First: Mass by Pope John Paul II in the US - Boston, MA

First Papal Mass Tablet

Boston Common

Boston, MA

 

Tablet

GPS: N42° 21.278; W71° 4.087

Short Description:

The first Papal Mass Tablet is located on the west end of Boston Common near Charles Street.

Long Description:

The Order of the Alhambra commissioned this 53.5" by 32" by 8.25" gray granite tablet to commemorate the visit of Pope John Paul II to Boston and the celebration of a Papal Mass on the Boston Common. This was the first visit of a pope to Boston.  The tablet was sculpted by Frank Chalfant Gaylord , II and fabricated by the F. P. Davis Monumental Works. It was dedicated on June 28, 1981.

Setting

The tablet contains a waist length portrait of the Pope and the following inscription:

POPE JOHN PAUL II

IN COMMEMORATION OF

THE FIRST MASS OFFERED IN THE

UNITED STATES BY HIS HOLINESS ON HIS

FIRST PASTORAL VISIT TO THIS COUNTRY

1 OCTOBER 1979

HERE ON BOSTON COMMON

DURING THE 350TH YEAR

OF THE FOUNDING OF BOSTON

"MAY GOD'S PEACE DESCENT ON THIS CITY

OF BOSTON, AND BRING JOY TO EVERY

CONSCIENCE AND JOY TO EVERY HEART."

POPE JOHN PAUL II

GIFT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF THE ALHAMBRA