Pope John Paul II Memorial (Boston)

Pope John Paul II Memorial
The memorial in 2010
Map
42°21′16.8″N 71°4′5.3″W / 42.354667°N 71.068139°W / 42.354667; -71.068139
LocationBoston
TypeMemorial
Length32 in
Width8.25 in
Height53.5 in
Dedicated dateJune 28, 1981
Dedicated toPope John Paul II

A memorial placard of Pope John Paul II, sometimes called Papal Mass Plaque,[1] is installed in Boston Common in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.

Description and history[edit]

The memorial commemorates the first Mass he celebrated in the United States, on October 1, 1979, at Boston Common.[2] The Gray granite tablet measures approximately 53.5 x 32 x 8.25 in., and was dedicated on June 28, 1981.[1]

An inscription reads: "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".[1]

The work was surveyed by the Smithsonian Institution's "Save Outdoor Sculpture!" program in 1996.[1]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Papal Mass Plaque, (sculpture)". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved November 15, 2019.
  2. ^ "13 hidden gems in the Public Garden and Boston Common". 11 August 2017. Archived from the original on 10 October 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.

External links[edit]