Home - Mariandale Retreat and Conference Center in Westchester County, NY

Chapel

FPO

The chapel is designed to provide a fitting environment for community worship in the Mass, in the Divine Office and for private devotion. The interior walls and roof are finished in natural wood and the artistic elements, such as the stained glass and reredos symbols, are executed in abstract forms.

The seating is made of African mahogany and is arranged in a circular plan to emphasize the sense of unity of the community and to bring all as close as possible to the altar.

Our entry into the mystical body of Christ comes through baptism. The entry area of the Chapel contains a large, pure white marble font which reminds us of the baptismal water and the purity that it brings to our souls when the sacrament is received. The altar too is of white marble and is seen against the green marble reredos which bears an abstract sculpture depicting the “Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit” executed in a hammered bronze. The tabernacle is to the right of the altar and overhead is a hammered bronze tester lending dignity and prominence to the altar as the focal point of the chapel. The lectern is of white marble with a mahogany book rest providing an appropriate setting for the Word of God.

One of the outstanding features of the Chapel is the stained glass which depicts “The Creed” in abstract form and literally brings the glory of the colors into the chapel itself to create a joyous atmosphere for the celebration of the liturgy. The four windows in the entry area relate to the apparition of the Blessed Virgin at Banneux in Belgium in 1933, when she stated “I Am the Virgin of the Poor.”

The windows at either side as one enters the main part of the chapel depict the sacrament of baptism which is our entry to the church, and the sacrament of penance which is our re-admission to the church after we have left through sin. At either side of the altar are windows carrying the themes of the Eucharist – the wheat of the bread, and the grapes from which the wine is made. At either end of the main chapel seating area are five windows and these present the Creed in abstract form and glorious color.