Our Lady of Victories

The First French Roman Catholic Parish in Boston

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Welcome to the Our Lady of Victories Web Site. It is the joy and privilege of the Marist Fathers to serve you on the Internet. As you can see on the photo, our Shrine, completed in 1891, is very beautiful. It is located in the Back Bay section of Boston about a five minute walk from the Back Bay Train Station and eight minutes from the South End of the Boston Common.
 
The Shrine is named for Our Blessed Mother, Mary, who leads us to Jesus and VICTORY over the struggles, hurts, addictions, sufferings, sicknesses and sins of life. The statue of Our Lady of Victories shows Mary holding her son on the globe of the world. Jesus wears the crown of Victory through his death on the cross. Mary wears a crown of Victory because she was the first to believe when the angel appeared to her at the Incarnation. She stood in silent belief at the foot of the cross and then saw the victory of her Son in the Resurrection and Ascension.

It is our hope that this Shrine will be a place of destination and pilgrimage when you are in Boston. Come and pray here and allow Mary to gently lead you to the open arms of her Son. We priests of the Society of Mary will happily pray and celebrate with you the sacraments of the Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Anointing of the Sick.

Many have asked to have their Marriages here. It is our joy to serve you if it is possible. Please read the directives for Marriage in the special section locate here.

If you are not able to come to Boston and would like special prayers or advice, you can contact us through the email or phone number listed on the web page. You can have Masses offered for your intentions throughout the year.

May Mary watch over you and lead you to the Victory of peace in mind and heart which only Her Son, Jesus, can bring.

Sincerely in the love of Jesus and Mary,
The Parish Team

 

Bulletin this week

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See more photos from Easter here

 

OUR LADY OF VICTORIES

Since the 1880’s, the Shrine of Our Lady of Victories has stood as a place of prayer and worship of God, dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God. As Catholics, we ponder the loving presence of the Virgin Mary in a special way during this month of May. The Marists who serve here have always encouraged parishioners and visitors to seek Our Lady’s intercession for their own intentions and the needs of others. Before the statue of our Patroness, you will find note paper upon which you can write out your intentions to place before our Lady. We pray consciously for those intentions at our Wednesday Masses, and we also pray a litany to Our Lady, asking that we might share more fully in the victory of Christ in His Resurrection. We invite you to join us in prayer to Our Lady, whether you can be present at Mass on Wednesdays or not. We trust in her compassion and in the power of her intercession. This is a part of the prayer that we use each Wednesday; it’s the same prayer that is printed on the prayer card in front of Mary’s statue: “Our Lady of Victories, we come before you in prayer. You are in complete union with the will of the Father and with the mission of your Son, Jesus Christ. We ask your intercession that all that binds us and burdens us will be overcome by the saving death and resurrection of your Son.” May this prayer be a part of our personal prayer this week! My best wishes to you all, and may God bless you!

 

OUR YOUNGER COUPLES

Today, we invite any couples married in the Catholic Church in recent years to a gathering in our Parish Center after the 11:00 a.m. Mass. This is the second in the series of meetings meant to encourage and support our “young marrieds,” including those with young children. If you cannot come but would be interested in future gatherings, please give us your names by calling or visiting the Rectory. You are most welcome.

 

NOVENAS

Novenas, in Catholic tradition, are a series of devotional prayers offered for a particular intention and prayed over a nine day period. The name is taken from the Latin word for nine: novem. They were very popular years ago, and are still prayed by some Catholics, asking intercession from the Blessed Virgin Mary or other saints before God. Where does the idea of 9 days come from? Why, from the “first” novena! Nine was the number of days between the Ascension of Our Lord and the feast of Pentecost. Acts 1:13-14 says that the apostles and disciples of Jesus (including Mary, the mother of Jesus) gathered in the “upper room” after the Ascension and were devoted to prayer and waiting for the Holy Spirit. You are invited to go to www.novena.com for the specific prayers that can be offered in these days before Pentecost.

 

SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Jesus is the perfect steward—watching carefully over all who have been entrusted to Him by the Father and then sending them all out into the world in service. May I similarly protect and wisely use the gifts entrusted to me!

