Lenten Missions in Brooklyn   

The season of Lent is a time for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and the Kateri Tekakwitha Novitiate (SSVM Sisters) and the Isaac Jogues Novitiate (IVE Brothers) found an opportunity to accomplish this during the Lenten Popular Missions.  These missions recently took place at St. Gabriel’s Parish and at St. Michael’s School, both in Brooklyn, NY.  It was a time calling for great generosity, hard work, sacrifice, and, of course, fun, especially with the children of these apostolate. The preacher for the missions was Fr. Marianno Vicchi, IVE.

   The first Lenten Mission at St. Gabriel’s Parish began with Holy Mass on Sunday, February 25, and closed on Saturday, March 3. The missionaries spent the majority of the days on house visits. In the evenings there were Catechism classes for parish children to receive baptism, oratories and a youth group every night, as well as the signature Missionary Act--doctrinal or devotional preaching each evening for the Adults, both in Spanish and in English. Daily we received an average of 30-40 children for the oratory, 15-30 youth, and 70 adults for the talks. On Friday, March 2nd, over 200 children, youth, and adults received the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in a solemn imposition.  Throughout the week there were numerous confessions as well as two baptisms. The mission closed with a Eucharistic procession attended by parishioners and neighbors, and a powerful closing Mass during which a Puerto Rican couple’s marriage was sanctified with great joy by the sacrament of Matrimony after 54 years together.

  The following morning, Sunday, March 4, began the second Lenten Mission at St. Michael’s School. The sisters and brothers spent all of their time in the school working with the 375 students. In the mornings and early afternoons the missionaries visited all the classrooms, ranging from the Playgroup (ages 3-4) to 8th Grade.  During the week each classroom received at least two 45-minute presentations on various aspects of the theme of the mission: “You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world,” as well as activities centering around Lent. The 2nd to 8th graders were also prepared for confession, and confession services were  held throughout the week for the various grades. Everyday two oratories were held, including a young adult group in the evenings and the Missionary Act in the Church for the adults, both in Spanish and in English. On average there were about 50-60 children who attended the oratories daily, about 70 adults attending the Spanish talks, and 30 for the English talks. On Saturday, March 10, there was an oratory of about 250-300 children held for all of the children of the school, neighboring schools and the catechesis program at St. Michael’s, closing with a small musical show put on by the missionaries. The school mission closed on Sunday, March 11 with two morning Masses, one in Spanish and another in English, and  a special blessing from the Pastor for all the missionaries.

Clearly the Holy Spirit brought forth great fruits throughout both of these missions--particularly the graces that came through the sacraments of confession, the Eucharist, baptism, and matrimony.  We give thanks to God for the opportunity to bring the Gospel to so many souls and we entrust the continued fruits of the missions to Our Lady.