Chapel of the Sorrowful Mother
Chaplains are available to provide spiritual care for patients and families. The Chapel of the Sorrowful Mother is located on the hospital’s mezzanine and is open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Families are welcome to use this room for prayer, meditation or quiet time.
All are welcome to Holy Mass which takes places on the following days and times:
- Monday through Friday at 12 p.m.
- Saturday at 4 p.m.
- Sunday at 8 a.m.
The Chapel of the Sorrowful Mother, built in 1947, is somewhat hidden in the center of the hospital, though if you follow the signs, you can be transported back to a time where churches were built with thoughtful, purposeful materials, style and design. Built in the style common in Italy in the 11th century, it stands in sharp contrast to the modern buildings around it.
The Shrine of the Sorrowful Mother is located near the entrance of the chapel and features a pictorial representation of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, to whom the chapel is dedicated.
Along each side wall of the chapel are the Station of the Cross, depicting 14 scenes of Jesus’ suffering from the Last Supper through the Crucifixion.
The high altar is constructed of domestic and foreign marble, richly adorned with carved ornaments, mosaics and sculptures. The white Italian marble figures that rise above the altar depict the crucified Jesus, His mother, Mary, and John, the beloved disciple.
The mosaic mural known as the “Sacred Heart of Jesus” covers the sanctuary’s domed ceiling. Made in Italy, this glass and marble mural was a gift of the hospital’s medical staff in 1965. (Image 9806)
With about 9,300 square feet, the chapel holds 50 pews, enough to seat 500 people. A choir loft contains a pipe organ and more pews. The chapel bell was moved from the previous chapel, where it had been in use for 41 years.
The chapel was called the “pride of the Order” of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, a Rome-based order which had taken over the operations of St. Francis 58 years earlier.