About Holy Name of Jesus · Providence, Rhode Island
The Church of the Holy Name of Jesus is a Roman Catholic parish on Providence's historic East Side, founded in 1882 to serve about 500 Catholic families in the neighborhood. Today it is best known for offering both the Ordinary Form (Novus Ordo) and the Extraordinary Form (Traditional Latin Mass) of the Roman Rite in a single parish, and for hosting the African Catholic Community of Rhode Island at its Sunday 12:30 p.m. Mass. The parish is part of the Diocese of Providence and is designated an 'open' parish, meaning any Catholic residing in Rhode Island may register there to attend the Latin Mass.
- Established
- 1882
- Patron
- Holy Name of Jesus
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Lazarus E. Onuh
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
Holy Name offers something rare in southern New England: a single parish home where a Catholic can attend either the Ordinary Form Mass or the Traditional Latin Mass (1962 liturgical books) every Sunday, in an architecturally striking early-Roman-basilica-style church with Mayer-of-Munich stained glass. The parish also hosts the African Catholic Community of Rhode Island at its lively 12:30 p.m. Sunday Mass, runs a Schola Cantorum for the Latin liturgy and a Gospel Choir for the African community, and welcomes any Catholic in the diocese to register as a parishioner because of its 'open' parish status.
Mass times at Holy Name of Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 4:30 PM to 5:15 PM (Lady Chapel)
- Saturday: 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM (Lady Chapel) or by appointment
- First Saturday: Confessions begin at 7:00 AM, followed by the Holy Rosary, then 8:00 AM Mass
Adoration times
- Every Wednesday in the Lady Chapel: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 8:00 AM (after the 7:30 AM Mass); Benediction and Reposition at 5:15 PM
Parish History
The parish was founded on November 12, 1882, when Father James Brennan, appointed by Bishop Thomas Hendricken, offered the first Mass for about 500 Catholic families on Providence's East Side. A wooden church opened in 1883; the present Camp Street church was built between 1896 and 1900, damaged by fire in January 1965, rededicated in April 1966, and saw the Traditional Latin Mass return in 1994.
- Founded November 12, 1882 by Father James Brennan at the appointment of Bishop Thomas Hendricken
- Original ten-lot site at Camp and Jenkins Streets purchased for $6,650
- First church: two-story wooden structure, opened August 1883
- Cornerstone of present church: June 21, 1896; dedicated September 10, 1900
- Fire damage January 1965; rededicated April 1966
- Traditional Latin Mass restored First Sunday of Lent, 1994
The Church Building
Holy Name follows the design of the early Roman basilicas of the fourth century, recalling the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome. The nave is flanked by two rows of columns forming side aisles, with late Renaissance/early Baroque barrel vaults, coffered ribs and half domes. Mayer of Munich stained glass and a mosaic vestibule floor round out the sanctuary.
- Early Roman basilica plan, modeled on the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls (c. 313 A.D.)
- Late Renaissance / early Baroque vaulting, half domes, coffered ribs
- High Altar of Sacrifice with mosaic, Lamb of God, Alpha and Omega
- Sanctuary arch inscription: 'Et Sanctum Nomen Ejus'
- Tabernacle canopy with four marble columns and beaded gold roof
- Mayer of Munich stained glass throughout the nave and sanctuary
- Lady Chapel (Our Lady of Lourdes) with Mary in a grotto
- Baptistry with stained-glass window of the Baptism of the Lord
Latin Mass at Holy Name
The Church of the Holy Name of Jesus celebrates the Tridentine Mass according to the liturgical books of 1962 with the permission of the local ordinary — originally granted in 1994 by Bishop Louis Gelineau and continued by Bishop Robert Mulvee. Latin-English Mass books are provided in the pews so worshippers can follow the prayers and rubrics of the Traditional Mass.
- Celebrated under the 1962 liturgical books
- Sunday 9:00 AM (and 7:30 AM) Traditional Latin Mass
- Sunday 11:00 AM Sung Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form)
- Saturday 8:00 AM Latin Missa Recitata
- Open-parish designation: any Catholic in the Diocese of Providence may register at Holy Name to attend the Latin Mass
African Catholic Community of Rhode Island
The African Catholic Community of Rhode Island (ACC-RI) was founded in July 2001 at the request of the late Bishop Robert E. Mulvee, with its inaugural Mass offered on October 14, 2001 at St. Edward Church in North Providence. Today its spiritual home is Holy Name, where it celebrates a 12:30 p.m. Sunday Mass under the chaplaincy of Fr. Lazarus Onuh. The community supports vocations, welcomes newly arrived African immigrants, and runs parish-based guilds and the only known African-operated Knights of Columbus council in the country.
