About St. Cecilia · Boston, Massachusetts
Saint Cecilia Parish is a Roman Catholic community in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, established in 1888 to serve Irish immigrant domestic workers employed by Back Bay's Yankee aristocracy. Built and supported by those 'Irish working out girls' and coachmen out of their meager earnings, the church was dedicated on April 22, 1894 and remains in the same Belvidere Street building more than 125 years later. Today Saint Cecilia is a vibrant, diverse, and outwardly-facing parish of roughly 1,000 weekly in-person Massgoers and an online 'Far-Flung Flock' of about 910 affiliate households who worship via livestream. The parish is known for its renowned music program, its 1902 Hutchings-Votey / 1999 Smith & Gilbert pipe organ, its LGBTQ+ affirmation, and its commitment to peace, justice, and service to neighbors near and far.
- Established
- 1888
- Patron
- Saint Cecilia
- Rector
- Rev. John J. Unni
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
Saint Cecilia is a close-knit but diverse Catholic family — young, old, rich, poor, of various ethnic origins and backgrounds — whose members worship together in a stunning 1894 Romanesque church in the heart of Back Bay. Whether you join in person or via livestream (the parish's 'Far-Flung Flock' includes around 910 affiliate households), you'll find a community committed to engaging worship, challenging preaching, an extraordinary music program anchored by a 2,950-pipe Smith & Gilbert organ, and a robust outreach portfolio through 32 active ministries including the CARES visitation program, faith formation for all ages, and service to neighbors near and far. The parish explicitly welcomes people of every age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ability, and is on a journey to become an antiracist parish grounded in Catholic Social Teaching.
Mass times at St. Cecilia
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment — call the Parish Office at (617) 536-4548 to schedule with Fr. Jim Shaughnessy, SJ
- Wednesday evenings of Lent: 6:00 p.m. Mass, followed by confessions until 8:00 p.m. (no appointment needed)
Adoration times
- Young Adult Night of Worship & Adoration — first Tuesday of each month, 7:00–8:00 p.m., in the sanctuary (use St. Cecilia Street entrance and ring the bell)
Welcome & Identity
Saint Cecilia Parish describes itself as 'a Roman Catholic community that gathers day by day, week by week, to know and make known the grace of God.' Composed of all ages and backgrounds, the parish includes those in the pews and those participating virtually around the world. Its three-part mission is to discover the God who loves you, engage with a parish that supports you, and serve the world that needs you. The parish explicitly welcomes people of every age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic condition, family structure, and physical or mental ability.
- Diverse and close-knit parish family across ages and backgrounds
- Three-part mission: Discover, Engage, Serve
- LGBTQ+ affirming; on a journey to become an antiracist parish
- Grounded in Catholic Social Teaching
Our History
Saint Cecilia was established in 1888 at Archbishop Williams's request, carved from the territory of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross to serve the Irish maids and coachmen of Back Bay. The church was dedicated April 22, 1894. A major 1954 renovation added the statues of Pope Saint Pius X and Saint Patrick, plus the Great Window of the Assumption. The original 1902 Hutchings-Votey organ was rebuilt in 1954 and almost entirely reconstructed in 1998–99 as the Smith & Gilbert organ dedicated on November 22, 1999. The parish has welcomed members from Saint Ann University Parish (closed 2005) and the Jesuit Urban Center (closed 2007).
- Established 1888; church dedicated April 22, 1894
- 1954 renovation: statues of Pope Saint Pius X and Saint Patrick, Great Window of the Assumption
- 1999: Smith & Gilbert organ dedicated (4 manuals, 52 ranks, 2,950 pipes)
- 2000: antiphonal organ added on the west side
- Absorbed members from Saint Ann University Parish (2005) and the Jesuit Urban Center (2007)
The Church Building
The church is Romanesque, XII Century Norman, with a main altar carved from a single block of white Carrara marble. The reredos painting is a reproduction of da Vinci's Last Supper, and the dome above is an array of 24K gold rosettes. The nave and arches carry fourteen circular panels (symbols from the lives of the apostles) and sixteen square panels (symbols of Our Lady from the Litany of Loreto). The Great Window of the Assumption was installed in 1954.
- Romanesque, XII Century Norman architecture
- Carrara marble main altar; reredos reproduction of The Last Supper; 24K gold rosettes dome
- 14 circular and 16 square panels in nave and arches
- Great Window of the Assumption (1954)
Mass & Liturgy
The regular Mass schedule includes a daily 8:00 a.m. Mass Wednesday through Friday, a Saturday Vigil at 5:00 p.m., and four Sunday Masses at 8:00, 9:30 (in person and livestream), 11:30 a.m., and 6:00 p.m. Holy Days are celebrated at 8:00 a.m. Online liturgical celebrations are offered regularly during Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter, as well as on certain feast days and occasions, via the Saint Cecilia Facebook page.
- Weekday Mass: Wed–Fri 8:00 a.m.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 8:00, 9:30 (livestream), 11:30 a.m., 6:00 p.m.
- Holy Days: 8:00 a.m.
Music Ministry
Music is central to Saint Cecilia's identity. The program is led by Director of Music Robert Duff, supported by Assistant Director of Music Tyler Cesario, Vigil Organist Daniel Lamoureux, Parish Organist Brett Maguire, and Assistant Organist Pendexter Macdonald. The instrument is the Smith & Gilbert organ (4 manuals, 52 ranks, 2,950 pipes), with an antiphonal organ on the west side. The 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass is both in-person and livestreamed, featuring the choir and organ.
