On March 11, the Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids, joined the Hope College Catholic community for a Mass of Blessing of the Saint Anne Oratory at the Carol C. Schaap Chapel in Graves Hall. This new sacred space was full of friends and benefactors of the Saint Benedict Institute, as well as Hope students and faculty.
"I am grateful for Bishop Walkowiak for offering a Mass of Blessing, for the Schaap family and our many other generous donors, for our very talented architects, for the team that built it, and for Hope College for being so ecumenically open to this endeavor," wrote Dr. Jared Ortiz, Hope College professor and co-founder and executive director of the Saint Benedict Institute.
Early in the liturgy, Bishop Walkowiak sprinkled the walls of the oratory with holy water to set it apart for the proclamation of the Word of God, the celebration of the Sacraments, and the reservation of the Eucharist. During his homily, Bishop Walkowiak thanked all those who made the recent renovation of the oratory possible, urging everyone to continue their support of the Saint Benedict Institute and its missionary activity. Hope students and faculty prepared the altar prior to the liturgy of the Eucharist. In his concluding remarks, Bishop Walkowiak joked that he had no idea what he was going to find when he came to the new oratory, but that he appreciated the beauty and thoughtfulness of its design. He assured the Hope College Catholic community of his prayers.
The Reverend Nicholas Monco, O.P., chaplain of the Saint Benedict Institute, and the Reverend Charles Brown, pastor of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Holland, concelebrated the Mass of Blessing with Bishop Walkowiak. They were assisted by Deacon Brian Piecuch, the Development Director and Program Coordinator of the Saint Benedict Institute. Students led the congregational singing and chanting in both English and Latin.
The Saint Anne Oratory at the Carol C. Schaap Chapel, located at the heart of campus on the ground level of Graves Hall, was renovated in 2021-22 to serve the needs of Catholics on Hope’s campus. The space previously hosted the Schoon Meditation Chapel, which was completed in 1962. The Hope College TRIO Upward Bound and Children’s After School Achievement (CASA) programs are on the same floor of the three-floor building, which also houses classrooms, Winants Auditorium, and the President’s Room conference room featuring portraits of Hope’s presidents.
Paul and Carol Schaap are the principal donors. Paul is a 1967 Hope graduate. Paul and Carol’s longstanding philanthropic leadership at the college has been transformational and includes a leadership gift on behalf of the A. Paul Schaap Science Center, which opened in 2003, and major funding to provide research fellowships for members of the chemistry faculty; research and innovation opportunities for undergraduates in chemistry; and a major gift in support of the Jim and Martie Bultman Student Center.
The introduction of Roman classical design in the renovated space suits the new oratory’s Catholic mission while complementing the historic character of Graves Hall. Increased seating, improved pew layout, enhanced ventilation capability, and provisions for wheelchair accessibility allow for the Saint Anne Oratory to capably host daily Mass and frequent adoration of the Eucharist. The oratory is also available to students and other members of the campus community for private prayer.
Photo credit: Steven Herppich and Hanniah Kring
