A nurturing and inviting atmosphere serves as a spiritual sanctuary for students away from home. At the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Our Savior Chapel and Caruso Catholic Center underwent a transformation guided by Liturgical Designer Rolf Rohn. The new chapel was redesigned to accommodate the growing parish community and to embody USC’s mission of cultivating and enriching the human mind and spirit, which is especially important given its large Catholic student population.
Despite its architectural beauty, the center initially lacked the essential liturgical details and aesthetics needed to foster a harmonious environment. Rolf articulated his mission: "Our goal was to integrate all elements and cultivate a sense of sacredness. Harmonizing liturgical spaces involves spatial arrangement, material choices, sightlines, and form. This project presented several challenges, including limited space for liturgical celebrations and furnishings, the representation of the Christian journey from Baptism to Eucharist through symbols, and the incorporation of ministry roles such as music, readers, and servers, as well as a dedicated chapel for the reserved Eucharist."
Through intensive sessions with Father Lawrence Seyer and the Building Committee, Rolf and the parish team carefully defined the liturgical, architectural, and spatial requirements. Drawing on his artistic and liturgical expertise, Rolf proposed innovative solutions that resulted in a cohesive and uplifting environment.
Rolf oversaw the design of marble flooring patterns and the layout of the main and adoration chapels, in addition to creating new pews, frontals, the Tabernacle throne, Presider's and Deacons' chairs, and the credence table. He ensured that all furnishings coordinated aesthetically and functionally. A new lighting scheme was devised to enhance the interior ambiance and highlight significant liturgical moments and artworks. Rolf also reviewed exterior plans for a marble tympanum with an artist in Florence to confirm it was visually and spiritually appropriate for the space. The Rohn team developed and implemented many additional details, including stained glass designs, Stations of the Cross, gold leafing of the apse, and gilding of the exterior cross.
The dedication of Our Savior Chapel on December 9, 2012 marked a milestone. "This center will serve as a hub for students to gather, socialize, study, and engage in community service," remarked Clare Faulkner, Campaign Director of the center. "It will be a place where alumni return to celebrate weddings and baptize their children, reinforcing its significance for generations to come."
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