Reborn in Beauty: New Haven’s Beloved St. Anthony Shrine Restored to Splendor

Archdiocese News | May 27, 2026

Pictured is a statue of St. Philip Neri in the shrine at St. Anthony Church in New Haven. The saint was an Italian Catholic priest who founded the Congregation of the Oratory, a group of secular clergy dedicated to pastoral care and charitable work. PHOTO BY JIM TIERNEY

Story by Jim Tierney

For several years, the basement of St. Anthony Church in New Haven was used as a chapel with an altar at one end of the hall, chairs in the middle and the statues of saints lining the walls in a rectangular shape.

Refurbished last year, the space is now a dedicated shrine and a focal point for devotion. Many statues were donated by early immigrant families from various Italian regions. Others found a new home here after the consolidation of St. Peter’s and Sacred Heart churches in recent decades.

These statues reflect deep personal and cultural devotions, and they continue to be honored through private prayer, novenas and special observances connected to the saints they represent.

Father Héctor Rangel, pastor in solidum of Blessed Michael McGivney Parish which includes St. Anthony Church, says the shrine holds deep historical significance because “shrines were used by the Italian immigrants for their novenas,” reflecting the traditions and devotions immigrants brought with them from their hometowns in Italy.

The recent renovations transformed the space into a dedicated shrine. A team reinforced every shelf and touched up the paint on several of the figures.

“We cleaned up the shrine, wiped down all the statues, replaced the old placards describing the saints, added two dehumidifiers for the muggy summers and polished the relic cabinets,” says parishioner and refurbishing committee member Frank Mentone.

For many years, the basement at St. Anthony Church was used for religious education classes and prayer groups. After St. Anthony and other city churches combined to form Blessed Michael McGivney Parish, religious instruction became shared among the churches at different locations, Mentone explains.

A statue of St. Sebastian is one of several statues on display in the shrine at St. Anthony Church. PHOTO BY JIM TIERNEY

Today, the shrine serves as a gathering place for prayer and fellowship within the parish community. It is maintained by the parish sexton with additional help from parishioners.

“The vision is to have people visit the shrine before and after Mass for a quiet reflection as well as using it in the evening for special prayer groups,” Mentone says.

The parish also celebrates St. Anthony, marking his annual feast day on June 13. This year, St. Anthony Church will hold a Triduum with Adoration and the Blessed Sacrament on June 8, 9, and 10 at 6 p.m. in the church. On June 12 at 6 p.m., an indoor festival will be held in St. Anthony Parish Center. Tickets must be purchased for the festival by June 10 by calling 203.410.4254.

This celebration serves as a reminder that devotion to the saints is not confined to the past but continues to shape the spiritual life of the parish today, says Father Michael Dolan, pastor in solidum and moderator of Blessed Michael McGivney Parish.

“It is wonderful to see not just the cultural but theological gifts that are being shared as you move among the beauty in this refurbished chapel,” Father Dolan explains. “The communion of the saints is brought to life in the exquisite craftsmanship of the artists. To walk among these religious figures is to experience both a spiritual uplifting and a profound sense of gratitude.”

Situated in the basement of St. Anthony Church, 70 Washington Ave., New Haven, the shrine welcomes visitors for parish meetings, gatherings and youth activities. You can also visit the shrine on Sundays after the 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Masses.