About St. Raymond · Providence, Rhode Island
St. Raymond is a Roman Catholic parish on the north side of Providence, Rhode Island, located at 1240 North Main Street. Founded in 1911 by the Dominican Fathers (Order of Preachers), the parish serves the North Main Street neighborhood and is part of the Diocese of Providence. Under its current pastor, Rev. Edward L. Pieroni, the parish offers daily and weekend Masses in English, a St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, an adult choir, a religious education program, and live-streamed liturgy for the homebound.
- Established
- 1911
- Patron
- St. Raymond of Peñafort
- Rector
- Rev. Edward L. Pieroni
- Diocese
- Diocese of Providence
Why belong here
St. Raymond is a warm, family-style parish on Providence's North Main Street where longtime parishioners describe the community as 'so warm and inviting' and where 'everyone here is like a family.' Daily and weekend Masses are offered in an intimate setting, confession is available Saturdays and by appointment, and Father Pieroni live-streams Mass for the homebound. Practical works of mercy — including a St. Vincent de Paul food pantry that serves local elders and families in need — and parish life ministries (religious education, an adult choir, and Holy Day liturgies) round out a parish where newcomers are welcomed into a century-old Catholic community.
Mass times at St. Raymond
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:15 PM to 3:45 PM (or by appointment)
Parish Identity & History
St. Raymond is a Roman Catholic parish on the north side of Providence, founded in 1911 by the Dominican Fathers of the Province of St. Joseph under Bishop Matthew Harkins. The parish takes its name and identity from St. Raymond of Peñafort, a 13th-century Dominican canon lawyer and Master General of the order. After more than a century on North Main Street — through two world wars, the Depression, Vietnam, and 9/11 — the parish marked its 100th anniversary in October 2011 with a concelebrated Mass led by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Providence.
- Founded 1911 by the Dominican Order
- Parish patron: St. Raymond of Peñafort (feast day January 7)
- 100th anniversary celebrated October 2011 with Bishop Thomas J. Tobin
- Diocese of Providence
Dominican Heritage & Founding
Bishop Harkins invited the American Province of St. Joseph to Providence in 1910–1911 with a vision of both a parish and a Catholic college on land near the old 'Halfway House' on North Main Street. The Dominican Fathers School Corporation was chartered in November 1911 for 'religious and educational' purposes. While the Master General in Rome, Father Hyacinthe-Marie Cormier, opposed the college because of the order's recent commitment to Aquinas College in Columbus, the parish itself was established and became the seedbed for what would eventually be realized as Providence College.
- Bishop Matthew Harkins invited the Dominicans in 1910–1911
- Dominican Fathers School Corporation chartered November 1911
- Site near the historic 'Halfway House' on North Main Street
Pastor & Parish Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Edward L. Pieroni, Pastor. Supporting him are a Parish Financial Administrator, a Parish Secretary, a Coordinator of Religious Education, a Music Director, and a Parish Custodian. The Religious Education office is open Sundays during the program year, and the Parish Office serves walk-in visitors weekday mornings.
- Pastor: Rev. Edward L. Pieroni
- Parish Financial Administrator: Louise Barone
- Parish Secretary: Mrs. Chryso Maranda
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Mrs. Deborah Britto
- Music Director: Ms. Christian Black (email [email protected])
- Parish Custodian: Ms. Zilpa Serrano
Live-Streamed Mass
Father Pieroni streams Mass so parishioners unable to attend in person can still worship with the parish. The Sunday 10:00 AM Mass and the daily 9:00 AM Mass (Monday–Saturday) are streamed live; videos are saved for later viewing. The Saturday Vigil and Sunday 8:00 AM Mass are not streamed.
- Sunday Mass streamed at 10:00 AM
- Monday–Saturday Mass streamed at 9:00 AM
- Videos saved for later viewing
Parish Office & Contact
The Parish Office / Rectory is located at 2 Matilda Street, Providence, RI 02904. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The parish can be reached by phone, fax, or email.
- Parish Office / Rectory: 2 Matilda Street, Providence, RI 02904
- Telephone: 401-351-4224
- Fax: 401-274-3350
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Religious Education & Faith Formation
The parish runs a Religious Education program for children, coordinated by Mrs. Deborah Britto. The Religious Education office is open on Sundays during the program year (September through May), and families may also arrange an appointment outside of those hours.
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Mrs. Deborah Britto
- Office hours (Sept.–May): Sunday 8:15 AM – 9:45 AM, or by appointment
Music Ministry
Music at St. Raymond is led by Music Director Ms. Christian Black, with an Adult Choir that rehearses in the church on Wednesday evenings during the program year. Choir members support the parish's liturgical life across the regular Mass schedule.
- Music Director: Ms. Christian Black ([email protected])
- Adult Choir rehearsal: Wednesdays, 7:00 PM (September–May)
Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul
St. Raymond's operates a St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry to help provide food for elderly neighbors and local families in need. The parish's SVdP Conference meets at the parish to organize this ongoing corporal work of mercy.
- St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry — food assistance for the elderly and those in need
- SVdP Conference meetings held at the parish
St. Raymond of Peñafort — Our Patron
St. Raymond of Peñafort (1175–1275) was born near Barcelona to a wealthy family and became a professor of philosophy by age twenty. He studied civil and canon law in Italy and joined the Dominican Order in Barcelona in 1222. A renowned preacher and spiritual director to kings, queens, and popes, he was elected Master General of the Dominican Order in 1238, served for two years, and then resigned due to ill health. He is best known for compiling the Decretals of Pope Gregory IX in 1234, which remained the most authoritative body of canon law until the 1917 Code. He died on the Feast of the Epiphany in 1275 at the age of 100 and was canonized in 1601 by Pope Clement VIII. His feast day is January 7.
- Born 1175 near Barcelona; entered the Dominican Order 1222
- Master General of the Dominicans, 1238–1240
- Compiled the Decretals of Gregory IX (1234)
- Died January 6, 1275; canonized 1601
- Feast day: January 7
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Charles Quinn
Former pastor; concelebrated the 100th anniversary Mass in October 2011.
- Rev. Peter Gower
Former parish administrator; concelebrated the 100th anniversary Mass in October 2011.
- Rev. Edward L. Pieroni
Current pastor; celebrates and live-streams daily Mass; concelebrated the 100th anniversary Mass in October 2011.