About PHS

The PRINCE HENRY SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS, NEW BEDFORD CHAPTER was founded in 1980 by the late Milton Ferreira, Anthony S. Catojo, Jr. and Gabriel “Gabe” Moura to preserve the contribution of the Portuguese in America and promote the cultural, economic, educational and social betterment of persons of Portuguese descent.

Membership in the SOCIETY is by invitation and limited to business and professional people of Portuguese descent (only one parent needs to have been born in Portugal or the autonomous regions of Azores or Madeira). These selected people must be willing to be active and personally contribute to the goals of the SOCIETY. The by-laws of the SOCIETY limit the membership to one hundred individuals in each of its three chapters (New Bedford, Fall River and Taunton) and do not allow more than four individuals from any one profession or business, in order to provide diversification of membership reflective of the community at large.

Although the SOCIETY is a service organization, it has also developed a strong fraternal bond among its Members focused on its core three pronged mission:

• Preservation of our Portuguese Heritage
• Educational betterment via our scholarship program
• Support the community we serve in a charitable manner

The SOCIETY has worked diligently for the betterment of the community it serves as well as the preservation of the heritage of people of Portuguese descent. In its broad history of involvement in many community endeavors spanning over two decades, this 501 (c) (3) non-profit SOCIETY has provided many important contributions to the region, including:

• Awarding scholarships to over 750 students of Portuguese descent in an aggregate amount in excess of $750,000
• Erecting the monument of Prince Henry “The Navigator” at Marine Park in New Bedford to celebrate the contributions of all immigrants who came to New Bedford’s shores
• Feeding countless numbers of local families and people in need
• Providing thousands of dollars in charitable funds to support valuable community organizations
• Participating in countless cultural events
• Honoring and recognizing outstanding people in our community with targeted awards, such as Distinguished Service, Brotherhood, Recognition, Portuguese American of the Year, and Person of the Year
• Holding blood drives on a yearly basis to help stock the local blood bank at St. Luke’s Hospital
• Organizing a fun trip yearly to provide hundreds of local youth the opportunity to enjoy a Pawtucket Red Sox game