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A Movement of Renewal: The Story of Louisville’s Great Novena
- Michael Snellen
- Mar 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 9
The resounding call that is moving like a fire throughout our land
This is a section from my article “A Call for Revival As the Church Nears Its 2,000th Year Anniversary” originally published on the Pentecost of May 19th, 2024. As the Great Novena movement continues to gain momentum in our Archdiocese of Louisville, I thought it appropriate to again share the story of its first gathering and grand vision.
Last night, I attended the opening information session of this nine-year initiative to welcome in the 2,000th anniversary of the Church. Led by local leaders, Bryan Cain and John Sohl, this movement, in its year-long invitation phase, is set to spread throughout the Archdiocese, having gathered the ready support of numerous lay leaders, clergy, and Archbishop Shelton Fabre.
With each year up to 2033 having a different theme, such as a "year of wonder" or a "year of healing," the Great Novena is set to work throughout many personal, parish, and community encounters.
The "four grassroots entry points" are:
Prayer & Fasting
Discipleship & Formation
Family Outreach & Community Service
Cultural Renewal
Prayer, of course, should be at the core of all movements; "...apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) Next, study, as our Bishop Flaget knew so well, is what will ensure any long-term success.
John Sohl, during his speech, enthused: "Imagine your priest giving a homily that relates to a theme of this Great Novena?"
Could parish missions, pamphlets, and workshops be in order? Certainly these could renew interest in the Sacraments and in Gospel proclamation.
The emphasis on the family can trace its inspiration back to the local theology of the body apostolate, Family Renewal Project, which both Sohl and Cain are involved with. In the Archdiocese itself, this non-profit has already enacted many great programs.
All this said, potentially the most unifying element of the cause could be a focus on community service. Collective Catholic action, or "public Catholicism," as showcased in the introduction of this report could see a reemergence (read the full post). This requires stepping out of one's comfort zone, but I think community is what most yearn for as we exit the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Imagine Catholics gathering together as a visible family again? Don't just imagine. Seek to make this happen!
Surprisingly, the idea behind this Great Novena comes from Poland.
As recounted by the Great Novena website, "In 1953 in Poland, Bl. Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński was imprisoned for three years by the occupying Communist regime. The fruit of his prayer in prison was the launch of a nine-year national initiative of prayer and study that would lead up to the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Poland in 1966...In 1979, St. John Paul II’s visit to Poland sparked the Solidarity Movement which would overthrow the regime.”
“It was Cardinal Wyszyński’s Great Novena that laid the moral and religious foundation for the success of Solidarity and the liberation of Poland."
With this Polish precedent of success, the opening session was optimistic. With a diverse audience, the founding masterminds explained their vision underneath the towering Cathedral of the Assumption, inside the Archdiocese History Center, a museum where you can imagine the majesties of previous times, from the many entrancing golden monstrances to the solemn paintings of Frs. Badin and Nerinckx. A heavy focus was placed on unity, and many inspiring references to St. Pope John Paul II, the patron of the New Evangelization, were included.
Afterward, some participants eagerly discussed the National Eucharistic Congress or how the U.S. Bishops were coming to town in mid-June for their Plenary Assembly.
It is an exciting time for the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Louisville. For me, and many others, this is my home. We wish to share our fire and Our Lord with the nation.
St. John Paul II, pray for us.
Learn more about the Great Novena
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