- Founded July 2001; first Mass October 14, 2001 at St. Edward, North Providence
- Founder: Rev. Fr. Jude O. Onuchukwu (now assigned in Rome)
- Current Chaplain: Rev. Fr. Lazarus E. Onuh
- Weekly Sunday Mass at Holy Name: 12:30 PM
- African Women's Guild and African Men's Guild
- Knights of Columbus Council #73 — Mary Queen of Africa
- Promotes priestly vocations; multiple members ordained in U.S. dioceses
- Humanitarian aid, Igbo language classes, youth events, charity bazaar
Music Ministry
Holy Name supports a rich and varied liturgical music program that reflects both its Traditional Latin Mass and its African Catholic Community. The Schola Cantorum, directed by Fr. Rinaldo Damian, leads the Latin liturgy, while a Gospel Choir and a separate African Choir support the African Catholic Community's 12:30 p.m. Mass.
- Schola Cantorum — Organist/Director: Fr. Rinaldo Damian
- Gospel Choir — Coordinator: Ms. Joyce Braboy
- African Choir — Coordinator: Mr. Ignatius Ignatius Ahamiojie
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Religious Education for parishioners is coordinated through the parish office, under the direction of the Religious Education Directress. The parish bulletin also encourages men interested in the priesthood or the diaconate to speak with Fr. Lazarus Onuh or to contact the diocesan seminary.
- Religious Education Directress: Miss Tabitha Aldrich
- Vocations contact: Fr. Lazarus Onuh or seminary at (401) 831-8001 (www.catholicpriest.com)
Parish Staff and Leadership
The parish is led by Administrator Rev. Fr. Lazarus E. Onuh, assisted by parish trustees, a financial administrator, a bookkeeper, a building and grounds coordinator, and parish office staff. Fr. Rinaldo Damian serves as organist and director of the Schola Cantorum.
- Administrator: Rev. Fr. Lazarus E. Onuh
- Schola Cantorum Organist/Director: Fr. Rinaldo Damian
- Parish Trustees: Mr. Mark Berardo and Mrs. Nkolika Onye
- Receptionist: Mrs. Anne Marcaccio
- Bulletin Secretary: Mrs. Joanna Fernandez
- Financial Administrator: Mr. David Rose
- Bookkeeper: Ms. Brandy O'Donnell
- Building & Grounds: Mr. Daniel Galipeau
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and provides preparation programs for each. Couples are asked to contact the rectory at least six months before a wedding, and families are asked to call the rectory to schedule Baptism and a pre-Baptismal encounter. The Anointing of the Sick is offered to the homebound and hospitalized upon notification.
- Baptism — call the rectory; pre-Baptismal encounter required
- Marriage — contact the rectory at least 6 months in advance
- Anointing of the Sick — notify the parish for the homebound or hospitalized
- Holy Orders / Diaconate — speak with Fr. Onuh or contact the seminary
- Reconciliation (Penance) — see Confession schedule
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach Holy Name by phone at (401) 272-4515 (fax 401-272-4616) or by email at [email protected]. The church is located at 99 Camp Street on Providence's East Side, with a separate entrance to the Lady Chapel located directly adjacent to the bell tower. Mass-goers are welcome to call the rectory for spiritual counseling, material support, or information about parish programs.
- Address: 99 Camp Street, Providence, RI 02906
- Phone: (401) 272-4515
- Fax: (401) 272-4616
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://holynameprovidence.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father James Brennan1882
Appointed by Bishop Thomas Hendricken to found the parish and offer the first Mass on November 12, 1882, for about 500 Catholic families on Providence's East Side.
- Rev. Joseph D. Santos, Jr.2004-2021
Appointed Administrator on July 1, 2004; born June 2, 1959, in Fall River, MA; ordained August 27, 1989 in Braga, Portugal; fluent in Portuguese and Latin; regularly celebrated the 11 a.m. Latin Mass at Holy Name; died December 2021 after contracting COVID-19.
- Rev. Fr. Lazarus E. Onuh2021-present
Succeeded Fr. Santos as Administrator; also serves as Chaplain of the African Catholic Community of Rhode Island and as a healthcare chaplain in the Diocese of Providence.