As envisioned for the original complex called Mount St. Mary of the West Seminary, the Rosary Chapel occupied the geographical center of a large educational/residential/worship facility befitting a major seminary. If one were to draw the chapel, then ring it with a maize of corridors, walkways, courtyards, business offices, classrooms and, yes, even practice altars, one would get an impression of the important, central role the chapel played in the life of the residents. The front and wings of the complex housed auditorium, cafeteria, classrooms, student dormitories and faculty offices, giving the main edifice an imposing three-story height above ground. Still, the chapel was so central in fact that, if one walked straight on a straight line through the main entry door, one would enter the main chapel in a direct line toward the main altar .
Originally designed with classic facing side choir stalls common in monasteries and large basilicas, the main chapel was meant to set a tone of profound dignity for the aspiring clerics who worshiped there. As shown in the accompanying sketch, entry to the chapel was by way of a small cloister where visitors could participate in certain ceremonies being celebrated in the chapel beyond. The choir loft immediately above the cloister housed the chapel organ and space for the attendant choir when the occasion dictated.
Walls and ceiling were decorated in a subtle mixture of arches and fluted columns-true beauty through simplicity-but what set the spiritual tone of the chapel were its stained glass windows. The windows above the sanctuary featured five Doctors of the Church (Saints Francis de Sales, Augustine, Jerome, Ambrose and Gregory), all positive role models for aspiring young seminarians. Then, starting on the front left as one faces the altar, and continuing clockwise, came the 15 windows dedicated to the 15 decades of the rosary. It is important to note the orientation of the windows since, on several occasions in this book, a feature of a mystery depicted in, say, a Joyful Mystery window on the left wall is compared with a corresponding feature in a Glorious Mystery window on the wall opposite.
Thus, just as the rosary truths depicted in the windows were critical to the formation of priests 75 years ago, so they continue today to influence the spiritual well-being of all who visit this chapel.
Copyright
© 1996 Shepherds of Christ.