News - 150th Anniversary of the Diocese RSS Feed

Last year, we celebrated the 150th anniversary of our diocese with the theme “The Lord Has Done Great Things for Us; We are Filled with Joy” (Ps 126:3). Indeed, He has! We always have much for which we can be grateful, but this Thanksgiving, I am particularly grateful for the gift of Catholic education. If the numbers are correct, many Rhode Island families are grateful for the same thing. Data from the National Catholic Education Association tell us that nationwide, Catholic school enrollment grew by 3.8 percent in the 2021-2022 school year, the first such increase in twenty years.

PROVIDENCE — Until comparatively recently, public school history curricula tended to narrativize the story of American civilization as beginning with the arrival of the Protestant English — the “Pilgrims,” as they came be known (an unusual name for immigrants, as a pilgrim typically returns to their point of origin). Modern classrooms now recognize the wide diversity of indigenous cultures present on the American continent long before the arrival of European peoples (of whom the English were comparative latecomers).

PROVIDENCE — If history had taken a different turn in 1844, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence would have recently celebrated its 175th anniversary instead of the 150 years of existence that it is marking this year.

PROVIDENCE — Just in time to mark the 150th anniversary of the Diocese of Providence, the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul has emerged from recent major renovations strengthened, reinvigorated and ready for the journey to the diocese’s next milestone anniversary.

The Little Sisters of the Poor attended the Solemn Mass for the closing of the Diocese of Providence’s 150th anniversary year and had a special opportunity to meet and visit with His Excellency Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America, at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Providence.

Throughout this anniversary year, Rhode Island Catholic has featured profiles of the seven former bishops who have led the Diocese of Providence over the last 150 years. Here, we feature a compilation of biographies of those who have served as auxiliary bishop of Providence over the course of its history.

For more than 100 years, diocesan Catholic Charities and Social Ministry has been dedicated to making a difference in the lives of Rhode Islanders

PROVIDENCE — For 150 years, the priests in the Diocese of Providence have brought Christ to the lay faithful through their preaching and the celebration of the sacraments. They have served the poor, advocated for the marginalized, listened and provided counsel, buried the dead, spoken for the unborn, and defended the truth. They have established social ministries, opened schools, founded prayer groups and provided outreach and ministry to the youth.

PROVIDENCE — That the Providence Visitor — now Rhode Island Catholic — has survived and flourished all these years can be attributed to the fact that it was founded to serve a special purpose. During its long history, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Providence has endured because it continues to give the Catholic community in Rhode Island news of their Church, to instruct them in the truths of their faith, to encourage them in the practice of it, and to defend the Church and the faith when necessary.

Shortly after 10:30 in the morning on the seventh day of July 1872, the 45-year-old Thomas Francis Hendricken entered the sanctuary of the old Cathedral church in Providence. The Providence Visitor, venerable precursor to the Rhode Island Catholic, would not begin publication until three years later in 1875. For that reason, for an account of this auspicious occasion we rely on the word of America’s oldest Catholic newspaper— The Pilot out of Boston.

In the mid-90’s, my classmates and I explored the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul for the first time. St. Catherine Parish’s Director of Religious Education, Martha Capaldi, arranged a private tour for our class with Archbishop George Pearce, whose penchant for history and demure smile made him a fitting guide for inquisitive second graders. I still remember the stained-glass pixels bathed in an afternoon hue drawing my eyes upwards. The sheer size of the church elicited awe; its beauty roused wonder...

Brothers and Sisters, In preparing for my homily today, I’ve been thinking about an observation that was made by one of the great philosophers, one of the astute commentators of our time – that would be ....

PROVIDENCE — The Diocese of Providence’s observance of its 150th anniversary has drawn to a close and the consensus among the hundreds of faithful participating in Sunday’s glorious Solemn Holy Mass at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul was that there couldn’t have been a more soaring and spiritually uplifting way to conclude the sesquicentennial year celebration.

Holy Masses, special events and inspired speakers help make for a remarkable year celebrating the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Providence...

The observance of the 150th Anniversary of the Diocese is nearing an end. For several months now we’ve had a number of devotional, educational and cultural events. This diocesan paper has published excellent articles about our seven former bishops and has highlighted fascinating photos from diocesan archives. And the solemn Mass to honor our patron saints, the Apostles Peter and Paul, is now at hand. It’s been a wonderful opportunity for us to reflect upon our past and to thank God for all the blessings he has given us.

PROVIDENCE — On Sunday, June 26, 1 p.m., join Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, D. D., Bishop of Providence, celebrant and homilist, for a special Solemn Holy Mass marking the closing of the Diocese …

PROVIDENCE — Just in time to mark the 150th anniversary of the Diocese of Providence, the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul has emerged from recent major renovations strengthened, reinvigorated and ready for the journey to the diocese’s next milestone anniversary.

Join Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, D. D., Bishop of Providence, celebrant and homilist, Sunday, June 26 beginning at 1 p.m. in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Providence.

As the Diocese of Providence celebrates its 150th anniversary through June 26, 2022, Rhode Island Catholic is featuring profiles of the men who have served as diocesan shepherds through its history.

OUR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CONTINUES! The special concert will include “Jubilee Te Deum” which Rev. Monsignor Anthony Mancini, Rector of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul and conductor of the Gregorian Concert Choir and Orchestra, was commissioned to compose for a choral symposium in Calabria, Italy in the year 2000. The “Jubilee Te Deum” is a prayer of praise and Thanksgiving, most appropriate for our 150th anniversary celebration! Click for more!