SCRANTON — The hazy skies cleared and the sun shone over the grounds of St. Ann’s Monastery Shrine and Basilica as the 102nd Solemn Novena to St. Ann began.
Hundreds of people filled the basilica and its grounds in West Scranton for the first day of the novena Friday, with attendees of all ages sitting under the large white tent, in cars or on the grassy hillside to watch the early afternoon Mass. Long lines of people stood to receive Communion and a large crowd packed the food stand at the bottom of the hill.
This year’s novena opened amid lingering smoke from wildfires in Canada. Organizers moved the 8 a.m. televised Mass and novena service inside the basilica “in the interest of the health and safety of our pilgrims and visitors,” according to a social media post. The state Department of Environmental Protection issued an air-quality Purple Alert (very unhealthy) for the entire state for Friday, and the online U.S. Air Quality Index indicated the air quality in Scranton was “unhealthy” as of Friday morning.
By late morning, the skies were clear enough that the 11:45 a.m. Mass and novena were celebrated outdoors. Although the sky was clear, a small number of people at the early afternoon Mass wore masks and about 100 watched a livestream of the Mass inside the sanctuary of the basilica.
Steve Fisk of Dunmore was thrilled the skies cleared up in time for the Mass, crediting divine intervention for the change in the weather.
“Miraculously, the smoke disappeared, so it must be St. Ann hard at work,” he said.
The Rev. Richard Burke, rector of St. Ann’s Monastery and Shrine Basilica, said he was grateful the smoke cleared but advised the crowd to be careful, especially those who have respiratory issues. He introduced the guest preacher at the early afternoon Mass, the Rev. Rick Frechette, C.P., who also noted the smoke clearing while speaking to the crowd.
Organizers said in a social media post Thursday they would monitor the conditions throughout the day.
People sit outside to listen to the 8 a.m. Mass during the Novena at the St. Ann’s Monastery and Shrine Basilica in Scranton Friday, July 17, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
A man bows his head in prayer in the 8 a.m. Mass during St. Ann’s Solemn Novena at St. Ann’s Monastery and Shrine Basilica in Scranton Friday, July 17, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Father Rick Frechette, C.P. leads prayer during St. Ann’s Solemn Novena at St. Ann’s Monastery and Shrine Basilica in Scranton Friday, July 17, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
People gather on the steps of St. Ann’s Monastery and Shrine Basilica during the morning Mass of St. Ann’s Solemn Novena in Scranton Friday, July 17, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Faithful followers gather outside during St. Ann’s Solemn Novena at St. Ann’s Monastery and Shrine Basilica in Scranton Friday, July 17, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Faithful visitors greet each other during St. Ann’s Solemn Novena at St. Ann’s Monastery and Shrine Basilica in Scranton Friday, July 17, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Congregants kneel in the sanctuary of St. Ann’s Monastery and Shrine Basilica during the morning Mass of St. Ann’s Solemn Novena in Scranton Friday, July 17, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
People gather in front of St. Ann’s Monastery Shrine and Basilica before Mass for the 102nd Solemn Novena to St. Ann Friday, July 17, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
People watch as the procession for the outdoor Mass during the 102nd Solemn Novena to St. Ann gets underway Friday, July 17, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
People gather in front of St. Ann’s Monastery Shrine and Basilica before Mass for the 102nd Solemn Novena to St. Ann Friday, July 17, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
People watch a simulcast of the outdoor Mass in the sanctuary of St. Ann’s Monastery Shrine and Basilica during the 102nd Solemn Novena to St. Ann Friday, July 17, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Show Caption
1 of 11
People sit outside to listen to the 8 a.m. Mass during the Novena at the St. Ann’s Monastery and Shrine Basilica in Scranton Friday, July 17, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
People at the novena late Friday morning called it an annual tradition, one their families have done for generations and which they hope to pass down to the next generation.
Fisk grew up attending the novena with his parents, Mary and Ike Fisk, and comes every year. He was joined by relatives at the late morning Mass.
“We were raised by our mom and dad always coming to the novena, so after years of not coming, I started showing up a couple years ago and really don’t miss it,” he said. “It’s just a place of reflection and petition for special intentions. Sometimes you have your own, sometimes you come for others.”
Taylor resident Kristi Englehardt also grew up attending with her grandparents and is continuing the tradition with her children and grandson. Her son Christian Englehardt is an altar server and volunteers at the food pavillion.
She said visiting the novena keeps her late grandmother’s tradition alive.
“I like to keep coming for her, and my grandfather is 101,” Englehardt said while eating lunch with her grandson, Charles Houghtlin, 6, and great-nephews, Bryce, 6, and Benjamin Matay, 7. “This is just an amazing experience for especially the little ones to see and to grow up with.”
Terry Dean of Scranton, who brought along her 5-year old granddaughter, Maeve Dean, said being at the novena makes her feel closer to God and St. Ann.
“St. Ann was a big person to pray to in our family,” she said, adding she has been praying to her to ensure a healthy baby girl for her daughter.
Dean was glad she was able to bring her older granddaughter because she loves seeing the statues at the basilica and lighting candles. With the smoke in the air, she was unsure they would be able to attend this year but was happy they were able to do so.
“I’m thrilled that we were able to come,” Dean said.
This year’s novena is themed “Reading the Signs of the Times,” and features two guest preachers: Frechette and Jack Conley, C.P. Frechette is a member of St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Province and a medical doctor in Haiti, where he has worked for more than 30 years. Conley is a member of Holy Cross Passionist Province and superior of St. Vincent Strambi Retreat in Chicago, home to Passionist young men preparing for Perpetual Profession of Passionist vows and ordination to the priesthood.
The novena runs through July 26, the feast day of the namesake saint.