Rededicating A Sacred Space

At Sunday’s family Mass in the Alumni Memorial Chapel, President Fr. Daniel Lydon, CSV, '73 asked a question central to the journey through Lent: “How do we rededicate ourselves to a bolder faith and a mightier love?”

He reasoned that one way was to rediscover the sacred space in the school’s chapel, which just underwent a renovation.

“The chapel is the heart of our school,” Fr. Lydon said, “because the Eucharist is reserved here.”

It not only serves as a place for regular liturgies and prayer services, but it welcomes sacramental ministry. Fr. Lydon listed some of them that have taken place over the years: baptisms, reconciliation, weddings, funerals and one student was confirmed in the chapel last year.

Sunday’s Mass offered a chance to formally rededicate the space. Fr. Lydon and Fr. Jean Didier Sohotode, CSV, sprinkled each new element with holy water, including the historic statues of Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus – which date back more than 100 years to the original St. Viator College – as well as a new image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas; and the newly refurbished, marble-topped baptismal font.

The final blessing was reserved for the new tabernacle. The gold-plated tabernacle, with Viatorian symbols inset on its doors and set atop of one of the original marble altars, was a gift from the family of Mr. John Paulik, a former religion teacher who passed away in 2020.

Rededicating the chapel was the first in a series of projects intended to transform the school’s campus. After Mass, families toured some of the new, state-of-the-art classrooms, as well as progress on the new wellness bar and gathering place dedicated to the former Buildings and Grounds Director, Mr. Steve Burks.

"I am committed to our relentless pursuit of a rigorous and meaningful academic program, the bold enhancement of our building and campus, and our financial vitality," Fr. Lydon added. "We at Saint Viator have made a conscious decision to deepen our commitment to continuous advancement, access and achievement."