Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (East Boston, Massachusetts)
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Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a church and parish located in the neighborhood of East Boston in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. The church was built in 1905 and was a focal point of the local Italian-American community until it was ordered shut down by the Archdiocese of Boston in the autumn of 2004.[1]
On October 10, 2004, as the final Mass was being celebrated at the church, parishioners claimed that a statue of the Virgin Mary fell to the ground from its perch in front of the altar. Some proclaimed that this was a sign from God.[2]
At first, Mount Carmel was occupied by parishioners day and night, marking the longest such occupation in the history of the Roman Catholic Church in America.[3] [4] Today, after attempts to appeal the decision through US courts and the Vatican have unsuccessfully run their course, the waning of enthusiasm and aging of the occupiers has left the church empty except for Sunday Mass and occasional prayer services. [5]
[edit] Parish school
East Boston Central Catholic School, on the Most Holy Redeemer Parish site, is the Catholic K1-8 school designated for this parish.[6] The school is managed by a board from the Our Lady of the Assumption, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Most Holy Redeemer and Sacred Heart parishes.[7]
[edit] References
- ^ Losing more than Mass - The Boston Globe
- ^ A 'miracle' at final Mass - The Boston Globe
- ^ Worshippers mark third year of historic church vigil - Boston.com
- ^ Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parishioners mark three years in their fight to keep church open - The Boston Globe
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Most Holy Redeemer." Boston Catholic Directory. Retrieved on April 15, 2009.
- ^ "General Info." Boston Central Catholic School. Retrieved on April 15, 2009.
