Gallup, N.M., Apr 10, 2013 / 03:02 am
The newly-renovated chapel of Bishop James Wall of the Gallup diocese aims to be part of the spiritual formation of local seminarians as they prepare to pastor churches in the future.
"The idea was to make something peaceful and beautiful, and in God's honor...it's a house for discernment, and seminarians live there at time, so it's also intended to be part of their spiritual formation," Father Matthew Keller, the Gallup diocese's director of vocations and mission resources, told CNA April 8.
The chapel, attached to the bishop's residence, is located at a discernment house which is at times home to both priests and seminarians of the Gallup diocese. It has been renewed with sacred art from artisans who work in styles native to New Mexico.
"It's all along with the idea of demonstrating to seminarians how to go about seeking out the artists, encouraging, collaborating with the artists, thinking things through very carefully – what is the meaning of each aspect of the chapel, how to do things beautifully and according to the guidelines the Church gives us, following that as closely as we could, while keeping the local customs as well."