About Chapel of Our Savior (Franciscan Friars) · Brockton, Massachusetts
The Chapel of Our Savior is a Roman Catholic chapel in Brockton, Massachusetts, staffed and run by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement (the Graymoor Friars). Unusually, it sits in the Westgate Mall (475 Westgate Drive) — a free-standing building beside a Dick's Sporting Goods — fulfilling the Friars' founding motto of 'Bringing Christ to the Marketplace.' Since its dedication on October 30, 1961, by Cardinal Richard Cushing of Boston, it has served as a daytime oasis of daily Mass, frequent confessions, adoration, devotions, and a Catholic gift shop, drawing Catholics and seekers from across the South Shore of Massachusetts.
- Established
- 1961
- Patron
- Our Savior (Jesus Christ)
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
The Chapel of Our Savior offers something few parishes can: a quiet, midweek refuge for prayer and the sacraments in the middle of a busy commercial day. Daily 12:05 pm Mass (Tuesday–Saturday), daily Confessions before Mass, morning Adoration on Fridays and Saturdays, the Rosary, novenas to St. Anthony and St. Jude, and a monthly Traditional Latin Mass draw people of all ages and walks of life. The Atonement Friars make themselves available for spiritual counseling, the chapel hosts the Secular Franciscan Order and the Charismatic Prayer Community, and the Gift Shop offers books, sacramentals, and a sympathetic ear — all in an oasis of prayer tucked into the Westgate Mall.
Mass times at Chapel of Our Savior (Franciscan Friars)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM (before the 12:05 PM Mass)
- Saturday: 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM (before the 5:30 PM Vigil Mass)
Adoration times
- Friday – Saturday: 9:30 AM – 11:45 AM (with Morning Prayer at 9:30 AM)
About the Chapel of Our Savior
The Chapel of Our Savior is a Roman Catholic chapel ministered by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement (Graymoor Friars), tucked into the Westgate Mall in Brockton, Massachusetts. Since 1961 the chapel has fulfilled its motto of 'Bringing Christ to the Marketplace' by offering daily Mass, frequent Confessions, Adoration, devotions, a Catholic gift shop, and spiritual counseling — a quiet oasis in the middle of a busy commercial plaza.
- Founded 1961 by the Society of the Atonement at the invitation of Cardinal Cushing
- Located in the Westgate Mall, 475 Westgate Drive, Brockton, MA 02301
- Served by the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement
- Chapel hours: Tuesday–Friday 11 AM–2 PM; closed Sunday and Monday
History
In 1960 Cardinal Richard Cushing of Boston invited the Graymoor Friars to establish a chapel and Catholic information center on the South Shore. Fr. Jerome Gallagher, SA, found the site at the new Westgate Shopping Center, and the chapel was dedicated on October 30, 1961. From the beginning the Friars used the facility to support local parishes and reach non-Catholics — offering adult education, inquiry classes, counseling, and the sacraments during the workday. Their efforts extended into promoting Christian unity and ecumenical dialogue throughout the archdiocese. Over time the chapel also became a spiritual home for the Secular Franciscan Order and the Charismatic Prayer Community.
- 1960 — Cardinal Cushing invites the Society of the Atonement to the South Shore
- Fr. Jerome Gallagher, SA, locates the site at Westgate Shopping Center (Routes 24 and 27)
- October 30, 1961 — Chapel dedicated; Cardinal Cushing lays the cornerstone
- Music at the dedication by 30 brothers from Our Lady of the Atonement Novitiate, Cumberland, RI
- Christian Unity / Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity work in the archdiocese
- 2025 — 33 pilgrims from the chapel travel to Graymoor for the Jubilee Year of Hope
Meet the Friars
The chapel is staffed by members of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement (S.A.), with a Brother serving as Guardian and Friars assigned to pastoral, liturgical, and operational roles. The current community includes Brother Thomas Banacki (Guardian and Gift Shop Manager), Fr. Ken Cienik, and Fr. David Poirier (Coordinator of Liturgy and minister to the Tertiary Friars since August 2021). Fr. Bob Langone, S.A., now the Friars' 4th Councilor, previously served in the chapel's sacramental and pastoral ministry.
