A Blessed Moment: Dedication of the Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel
On February 11, the Providence College community gathered in the Mondor Center for Nursing and Health Sciences for a special Mass to dedicate the Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel. The celebration, held on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, was a meaningful moment of prayer, reflection, and community. His Excellency Most Rev. Robert C. Evans, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Providence, presided over the Mass, blessing the Chapel as a sacred space for all who seek peace and spiritual connection. Members of our Dominican community concelebrated.
The dedication was especially significant for the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, whose students and faculty have already embraced the Mondor Center as their home. In addition to filling the pews, members of the SNHS community played an integral role in the liturgy, with several served as eucharistic ministers and lectors. Among them was Dr. Nancy Meedzan, chair of the nursing department, whose participation reflected the school’s deep commitment to faith and service. This connection to Lourdes extends beyond the Chapel, as SNHS faculty and students are preparing for a service immersion trip to Lourdes, France, in May, where they will engage in hands-on learning and compassionate care.
Fr. Thomas More Garrett, O.P., delivered a homily that was both moving and historically rich, reminding all in attendance of the profound significance of Our Lady of Lourdes and the Chapel’s place within the College’s Catholic and Dominican tradition. His words underscored the role of faith in the healing professions and the importance of spiritual care alongside academic excellence.
The dedication concluded with remarks from Dean Kyle McInnis, who expressed gratitude for the new Chapel and spoke to the warmth and spirit of the gathering. His words reinforced the Chapel’s place as a center for prayer, reflection, and connection within the Mondor Center for the entire PC community.
Looking ahead, the Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel will continue to serve as a vital part of campus life. A weekly Mass will now be held in the Chapel on Thursdays. More details will be available soon here: https://catholic-dominican.providence.edu/prayer-worship/.
The dedication of the Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel marks another step forward for the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, reinforcing its mission to educate compassionate, service-oriented healthcare professionals. As this sacred space becomes an integral part of the SNHS community, it will continue to inspire and support students, faculty, and staff in their shared commitment to care for others—mind, body, and spirit.
