Swan Island / Kennebec River entrance, Maine — First Mass, November 1, 1611

November 1, 1611

Location	Swan Island / Kennebec River entrance
State/Territory	Maine
Modern Diocese	Diocese of Portland in Maine
Historical Diocese	Unorganized
Date	November 1, 1611
Priest	Fr. Pierre Biard, Fr. Ennemond Masse S.J.
Religious Order	Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
Rite	Roman (Latin) Rite
Confidence	confirmed
Submitted by	@_catholicwest

Photos

Swan Island / Kennebec River entrance — November 1, 1611

Documentation

Diocese of Portland in Maine — History of Priestly Ministry

Notes

By 1611, French Jesuit Fr. Pierre Biard was traveling the St. John, St. Croix, Penobscot, and Kennebec rivers, bringing the sacraments to tribes across Maine. Along with Fr. Ennemond Massé, he offered spiritual care at Pleasant Point, Old Town, Bangor, Castine, and islands such as Monhegan and Matinicus. That same year, Fr. Massé celebrated the first recorded Mass in New England on Swan Island at the mouth of the Kennebec River.

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