Located in the heart of Back Bay's hotel and business district, this Catholic church is a popular place of worship for people visiting the city and staying nearby. The 125-member congregation soars during religious holidays and celebrations, and the church is usually packed the Sunday before the Boston Marathon during a special mass dedicated to all the runners participating in the race. It can hold up to 750 people.
Our Lady of Victories was founded as a French church, although services are now conducted in English. It hosts about 40 weddings a year, offers meeting space for community groups and provides about 25 rooms for visiting priests and other religious travelers.
Permanent residents include nine fathers and one brother from the Marist Fathers and Brothers of the Boston Province, a religious order of men who strive to live the Gospel in the spirit of Mary, and also serve as pastors.
The social service agency Cardinal Medeiros Center for Change is located at Our Lady of Victories as well, and all three organizations work together to provide meals to homeless people every morning and evening.