- Director of Music: Robert Duff
- Assistant Director of Music / Tenor: Tyler Cesario
- Parish Organist: Brett Maguire; Vigil Organist: Daniel Lamoureux; Assistant Organist: Pendexter Macdonald
- Smith & Gilbert organ (1999) plus 2000 antiphonal organ
Faith Formation
Faith formation at Saint Cecilia is for everyone — children, youth, and adults. About 200 students are enrolled. Director of Faith Formation & Parish Visibility is Scott MacDonald, with Carly-Anne Gannon as Coordinator of Children's Faith Formation and Joe Ebbert as Director of Emerging Adult Ministries. Programs include preparation for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and an annual Lenten Retreat.
- Director of Faith Formation & Parish Visibility: Scott MacDonald
- Coordinator of Children's Faith Formation: Carly-Anne Gannon
- Director of Emerging Adult Ministries: Joe Ebbert
- First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion preparation
- Annual Lenten Retreat
Parish Ministries & Outreach
Saint Cecilia lists 32 active ministries and committees across five categories: liturgy and music, outreach, faith formation, fellowship, and hospitality. The CARES Ministry is a pastoral visitation program that pairs parishioners with isolated members of the parish and surrounding community for weekly or bi-weekly visits of compassionate listening, emotional support, and Holy Communion. Young Adult Ministry hosts monthly Nights of Worship. The parish also supports Saint Cecilia House (a Fenway residence for seniors of limited income) and Father Unni serves on boards of Health Equity International / St. Boniface Hospital and Build Health International, providing health services in southern Haiti.
- CARES Ministry — visitation for isolated parishioners
- Young Adult Ministry — monthly Night of Worship & Adoration
- Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Saint Cecilia House (Fenway senior housing)
- Health Equity International / St. Boniface Hospital (Haiti)
- Build Health International (Haiti)
Parish Staff
The parish staff supports liturgy, faith formation, music, operations, and finance. Pastoral leadership includes Pastor Rev. John J. Unni, Pastoral Support Fr. Jim Shaughnessy, SJ, Deacon Rev. Mr. Christopher Brolly, SJ, and assisting clergy Rev. Peter Grover, OMV and Rev. John Predmore, SJ. Two pastoral associates (Mark Donohoe and Mary Wessel) handle sacramental coordination. Nicole Pascarelli O'Brien is Pastoral Director of Operations; Colleen Melaugh is Director of Finance and Development; Lisa Pickering is Director of Facilities Operations & Events; Anastassia Kolchanov is Digital and Print Media Coordinator.
- Rev. John J. Unni — Pastor (2003–present)
- Rev. James Shaughnessy, SJ — Pastoral Support
- Rev. Mr. Christopher Brolly, SJ — Deacon
- Rev. Peter Grover, OMV and Rev. John Predmore, SJ — Assisting Clergy
- Mark Donohoe — Pastoral Associate (baptisms, weddings, annulments, funerals)
- Mary Wessel — Pastoral Associate
- Nicole Pascarelli O'Brien — Pastoral Director of Operations
- Scott MacDonald — Director of Faith Formation & Parish Visibility
- Colleen Melaugh — Director of Finance and Development
- Lisa Pickering — Director of Facilities Operations & Events
- Anastassia Kolchanov — Digital and Print Media Coordinator
Parish Councils
Saint Cecilia has three consultative bodies whose members are parishioners and parish staff: the Parish Pastoral Council, the Finance Council, and the Development Committee. They advise the pastor on a variety of issues and help the parish live out its vision.
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Finance Council
- Development Committee
Mission, Vision & Values
Saint Cecilia's mission is to help people discover the God who loves them, engage with a parish that supports them, and serve the world that needs them. Values are rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, with particular focus on the life and dignity of the human person. The parish commits to caring for those experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, or financial instability; welcoming the LGBTQ+ community; standing in solidarity with those struggling with addiction; and ongoing work to become an antiracist parish through listening, learning, reflecting, and educating.
- Three-part mission: Discover, Engage, Serve
- Care for people who are unhoused or experiencing food insecurity
- LGBTQ+ affirming and supportive
- Solidarity with those struggling with addiction
- Ongoing journey to become an antiracist parish
Visiting & Accessibility
The church building is fully accessible by elevator at both the street-level entrance on Belvidere Street and at the corner of St. Cecilia Street and Scotia Street. An assistive listening system is available (ask a greeter for a receiver). Low-gluten altar bread is available for those with celiac disease. Discounted parking is available at The Hynes Auditorium Garage (50 Dalton Street).
- Elevator access at both Belvidere Street and St. Cecilia / Scotia Street entrances
- Assistive listening system available
- Low-gluten altar bread available
- Discounted parking at Hynes Auditorium Garage (50 Dalton St.)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- William Cardinal O'Connell1888–1900
First pastor of Saint Cecilia Parish, later Archbishop of Boston and Cardinal
- Rt. Rev. William P. Byrne, D.D.1912–1922
- Rev. Richard J. Barry1943–1964
- Rev. Msgr. Francis L. Phelan1964–1969
- Rev. Msgr. Richard A. Rogers (administrator)1969–1988
Administrator
- Rev. Msgr. Michael F. Groden1989–2003
- Rev. Msgr. Vincent J. Mackey
Listed on parish history page among pastors
- Rev. Msgr. John J. Fletcher (administrator)
Administrator
- Rev. Msgr. Thomas F. Garrity (administrator)
Administrator
- Rev. Msgr. John J. McGarry (administrator)
Administrator
- Rev. Msgr. David D. Ryan (administrator)
Administrator
- Rev. John J. Unni2003–present
Current pastor; ordained 1992 for the Archdiocese of Boston; Chief Chaplain of the Boston Fire Department and Chaplain for Berklee College of Music