CHAPEL OF THE EUCHARISTIC LORD EVER RELEVANT TODAY

Chapels established within malls in Metro Manila are a recent phenomenon. They are the results of masses that were done by groups of people who desired to celebrate the masses to express their devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the first Friday of the month or to the devotion of the Mother Perpetual Help every Wednesday of the month. Besides, masses were already celebrated in some occasions during anniversaries of establishments, stores, and companies within the mall premises. The habit of permitting masses where people gather became a convenient way of welcoming the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the midst of a marketplace. These masses evolved overtime which encroached into the minds of mall owners and cooperators to think of erecting a small chapel for daily masses. The attraction of masses in malls became a common experience to all because of the convenience they receive like the air is conditioned and cool, the one-stop shop habit becomes accessible, the presence of people add more vigor to relax, and the meals are all over the place.

In the course of time, chapels begin to evolve into larger ones because of the people who attend the mass. All Sunday of the month, the chapels are packed with people and through the years, the numbers are never abated. In some malls, an adoration chapel is even allowed by the Bishop to provide more conducive place for silent prayer and meditation. This illustrates that chapels inside the malls are indeed a pastoral opportunity for the Church to provide the spiritual needs of the people. The Spirit is indeed working in the midst of the Church as tangibly seen in the evolution of mall masses and the local church could discernibly track the presence of God among the people of God.

For the past three decades, the chapels in the malls usually celebrate two important sacraments namely: The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. But recently, by the cohesive and careful pastoral planning of the presbyteral council with the initiative of the Archbishop of Manila, Jose Cardinal Advincula, chapels in malls are given now the privilege to celebrate other sacraments like baptism, confirmation, and even matrimony. This is an advancement of a pastoral concern and missionary approach to a context that is thirsty of the Word and the Body of Christ.

The Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord which sits at the heart of SM Megamall was given a specific pastoral identity-a mission station. Thus, it is an honor and a privilege for people to be baptized, confirmed and wed as added sacraments to be celebrated in the Chapel. Msgr. Noly A. Que, LRMS and Fr. Mark Lemuel Tibay, LRMS who are pastoral team partners are tasked to prepare the chapel for the advent of these new pastoral activities. The Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord has a sitting capacity of 1,300 persons. The evolution of mall masses in our chapels are concrete signs of the Spirit blowing wherever it wills and the local church follows the signs of vibrancy of the spirit living in our midst.

IMAGES OF THE CHAPEL OF THE EUCHARISTIC LORD