An hour with the Lord

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

The newly-added Adoration Chapel at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Kentville is an “oasis of peace” that allows people to create “a heartbeat to God.”

Father Craig Christenson, who helped co-ordinate the community-built project, explains the new chapel, situated on the ground floor between the church and parish centre; is an extension of the Roman Catholic belief in the power of prayer. Such chapels are common in other parts of the world and can be found nearby in at least two churches in Charlottetown and Halifax. “We didn’t invent something here, but it is new for the members of our community,” says Father Christenson of the initiative, which started to come together last August. “Creating a space was a challenge, but when a spot was identified, the idea was presented to St. Joseph’s pastoral and administrative councils, the Liturgy committee and Catholic Women's League and Knights of Columbus groups. All were in favour of making the necessary adjustments to accommodate the chapel and we went ahead from there.”

For Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, a consecrated host, similar to one used in communion and which represents the true presence of Jesus, is placed in a monstrance - a vessel which derives it name from the Latin "monstrare," meaning to show or to view. The monstrance is then placed within a tabernacle, an ornate box which holds any consecrated hosts. Within the tabernacle, the monstrance becomes the focus of prayer in the chapel.

Father Christenson likens stepping into the Adoration Chapel to “stepping into the real presence of our Lord.”

Since the compact, simply-decorated chapel opened March 1, a steady stream of parishioners has sustained the vigil of silent prayer that is the hallmark of Perpetual Adoration. The chapel can be accessed 24 hours a day, six days a week by being buzzed in or by entry with a code that opens the rear door.

Parishioners are encouraged to sign up to be “adorers” by scheduling an hour or more per week to pray in the chapel. Recognizing not everyone can make a commitment to a specific time, people are also invited to drop in when they can. The chapel currently has seating for five people.

While in the chapel, they are called to recite favourite prayers, read the prayer petitions, pray a rosary or do whatever type of prayerful devotion suits them.

Father Christenson has been pleased with the response to the call for people to commit to silent prayer in the chapel. “Prayer is a gift, but we weren’t sure how that gift would be received.”

As word of the chapel spreads, he expects people will become more comfortable with the idea of devoting time to quiet prayer. “We are not accustomed to giving ourselves over to an hour of quiet devotion. We run so much - and often we are running away from ourselves.”

He adds he has already received positive feedback from adorers, who say time spent in the chapel has been beneficial. “Some people have fallen in love with it already. The peaceful retreat away from the anxiety and regret that often consumes our daily life allows God to call us by name and helps turn us towards our brothers and sisters.”