The Boston Globe recently had a wonderful article about nuns, the Sisters of Saint Joseph, (www.bostonglobe.com/magazine/2016/10/13). Reading this brought back so many memories of the parochial schools and parishes in the North End and throughout Boston that existed sixty five years ago.
At that time Boston was a city of ethnic tribes, Italians in the North End, East Boston and parts of Roslindale, Irish in Charlestown, South Boston, Dorchester and West Roxbury, Jews in the West End, Dorchester and Mattapan and African Americans in Roxbury. The glue that held these neighborhoods together were the parishes especially the Catholic ones because Boston was a Catholic city where people were defined more by their parish boundaries than by their neighborhood. Where one was baptized, married and buried was determined by parish boundaries. Many churches had marching bands, Holy Name societies and Sodalities but membership was strictly limited to those who lived in that parish.
Dorchester had thirteen parishes, more than any other section, and St. Peter’s was the largest and wealthiest parish. In 1947 it had 226 marriages, 574 baptisms and 10 Sunday Masses, all well attended. Many a Boston political career was launched by being active in the parishes of Dorchester.
Several months ago it was reported that Mayor Walsh moved from Savin Hill to Lower Mills in Dorchester. That meant nothing to me or to people of my generation. What really happened was he moved from St. William’s parish, a working class neighborhood of three (never triple) deckers to upscale St. Gregory’s which was almost Milton. This was a move up the social ladder for Mayor Walsh.
When my middle daughter began working in city hall as a young attorney she was introduced to Mayor Menino. Ever the city boy, he asked where she grew up and was pleased when she said the North End. “What about your mother”, he asked, “which parish did she grow up in”? Elizabeth was stumped. She knew my wife lived in Jamaica Plain but she couldn’t imagine why the mayor wanted to know the specific parish. She called home that evening and my wife explained that when they left the West End they first lived in Our Lady of Lourdes, a poor parish near Franklin Park but soon moved to St. Thomas’ across from the Arnold Arboretum, a solidly middle class, lace curtain Irish parish. When Elizabeth related this to the mayor his face lit up because now he knew all that was important about her family.
The picture I’m sharing today is of my grammar school class, St. Mary School class of 1958. We had a class of about forty five students all ruled by one sainted, long suffering nun. For years there were the same thirteen boys in my class and the nuns called us Jesus and the twelve apostles. In the eighth grade Marilyn Sarno was chosen as the most Mary like girl and got to place the crown of flowers on St. Mary’s head during the May procession. I was the most Christ like boy which I thought was an honor until I remembered what the Romans did to him.
When “Sister” walked into the classroom all chatter stopped and anyone who got out of line suffered serious consequences. The intellectual range of students in my class was enormous and the newly arrived immigrants didn’t speak English. Almost all the nuns were young women from working class Irish families so teaching in the North End must have been quite a culture shock. We had three parishes in the North End; St. Marys’ on North Margin St, St. Leonard’s (which we called St. Anthony’s) on Prince St, and Sacred heart in North Square. Each parish had a slightly different character. St. Marys’ had Jesuit priests so it had a more intellectual atmosphere. St. Leonards’ was the largest parish and had Franciscan priests. Because of its ornate, Rococo interior, St. Leonards’ was always the church of choice for fancy Italian weddings. Sacred Heart was the most Italian of the parishes. It was staffed by the Scalabrini fathers, an order specifically founded to minister to Italian immigrants.
Each of these parish churches had a grammar school staffed by different orders of nuns. Seeing nuns in full habits walking in the North End was a common sight and the academic year revolved around the Church calendar. We celebrated Holy days, Ember days and Saints days. The nuns marched us to church for confession and Mass several times a week. We spent hours practicing for the Christmas Play and the May procession. Schoolwork faded into the background but we somehow managed to learn how to read and write.
Franny Capodilupo Gannon kept in touch with my third grade teacher, Sister William Mary and we went out to eat with her a few years ago. She was a lovely woman and our class was the first class she taught right after she took her final vows. She remembered many of my classmates and asked about Juliet Tammaro, Marilyn Sarno, Gene Rapacelli, Anthony Gambale and many others. Teachers always remember their first class.
Sister told us a great story that could only happen in the North End.
Across the street from St. Mary school on the corner of Stillman St. was a bookie joint called Brother Bill’s. It was a rough place where Jesse and his gang hung out. Every month or so the nuns would receive a beautiful fruit basket from someone named Brother Bill. They of course assumed it was from one of the religious brothers assigned to St. Mary church and they always sent a thank you note to the pastor. Years later they found out the basket came from the bookie across the street that sent it to them whenever he made a score.
I really love nuns.
Nicholas Dello Russo is a lifelong North Ender and columnist. Often using vintage photographs, Nick tells the stories of growing up in the North End along with its culture and traditions. It was a time when the apartments were so small that residents were always on the streets enjoying “Life on the Corner.” Read more of Nick’s columns.
Hi Nick. I really enjoyed your article. I was wondering where you are in the class photo?
Top right under the flowers.
We rented the tuxedos from Castignetti Brothers on Stillman Street, across from the school. Can you believe that one nun taught that entire class. They were saints.
I gave a copy of this picture to my classmate Donna DiNunzio, second row far left, who says she remembers all the names. We’ll see.
