About St. Anthony of Padua · Cambridge, Massachusetts
St. Anthony of Padua Parish is a bilingual English–Portuguese Catholic parish in East Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 1902 to serve Portuguese-speaking immigrants from mainland Portugal, the Azores, and Madeira who came to work in the city's textile mills. Today it is one of four parishes in the East Cambridge Catholic Collaborative (with Sacred Heart, St. Mary of the Annunciation, and St. Francis of Assisi) within the Archdiocese of Boston, and it celebrates most of its Masses in Portuguese alongside an English Sunday Mass and a Brazilian community Mass. Its present church on Cardinal Medeiros Avenue was inaugurated in 1980 after more than two decades of parish-wide fundraising, and the parish remains a vibrant hub of Luso-American Catholic devotion and culture in the Greater Boston area.
- Established
- 1902
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua (also known as St. Anthony of Lisbon)
- Rector
- Rev. Michael C. Harrington
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston (Metropolitan)
Why belong here
St. Anthony's is a rare bilingual Catholic home where Portuguese-speaking and English-speaking neighbors worship together under one roof, with daily Mass in Portuguese, a Sunday English Mass, and a Brazilian community Mass each week. The parish is rooted in more than a century of Luso-American devotion, offers weekly Confession, First-Friday and First-Saturday Eucharistic Adoration, and a full Sacramental program for children and adults (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and home visits to the homebound). A dedicated music staff sustains both Portuguese and English liturgies, and a steady calendar of community life — monthly Coffee and Donuts, parish feasts of the Holy Ghost and Santo Cristo, the home visit of the statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the June procession for the feast of St. Anthony — gives newcomers easy ways to belong.
Mass times at St. Anthony of Padua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM (Bilingual)
- Tuesday 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM (Bilingual)
- Wednesday 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM (Bilingual)
- Thursday 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM (Bilingual)
- Friday 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM (Bilingual)
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Bilingual)
- Sunday 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Sundays during Advent and Lent)
Adoration times
- Thursday 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM (in the Chapel)
- Friday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (First Friday of each month, followed by Votive Mass for the Sacred Heart of Jesus at 6 PM in Portuguese)
- Saturday 6:00 AM – 7:00 AM (First Saturday of each month, followed by Votive Mass for the Immaculate Heart of Mary at 7 AM in Portuguese)
- Holy Thursday: Adoration continues until 11:00 PM
Welcome, Mission, and Parish History
For more than 120 years this parish has been present in Cambridge serving Portuguese-speaking people from the many lands where the language is spoken, as well as English-speaking neighbors in East Cambridge. The parish describes itself as a bilingual, multi-cultural community that welcomes all who cross its threshold, honoring the traditions of its founders while bridging with neighboring parishes and the wider Archdiocese of Boston. Its story is intertwined with Portuguese immigration to Greater Boston — from whalers and mill workers in the 18th and 19th centuries, to the founding of the parish in 1902 by Father António Pimentel, through the long campaign to build the present church, which was inaugurated in 1980 and completed in 1986.
- Founded May 30, 1902 by Father António Pimentel at the corner of Portland (now Cardinal Medeiros Ave) and Hardwick Street
- Founded to serve Portuguese immigrants from mainland Portugal, the Azores, and Madeira
- Authorized by Archbishop John J. Williams of Boston
- New church inaugurated June 18, 1980; full complex completed December 14, 1986
- Cornerstone blessed by Cardinal Humberto S. Medeiros on October 13, 1978
- Bells originally from St. Ambrosa's Church in Boston's North End
Mass and Worship Schedule
St. Anthony's offers daily Mass in Portuguese Monday through Friday at 6:00 PM, a Saturday Vigil Mass in Portuguese at 5:00 PM, and four Sunday Masses: 8:00 AM (Portuguese), 9:30 AM (English), 11:00 AM (Portuguese), and 7:00 PM (Portuguese, celebrated by and for the Brazilian Community). Confessions are heard every weekday evening before Mass and on Saturday afternoons, with an additional Sunday confession time during Advent and Lent.
- Weekday Mass Mon–Fri: 6:00 PM (Portuguese)
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM (Portuguese)
- Sunday: 8:00 AM Portuguese, 9:30 AM English, 11:00 AM Portuguese, 7:00 PM Brazilian Portuguese
- Confessions Mon–Fri 5:30–6:00 PM (Bilingual), Sat 4:00–5:00 PM (Bilingual), Sun 2:00–3:00 PM in Advent and Lent
Sacramental Preparation
St. Anthony's prepares Catholics of every age for the Sacraments of Initiation. Children typically prepare for Reconciliation and First Holy Communion in Second Grade; teens continue with Confirmation beginning in Seventh Grade and must write a personal letter to the confirming Bishop. Adults who have not yet received a sacrament — including Christians baptized in other denominations who wish to enter the Catholic Church — can join dedicated preparation classes by contacting the parish office.
- First Communion preparation for Second Graders and older children
- First Communion track for older children and teens placed by age and maturity
- First Communion and Confirmation preparation for adults
- Confirmation for teens starting in 7th Grade, with sponsor eligibility requirements (baptized, confirmed, practicing Catholic)
- RCIA-style process for adults entering full communion with the Catholic Church
Faith Formation and Religious Education
The parish's Religious Education program is coordinated by Marta Machado and supports Sacramental preparation as well as ongoing catechesis for the children of the parish. Families interested in enrolling children are encouraged to email the parish office for current information about class schedules, materials, and fees.
