Sacred Time, Sacred Space October 7, 2018
Springfield, Ill.--The public is invited to Sacred Heart Convent, the motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, on October 7, 2018, for a rare public open house commemorating the 50th anniversary of the dedication of their historic chapel at 1237 W. Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62704.
Sacred Time, Sacred Space: 50th Anniversary Celebration, Sacred Heart Convent Chapel Open House includes tours of the chapel, refreshments, children’s activities, and exhibits relating to the Dominican Sisters’ mission and ministry.
The celebration continues at 5:30 with Reading Light: The Art & Architecture of Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, a lecture by Anthony Rubano, an architectural historian with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. event is capped off with solemn evening prayer in the Dominican tradition, including chanted psalms and preaching.
The open house and the lecture are free with preregistration requested.
The Visitors are welcome and encouraged to also participate in a 6:30 p.m. solemn evening prayer service in the chapel.
“It is one thing to soak in the chapel’s visual beauty,” said Sacred Heart Convent liturgist Sister Francis Mary Philipp, OP. “It is an experience of a very different sort to join hearts and voices in prayer in our beautiful space. We sisters are privileged to do this every day. We’d love our guests to experience it with us.”
“It is a joy to be able to share our sacred space with the public and welcome people to experience our Dominican prayer,” said Sister Beth Murphy, OP, coordinator of the celebration. “We hope many people will join us for this special day.”
Doors open at 11:00 a.m. The first tour is scheduled for 11:15 and will be offered every 45 minutes thereafter until the final tour at 3:00 p.m. A 20-minute audio-guided tour, produced by the Dominican Sisters’ communication department, will be broadcast in the chapel and followed with a Q&A with sister-guides.
Exhibits about the sisters’ life and ministry, children’s activities, and refreshments will be available to the public in Aquinas Center throughout the open house.
The event is free; preregistration is encouraged. Free will offerings accepted. Reserve your tickets and tour-time here.
Learn more about Sacred Heart Convent Chapel online or call 217-787-0481.
The Dominican Sisters of Springfield are part of a worldwide Dominican family, the Order of Preachers. For more than 800 years, Dominicans have preached the Gospel in word and deed. The Springfield Dominicans were established in Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1873 and relocated to Springfield in 1893. Today, thousands of sisters, nuns, priests, brothers, associates, and laity minister in more than 100 countries around the world. Want to join the Dominican Family? Be in touch!