FR. ED

Our parishioners know Fr. Edward Sheehan, s.m., who has celebrated some of our weekend and weekday Masses here for several years. He’s been away from Boston for several weeks, helping out in our Marist Parish in White River Junction, Vermont. Both of our priests there have had health problems and Fr. Ed generously responded to a request for his help. We’d appreciate your prayers for Fr. Ed, and for the return to health of Frs. Kenneth Thibodeau, s.m. and Kenneth Ridgeway, s.m.

 

NEXT WEEK’S SPECIAL COLLECTION

Next week’s second collection supports the formation and training of seminarians in the Archdiocese of Boston for service, we pray, as future priests. We are blessed that many are responding to the call to serve as priests. Please be generous to support these seminarians on their journey toward their ordination to the priesthood. For more information, please visit www.VocationsBoston.org.

 

SUPPORT GROUPS

Our Parish Center hosts several groups that meet weekly in order to support those who are dealing with issues of addiction and other life problems. These groups include Alcoholics Anonymous, Al Anon, and Overeaters Anonymous. They follow a 12 step format that can help people on the road to recovery. For more information, go to the websites of the above organizations or get in contact with us at the rectory; we can give you the date and time of the meeting you or someone you know might be interested in.

 

YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS

This past week we received $270.00 from the week-day collections, $1,996.00 from the weekend collection, and $433.00 for the Catholic Communication Campaign. We are grateful for your support.

 

BIBLE SHARING

You are welcome to our parish’s Bible Sharing Group, which meets each Friday after the 12:10 p.m. Mass in the rectory at 27 Isabella Street. You do not need any special Bible knowledge or training to participate. We are now going through St. Matthew’s Gospel, chapter by chapter. Join us if you are able!

 

HOST FAMILY

A male student from China is attending The Newman School this fall and is looking forward to this learning experience. If any of you are interested in helping this young man, please email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Kathleen at 703 368 6838.

 

A BIT OF HUMOR

On Sunday morning, as Fr. Doyle was preaching his homily, a large plant fell over right behind the pulpit, crashing to the ground. Acknowledging his reputation for long-windedness, he smiled and said: “Well, that’s the first time I actually put a plant to sleep.”

Last Updated on Thursday, 17 May 2012 07:19
 

Our Lady of Victories
Catholic Church

27 Isabella Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 426-4448
Rev. Joseph McLaughlin, SM, Pastor
Email us

Parish Registration

If you haven't already, please register with Our Lady of Victories. You can do so online or in person at the OLV.

Mass Intentions

 

Saturday, May 19, 2012

5:00 AM Parishioners and Friends of Our Lady of Victories

Sunday, May 20, 2012

8:00 AM Joseph and Leontine Thouroude (mem.)

9:30 AM Peter Warrack (mem.)

11:00 AM Kelly Timilty (mem.)

Monday, May 21, 2012

7:15 AM Margaret VanDerpool Grace (mem.)

12:10 PM Rev. Mr. Gerard and Marguerite Gagne (mem.)

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

7:15 AM Roslyn's Fullman's Mother/Family in Fiji

12:10 PM For a Special Intention

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

7:15 AM Margaret VanDerpool Grace (mem.)

12:10 PM Nora Mantegna (mem.)

Thursday, May 24, 2012

7:15 AM Intentions of Annalisa

12:10 PM Rev. Mr. Gerard and Marguerite Gagne (mem.)

Friday, May 25, 2012

7:15 AM For a Special Intention

12:10 PM Norman Ouellette (mem.) 

Saturday, May 26, 2012

9:00 AM Margaret Powers (mem.)

1:00 PM Kearney/LaBonte Wedding

5:00 PM Domenic and Frances Petrocelli (mem.)

Sunday, May 27, 2012

8:00 AM Parishioners and Friends of our Lady of Victories

9:30 AM Rev. Mr. Gerard and Marguerite Gagne (mem.)

11:00 AM Tiana Norenberg (mem.)

3:30 PM Madden/Knight Wedding

5:00 PM Deegan/Toth Wedding