Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist: Chapels

Chapels of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist

CHAPEL OF ST. JOHN, MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT

The Chapel of St. John is named in honor of Archbishop John F. Whalen, former Archbishop of Hartford, who welcomed the community into the archdiocese in 1970.

The Chapel of St. John is in Paul VI Center which is dedicated to respect for human life in the spirit of Pope Paul VI. The Community prays each day for a deeper respect for the sacredness of human life throughout the world.

The large window behind the altar incorporates the outdoors into the celebration of prayer within, reminding those within the chapel of the beauty of creation in the changing seasons. Other windows interface around the chapel to achieve this same purpose.

The altar, made of black iron, cradles a copper globe within its center, representing the universality of prayer offered for the needs of the whole world. The altar was one of the few items rescued from the fire that destroyed the original Paul VI Center in 1988. The Sisters turn the globe so that countries in special need of prayer face the congregation at various times.

The San Damiano Cross is a replica of the one St. Francis was praying before when he heard the Lord say to him, “rebuild my church.” The original cross presently hangs in Santa Chiara (St. Clare) Church in Assisi, Italy. Every house of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist is adorned with this cross. On the same cherry wood wall as the San Damiano Cross are icons of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph.

The holy water font, at the entrance to the chapel, consists of a natural stone found on the property of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. The unique depth of impression in the center of the stone makes it a perfect receptacle for the ceramic holy water vessel which was made by one of the Sisters.

The tabernacle, which resides behind the altar, is from Rome. The shelf upon which it rests was handcrafted by a Connecticut blacksmith. Below, a slab of rock found in the New England countryside, graces the sanctuary with its natural beauty and purposefully serves as platform for flowers.