A Day In Buffalo Visiting Jesus & His Mom-Part II

After our visit to the Felician Sisters Chapel, our next Sacred Space to visit would be the Dominican Nuns Monastery Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary.  It was the second stop of Buffalo Tours "Sacred Spaces", and it was listed as a walking tour.  However, all fifteen of our party travelled the distance in several automobiles.  After we had all arrived, we were met by Sister Veronica Mary, who warmly greeted us as we entered the chapel.  Although the nuns who reside at the convent are cloistered Dominicans, Sister Veronica Mary is one of two Extern Sisters who have contact with visitors beyond the cloistered walls of the monastery.

 

Once again, Kathy and I were in the presence of the Lord in a very special way - Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament was in progress.  Our tour group did not need to be told to be quiet and reverential - It just happened!  We all knew that we were visiting a Sacred Space.

This mural is above the altar.  It is a depiction of twenty Dominican saints adoring Jesus, who is seated on the lap of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  There is a symbol for every Dominican in the mural in order to identify each saint.

 

To the right of the altar, beyond the screen, is the separate chapel for the cloistered sisters.

Like Corpus Christi Church, the stained glass windows of this chapel are also the artistry of the Franz Mayer Works of Munich, Germany.



















Above, a stained glass depiction of the Resurrection of Jesus, with a close-up of the right panel.

Above, a stained glass depiction of the Assumption of Mary, with a close-up of the left panel.



 
Above each stained glass window, but higher, near the ceiling, are smaller windows.  Each of these give honor to a Dominican saint.  I have posted a few for your viewing pleasure.  To the right is Saint Thomas Aquinas.

Above are Saints Hyacinth and Agnes.

 

 

Careful examination of these small windows will reveal to the viewer something symbolic associated with each saint.


Much too soon, it was time to end the tour of the chapel.  As we left the chapel, I took special notice of the four small stained glass windows in the vestibule.  One of them had the Latin phrase Ecce Panis Angelorum.

 These words, taken from the beautiful hymn of St. Thomas Aquinas, Lauda Sion Salvatorem, written for the Feast of Corpus Christi, give witness to the fact that the Eucharist has often been referred to as the “bread of angels.”   For Kathy and I, the day had seemingly been one continuous feasting on the "bread of angels."  

Sister Veronica Mary gave a small card to everyone.  On the front side, it simply stated:

 Jesus, I Trust in You. 

 

On the back side were the following words:

  Every time I say "Jesus" I wish to offer to God the infinite merits of Jesus Christ, His passion and death, in union with all the Masses offered throughout the whole world for: the glory of God, my own intentions, and the salvation of peoples of all nations.

Often Repeat the Name of Jesus.

The Holy Name will deliver you from many evils and obtain great blessings for you and others.

 

It is so very true brothers and sisters that "Jesus" is indeed more than a name.  It is a very powerful one-word prayer!

 

 

Our tour group was ready to disband and each go their own way.  However, Kathy and I had arranged something very special for ourselves with Sister Veronica Mary.  In short order, an invitation was extended to the whole group to join us for a relatively unknown tour.  The Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary had many, many more surprises that would astound us all.

However, due to the length of this post, I will share those surprises with you in "A Day In Buffalo Visiting Jesus & His Mom-Part III."

jw