I WAS BROUGHT UP IN THE WEST END OF BOSTON WENT TO ST JOSEPHS SCHOOL LIVED ON 15 PITTS ST HAVE GREAT MEMORIES OF THAT TIME LIVED ON THE 5TH FLOOR OUR GRANDFATHER OWED THE HOUSE CHARLIE GAVEY A HORSE SHOE REPAIR PERSON HAD HIS BUSINESS ACROSS THE STREET FROM OUR BUILDING AND AN OLIVE FACTORY ON TOP OF THE HORSE SHOE REPAIR STALL INTERESTING WAY OF LIFE BAR ROOM AT THE TOP OF THE STREET RIGHT NEXT TO PLAYGROUND WE ALL STOPPED BY JOSEPH RUSSO FUNERAL PARLOR I THINK ON GREEN ST WE ALL PLAYED ON THE STREETS LIFE WAS INTERESTING LOVED IT ALL MY FATHER WAS A FISHING MAN OWNED HIS OWN BOAT MY MAIDEN NAME WAS FERLITO TALK TOO U AGAIN WHEN I CAN REMEMBER MORE
Brother Bill (Billy Cavallo) was very generous to St Mary’s beautiful Notre Dame nuns, but the children were prohibited from going into his established to buy an ice cream or soda or sandwich. That bothered him, but he continued his generosity to them. This is a beautiful article and nice to see our beautiful St Mary’s church. Thank you.
You’re right, Shirley, I could only go in there on Saturdays.
The nuns weren’t so much concerned about the bookmaking, which they didn’t understand, as they were with the fresh teenagers that hung out there.
Brother Bill had a jukebox and the teenagers listened to Rock & Roll, Elvis, Bill Haley, Little Richard et al. They told us listening to R & R was a sin and if they saw any of us going in there we would be punished.
Good morning Nick, I have a request .I would love to read an article written by you about the ” Great Molasses Flood”. I grew up with people who lived in the NE all their life & never even knew about this tragedy that occurred on their doorstep.Thank you.
Michael, Stephen Puleo wrote a book about the molasses flood called Dark Tide. It’s available on Amazon and is a good read.
The tank was built in 1914 and the construction was shoddy. It leaked from the beginning. When it burst in 1919 there were rumors that Italian anarchists were responsible because molasses, when mixed with ammonium nitrate, was used in making explosives. Sacco & Vanzetti were convicted of a murder that occurred in 1920. This was a time of widespread distrust of Italians.
Loved the story Nick, I went to St Anthony’s for my grammar school years.
Carol Langone, front row to the left of the priest
You’re right, Michelle, and she hasn’t changed.
The priest is Fr. Boylan, the pastor.
This is before my time at St Mary’s, that’s why I didn’t know the pastor…I wasn’t born yet….LOL
Interesting article as usual Thank you Dr.
Nick, this is a great article. I recognized my sister Roberta right away! Fondly remember Fr Boylan and all the great Sisters of Notre Dame. St. Mary’s School was certainly the foundation of our youth and adulthood. Our class of 1956 was very similar to yours; only about 10 boys and three times as many girls! Thanks for sharing.
Eileen Cianci
Thank you for this beautiful article! I am also an alumnus of St. Mary’s, Class of 1964. Recently, I met with my sixth grade nun, Sr. Elizabeth Matthew (now Sr. Mary Elizabeth Whalen) for lunch. We have been communicating for over 50 years now! I still have a copy of my winning Graduation Essay, “What A Catholic Education Means To Me” and I believe that the first line is still the most significant and meaningful to so many of us. “A Catholic Education is a gift” and I did not understand at the time that it is a precious gift that lasts a lifetime. We grew up in the building on North Margin Street next to the “Clinic”, the one with the big tree in the back yard. So often our mothers would help the nuns “watch us” at recess and accompany us to 9 am Mass every Sunday morning. I fondly remember getting lined up for the May Procession in the Stillman Street Playground and the nuns making us sing hymns to the Blessed Mother before marching to Church for the crowning. I am still most grateful to the Sisters of Notre Dame and the Jesuits and of course my parents for the gift of a catholic education and for teaching me that the learning process never ends.
Wow Nick what a great article as usual You sure know a lot about history of the churches as i sit in Casa Maria i always notice the pictures of St. Mary’s church and the Stain glass and 2 Madonnas that are still here. It was a beautiful church, I can see my girlfriends Carol and Donna in the picture Although I would like to mention The Baptist Bethel which is now north end health center which i attended That was a beautiful church also. Too long of a story. Baptized there,received communion Than moved on to be baptized,married, received communion and confirmation at Sacred Heart Church so I’m by catholic (lol)
Thanks, Corinne. I left out the Old North Church, the Baptist Bethel (now the health center) and St. Stephen’s because it never had a school associated with it. St. Stephen’s reminds me of a Unitarian church, it needs more statues, candles and maybe some frescoes.
I love this article. Unfortunately, I wasn’t voted “most Christ-like”. My ears still hurt from time to time. But I did learn. More like had to learn. Nuns didn’t give options. I am grateful though, I might have been able to get away with most of my stuff at the publics.
From what I am getting out of Wiki-leaks, are you about to be investigated by the Secret Service?
They can investigate me all they like. Ain’t nothin there.
Still have a lump on the back of my head from a well delivered “noogie” from Father Louis at Sacred Heart Church.
The lesson that keeps on giving. But the worst part was the stifled laughter from your friends. Bet you are still hearing about it.
Father Louis was a serial “noogie” giver who did not discriminate .He whacked everyone.
Hi Nick do you happen to be related to Cynthia I went to St.Anthonys Cynthia was younger thanI a lovely girl.I received Holy Communion and Confirmation at StAnthonys in the 1950’s still love those days. MarieFiricano from Cape Cod
Nicky,
I love this article. You caught the whole wodnerful sense of St. Mary’s that made it so outstanding. People don’t understand when I explain St. Mary’s was the most important part of my education. What the SND’s gave me I used in High School and College and life. I attribute any intellectual achievements directly to my grammar school education.
Joseph L. Langone (Lonnie)