Pope Francis proclaimed Jubilee 2025 as a holy year of hope, which began Christmas Eve 2024 and concludes Jan. 6, 2026. Additional information about observing Jubilee 2025 is available at https://stcdio.org/jubilee-2025-pilgrims-of-hope/.
The practice of pilgrimage has a special place in the holy year because it represents the journey each person makes in this life. The St. Cloud Diocese is home to many sacred sites for people to visit. Bishop Patrick M. Neary, CSC, has encouraged parishioners to pray at these sites throughout the year as well as with the diocese’s religious communities.
The Central Minnesota Catholic introduced a Jubilee Passport to encourage people to participate in pilgrimages and perform corporal and spiritual acts of mercy which may provide eligibility to receive plenary indulgences during this year. The passport may be downloaded at https://stcdio.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2025-Jubilee-Passport-11-19-24-FINAL-web.pdf.
Over the coming weeks, we will feature diocesan pilgrimage sites identified in the Jubilee Passport.
Saint Benedict’s Monastery is the second religious community to be highlighted. Praying with the Benedictine Sisters is one of the 24 practices promoted in the Jubilee Passport.
Where is the chapel located?
Sacred Heart Chapel is located at St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph. It is used and owned by the Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict. The sisters also welcome the College of St. Benedict to use it for their weekly Sunday Eucharist and for special services.
What are the important features of the chapel?
The cornerstone for the chapel was laid Oct. 13, 1912, by Bishop James Trobec. The chapel is famous for its dome.
Following completion, it was dedicated on March 25, 1914. It was consecrated Oct. 24, 1943, when, nearly 30 years later, it was finally free of mortgage.
In 1983, it underwent a major renovation to honor changes in liturgical focus ushered in by the Second Vatican Council. At that time the altar was moved to a central position and the entrance changed. The entrance had been through doors at the east end. Now the west end was opened up and the Gathering Place added to make it more accessible and welcoming to people visiting.
The chapel has a unique organ — the Noack organ which was installed in 1985.
The 100th anniversary in 2014 was a major event, culminating with a service in October of that year, which used music, words and historical objects to tell the story of Sacred Heart Chapel.
What to do when you visit:
Visitors are welcome from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sundays, Thursdays and Saturdays and until 6:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Enter through the Gathering Place where a receptionist will be available to help and answer questions. Note the dome, the organ, the choir loft, the marble pillars, honeycomb windows and general air of lightness. The Blessed Sacrament Chapel is located just outside the main chapel. It contains some of the stained glass removed from Sacred Heart Chapel during the renovation.
- For a full tour of these sacred spaces with an explanation of the history and architecture, contact Sister Helene Mercier at 320-363-7100.
- Guests are always welcome to join the community for services, which can be found at www.sbm.osb.org (click on “Spirituality” and look further down for “Worship” and “Liturgy”). Sunday Eucharist is at 10:30 a.m.
- On feast days the schedule changes so guests may want to check times at 320-363-7100. The website is also updated with special service times.
- Liturgy of the Hours prayers take place in the Oratory, not the Sacred Heart Chapel. Guests are welcome there, too.