- Bro. Thomas Banacki, SA — Guardian & Gift Shop Manager; recipient of the 2014 Franciscan Federation Peacemaker Award
- Fr. Ken Cienik, SA — pastoral ministry
- Fr. David Poirier, SA — Coordinator of Liturgy; minister to the Tertiary Friars; previously moderated the Charismatic Prayer Group
- Fr. Bob Langone, SA — 4th Councilor of the Friars; previously in the chapel's sacramental and pastoral ministry
- Fr. Gerry DiGeralamo, SA — of happy memory; former guardian
- Br. Louis Marek, SA — Operations
Devotions and Other Services
Beyond the sacraments, the chapel maintains a rich devotional life centered on the Blessed Sacrament, the Rosary, and patron saints dear to the Franciscan tradition. Visitors can drop in for Morning Prayer, pray the Rosary before Mass, join in weekly novenas, or receive the Anointing of the Sick on the first Friday of each month.
- Morning Prayer — Friday and Saturday at 9:30 AM
- Rosary — Tuesday through Saturday before the 12:05 PM Mass
- St. Anthony Novena — Tuesdays after the 12:05 PM Mass
- St. Jude Novena — Thursdays after the 12:05 PM Mass
- Anointing of the Sick — First Friday of the month
- Traditional Latin Mass — Second Friday of the month at 7:00 PM
Prayer Garden and Sacred Space
Behind the chapel is a prayer garden planted with shrubs and flowers donated by benefactors and furnished with statues, benches, and the Stations of the Cross. Even in cold weather some patrons sit in their cars in front of the garden to enjoy its serenity. The chapel's bright interior blends classical and modern features: Carrara marble altars and communion rails, Venetian mosaics, wood-carved statues of Our Lady of the Atonement, St. Joseph, and St. Anthony, and large windows designed by Marcello Tolleri of Florence, Italy.
- Prayer garden behind the chapel with Stations of the Cross and benches
- Statue of St. Francis in the garden
- Carrara marble altars and communion rails
- Mosaics from Venice, Italy
- Wood-carved statues of Our Lady of the Atonement, St. Joseph, and St. Anthony
- Large Florentine windows designed by Marcello Tolleri
Ministries and Spiritual Groups
The chapel has long been more than a place to hear Mass — it is a center of spiritual development for lay people. Movements that have grown up around it include the Secular Franciscan Order (which holds monthly fraternity meetings on-site) and the Charismatic Prayer Community. The Friars also provide spiritual counseling, adult education, inquiry classes for those exploring the faith, and ministry to the Tertiary Friars of the Atonement Family.
- Secular Franciscan Order — monthly fraternity meetings at the chapel
- Charismatic Prayer Community
- Tertiary Friars of the Atonement Family
- Spiritual counseling
- Adult education and inquiry classes
- Christian Unity / ecumenical outreach
The Gift Shop and Catholic Information Center
A distinctive feature of the chapel is its Catholic gift shop, which has become a vital part of its mission. Open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11 AM to 2 PM, the shop offers books, pamphlets, Bibles, DVDs, sacramentals, devotional images, and inspirational music — and, in the words of the Friars, 'a sympathetic ear and a word of encouragement' for those who walk in. Brother Thomas Banacki, SA, serves as Gift Shop Manager.
- Books, pamphlets, Bibles, and DVDs
- Sacramentals and devotional images
- Inspirational music and artwork
- Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 11 AM – 2 PM
- Managed by Bro. Thomas Banacki, SA
Planning Your Visit
The chapel is located at 475 Westgate Drive in the Westgate Mall at the junction of Routes 24 and 27 in Brockton. Phone: 508-583-8357. The chapel is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 AM to 2 PM and is closed Sunday and Monday. Daily Mass is celebrated Tuesday through Saturday at 12:05 PM, with Confessions heard beforehand and Saturday evening before the Vigil Mass. Mall parking is available.
- Address: 475 Westgate Drive, Brockton, MA 02301-1819
- Phone: 508-583-8357
- Chapel hours: Tue–Fri 11 AM – 2 PM; closed Sun & Mon
- Located in the Westgate Mall beside Dick's Sporting Goods
- At the junction of Routes 24 and 27
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Jerome Gallagher, SA1960–1961 (founding)
Native of Newton, MA; sent by Fr. Bonaventure Koelzer, SA to locate the chapel site at the Westgate Shopping Center.
- Fr. Gerry (Gerard) DiGeralamo, SA
Former guardian; remembered on the chapel website as 'of happy memory'; oversaw the Tertiary Friars of the Atonement Family.
- Fr. John Keane, SA
Listed among the Friars serving the Chapel of Our Savior in the Atonement Friars' anniversary feature.
- Fr. Damian MacPherson, SA
Listed among the Friars serving the Chapel of Our Savior in the Atonement Friars' anniversary feature.
- Br. Louis Marek, SA
Operations; listed in Boston Catholic Directory and Atonement Friars' anniversary article.