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Anthony Shrine
A prophetic, Franciscan, Catholic community welcoming all people through prayer and outreach.
We extend a special welcome to everyone visiting the Shrine for the first time.
www.stanthonyshrine.org
February 19, 2017
Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time
Greetings of peace.
Seventy years ago today, on Ash Wednesday, the Franciscan friars began our downtown
Boston ministry. The first location, 103 Arch Street, is directly across the street from the 100
address, the current site of our ministry. The 103 address still has the engraving of St.
Anthony on the outside facade.
The quintessential attitude of Franciscan life is one of gratitude. So we friars are grateful for
the generations of families who have worshiped here and the wonderful support that we
have received from the Boston Mayors, especially the four most recent: White, Flynn,
Menino and Walsh. We are grateful to benefactors, storytellers, penitents, Mass attendees,
musicians, social workers, 12-steppers, and people who mourn the death of a loved one.
People come here to pray for all kind of things: family members in the military, the sick, co-
workers, the deceased, healing of hearts and physical health. There is almost always at
least one person praying silently in the first floor church. Sometimes there are dozens of
people. The cumulative effect of 70 years of prayers has transformed this place. It is now
absolutely holy ground. All of us friars who work and live here are privileged to do so.
Thank you for being our partners in prayer and ministry!