- Religious Education Coordinator: Marta Machado
- Catechesis for First Communion and Confirmation candidates
- Older children and teens placed by age/maturity rather than with younger students
- Contact: [email protected]
Music and Liturgy
Music ministry is central to the parish's bilingual liturgical life. A team of organists and choir directors supports both Portuguese and English Masses, sustaining the hymnody of an East Cambridge congregation that has treasured its choirs since Father Pimentel founded the original parish choir in the early 1900s.
- Choir Director: Philip Chaves
- Organist & Office Assistant: Jacob Chaves
- Organist & Choir Director: Luis Travassos
- Liturgy and Music staff member: Dorothy Chaves
Parish Life, Feasts, and Fellowship
St. Anthony's is known for keeping Portuguese Catholic traditions alive through its calendar of feasts and gatherings. The annual feast of St. Anthony in June draws hundreds of faithful for Mass in Portuguese and an outdoor procession through the streets of Cambridge, and the parish continues to mark the Holy Ghost (Espírito Santo) and Santo Cristo feasts that Father Pimentel established more than a century ago. Monthly Coffee and Donuts after all Sunday Masses, on the last Sunday of each month, is a simple but beloved parish-wide gathering.
- Annual feast of St. Anthony with outdoor procession through Cambridge
- Holy Ghost (Espírito Santo) feast
- Santo Cristo feast
- Monthly Coffee and Donuts after all Masses on the last Sunday of the month
- Home visit of the statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (contact Iberia Frias at 617-491-0281)
Outreach: Visiting the Sick and Homebound
Following the Catholic tradition of ministering to those who cannot come to church, the priests of St. Anthony's visit the sick and homebound, bringing Holy Communion and the Anointing of the Sick. Parishioners who know of a family member or neighbor in need of a visit are asked to call or email the parish office to schedule a time.
- Priest visits to the sick and homebound
- Holy Communion brought to the homebound
- Anointing of the Sick on request
- To schedule a visit: call 617-547-5593 or email [email protected]
Clergy, Staff, and Parish Office
The parish is served by a pastor and two parochial vicars, supported by a business manager, a music staff of four, and a Religious Education coordinator. The pastor, Rev. Michael C. Harrington, also serves as pastor of the three other parishes of the East Cambridge Catholic Collaborative. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Pastor: Rev. Michael C. Harrington
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Eucinei Antonio DeSouza, FDP
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Edinardo DeOliveira
- Business Manager: Higor Fontoura
- Religious Education: Marta Machado
- Music: Philip Chaves, Jacob Chaves, Dorothy Chaves, Luis Travassos
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Phone: 617-547-5593
East Cambridge Catholic Collaborative
St. Anthony of Padua is one of four parishes that make up the East Cambridge Catholic Collaborative in the Archdiocese of Boston. The other three parishes — Sacred Heart, St. Mary of the Annunciation, and St. Francis of Assisi — share the same pastor and coordinate ministry across East Cambridge.
- Sacred Heart of Jesus, Cambridge
- St. Mary of the Annunciation, Cambridge
- St. Francis of Assisi, Cambridge
- St. Anthony of Padua, Cambridge
- Shared pastor: Rev. Michael C. Harrington
Giving and Parish Support
The parish sustains its ministries, music, and outreach through the generosity of its members. In addition to offerings at Mass, the parish provides a Venmo option (listed in the bulletin) for electronic giving. The parish encourages parishioners and visitors to support the parish so that its ministries and faith community can continue to thrive.
- Sunday collection at Mass
- Venmo electronic giving (details in parish bulletin)
- Support for parish ministries, faith formation, and music
- Contact the parish office to discuss giving: 617-547-5593
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. António Pimentel1902–1950
Founding pastor; organized Holy Name Society, Holy Rosary Sodality, parish choir; launched annual picnics, Holy Ghost and Santo Cristo feasts.
- Rev. Manuel Cascais1950–
Transferred from another assignment in 1950; appointed Pastor in 1954; began initial planning for a larger church.
- Rev. Joel D. Oliveira1972–
Became pastor April 8, 1972; formed the New Building Committee after the old church was condemned; oversaw land acquisition from the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority.
- Rev. António MedeirosMay 8, 1978–
Appointed Administrator; shepherded the new-church project through cornerstone blessing in 1978.
- Rev. José Ferreira1981–1989; 1995–2007
Oversaw completion of the new church complex (final phase completed December 14, 1986); returned for a second tenure; the parish hall was named the 'Father José Ferreira Parish Hall' in 2013 in his honor.
- Rev. Eusebio Silva1989–1995
Succeeded Father Ferreira's first term.
- Rev. Walter Carreiro2007–2021
Served between Father Ferreira's retirement and the current pastor.
- Rev. Michael C. Harrington2021–present
Current pastor; also pastor of Saint Mary of the Annunciation, Saint Francis, and Sacred Heart of Jesus parishes in the East Cambridge Catholic Collaborative.