“ The chapel at Sacred Heart has always been a place of incredible consolation and peace for me . The Eucharistic chapel is especially significant , and the hours spent there as a student and later as a faculty member have been transformative ,” reflects Msgr . John Lajiness , former rector of Sacred Heart , “ One particular memory is the time spent in that chapel on the evening before my ordination , and having a profound sense of the Lord ’ s presence and encouragement . The gift of that encouragement and consolation continued each day as I prayed , lived , and served at the seminary on faculty .”
Behind the tabernacle is a triptych that was commissioned in 1999 by Archbishop Allen Vigneron , who was serving as rector of Sacred Heart as a part of the Third Christian Millennium project . Former Sacred Heart seminarian and iconographer Father Paul Cwerwonka took two years to complete this piece , which measures 8 feet by 8 feet .
“ The tryptic depicts the Wedding Feast of the Lamb ,” explains Father Grayson Heenan , Class of 2017 , “ I really appreciated that the artist who did the triptych made the connection that the Wedding Feast of the Lamb takes place on that very altar every time we gather for the Sacred Mysteries .”
The Clerestory Windows
Fourteen three-paneled windows line the two sides of the clerestory above the nave of the chapel . In each center panel is the depiction of a saint who has significance to priests or seminarians — St . John Berchmans ( the patron saint of altar servers ), St . Michael the Archangel , St . Charles Borromeo ( patron saint of bishops , cardinals , seminarians , and spiritual leaders ), St . Thomas Aquinas ( patron saint of universities and scholars ), St . Vincent de Paul ( patron saint of charitable organizations ), etc . At the peak of each window , the symbol of the saint is depicted : a sword for St . Michael the Archangel , a dove for St . Gregory the Great , and so on .
“ Reflecting on the lives of St . Paul , St . John Vianney , and St . Francis de Sales has never ceased to inspire me to be a better priest ,” says Father Pullis .
Solanus Casey Relic
The most recent addition to the chapel , on April 16 , 2018 , Sacred Heart received a relic of Blessed Solanus Casey as a gift from the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St . Joseph . The firstclass relic , which is a small bone fragment encased in a silver reliquary , stands above a triptych of Blessed Solanus Casey on one of the side altars . The triptych features an icon of Blessed Solanus Casey in the middle of the triptych with a painting of him standing at a door on one face , as he was known for being the humble “ doorkeeper ” of the monastery , and kneeling in eucharistic adoration in another .
For those who have been graced to sit within the chapel ’ s hallowed brick walls , those who have gazed up at its stained glass windows , whose footsteps have echoed against the iridescent Pewabic floor tiles , and who have sat in its oak pews and gazed upon the tabernacle , this has been home . From the tucked-away corners of the choir loft to the celebrant ’ s chair , thousands have entered its space and are left with the peace that only one can bring .
“ Sacred Heart ’ s Chapel is the physical and spiritual heart of the seminary . There is an expression in Latin , Ecclesia materialis significat ecclesiam spiritualem ( The material church signifies the spiritual Church ),” says Father Charles Fox , “ The Sacred Heart Chapel signifies the Church ’ s truth , beauty , and goodness . It signifies the place of highest honor held by the Sacred Liturgy and the Holy Eucharist , in which Christ remains with us always .”
“ Praying with the spiritual energy that comes with larger liturgies such as the institution of lectors , acolytes , graduations , and diaconal ordinations ,” reflects Father Dorsch , Class of 2023 , “ During these celebrations , God ’ s voice becomes audible through his Church , drawing his faithful servants deeper into the greatest mystery of all , our salvation , and the part he wants each of us to play in building the kingdom of God . It is from the walls of this chapel that the Lord commissioned me and countless others to do some definite service for him .”
Casey McCorry is a writer and editor based in Metro Detroit .
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