Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez to Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day Commemorative Mass

The theme for the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Philadelphia is “250 Years of Irish Contributions to America.”

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will serve as the principal celebrant and homilist at the Saint Patrick’s Day Commemorative Mass on Sunday, March 15, 2026 prior to the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in center city Philadelphia.

Sunday, March 15, 2026
9:00 a.m.
Saint Patrick Church
20th and Locust Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Reverend Kevin Gallagher, Parade Chaplain and Pastor of Saint Denis Parish in Havertown (Delaware County), will concelebrate. Prior to the Mass the Philadelphia Emerald Society Pipe Band will lead a procession into the church. The Bishop Shanahan High School Choir and cantor Karen Boyce McCollum will provide music.

Following Mass, Father Gallagher will join marchers at 11:00 a.m. in the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, which has been held for more than 250 years in the city.

The parade will start at 16^th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard, proceed west on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and end at Eakins Oval at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The Grand Marshall for the 2026 parade is Daniel J. Hilferty and the theme is “250 Years of Irish Contributions to America.”

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Editor’s Note: For more information about the Philadelphia Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, please visit PhillyParade.com.

 Catholic Church of Philadelphia
 ArchPhilly
 ArchPhilly

Contact: Ellen J. Davidson
Communications Coordinator
215-587-3747 (office)