People pray in the adoration chapel at St. Rose of Lima in Roseville Nov. 24. DAVE HRBACEK | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT
Advent is a perfect opportunity to spend time in a eucharistic adoration chapel — and at St. Rose of Lima in Roseville, recent renovations will enhance time in prayer for parishioners and all who visit.
“Advent is a season of expectant waiting, quiet, silence and attentiveness,” said Father Marc Paveglio, pastor. “The prayer of adoration gathers all those movements of the heart together.”
In addition, Jesus in the Eucharist is similar to Jesus in the crib, Father Paveglio said. “He is there — body, blood, soul and divinity. When we allow ourselves to rest before Christ in the monstrance, like a little child in his mother’s lap, we take on Mary’s own heart in preparation for Christmas.”
When Father Paveglio arrived as pastor in July 2018, he quickly saw that many St. Rose parishioners were adorers, but he also saw an adoration chapel in need of repairs. The chapel was originally a convent chapel of the Servite Sisters, built in 1956.
After the sisters’ departure from St. Rose in the late 1980s, the chapel was modified into a space that was simple, functional and accessible. But time began taking its toll. The pews were splitting apart, the carpet was worn out, and although the lights worked, they were harsh on the eyes.
“We decided to refresh the space, but also to heighten the overall beauty of the chapel to honor the presence of Christ in the Eucharist,” Father Paveglio said.
Working with designer and craftsman Nick Vasko, a chapel renovation proposal was developed that was reminiscent of the Spanish colonial style –– similar to places where St. Rose herself might have prayed in a life that spanned the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
“Our patroness St. Rose is an exceptionally eucharistic saint,” Father Paveglio said. “Each day, her mother took her to the church of Santo Domingo in Lima to make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. Rose continued to love Jesus in the sacrament of the altar throughout her life, and it was that love for Christ that energized her love for the poor and downtrodden of Peru.”
The renovated adoration chapel features large timbers, wrought iron, adobe textures and rich colors, giving the chapel a harmonious and unified feel. Symbols of St. Rose’s story, especially the rose bloom and crown of thorns, appear throughout the design.
“Perpetual adoration is important to our community today, because Christ desires to have an intimate and life-giving friendship with each of us,” Father Paveglio said.
While the chapel’s primary purpose is for silent prayer with the Blessed Sacrament, it also has the potential to be used for small weddings or funerals. The original confessional in the back of the chapel was also restored, providing a way for confessions to be heard easily outside of the usual times in the church.
“The pandemic has made it challenging to gather everyone at once, but thankfully we have had enough response to get adoration back to five days per week,” Father Paveglio said.
Peggy Bakko and Celeste Hannan, parishioners, are frequent adorers in the chapel. They said they enjoy each hour spent there in silence, knowing they are surrounded by Jesus’ love. They spend their time listening, asking for help, praying a rosary or discovering more about the Lord through Scripture and other readings.
Hannan said they would like everyone to feel invited to spend time with Jesus in the chapel, whether they are from St. Rose of Lima, the surrounding community or out of town.
“A regular hourly commitment per week is wonderful, but for those who cannot do that, we hope they will come whenever their time permits and stay for any amount of time,” Hannan said. “We know Jesus is the reason to come, but hope the beauty of the chapel will enhance the adoration experience of all our adorers. What a beautiful space in which to prepare ourselves in the presence of Jesus for the celebration of Christmas.”
The adoration schedule at St. Rose is available at stroseoflima.weadorehim.com.
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