SW News: The first perpetual adoration chapel in New York city in the United States of America will be opened for worship in June. The chapel dedicated to the Divine Mercy will come up in the parish of St Joseph in West Village which is under the pastoral care of the Dominican Friars.

Fr Boniface Endorf OP, vicar of St Joseph’s Church, said on the website of the upcoming chapel that it was a necessity in New York. “We cannot know God without spending time with Him in prayer, and perpetual adoration places prayer at the center of our lives. Meeting Christ in the Eucharist, in His real presence among us, has transformed countless lives.”

The vicar said Eucharistic adoration played a key role in forming his priestly vocation. “A perpetual adoration chapel will bring many graces to our city! It will provide a place for people all over the city to encounter Jesus in their lives – to experience His mercy and love,” said the Dominican friar.

What makes this chapel special is the fact that it will be open to believers at all hours. Those who wish to adore can sign up online for hours-long sessions in the chapel. The vicar believes that the prayers in the chapel will rise up like incense smoke to God in heaven. He said the city that never sleeps will now have a chapel that never closes.

In the chapel, there will be a mosaic above the altar just behind the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament. Fr Endorf said that this chapel will also be a place where anyone who walks in can encounter the Divine Mercy.

The chapel is located next to New York University and it is the Dominican friars who provide pastoral service to the campus ministry there. It is expected that students who are thirsting for Eucharistic Adoration can make use of this upcoming chapel any time of the day and night. It will also serve all believers in the whole city.

At a time when the USA is witnessing mounting attacks on churches, chapels and Catholic institutions following the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year, safety has been given paramount importance in the chapel. Worshippers should sign up at the parish office and they will be given a code to open the door. The friars are also contemplating installing biometrics to open the door. There will be surveillance cameras inside the chapel and on its premises.