From November 9-17, 2024, the Conventual Franciscan parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA, celebrated the Novena for the Protection of the Mother of Mercy for the first time.
This novena is an old tradition originating from Vilnius, Lithuania. The novena is a special form of prayer in which the faithful turn to the Mother of Mercy, seeking her intercession and care. It is a prayer conducted over nine consecutive days, expressing trust in Mary’s maternal care as she accompanies the faithful through the challenges of life.
Our community had the honor of hosting the Vicar General of the Order, Friar Jan M. MACIEJOWSKI, who led the novena reflections. Each day, faithful from across the state of Connecticut participated in this prayer at St. Michael’s Church. A special aspect of the novena was dedicating the Chapel of the Gate of Dawn in our parish and introducing Bridgeport to two images from Vilnius: one of the Divine Mercy and the other of the Mother of Mercy.
On November 16, the feast of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn, Friar Jan blessed both images and officially opened the Chapel of the Gate of Dawn in Bridgeport. Others present included our friars from the Delegation in Canada and the United States of the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Poland (Gdańsk) and the Minister Provincial of the Province of Gdańsk, Friar Wojciech KULIG.
Friar Grzegorz M. KORDEK
