Leonard of Port Maurice parish in Boston, Massacusetts:
Prior to 1870, very few Italian immigrants resided in Boston. Rapidly, there grew a number of Italians leaving their homes and country to find a better life in a new world. Along with the immigrants came the rich traditions of Catholicism and legacies of strong faith and devotion to the Church. Tending to the spiritual needs of his people, Archbishop Williams called upon the Order of Friar Minors, the Franciscans, many whom were recent immigrants themselves; to go out and serve those in need, and so began what is now known as Saint Leonard of Port Maurice Church.
Originally situated on a small lot of land, within a decade the continued influx of Italian immigrants prompted the need for a larger place of spiritual respite. Construction began on the Saint Anthony Shrine, named for a great Franciscan saint, with many devotees from the old country.
By the mid-1890’s, the parishioners numbered close to twenty thousand. Once again, the Friars recognized the need for a larger worship space to accommodate the faithful. Under the leadership of pastor Father Ubaldus Pandolfi, OFM, the community raised $160,000.00 (the equivalent of over $4 million in 2018) to begin construction. On November 6, 1899, the dedicated parishioners saw the consecration of the new upper church, named after Saint Leonard of Port Maurice, OFM.
Traveling to Saint Leonard of Port Maurice Parish in Boston, Massachusetts:
The church is more commonly known as the Church of Saint Leonard.
Address: 320 Hanover Street Boston, MA 02113
Phone: +1 617-523-2110
Click here for the official website of Saint Leonard of Port Maurice Parish in Boston, Massachusetts
The church has a bookstore, you can find it online here.