Campus Ministry
The Chapel at Brother Rice High School
“God created the universe so that all might have a part of his divine life and be joined in communion with him. Thus did he call forth light from darkness, beauty from chaos, and life from the formless void (Genesis 1:1-23). When all was in readiness, he fashioned Adam and Eve in the divine image and breathed life into them (Genesis 1:24-31) in order to gather all men and women into the great and eternal hymn of praise which is the Church. This is why Christians, from the earliest centuries, could believe that the world was created for the sake of the Church (12).”
-Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture, and Worship [hereafter, BLS],
USCCB*, Washington D.C., November, 2000
The chapel at Brother Rice High School was originally dedicated by Cardinal Samuel Stritch on May 30, 1957 at the same time the new school was blessed. The chapel was the spiritual center for both the Brothers’ community in residence at Brother Rice as well as the daily worship space for the school community. In the late 1960’s the chapel space experienced some minor renovations in order to comply with the new liturgical norms following Second Vatican Council. In the early 1990’s, the chapel was more thoroughly renovated in the spirit of Vatican II and the changing needs of the school community’s prayer life.
The Gathering Space
The Gathering Space, traditionally called the narthex in many churches, is the entrance or lobby area of the chapel. Traditionally the narthex often included a baptismal font so that infants and adults could be baptized before entering the nave or main part of the church, and to remind other believers of their baptism as they gathered for worship. Some newer churches have recovered this tradition by the addition of full immersion baptismal fonts as part of the entry space to the worship area. The custom of having holy water fonts near the doors of the church reflects this tradition.
The Brother Rice chapel has baptismal water at the entrance, so that each time we enter and bless ourselves we recall the dignity of our own baptism. The paschal candle, the Easter symbol of the Light of Christ given to us at baptism is also present. During the month of November when we remember our dead, the paschal candle is lighted as a reminder that the Light of Christ extinguishes all darkness. During the Easter Season, the paschal candle and baptismal water are moved into a prominent place within the worship space of the chapel. A stand with a book of intentions and remembrance is available for students and staff to write their intentions for the needs of loved ones and for their deceased family members and friends.
At Brother Rice, our gathering area, or hallway outside of the chapel, has been dedicated as a “place of memory” for students, faculty and staff who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. It is this space where we celebrate our own “communion of saints”. The icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, patroness of the Christian Brothers and Brother Rice High School, is displayed prominently in this area.
The Worship Space
The main worship space, or nave, of the Brother Rice Chapel centers around the Table of God’s Word and the Table of the Eucharist. Here the community gathers around the Table and gives praise and thanksgiving to God for the life giving gift of salvation in Christ. The USCCB* document Built of Living Stones [BLS] states: “The area (the nave) is not comparable to the audience’s space in a theater or public arena because in the liturgical assembly, there is no audience. Rather, the entire congregation acts (51).” The Table of God’s Word or the ambo is that place where God’s Word is proclaimed not merely as a story from long ago, but an Incarnate Word spoken into flesh and blood each time we assemble for worship. The Table of the Eucharist, the altar, is the primary symbol of Christ in the gathered assembly and is reverenced as such with a bow and a kiss as we begin and end our worship. In the Rite of Dedication of a Church and Altar, the Church teaches us that the “altar is Christ” (RDCA**, ch. 4, no. 4). At the dedication of an altar, it is anointed lavishly with the oil of chrism, which receives its name from Christ and whose perfumed fragrance suggests the presence of the Holy Spirit. Since the time of the Apostles, the image of the church gathered around the Table of the Lord is the most visible symbol of Christ’s presence in his Body, the Church. Again, from BLS: “For every time the Church gathers for prayer, she is joined to Christ’s priesthood and made one with all the saints and angels, transcending time and space. Together the members worship with the whole company of heaven, venerating the memory of the saints and hoping for some part and fellowship with them; together they eagerly await Christ’s coming in glory. The sacred liturgy is a window to eternity and a glimpse of what God calls us to be (15).”
As we gather around the Table of the Lord, the seating in the chapel is designed for flexibility. The role of the presiding priest at the Eucharist is symbolized by the presider’s chair, which is distinct from the others, yet is also in the midst of the gathered assembly as one who leads the church’s prayer. The chapel can accommodate as many as 60 people, but can also be reconfigured for smaller groups, such as a class Mass, various prayer services and groups like the Kairos 4th Day Prayer and the Edmund Rice prayer groups, as well as other gatherings of a spiritual nature.
The Space for Reservation & Adoration
“The place of reservation should be a space that is dedicated to Christ present in the Eucharist and that is designed so that the attention of one praying there is drawn to the tabernacle that houses the presence of the Lord (BLS, 73).”
The chapel renovation of 1990 provided a special place for the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament, which is unique and distinct from the worship space. This space or chapel is for private prayer, reflection and adoration of the ongoing presence of Christ is our midst. A seating area along with kneelers is provided for individuals or small numbers to gather in quiet prayer.
Shrine of Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice
“It is important that images in the church depict saints for whom devotion currently exists in the parish (school). It is particularly desirable that a significant image of the patron of the church be fittingly displayed, as well as an image of Mary, the Mother of God, as a fitting tribute to her unique role in the plan of salvation (BLS, 138).
As the founder of the Christian Brothers and the patron of Brother Rice High School, Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice holds a place of particular honor in the Brother Rice community. Several images of Blessed Edmund are found throughout the campus. On the wall to the left as one enters the worship space of the chapel is the shrine and relic of our beloved founder. Individuals are encouraged to make their petition of needs through the intercession of Blessed Edmund.
Other Devotional Areas
In separate alcoves near the entrance to the Blessed Sacrament chapel, statues of Mary, the Mother of God and St. Joseph are displayed. These statues were originally designed for the Brothers’ Houses of Formation and were relocated to the Brother Rice Chapel in the 1980’s along with the statues of Blessed Edmund and Mary in the two inner courtyards of the school. The Stations of the Cross are located on the north wall of the chapel. The crucifix on the west wall above the Blessed Sacrament chapel is the original crucifix from the 1957 dedication of the school and chapel.
“The church building is a sign and reminder of the immanence and transcendence of God – who chose to dwell among us and whose presence cannot be contained or limited to any single place. Worship is the loving response of God’s People to the mystery of God who is with us and who is yet to come. In addition, the church building manifests the baptismal unity of all who gather for the celebration of the liturgy and conveys the image of the gathered assembly (BLS, 50).”
*USCCB – United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
**RDCA – Rite of Dedication of a Church and Altar
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