The Madonna Queen of the Universe National Shrine crowns a hilltop in East Boston’s Orient Heights, where a towering bronze statue of the Madonna looks out over the neighborhood and Boston Harbor beyond. The shrine was founded by the Don Orione Fathers, a Roman Catholic religious order, and dedicated in the 1950s. The copper-and-bronze Madonna figure is a replica inspired by a monument in Italy, and the elevated site offers sweeping views that draw visitors as much as pilgrims.
The grounds include the statue, a chapel, and devotional spaces, and the shrine remains an active place of Catholic worship and pilgrimage. It is a quietly striking landmark reached by the winding, hilly streets of Orient Heights. Mass times and visiting access can change, so check the shrine’s official site before planning a visit, and be respectful of services and worshippers while on site.
Good to know
- A hilltop Catholic shrine founded by the Don Orione Fathers, dedicated in the 1950s
- Features a large bronze Madonna statue inspired by an Italian monument
- Offers panoramic views over East Boston and the harbor
- An active place of worship — check Mass times and be mindful of services
Getting there
- Address: 150 Orient Avenue, East Boston, MA 02128
- Neighborhood: East Boston (Orient Heights)
- Nearest T: Orient Heights (MBTA Blue Line)