Adoration Chapel: Silence of the Spirit
In the past few years, the Order’s Supreme Chaplain, Archbishop William Lori, has led an effort to deepen the spirituality of Knights by writing a series of columns in the monthly Columbia magazine, highlighting the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the mysteries of the rosary, and other topics. A major program of supporting and encouraging local council chaplains to become more involved and deliver a spiritual “Reflection” during a council’s monthly meeting has also been implemented. That initiative, headed by Father John Grace, O.S.A., grew out of the Chaplains’ Meeting held for the past few years at the Supreme Convention on the Monday afternoon before the Opening Mass (Aug. 6, this year).
Another outgrowth of the drive to deepen the spiritual life of Knights is the opening of the Adoration Chapel during the annual convention, where the Blessed Sacrament – Jesus truly present under the appearance of the host – is worshipped in a room set aside and decorated as a holy space.
The silence and stillness of prayer and adoration in the temporary chapel contrast sharply with the rush and bustle of convention activities taking place all around. It is a place for delegates and their wives to “get away” for a few minutes and center on the reason behind the Knights’ charitable, social and religious programs – Jesus and his Church.
The Adoration Chapel opened at the Anaheim Hilton on Saturday, and will remain in service from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the convention. True to their mission of protecting God and country, Fourth Degree Knights from California’s Junipero Serra Province are providing an honor guard in teams of two Sir Knights per hour.
Come, and listen for the “still small voice” of the Lord, present in the Blessed Sacrament.