Lantern Award Recipient 2019
Very Reverend Matthew J. Westcott V.F.

Fr. Matthew J. Westcott serves as Regimental Chaplain, 25th Marine Regiment at Ft. Devens, MA.
Chaplain Westcott was born in Boston, MA and was raised in Somerville, MA. He graduated from Norwich University, the Military College of Vermont, in 1997 with his B.A. in History. Immediately after graduation, he attended Marine Corps Boot Camp at Parris Island, SC, graduating on August 15, 1997 and reported to Comm Platoon, HQ Co., 25th Marines. He was a drilling reservist until 2001. During this time, he attended the New England School of Law in Boston, MA and graduated with his JD degree in 2000.
Chaplain Westcott entered the Seminary to become a Catholic Priest in 2001 and was ordained for the Archdiocese of Boston on May 26, 2007. He served at St. Mary’s in Scituate, MA for three years and at St. Mary’s in Foxborough, MA for one year. Westcott then accepted the position of Catholic Undergraduate Chaplain at Harvard University, where he served for three years. Chaplain Westcott is now Pastor of St. Mary’s, Foxborough.
Fr. Matt joined the Knights of Columbus in the Fall of 1996 in VT. Upon graduating from college, he transferred his membership to Arlington Council #109. Later, he transferred to West Roxbury Council #3049 where he went through the chairs and served as Grand Knight in 2005-2006. He became a 4th Degree member in 2005 and is a member of the Fr. Michael J. McGivney Assembly #2313. After Ordination, he transferred his membership to the appropriate local parish Council and served as assistant Chaplain or Chaplain. He has also served several terms as State Friar for the Fourth Degree. He is currently the Chaplain of Foxborough Council #6063.
Joining the Navy Reserve in 2010, he completed Officer Development School in February of 2011 and drilled out of the Navy Operational Support Center in Newport, RI. Completing all three phases of Navy Chaplain School in August of 2012, he reported to 1st Battalion, 25th Marines on Nov. 1, 2012. Volunteering for mobilization to Afghanistan in July of 2014, Chaplain Westcott served as the Deputy Brigade Chaplain for Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Afghanistan) at Camp Leatherneck. Upon demobilizing, he resumed duties with 1/25. Chaplain Westcott assumed his current duties at 25th Marine Regiment in 2016 and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander on March 1, 2017.