The Blessed Sacrament Chapel
When St. Agnes Church was to be renovated in 1982 much study and prayer
went into the project. Under the guidance of Mr. Blaise Drayton of the Guild in Worcester,
together with the Pastoral Parish Council Members and the Liturgical Commission, much time
was given to the proposed plans and drawings. Each article of liturgical furniture was
discussed and collectively decided upon.
One of the most important questions that arose was the placement of the Tabernacle. In
1978 the United States Bishops’ Committee on Liturgy wrote a document entitled:
“Environment and Art in Catholic Worship”.
The directive therein guided us to place the Tabernacle in an adjoining room
that was visible to a large portion of the congregation. Our second sacristy proved to be
an ideal location as it adjoins the Sanctuary on the left side. Some members of the
Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission came to view this location and gave it high praise.
The Eucharistic Sacrifice takes place at the Altar in the Sanctuary and the Real Presence of Jesus is celebrated and honored. He, as our High Priest, leads us in worship of the Father as we renew His saving act of love, His Passion, Death and Resurrection. During the celebration of the Eucharist our attention is centered on the Father as we worship Him with Jesus, our High Priest.
During the Eucharist, those present are nourished with the Sacred Body and Precious Blood of Jesus. From the very beginning of our Church, as our forbears gathered to celebrate this very same Sacrifice, it was important to gather the remaining eucharistic elements and reserve the Sacrament in a Tabernacle or sacred place. Thus, from time immemorial, one of our most cherished traditions as Catholics has been the permanent reservation of the Blessed Sacrament in our churches. We rejoice in Christ, our Risen Lord, who remains in our midst in many ways but especially by his true presence in the Eucharist.
So, on the evening of October 22, 1982, when Cardinal Medeiros came to consecrate the Table of Sacrifice, he celebrated Mass with us. At the end, in solemn procession, he carried the remaining Eucharist to the Tabernacle in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Thus was this lovely and special place inaugurated and honored by the Real Presence of the Lord of Glory Himself, Jesus Christ.
Our Blessed Sacrament Chapel is open for all to visit and spend a while with Jesus present in the Tabernacle. The Sacrament is reserved also that we might be able to bring Holy Communion to the sick and dying.
As you enter our church, you notice the red sanctuary lamp quietly burning at the front entrance into the Chapel, always a reminder to us of the Presence of Jesus.
Andrew and his companion asked Jesus: “Rabbi, where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.” John 1, 38-39