Holy Spirit Chapel Celebrates its Centennial
Livestream the Mass by clicking here.
By Elyse Paul Maldonado ’20
On April 24, 1926, the Chapel of the Holy Ghost, now known as Holy Spirit Chapel, was dedicated at Saint Mary's College. One hundred years later, the campus community will gather in that same sacred space to celebrate its centennial milestone.
For Nicole Labadie, director of the Center for Faith, Action, and Ministry, the anniversary is both a historical marker and a deeply communal moment. “We know from our archives that Holy Spirit Chapel was dedicated as a Catholic chapel on April 24, 1926,” she said. “So this will be the exact 100th anniversary and a really special opportunity to gather in prayer and celebration.”
Over the past century, Holy Spirit Chapel has evolved alongside the Catholic Church. One of the most significant changes came after the Second Vatican Council, which reshaped Catholic liturgy and worship practices. Physical traces of earlier traditions remain, including the posts where the communion rail once stood, offering a glimpse into the past.
The space is also rich with sacred art and symbols of the Saint Mary’s community. The Stations of the Cross, for example, was a senior comprehensive project created by a member of the Class of 1958, and many statues and liturgical furnishings within the chapel have been donated in memory of alumnae and Sisters of the Holy Cross. Plaques near the entrance of the chapel tell the story of these gifts, quietly testifying to generations of devotion and generosity.
In more recent decades, additional pieces of sacred art, including statues and devotional images, have further enriched the chapel’s atmosphere. Together, these elements create what Labadie describes as “a community that has transcended time,” where past and present meet in prayer.
Located on the third floor of Le Mans Hall, Holy Spirit Chapel is uniquely situated at the center of student life. Open 24 hours a day, it offers students a constant place of quiet reflection and worship.
“That’s why it’s so meaningful,” Labadie said. “Moments when we want to turn to God don’t happen on a schedule. They might come late at night, in times of joy or challenge. The chapel is always there.”
I come for the community of women and for the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. It is a central part of why I love this college campus.
- Hannah Teich ’27
For Hannah Teich ’27, that accessibility makes all the difference. “If I am having a hard day, I know I can find solace in Christ in the quiet chapel,” she said. “It offers me a space of peace and comfort along with a space for community.”
Teich visits the chapel regularly throughout the week and plays an active role in Sunday evening Mass. “I come for the community of women and for the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist,” she said. “It is a central part of why I love this college campus.”
For Sarah Hautzinger Loumeau ’20, the chapel served as her “neighbor” for two years while living in room 317 in Le Mans Hall during her junior and senior years. To say the chapel felt accessible was an understatement. “I found myself taking detours whenever I needed a quick moment of prayer, which usually happened every day or so. I've seen it in the middle of the day, beautifully illuminated with noon light, and I've seen it still and quiet in the dark hours of the night.”
Beyond individual prayer, the chapel also serves as a gathering place for communal worship and campus ministry events. Daily and Sunday Masses, Eucharistic adoration, praise and worship nights, and special liturgies all take place within its walls. The chapel has hosted baptisms and confirmations for students entering the Catholic Church, and for some alumnae, it has served as the backdrop of their marriage vows as well.
The upcoming anniversary Mass will reflect both the chapel’s sacred purpose and the spirit of celebration. The liturgy will use a special set of readings designated for the anniversary of a church’s dedication which highlight the beauty and significance of worship within a consecrated space.
Planning for the event has been a collaborative effort. Student leaders have helped shape everything from liturgical roles to the reception details. The Sisters of the Holy Cross and members of the broader South Bend community have also been invited to participate.
“It’s been really meaningful to see so many different groups come together,” Labadie said. “This is a place that matters not just to current students, but to generations of alumnae.”
As Holy Spirit Chapel enters its second century, the anniversary offers a moment to reflect on its enduring role at Saint Mary’s. For Labadie, the hope is that the celebration will strengthen the bonds of community and invite all who enter to experience a sense of belonging. “When we gather to pray and to celebrate together, the community is deepened,” she said. “My hope is that people will see this as a home. It's a place where they can encounter God and one another.”
For students like Teich, that sense of home is already a reality. “The presence of the chapel means that I have a space to rely on for hard times and good times,” she said. “A place for rejoicing and mourning.”
The commemorative Mass will take place at 2 p.m. ET on Friday, April 24, presided by Father Bill Lies, CSC. The Mass is open to the public, with a livestream available for those unable to attend in person.