About Us

Founded in 1915 and incorporated in March 1925 by immigrants from Riesi, Sicily, the Saint Joseph Society of Boston is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has proudly served the North End and Greater Boston communities for over a century. Rooted in faith, tradition, and service, the Society has long been dedicated to preserving cultural heritage while meeting the evolving needs of the communities it serves.

Each year, the Society hosts beloved traditions such as the St. Joseph’s Table in March and the St. Joseph’s Feast and Procession in July. Though religious in origin, these events are open to all and serve as inclusive gatherings that welcome families, friends, and neighbors of every background.

Beyond its cultural and religious mission, the Saint Joseph Society has grown into a charitable organization committed to giving back. The Society regularly supports local nonprofit organizations and provides assistance to individuals and families in need. In 2018, the Society made the largest donation in its history—a one-time $1 million contribution toward the restoration of St. Leonard’s Church, the oldest church in New England built by Italian immigrants and a cornerstone of the North End community.

The Society is entirely volunteer-run. All directors, officers, and members serve without compensation and receive no reimbursements for travel, parking, or other expenses. This commitment ensures that resources raised by the Society are directed toward its mission and charitable efforts, maximizing the benefit to those it serves.

The Saint Joseph Society also operates a function hall, which it proudly shares with the community. For more than six years, an Alcoholics Anonymous group has met there weekly, and the hall is regularly made available to smaller societies, nonprofit organizations, and community groups for meetings and gatherings. Providing this space reflects the Society’s belief in supporting connection, recovery, and collaboration.

In recent years, Society volunteers have also begun preparing and delivering hundreds of Thanksgiving meals to elderly residents and veterans living in local housing communities. This growing initiative reflects the Society’s continued commitment to compassion, dignity, and hands-on service.

With the support of generous donors and dedicated volunteers, the Saint Joseph Society of Boston remains committed not only to honoring its traditions, but also to expanding its charitable outreach and deepening its impact throughout the North End and Greater Boston. As community needs continue to evolve, the Society looks forward to growing its charitable giving and service efforts so it may continue to serve generations to come.