Chapel showcases relics of saints, Virgin Mary
In a project blending history, devotion, and design, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart has reopened its newly renovated Reliquary Chapel, creating a welcoming and intentional space for visitors to connect with hundreds of saints the collection offers.
In 2019, Tim and Mary Sullivan wished to foster devotion to the saints by highlighting the relics and establishing the Sullivan Family Saints Initiative. The project, after three years of design, saw first signs of construction in the spring of 2023, with the final chapel dedication in September 2024.
Duncan Stroik, Notre Dame architecture professor and Principal Architect for Duncan Stroik Architects, stated the university specifically asked for a Gothic style design. “I never had a client that asked me for a specific style design before,” Stroik noted, “Whatever we did had to be beautiful, had to be worthy, had to be appropriate for the saints and the relics, and had to fit in with the glorious interior of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart; we would try to make this the most beautiful chapel on campus.”
The greatest change to the Reliquary Chapel is its new orientation. Previously tucked away, the space is now prominently visible from the nearby Lady Chapel, drawing visitors in as soon as they enter the Basilica, with new, shallower display cases and a large central shrine section designed with mahogany wood and verde marble.
Father Brian Ching, C.S.C. mentioned, “The old chapel was oriented in such a way that it was not immediately obvious what was in it until you stepped into it; and the way the cases were designed, you were always a bit far from the relics themselves.”
After considering many different options, the design team decided an alphabetical layout would be the most helpful and user-friendly to make the relics more approachable for both first-time visitors and those familiar with the collection.
The collection houses 1,618 relics from 784 saints, with three notable additions in recent years: a relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (both set to be canonized in 2025), and St. Gianna Beretta Molla. Among the most cherished pieces in the collection are a fragment from the manger where Christ was laid, pieces of the belt and veil of the Blessed Virgin, and St. André Bessette, C.S.C.
The renovation includes the creation of an online database, allowing visitors to search the collection remotely. This modern addition ensures even those unable to visit the basilica in person can engage with the relics and learn more about their significance.
Stroik’s design for the central piece drew inspiration from the golden dome, Bernini’s Lady Chapel altar, and the basilica bell tower. This section highlights the True Cross and all twelve apostles and features an effigy of early Christian martyr St. Severa below.
The renovation project was a significant collaborative effort involving the basilica’s leadership, the C.S.C. superior, Duncan Stroik Architects, and various departments at the University of Notre Dame, including the Office of Facilities, Design, and Operations (FDO), Office of Development, and the McGrath Institute for Church Life.
Fr. Ching emphasized that “the team of people who came together to help us create something is not only beautiful, but whose beauty points to something bigger than itself. Everyone who worked on this project had a deep understanding of how important this was.”
He continued, “The new chapel is certainly a beautiful space, but its beauty helps us to relate to the great cloud of witnesses we have in the saints.”
Stroik noted that Tom Stroka and Caroline Cole, Notre Dame architecture graduates, played a key role in the heavy lifting during the design process, and, although “it took many years to do the project, it’s all worth it and worth waiting for.”
Stroik specified some challenges that arose during the design process when considering the symmetry in an asymmetrical room, traffic flow during football weekends, maintaining the stained-glass window visibility, and creating a central focus in the center.
“We were excited to propose something that would help the chapel feel like it was always there. My goal is that people go there, and say that, ‘Fr. Sorin put this in,’ that would give me great pleasure if people thought it was original because the point was that it was designed to be a traditional part of the basilica,” Stroik said.
Since the renovation’s completion, feedback from visitors has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have expressed awe at the beauty of the space, noting the quality of the design and craftsmanship. “People are stunned by the sheer beauty of the space, the quality of the design and millwork, and grateful for the opportunity to pray with the saints,” Fr. Ching stated.
“My family came to visit me, and after Mass at the basilica, we found ourselves drawn to spending most of our time in the newly renovated reliquary,” Grace Katsekes, a junior biology major, told the Rover. “The display was magnificent. It was truly a peaceful experience for myself and my family to be in the presence of so many blessed saints’ relics. We each used the guide to find relics of our confirmation saints, it was the highlight of our day.”
“As far as Notre Dame projects go, it’s kind of small, right?” Stroik reflected. “It’s not a football stadium or new science building or new dorm. But yet, it’s a little gem, and it’s in our heart of the university, at the chapel and basilica.”
Looking ahead, Fr. Ching speculated that while the Reliquary Chapel renovation marks a significant milestone, it is not the last update for the Basilica. “We’ve been slowly taking out sections of pews, refinishing them (sanding and staining) and replacing them,” he shared. “There might be a few other things around the corner, but time will have to tell.”
Excluding Mass times, the reliquary can be viewed during the basilica’s hours, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Lydia Poe, a junior in finance and management, just claimed the prestigious title of second-to-last in her family’s CFP bracket challenge (thanks, Notre Dame). Now she’s bracing for March Madness to crush her hopes all over again. Feel free to send sympathy, mockery, bracket tips, or a well-timed “I told you so” to lpoe01@saintmarys.edu.
Photo Credit: Irish Rover
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