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Email a FriendMy favorite place (although I rarely get to go) is the crypt church in the basement of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in DC. It’s very atypical, and I love the earthen feeling of it.
House of the Lord
My Favorite Place to Pray
Posted by Robyn Lee in Faith on Tuesday, December 07, 2010 7:31 PM
Have you ever been to a chapel or church dedication? A few months ago I attended one at Holy Apostles College and Seminary. As we often hear of churches merging or closing, it was such a blessing to be at this event.
The dedication began with an impressive procession: faculty, religious, priests and donors, and finally students (that’s where I was). The seminarians in the front of the procession were chanting, “Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord!” Having been a lay student at Holy Apostles since 2003, I was moved to see some of my old classmates, now ordained priests, processing in to the new chapel.
Waiting in turn to enter the new chapel, I was lucky that my section of the procession was seated in the balcony, right next to the schola. I had a bird’s eye view of the stone altar that was quarried in Jerusalem, of the cross which was fabricated from the beams of the old tool shed chapel, and of the two icons of the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph. (See some pictures by Deacon James F. Papillo here and here.)
In the homily, Bishop Cote of the Norwich, Conn. diocese talked about the simplicity and beauty of the chapel. He said, “the chapel is where, turning to the East, you will come to open your hearts to him, in sorrow and in joy. It is here, that those preparing to be priests, to be modeled after Christ are invited to sit at his table, as a meal, that makes you sons of God. Truly this is an awesome place. This is where God dwells.”
He went on to tell us, “You and I are continually being built to be that Temple of God – where others can come to know the living God. Isn’t that what this chapel and college are all about?” In that moment I felt proud to be a student, sitting in our chapel.
Now after studying, I can walk into that chapel and kneel before the Blessed Sacrament and contemplate the truths that I’ve just learned. Ponder what it means that God is closer to me than my own breath. I agree with the bishop. “Truly this is an awesome place. This is where God dwells.” This newly dedicated chapel is becoming my favorite place to pray.
What is your special place for prayer? Do you have a prayer corner at home or a small adoration chapel nearby? Maybe you find God in nature or in the quiet mornings? Where is your favorite place to pray?
Comments
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Posted by Danielle M. on Wednesday, Dec 8, 2010 3:42 PM (EDT):
oh, me too! I love the Crypt. I was a student at CUA for four years, and then lived in the area for many more. Another great place in the Shrine is the Irish Chapel, the first on the left upstairs. I spent many an hour sitting in prayer listening to the fountain there in my young adulthood.
I’m with Jeanne—the two parishes near us both have perpetual adoration chapels and Our Lord exposed and the smaller size just help focus my prayers. In addition, both parishes just built beautiful new churches and the dedication ceremony is beautiful, full of symbolism, and (as you said) uplifting in that a *new* church building has evolved rather than been closed.
Posted by Patricia on Wednesday, Dec 8, 2010 10:59 AM (EDT):
A few of my favorite places to pray are the House of Prayer chapel (esp. 6 a.m. Divine Liturgy) at Mount St. Macrina Monastery & the Blessed Margaret of Castello Perpetual Adoration Chapel in Shinnston, WV (the only perpetual adoration chapel in WV).
Posted by Lynn Wehner on Thursday, Dec 9, 2010 1:51 AM (EDT):
It seems like adoration chapels are the favorite theme here. Our previous parish in Massachusetts has a perpetual adoration chapel that is cozy and comforting. When I’m there, I feel like I am sharing my heart with Jesus in my own home. I also LOVE the Port adoration chapel at Franciscan Univ. - I don’t get there often, but I was there today and was blessed to celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception in that humble stone building. Jesus and Mary always speak volumes to my soul when I pray in that chapel.
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