For many people, Christmas is all about tradition, whether it's baking cookies with the family or celebrating the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. Attending midnight mass, as Christmas Eve turns into Christmas Day, is one of those traditions that many people treasure every year. Whether you're a Providence local or visiting for the holiday season, here's a list of churches offering midnight mass this year.
Midnight Services
The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul (30 Fenner St.) is hosting "A Concert of Christmas Meditations" with the Gregorian Concert Choir and Festival Orchestra at 11:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve, followed by Midnight Mass with Most Reverend Richard G Henning, Bishop of Providence. (Can't attend in person? Watch the livestream at the Diocese of Providence YouTube channel.)
The Church of Saint Augustine (20 Old Rd.) will also offer Christmas music prior to mass, beginning at 11:30 p.m. Midnight mass will also be celebrated at Saint Pius V Catholic Church (55 Elmhurst Ave.) and Saint Mary's on Broadway (538 Broadway).
Earlier Christmas Eve Services
In the past several years, many parishes have started offering services a little earlier in the evening. If you like the idea of a Christmas Eve mass, but don't want to wait until midnight, here are some churches offering slightly earlier services.
Grace Episcopal Church (175 Mathewson St.) will have a Festal Choral Eucharist with a string quartet at 10 p.m. and Saint Stephen's Church (114 George St.) has a Solemn High Mass at 10:30 p.m. Both Central Congregational Church (296 Angell St.) and Saint Thomas Catholic Church (65 Fruit Hill Ave.) have 11 p.m. services.
