The Saint Carlo Acutis Adoration Chapel received a new altar last week.
Fr. Stephen Mary Waruszewski, Director of Campus Ministry, said that the previous altar was meant to be a “placeholder” until the new altar’s arrival.
“If you look closely at the old altar, it is meant more for holding a tabernacle than being a stand-alone altar in a chapel,” he said.
The designer of the new altar worked closely with Fr. Stephen to match the color and design of the chapel, while also trying to connect it to St. Francis of Assisi.
Two overlapping hands are carved into the altar. One symbolizes Francis’ hand and the other, Jesus’ hand.
Both hands include holes in them. Francis bore the stigmata—Jesus’ wounds from the crucifixion.
The addition of the altar was the finishing touch to a series of renovations to both the Immaculate Conception and the Saint Carlo Acutis Adoration chapels.
“The whole thing was part of the Immaculate Conception Chapel’s renovation for the 175-year anniversary campaign,” Fr. Stephen said.
The chapel is a space to pray in the presence of the Eucharist. It allows students to deepen their faith in a peaceful way.
For Delaney Urban, a junior in SFU’s Alta Via program, the chapel is a calming place.
“The chapel is special to me because I find comfort knowing Jesus is there,” she said. “I go to daily adoration whenever I can and it’s the best way for me to start the day.”
Urban feels a unique sense of peace when praying before the Eucharist.
“It is a quiet place to sit in prayer or take a breather from whatever is happening around campus,” Urban said.
