Shrine Summer Schedule begins June 8.
Morning confessions will be from
10:30-11:45 AM
All other ministry remains the same.
The Gift Shop will close at 4:00 PM daily.
Beginning Monday, August 17th, Lee St. will be closed to vehicular traffic for 2 weeks thru Friday August 28th while the City performs work on the sanitary sewer system. During that time validated parking at the John St. Parking Garage is available. Metered Parking is available on nearby Paige and John Streets. Learn more
All are Welcome
"Come to Me all who labor and are overburdened
and i will give you rest"
Our Mission is based on Matthew 11:28
Mass Times
Weekend
Saturday: 8:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM
Weekday
Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 5:30 PM
Eucharistic Adoration
Saturday: After 12:00 PM Mass til the 4:00 PM Mass
First Fridays: After 12:00 PM Mass til the 5:30 PM Mass
Confession Times
Monday–Friday: 10:30 AM–11:45 AM, 4:30–5:15 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
First Wednesdays: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Anointing of the Sick
First Saturday of the month, August 1, after all Masses:
8:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM
Live Streaming Mass
Watch our Sunday 10:00 AM mass live or watch our most recent services on Facebook below.
This Week's Message from
Father Michael Amesse
August 16, 2026
No, I don't spend all my time watching television! Between celebrating Mass, hearing confessions, and the many responsibilities here at the Shrine, there isn't much time for that. But I do enjoy the Saturday evening movies on EWTN. They often tell the stories of remarkable saints whose lives continue to inspire us.
Recently, I watched a movie about St. Charbel Makhlouf, a Maronite monk and priest from Lebanon. He lived a quiet life of prayer, simplicity, and deep devotion to God. Although he sought no recognition during his lifetime, countless people have turned to him for his intercession, and devotion to St. Charbel has spread throughout the world.
One of his sayings especially caught my attention:
"Begin nothing on earth unless it has its end in heaven. Do not walk on a path that does not lead to heaven.
Those few words contain a lifetime of wisdom.
It is easy to become preoccupied with the things of this world. We worry about our schedules, our finances, our careers, and countless other concerns. While these things are important, St. Charbel reminds us to keep our eyes fixed on what is eternal.
Before making a decision, perhaps we should ask ourselves a simple question: Will this lead me closer to Christ? If the answer is yes, we can move forward with confidence. If the answer is no, perhaps we should reconsider. That is really what holiness is all about. It is not doing extraordinary things. It is allowing every part of our lives to draw us closer to God.
The saints came from different countries, spoke different languages, and lived in different centuries. Yet they all point us in the same direction. They remind us that our true home is not here on earth, but in heaven. I hope the next time you hear the name St. Charbel, you will remember his simple advice:
"Begin nothing on earth unless it has its end in heaven. Do not walk on a path that does not lead to heaven."
If we lived by those words each day, we would all be well on our way to becoming saints.
I remember you at Mass.
St. Joseph the Worker Shrine again served as a Place of Welcoming Respite during the
Lowell Folk Festival - 2026
An estimated 100,000 visited the city during the last weekend in July – this year: July 24-25 -26. Many of these vistors stopped by to tvisit our Shrine.
Click on the link below to go to the 2026 Festival photo gallery.
Assumption of Mary
On August 15 we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. This annual feast reminds us of God’s faithfulness to Mary and our shared destiny. In 2026, although not a Holyday of Obligation this year, stop to reflect on Mary’s experience.
At the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38), when the angel appeared to her, she was asked to set aside her plans for marriage and a normal life to become the mother of the Savior. In faith, she accepted this invitation, and from that moment, she had to renew her commitment every day. Sometimes, this was a significant challenge, such as when the Savior was born in a humble manger, when she (with the Holy Family) traveled as refugees, or when she and Joseph lost Him in Jerusalem.
With unwavering faith, she followed him to the cross and held his lifeless body in her arms. What must have gone through the mind of the mother of our Lord at these moments? After three days, she knew him to be alive. God had resurrected her Son. Her joy was now mingled with the sorrow she had endured, but in this, she experienced the profound faithfulness of God.
In the end, God took her to be with Him, with the Son, and with the Holy Spirit, to enjoy the fullness of life. From Mary’s story, we learn that we, too, are called to walk in faith with our God through the daily challenges of our lives.
May this year’s celebration of the Assumption remind us of the glorious destiny God has prepared for all who walk faithfully with Him in this world.
- OMI World
St. Joseph the Worker Shrine 2026
Christian Worker Recognition Award
Nominations for this year’s St. Joseph the Worker Award have closed. Thank you to all who submitted thoughtful recommendations.
The Awardee will be announced on Labor Day weekend - September 6th, and the award will be presented at the 4:00 o’clock Vigil Mass on Sept. 12th
Oblate Associates
Interested in answering the call and living a life that matters as an Oblate Associate?
Go to the link to read more information about a life as an Oblate Associate.
at the shrine.....
Downes Parking Garage Ticket Validation
- Available in the Gift Shop /Bookstore
Monday through Saturday
when the Gift Shop is open. - Sunday street parking is always free
“Come to me all you who labor and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.”
– Matthew 11:28
Praying with the Stained Glass Windows of
St. Joseph the Worker Shrine
Self Guided Tour of
St. Joseph the Worker Shrine
Our Mission
We who minister at the Shrine are committed to work collaboratively with one another and with you. Our aim is to provide a place of prayer, conscious reflection, and social action that is hospitable to and calls forth the gifts of all who come to the Shrine. We do this in the spirit of Jesus Christ and of
Saint Eugene de Mazenod, founder of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
Our Mission is based on Matthew 11:28:
"Come to me all you who labor and are overburdoned, and I will give you rest"
Parish Bulletin
At St Joseph the Worker, our parish bulletins are your go-to source for the latest news, events, and inspiration. Each week, we share important updates, spiritual reflections, and opportunities to connect with our vibrant community. Stay informed and engaged with us!
