Since 1771, the city of Philadelphia has celebrated the feast of St. Patrick (March 17) with an annual parade.

Prior to this year’s parade on Sunday, March 10, the faithful gathered for a commemorative Mass at St. Patrick Parish in Philadelphia.

(Read our feature on Sean McMenamin, grand marshal of Philadelphia’s 2019 St. Patrick’s Day parade.)

Father Kevin Gallagher was the principal celebrant at the liturgy, which included music by the Emerald Society Pipe Band, as well as vocalists Karen Boyce McCollum and Frank Gallagher.

(All photos by Sarah Webb.)