Marist Chapel of St. Peter Chanel

As part of the redecorating project, For Such a Time as This, we are creating an Adoration Chapel. This new chapel will allow parishioners to engage in the centuries-old Catholic tradition of Eucharistic adoration and may also be used for private celebrations of the Mass, small weddings, and personal prayer and reflection. The chapel will be located to the right of the Altar, as you enter the church in space that was used for storage.

The adoration chapel will be named the Marist Chapel of Saint Peter Chanel, in recognition of the significant contribution of the Marists to the history of our parish, and will be dedicated to Saint Peter Chanel, priest, missionary and martyr. Saint Peter Louis Marie Chanel was a member of the Society of Mary, the Marists. The chapel will also honor the memory of Saint Teresa of Calcutta, affectionately Mother Teresa, who visited our church in 1995. Remembrance paintings of both will be hung in the chapel, shown here in process at Cathy Ehrler, parishioner’s studio.

The room is being redecorated, including repairs to the plaster, wainscoting and windows, painting the walls and ceiling, and replacing the flooring in colors and finishes that will complement those to be used in the sanctuary and nave.

In addition, furnishings that honor the history and legacy of the Basilica will be used to create a quiet and beautiful space for prayer and adoration. This will include refinishing and reupholstering the prie-dieu kneelers circa 1911, and some chairs that were used in the Sanctuary. To further honor Mother Teresa, the final design will likely include the pew she sat in during the Mass celebration during her visit and possibly the lectern where she delivered her remarks.

The plan includes fabricating a Monstrance stand using the current Ambo’s brass panel, and marble columns from the old tabernacle stand. Here is a rendering of one such proposed design.

As with the new Baptistry, also part of the redecorating project, the adoration chapel will allow parishioners, families, guests and visitors to participate in a richer worship experience at Sacred Heart. 

Our goal is to create a welcoming environment that supports the various liturgies that occur within it, is balanced and appropriate for a Basilica, follows current liturgical guidelines, and respects the history of Sacred Heart.