Chapel in a Catholic Hospital

Almost all hospitals, even those without any religious affiliation, have some space devoted to prayer and reflection. Today, those locations are more than likely either to be non-denominational or designated as meditation rooms. Only Catholic hospitals have chapels with God present in them. In the tabernacle and on the altar when Mass is offered, worshipers encounter the living Presence of Christ Himself. Thus, in any Catholic chapel, you encounter more than your own personal thoughts. In and through Christ, those who pray in the hospital’s chapels find God who alone is the ultimate source of consolation, true peace, unbridled hope, and the origin of every possible form of healing. Such a divine Presence, draws the thoughts and fears of those who pray beyond their immediate concerns to the realm of the living and true God. Such a chapel, with God ever-present, makes the Catholic hospital substantially different—the underlying reason for both the chapel and hospital is Christ, whose example determines what should be done and how care in that facility must be provided.

Our Lady of Providence Chapel

 
The main chapel of Saint Vincent Hospital is located on the ground floor of Worcester Medical Center. Like the prior chapels in the hospital’s other locations on Vernon Hill, as heir to those other two chapels, it was placed under the protection of the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Providence. Moreover, since the hospital was begun in 1893 by the Sisters of Providence, it is only fitting that their devotion to Mary’s providential care be an on-going sign of the hospital’s uninterrupted, century-old mission.

Our Lady of Divine Hope

Located on the Garden level of the Cancer & Wellness Center, this chapel includes a mural of Saint Peregrine who is the patron saint of those suffering from cancer or other incurable diseases. It is open for private prayer and public liturgies as posted.