About Our Lady’s Chapel · New Bedford, Massachusetts
Our Lady’s Chapel in New Bedford, Massachusetts, is a Franciscan friary run by the Franciscans of the Immaculate, offering daily Mass, confession, and perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. Originally founded in 1950 by Friars Minor, the chapel was reopened in 1992 by Bishop Sean O’Malley and has since become a spiritual center for the community, especially for office workers and those seeking prayer and recollection. The chapel also hosts the Mission of the Immaculate Mediatrix (MIM) meetings and annual feasts like Corpus Christi and Our Lady of Good Voyage.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- Our Lady, Queen of the Seraphic Order
- Diocese
- Diocese of Boston
Why belong here
Join a community that offers daily Mass, confession, and spiritual direction, especially for members of the MIM and Third Order of the Immaculate. Participate in the Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, which has 150 members taking turns 24/7, or attend the MIM Cenacle meetings on the second Sunday of each month. The chapel also hosts annual feasts like Corpus Christi and Our Lady of Good Voyage, welcoming all to join in prayer and celebration.
Mass times at Our Lady’s Chapel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Saturday: 10:30am–12:15pm
- By request (please call first)
Adoration times
- Seven days a week, 24 hours a day
Brief History of the Marian Friary
The Marian friary of 'Our Lady, Queen of the Seraphic Order' was officially opened on December 15, 1992, by Bishop Sean O’Malley, OFM Cap, now the bishop and cardinal of the diocese of Boston. The sanctuary, named 'Our Lady’s Chapel,' was originally built and used by Friars Minor in 1950. It was closed in 1992 when the Friars Minor moved to Providence, and reopened by the Franciscans of the Immaculate on the same date. In 2003, the friars began a Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration program with about 150 members.
MIM Cenacle
The Mission of the Immaculate Mediatrix (MIM) is a Roman Catholic public association of the faithful which allows lay persons to join into the Marian-Franciscan charism of the Franciscans of the Immaculate. Meetings are held at Our Lady’s Chapel on the second Sunday of each month, from 8:30am to around 4:00pm. It is strongly recommended to call ahead to confirm since this is subject to change.
Annual Celebrations
The chapel hosts two major annual celebrations: the Feast of Our Lady of Good Voyage on the third Sunday of September, featuring a candlelight procession and reception, and the Corpus Christi Procession on the second Sunday after Pentecost, with Eucharistic stations at three local churches. Everyone is invited to participate.
Sacraments and Preaching
Following the Franciscan tradition, the friars’ primary apostolate is the administration of the sacraments, especially the reverent celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Sacrament of Penance. They also conduct conferences, symposia, parish missions, retreats, and preaching tasks to help pastors in the care of souls.
Book Publication
The Marian Friary of Our Lady Queen of the Seraphic Order in New Bedford publishes books and pamphlets concentrating on Marian, popular as well as scholarly literature. With the collaboration of the Academy of the Immaculate, a non-profit organization, the friars are putting out at least two to three books a year. See our on-line catalog of books for more information about these titles: AcademyoftheImmaculate.com
Internet Apostolate
Imitating the example of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the friars launched its Marian and Catholic evangelization through the new technology of the Internet website which was established in 1996. It continues to expand according to demands and has affected many lives including the discovery of religious and priestly vocations.