About Our Lady of the Rosary · Providence, Rhode Island
Our Lady of the Rosary Church is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in the Fox Point neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island, serving the city's historic Portuguese-American community since 1886. Recognized as the oldest continuously active Portuguese-American Catholic church in the United States, it is part of the Diocese of Providence and offers Masses in both English and Portuguese, with daily devotions, a food pantry, religious education, the Holy Rosary Band, and a beloved annual feast each August. The parish is pastored by Rev. Joseph A. Escobar, who in 2026 is marking 25 years as pastor, building on the legacy of Pastor Emeritus Rev. Antonio M. Paiva (1972–2001).
- Established
- 1886
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Rosary
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph A. Escobar
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Rosary offers a rare bilingual Catholic home where English- and Portuguese-speaking parishioners worship side by side, with daily Mass, a Saturday Vigil, and a strong tradition of Marian devotion. It is also a working parish in a literal sense — its food pantry serves residents of the 02903 zip code, the CCD program forms the next generation of Catholics, and the parish's Holy Rosary Band, annual feast, golf outing, and pilgrimages knit generations together. For Portuguese-Americans in Providence, it remains a living link to the oldest continuously active Portuguese-American Catholic community in the country, while welcoming anyone who wants to belong.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Rosary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
About Our Lady of the Rosary
Our Lady of the Rosary is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in the Fox Point neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island, part of the Diocese of Providence. It was formally established on February 18, 1886, to serve the city's Portuguese immigrant community, and the current church building was dedicated in 1906. The parish offers Mass in both English and Portuguese, runs a food pantry and CCD religious-education program, and is home to the Holy Rosary Band and a beloved annual feast each August.
- Parish type: Roman Catholic, Roman Rite
- Diocese: Providence
- Address: 21 Traverse Street, Providence, RI 02903
- Phone: (401) 421-5621 — Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.rosary463.com
Parish History
The parish grew out of weekly Masses that Father Antonio Freitas began saying for Providence's Portuguese community in 1877 while he was still pastor of St. John the Baptist in New Bedford. After a few years under the care of St. Joseph's parish on Hope Street, the Diocese formally established Our Lady of the Rosary on February 18, 1886, with Father Antonio M. Serpa as the first pastor. Construction of the present church began in 1897; tensions with Bishop Harkins led Bishop Henrique R. Silva to travel from Portugal to dedicate the building in 1906. The parish has continued to mark itself as a center of Portuguese-American Catholic life in New England ever since, most recently celebrated at its 125th anniversary Mass with Bishop Thomas J. Tobin.
- 1877 — Father Antonio Freitas begins Sunday Masses in Providence for the Portuguese community
- Early 1880s — community cared for by St. Joseph's parish on Hope Street; Bishop Hendricken purchases an old Protestant church on Wickenden Street in Fox Point
- Feb. 18, 1886 — parish formally established; Father Antonio M. Serpa named first pastor
- 1897 — construction of the present church begins
- 1906 — current church dedicated by Bishop Henrique R. Silva of Portugal
- 1972 — Bishop Louis E. Gelineau appoints Father Antonio M. Paiva as pastor
- June 29, 2001 — Father Paiva retires after 29 years and is named Pastor Emeritus
- June 30, 2001 — Rev. Joseph A. Escobar named pastor
- 2011 — 125th anniversary Mass celebrated with Bishop Thomas J. Tobin
- 2026 — Father Escobar marks 25 years as pastor
Pastorate of Rev. Joseph A. Escobar (2001–Present)
Rev. Joseph A. Escobar was named pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary on June 30, 2001. A native of East Providence and former Dominican, he previously served as associate pastor at parishes in Youngstown, New York City, Providence, and Bristol, RI, and as administrator of St. Anthony, Pawtucket. Beyond the parish he is chaplain of the Fatima Council, Knights of Columbus, a spiritual director at the diocesan seminary, Moderator of the Council of Priests, a member of the diocesan College of Consultors, and chaplain to the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association (appointed 2006 by Bishop Tobin). In 2026 the parish is celebrating his 25th anniversary as pastor.
- Ordained May 20, 1988, by Bishop Francis Roque, D.D., at St. Dominic Church, Washington, D.C.
- M.Div., Dominican House of Studies (1987); M.A. Theology, Providence College (1998)
- Named pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary, June 30, 2001
Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Antonio M. Paiva (1972–2001)
Father Antonio M. Paiva was born December 26, 1925, in Povoção, São Miguel, Azores, the fifth of seven children of José and Ermelina Paiva. He entered the minor seminary in Angra, Terceira at age twelve and came to the United States in 1946 at Bishop Keough's invitation to study at St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore. Ordained June 11, 1949, by Bishop Russell J. McVinney in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, he served as associate pastor at St. Anthony, Pawtucket (1949–1964), assistant pastor at St. Francis Xavier, East Providence (1964–1965), and associate pastor at St. Anthony, West Warwick (1965–1972), before Bishop Gelineau appointed him pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary in 1972. He retired on June 29, 2001, after 29 years. During his pastorate he created the Rosary garden with its statue of Our Lady of Fatima surrounded by a heart-shaped rosary, expressing his ideal that the parish be 'a parish with a heart.'
