At St. Charles Seminary:
Immaculate Conception Chapel renovation complete
Dedicated on Dec. 12, 1875 to the Blessed Mother, Mother of the Church
and Mother of the Clergy, the Immaculate Conception Chapel is considered
the liturgical center of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary’s Theology
Division, and is a central component in the establishment and growth of
the Roman Catholic Church in our city and nation.
For more than 130 years, the chapel has continued to be a place of spiritual
formation, worship, and service for thousands of seminarians, including
74 who have gone on to be consecrated bishops and five who have been elevated
to the rank of cardinal. Each day begins and ends in the chapel, with
seminarians joined together in prayer.
The highlight of each Seminary year in the chapel is the celebration of
Midnight Mass on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8. The liturgy
begins with a candlelight procession of seminarians from both the college
and theology divisions. It is a time when the men implore our Blessed
Mother’s watchful protection and intercession as they respond to
God’s call.
Like most religious places, the chapel chronicles the cultural, intellectual,
spiritual, and artistic life of Philadelphia and our nation from the late
1800s to the present. Paintings donated by Francis A. Drexel, the father
of Philadelphia’s own St. Katharine Drexel, have adorned the apse
of the Chapel since 1885.
The furniture in the sanctuary — including the presidential chair,
concelebrant benches, lectern and paschal candle stand — is the
work of George Nakashima of New Hope. An internationally-renowned craftsman,
Nakashima also designed the altar as his personal gift to St. Charles
Seminary.
The pews face one another in what is traditionally known as monastic style.
That sort of construction facilitates community morning and evening prayers,
which the seminarians offer each day. The side altars were used by priests
to offer Mass before concelebration was permitted by the Second Vatican
Council.
The chapel’s architecture and stained-glass windows, which were
originally placed in 1888, contribute to the sacred environment that leads
the seminarians to adoration, prayer and a greater love for God.
While this testament of faith has stood the test of time, the chapel’s
physical structure began to show its age. A two-year campaign to refurbish
the chapel was completed this past summer. The entire interior was painted
after a historical study revealed various paint schemes over the years,
including the original design.
Air-conditioning
was installed to provide comfort for religious sisters and laity attending
classes, along with other organizations that use the chapel each summer.
The interior doors were reconstructed to provide a clear view into the
chapel from the main entrance to the Theology Division building, creating
a visual path from doorstep-to-altar, designating its spiritual significance.
That extensive historical refurbishment was made possible through the
generosity of many benefactors and alumni.
Seminarians view the chapel as the heart of their priestly formation.
Time spent in personal prayer is where they can more clearly hear Jesus’
call, and the chapel will continue to provide a sanctuary for worship
and formation into the next century.
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary is still accepting donations for the special
project to refurbish the Immaculate Conception Chapel. If you would like
to offer your support, contact the Office for Institutional Advancement
at 100 East Wynnewood Road, Wynnewood, Pa., 19096. Or you can call (610)
785-6231.