Pope Francis declared an Extraordinary Year of Mercy beginning Dec. 8, 2015, and ending Nov. 20, 2016. In addition to designating shrines within the St. Cloud Diocese as places of pilgrimage, Bishop Donald Kettler has encouraged parishioners to pray with the diocese’s religious communities during this Holy Year of Mercy.
The Visitor introduced a pilgrimage passport to encourage people to participate in this jubilee. The passport may be downloaded at http://stcloudvisitor.org/year-of-mercy. This is the third religious community to be featured. Previously spotlighted were the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls (March 25) and the Poor Clares (April 8).
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 Oct. 26, 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 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Enter through the Gathering Place where a receptionist will be present who can help you 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 Cecelia Prokosch at 320-363-7120.
- Guests are always welcome to join the community for services, which can be found at www.sbm.osb.org (click on “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.