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates the seven sacraments in both English and Portuguese. Couples are asked to contact the priest at least twelve months before a wedding; certificates of prior sacraments must be presented at the time of booking. Parishioners are encouraged to notify the priests before any hospital admission so that the Eucharist or Anointing of the Sick can be brought to the elderly, the shut-in, or the seriously ill.
- Baptism (English) — 1st Sunday of the month, 12:45 pm
- Baptism (Portuguese) — 1st Sunday of the month, 1:30 pm
- Confession (Reconciliation) — Saturday 4:00–4:45 pm
- Wedding — contact priest 12 months in advance; sacrament certificates required
- Anointing of the Sick / Communion to the Sick — notify the priests
Faith Formation (CCD)
The parish's Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) program provides religious education for the children of the parish in both English and Portuguese. It is coordinated by Elisa Guerra Thibeault and can be reached through a dedicated line and email.
- CCD Office: (401) 273-1685
- CCD Email: [email protected]
- Coordinator: Elisa Guerra Thibeault
Outreach: Food Pantry
Our Lady of the Rosary operates a parish food pantry that serves residents of the 02903 zip code in the surrounding neighborhood. The pantry is a member agency of the RI Community Food Bank and offers groceries, clothing, and sometimes furniture, with bilingual service in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Coordinator Rosa Lima oversees the program.
- Food Pantry: (401) 453-0174 — Email: [email protected]
- Coordinator: Rosa Lima
- Distribution: last Wednesday of the month, 6:00–8:00 pm and last Saturday of the month, 9:00–11:00 am
- Saturday is the USDA/TEFAP distribution for registered clients only
- Closed on holidays
- Eligible: Providence 02903 residents in the parish neighborhood; bring photo ID, children's birth certificates, and proof of address
Parish Life and Annual Feast
The parish's annual feast in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fátima is one of the largest Portuguese gatherings in Providence, drawing attendees from across the Portuguese-American community. The weekend traditionally opens with a Friday Mass followed by a candlelight procession and Benediction, features a bazaar with Portuguese food, and includes a Holy Rosary Band concert, an auction, and entertainment. For 2026, the Second Annual Golf Outing to support the feast was held at Swansea Country Club on Sunday, June 28.
- Parish Feast: August 7–9, 2026
- Holy Rosary Band — Portuguese cultural and musical society
- Fatima Council, Knights of Columbus
- Second Annual Golf Outing to Support the Annual Feast — Swansea Country Club, Sunday June 28, 2026
- Contact for the golf outing: Paul Cabral, (401) 952-3985
Parish Staff and Contacts
The parish is staffed by a small team of lay people who keep the rectory, religious-education program, and food pantry running day to day, alongside the pastor and pastor emeritus.
- Pastor: Rev. Joseph A. Escobar
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Antonio M. Paiva
- Secretary / Bookkeeper: Sandra Camara
- CCD Coordinator: Elisa Guerra Thibeault
- Custodian: Carlos Garcia
- Food Pantry Coordinator: Rosa Lima
Contact and Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish by phone, fax, or email; the food pantry and CCD program each have their own direct lines and email addresses. The parish publishes news and announcements on its website and is reachable by mail at 21 Traverse Street, Providence, RI 02903.
- Rectory: (401) 421-5621
- Fax: (401) 421-0783
- Email: [email protected]
- CCD: (401) 273-1685 — [email protected]
- Food Pantry: (401) 453-0174 — [email protected]
- Website: http://www.rosary463.com
- Address: 21 Traverse Street, Providence, RI 02903
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Antonio M. Serpa1886–c. 1906
Founding pastor; previously assistant pastor at St. John the Baptist Church in New Bedford, the first Portuguese parish in North America. Tensions with Bishop Harkins over parish development led to Bishop Henrique R. Silva being brought from Portugal to preside at the 1906 dedication.
- Rev. Antonio M. Paiva1972–2001 (retired June 29, 2001)
Pastor Emeritus. Born December 26, 1925, in Povoção, São Miguel, Azores. Entered the minor seminary in Angra, Terceira at age twelve; came to the U.S. in 1946 at the invitation of Bishop Keough to study at St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore. Ordained June 11, 1949, by Bishop Russell J. McVinney. Earlier assignments included associate pastor of St. Anthony, Pawtucket (1949–1964), assistant pastor of St. Francis Xavier, East Providence (1964–1965), and associate pastor of St. Anthony, West Warwick (1965–1972). Served Our Lady of the Rosary for 29 years; created the Rosary garden with the Our Lady of Fatima statue and a heart-shaped rosary.
- Rev. Joseph A. Escobar2001–present (named pastor June 30, 2001)
Raised in East Providence; graduated from Our Lady of Providence Preparatory Seminary (1978) and Providence College (B.A. in mathematics, cum laude, 1982). Entered the Dominican Order in 1982, professed vows August 14, 1983; M.Div. from Dominican House of Studies, Washington, D.C. (1987) and M.A. in Theology from Providence College (1998). Ordained May 20, 1988, by Bishop Francis Roque, D.D. Associate pastor at St. Dominic (Youngstown, OH), St. Catherine of Siena (New York City), St. Pius V (Providence), and St. Elizabeth (Bristol, RI); administrator of St. Anthony, Pawtucket (1997). Chaplain of the Fatima Council, Knights of Columbus; spiritual director at the diocesan seminary; Moderator of the Council of Priests and member of the diocesan College of Consultors; appointed in 2006 by Bishop Tobin as chaplain to the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association.