The Spire

William McHale ’26

Features Editor

The Holy Cross community enjoyed a once-in-a-century event on the twenty-first of April with the 100th anniversary of St. Joseph Memorial Chapel. The anniversary was celebrated with a Mass in the afternoon that brought together people from every part of the campus and Worcester community.

Father Hayes and Father O’Brien presided over the Mass, with Bishop Robert J. McManus of the Diocese of Worcester in attendance along with dozens of members of the Holy Cross Jesuit community. President Rougeau gave some opening remarks to the alumni, students, and staff to begin the Mass as well.

St. Joseph Memorial Chapel was very full for the celebration, which involved students and staff members serving as lectors while the Chamber Singers, Chapel Choir, College Choir, and Organ Scholar contributed to the music for the service. To commemorate the occasion, attendees received special socks featuring a design of the Chapel. 

The Chapel, which has been called the “Spiritual Heart of Holy Cross,” formally opened on May 7th of 1924 on the Feast of the Solemnity of Saint Joseph. The origins of the Chapel were found in WWI, as 960 students and alumni along with 7 professors served in the devastating conflict. William F. Davitt, Holy Cross Class of 1907, is believed to be the last American officer killed in WWI while raising the American flag with his troops. The Chapel was created as a place to remember those lost in WWI and later in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. The names of those lost are featured on plaques along the back wall of the Chapel today. 

St. Joseph Memorial Chapel was designed by the Boston architectural firm McGinnis and Walsh, who also designed Alumni Hall and Dinand Library at the College. The Chapel is in the Italian Renaissance Revival style with references to Greek and Roman culture. One of the key details of the Chapel are the beautiful stained glass windows with images of seven doctors of the Church and seven martyrs, being a source of inspiration in the intellectual and moral pursuits of the student body. 

Father O’Brien spent much of his homily discussing how central St. Joseph Memorial Chapel has been to so many in the Holy Cross and Worcester community. He recounted the story of a woman who prayed for a son in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel whose prayer was answered shortly after and whose son would go on to attend Holy Cross before entering the priesthood. The Chapel has been home to countless Masses, sacraments, weddings, performances, Convocations, and the wonderful tradition of Lessons and Carols during Advent. 

The celebration of the 100th anniversary will continue with the 6th annual Gregorian Vespers performance in the Chapel on May 1st. The performance sees over 40 students from Professor Daniel DiCenso’s Chant class performing under the direction of Laurence Rosania, Director of Liturgy and Music for the College.