Chapel of Perpetural Adoration
Our chapel today.
Like many other public spaces, our chapel of perpetual adoration was closed in 2019. We took this opportunity to envision a new interior (image above) hoping to enrich the sacred quality of the space. After completing the first phase of renovation, our chapel of perpetual adoration re-opened on August 15, 2022, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, patroness of Cajuns. Parishioners and guests with the key code are welcome to visit Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament reposed in the tabernacle any time day or night. Every Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. the Blessed Sacrament is exposed and adored by committed adorers though anyone with the key code is welcome to adore during this time. You can request the key code by calling the parish office.
Adorers Needed
We are grateful for our committed adorers whose generosity frees us to expose the Blessed Sacrament every Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. We would like to extend these ours of Adoration, and we need your help to do so. Currently, we are trying to extend adoration of the exposed Sacrament from Thursday at 7 p.m. to Friday at 7 a.m. If you are available for any of these hours, or for any other hours during the week, please contact the parish office at (337) 754-5912. If you are not available for a weekly commitment, but want to support this ministry, please contact the parish office for information on becoming a substitute adorer.
Renovation
Most of the labor in the first phase of renovation was completed through the generosity of volunteers. Those same volunteers also donated many constructions materials. The remaining costs — which include the new HVAC system and the sacred elements for the celebration of Holy Mass — were covered by the generosity of our parishioners through memorial donations. These memorials will be displayed on a plaque near the chapel entrance.
In the first phase of renovation, the chapel’s ceiling tiles, wall paneling, and carpet were removed. The exposed hardwood ceiling was simply sealed with polyurethane to highlight its natural colors and textures. Both the hardwood and brick walls were painted. The original terrazzo floors were cleaned and resealed.
Removed wall paneling is stacked against the wall to the left; removed ceiling tiles are piled on the floor.
St. therese of the child jesus
When you enter the chapel, you first notice a relief of St. Therese set in an oval shadow box frame — she is showering roses onto earth from heaven. An inscription in the bottom left of the image attributes the piece to Salvatore Sacquegna, a craftsman and sculptor from Lecce, Italy, who died in 1964 at the age of 87. The inscription also notes “Fornitore Pontificio” which means “Papal Supplier” and was given to Sacquegna by Pope Benedict XV. A man of fervent faith, Sacquegna was a third order Franciscan and was knighted by Pope Pius X.
The altar
The altar is made from cherry and was designed for the chapel and built in Arnaudville by a parishioner. The tabernacle crowning the altar was previously used in the parish office chapel. The mural behind the altar was painted by Brett Chigoy, a local artist whose portfolio includes the stencil-work in St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Grand Coteau.
Found at an estate sale, the altar frontal (above) is unique and depicts the Eucharist over a chalice encircled by stalks of wheat. The other altar cloths were made by a parishioner from unused altar cloths.
The crucifix on top of the tabernacle (above and right) was donated by Mr. & Mrs. H. Hardy and was hanging in the chapel prior to renovation. If the inscription on his gravestone (i.e. “H. Hardy”) is sufficient evidence, the crucifix was likely donated by Humen “Ti-Mêne” and Adelaide Pelafigue Hardy though the date of donation is unknown.
The Statuary
The statue of Our Lady of the Assumption to the left of the altar is carved from wood and painted. It was found through a company that salvages religious and liturgical goods from Europe, but its age and exact origin are unknown.
The statue of St. Joseph to the right of the altar was previously seated in the chapel foyer. It was donated by brothers Damase and Dominic Noel of Arnaudville in memory of Pierre and Yves Noel. Pierre is the son of Dominic and Yves the son of Damase. Both Pierre and Yves are listed in the World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel. The statue was likely made by the Chicago-based Daprato Statuary (which was renamed Daprato Rigali Studios in 1960). Founded in 1860 by four brothers from the Tuscan town of Braga, Italy, Deprato Statuary was awarded the title “Pontifical Institute of Christian Art” in 1909 by Pope St. Pius X.
The stations of the cross
The stations of the cross are from the pre-renovated chapel.
the stained glass
In the final phase of the renovation, we will install imitation stained-glass windows from Stained Glass, Inc.