Boston's Beautiful Basilica

In 1869, Boston’s Archbishop Williams invited the Redemptorists to the diocese to preach their hallmark parish missions. Within two years, these pioneering men of God erected a frame church dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help where the rectory stands today. In 1874, groundbreaking for the renowned church began. On April 7, 1878, the new Catholic church was dedicated by Archbishop Williams. The commanding twin towers were completed in 1910.

The church was not a parish church but a mission church, people promptly labeled it "The Mission Church." The renowned image of Our Lady was moved from the original church and solemnly enthroned by Archbishop Williams in the present structure in 1878.

On December 8, 1954, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, through the intercession of Boston’s Cardinal Cushing, His Holiness Pope Pius XII glorified the Mission Church with the title of Basilica. In order to merit this title, a church requires an imposing architecture, a substantial number of visitors, and an important spiritual treasure.

The famous icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in our Shrine
La famosa imagen de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro

The exact origins of the original painting of Our Lady of Perpetual Help are unknown. It is an icon presented in the Byzantine style of the Eastern Catholic church. The painting depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary holding the Holy Child Jesus. They are surrounded by the Archangels Michael and Gabriel holding the instruments of Christ's passion. On the left side, Michael holds an urn filled with the gall which the soldiers mockingly offered Jesus on the cross, the reed with the sponge soaked with gall, and the lance which pierced His holy side. On the right side, Gabriel carries the cross and four nails.

In this sacred image, Jesus sees His destiny and flees to the protective arms of His mother. In His haste, one sandal nearly falls off His foot. Our Lady of Perpetual Help solemnly looks at us. Although she cannot remove the suffering which her Son must undergo for us, she is His refuge and comfort. Her loving gaze tells us that all her children will find refuge in her embrace as she perpetually intercedes for us.

Presently, devotions in honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help are held at the Shrine each Wednesday. Two vases filled with crutches and canes provide testimony to the multitude of cures and graces granted through the intercession of Our Lady. In gratitude for the cure of Grace Hanley, her father Colonel P.T. Hanley donated a silver plaque. When Grace was four years old, she fell and shattered her spine. Her body was in a cast and she walked, painfully, on crutches. Despite their efforts, doctors were unable to provide any help for several years. Her family made several novenas to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. On August 18, 1883, while Grace prayed with them, she suddenly gave her crutches to her brother. Grace walked over to the painting of Our Lady, thanked her and marched down the aisle of the church.

Built by the firm of Geo. S. Hutchings as their Opus 410, the magnificent organ was dedicated on September 26, 1897. Due to it’s size and complexity, the organ required more than a year to complete. It was one of the first organs in the country to successfully use electric action, which Hutchings invented and patented. The organ has 3 manuals and pedals, 5 divisions, 62 stops, 75 ranks and close to 3,200 pipes.

Visually, the organ is striking, as it spans the entire width of the nave, and from the gallery high above the floor, it is crowned just under the vaulting with a carved cross reminiscent of the cross atop the high altar more than two hundred feet away. Many of the carvings replicate details present in the church architecture, including the Romanesque arch and the capitals of the pillars. The case was originally painted a cream color with accents, possibly gold tone, and the pipes were simply painted gold. It is unclear exactly when the pipes were so elaborately painted and the case given the wood grain tone we see today, but it probably occurred in the early 1950s when a major restoration of the interior of the church was undertaken. Today, it remains a beautiful example of ornate yet elegant organ architecture.

la Iglesia de Mission Church 1878

En 1869, el Arzobispo de Boston, Su Exelencia Williams invitó a los padres Redentoristas, a Boston, para predicar sus famosas misiones en las parroquias. Durante dos años, estos hombres experimentados de Dios establecieron y erigieron la iglesia, la que formalmente se nombró, Nuestra Señora del Perpertuo Socorro, que estaba donde hoy se encuentra la rectoría. En 1874 se empezó a construir la iglesia. El 7 de abril de 1878, la nueva iglesia Católica fué dedicada por el Arzobispo Williams. Las torres mellizas se completaron en 1910.

Esta iglesia no era una iglesia parróquial, pero sí, una iglesia misionera y la gente cariñosamente la llamó Iglesia de Mission Church. En el año 1878, la famosa imagen de Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro fué movida de la iglesia original para ser entronizada solemnemente por el Arzobispo Williams en la nueva estructura.

El 8 de diciembre de 1954, día de la Inmaculada Concepción, mediante la intercesión del Cardenal de Boston, Cardenal Cushing, Su Santidad, el Papa Pius XII glorificó la Iglesia de Mission Church con el título de Basílica. A fin de recibir el mérito de este título, una iglesia requiere una arquitectura imponente, un número considerable de visitantes, y tener un tesoro espiritual importante.

The High Altar

At the center of the main altar stands a statue of Our Lady of Sorrows holding a crown of thorns. Circling above and behind the altar are several saints who founded religious orders. They are St. Dominic, St. Benedict, St. Francis, and St. Ignatius Loyola. Above these saints, kneeling before the monstrance and Our Lady of Perpetual Help are St. Alphonsus Liguori on the left and St. Clement Hofbauer on the right. Behind them are red-robed St. John Neumann and St. Gerard Majella.

The Cupola

Every visitor to the Mission Church remarks about this beautiful dome. If you stand near the communion rail and look up, you will see the image of our Lord Jesus Christ and His saving cross in the center. Our Lady as Queen of Heaven is sur-rounded by the faithful imploring her aid with the four evangelists supporting each corner.

The Umbrellina

Only a Pope can designate a Basilica. After receiving this honor, the Basilica officially becomes a Papal church. Subsequently, custom demands that an ornate red and gold umbrella be kept half-opened in the church. The umbrella, or "Umbrellina," is a sign that the priests and people are always ready to welcome the Holy Father and employ the Umbrellina to shield him against sun or rain.

Basilica Hours

Daily 7:00 AM–7:30 PM

Sunday Masses

Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM

Sunday: 9:00 AM,

11:00 AM (Spanish),

12:30PM, 6:30 PM

Weekday Masses

7:00 AM (Mon. - Fri.)
8:00 AM (Sat.)
12:10 PM (Mon. - Sat.)

Sacrament of Penance

Saturdays: 3:15 PM–3:45 PM

Weekdays: 12 noon

After all Sunday liturgies

Wednesday Novena Services

12:10 PM

5:30 PM, 6:30 PM (Spanish)

Healing & Restoration Service

Last Sunday of the month: 2:00 PM

Handicapped Accessible

Basilica of Our Lady

of Perpetual Help

Mission Church

1545 Tremont Street

Boston, MA 0 2120

Tel: 617-445-2600

Fax: 617-445-1857

http://themissionchurch.com

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