People are singing the praises of the new Incarnate Word Chapel at St. Gabriel School in Austin, TX, completed by Rohn & Associates Design. Liturgical Designer Rolf Rohn collaborated with school leadership to develop a master plan that reflected their teachings and the profound mystery of a chapel dedicated to the Incarnate Word. The primary goal was to create an environment that encourages students to grow in grace and understanding of Christian values to apply in every aspect of their lives.
Transforming an empty room into an inspiring chapel requires a liturgical designer to listen to the client's vision, assess the space, and develop a plan in accordance with Canon Law. Using sacred words and drawings, they design a holistic vision that encompasses space, prayer, and liturgy requirements—all within a given budget. This process, both challenging and faith-affirming, is exactly what transpired at St. Gabriel School.
The new chapel features majestic 22’ x 20’ jeweled leaded glass windows. Surrounding the entrance doors is a depiction of the Annunciation, where the Angel Gabriel invites Mary to become the Mother of God, the Incarnate Word. This story, found in scripture and recalled in the Angelus Prayer—an early Church devotion dating from 1000 AD—is beautifully represented. The transparent glass allows the image of a crucified Christ within the chapel to convey the great tidings that Archangel Gabriel brought to Mary: her sorrow would bring eternal life to all through His death.
This sanctuary embodies the City of God, its doors serving as gates adorned with symbols illustrating the Water of Life. Together with the Word of God, this imagery flows into our minds and hearts, cleansing, sanctifying, and welcoming us into this heavenly realm of knowledge and faith. This truth is affirmed each time we bless ourselves with holy water upon entering.
Saints throughout the ages, relating to youth and families, adorn the side walls. These include St. Pius X, St. Francisco, St. Jacinta, St. Lucia, St. George, St. Philomena, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, St. Bakhita, St. John Bosco, St. Dominic Savio, St. Bernadette, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Augustine, St. Monica, St. Margaret of Scotland, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, St. Joan of Arc, St. Jose Sanchez del Rio, St. Paul Miki, St. Francis, St. Clare, and St. Therese de Lisieux. A booklet is being printed to tell their stories and their love of God, serving as wonderful witnesses for all.
Custom-designed Stations of the Cross illustrate the Passion of Christ with youthful portrayals of Christ and his mother. This allows students and pilgrims who wish to walk the Stations and learn their prayers to relate more easily. Rolf also designed four consecration crosses, the crucifix, crucifixion window, ambo, tabernacle, and altar. These elements underscore how the students will be future participants in their prayers and liturgy.
The 22’ x 20’ sky blue Italian crucifixion window behind the altar portrays the authors of the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—as they are in the Book of Revelation by St. Jerome, with the heads of a man, lion, ox, and eagle. These lovely winged beings appear as if presenting to all who enter the inspired Word of God through the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. The 8’ hand-carved young Christ on the cross—alive, with eyes open—represents an unbloodied Sacrifice of the Mass and a willingness to share his invitation to eternal life.
Exquisite hand-carved statues of Mary, Undoer of Knots, signifying the promise of reconciliation and peace (a favorite devotion of Pope Francis), and Joseph, holding the child Jesus with the Lamb of God (protecting and advocating for all families), stand at the back of the chapel. They are positioned at a height that allows the children to touch and know that Mary and Joseph were as human as they are.
There is no question that this awe-inspiring chapel will positively impact children for generations to come.
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