To the Band of Brothers: May 12, 2021
Good morning!
I love standing in the middle of the driveway early in the morning before most of the cars start pulling up and around, and stare at the façade of the new chapel. It’s beautiful. When the architect and I were discerning where to build our new chapel, we went back and forth with possible options. Actually, they were really limited to a couple of possibilities, the center of campus where the old pool was and where it is now.
I liked the idea of the space where the quad is currently because we could refer to the chapel as being at the heart of our school. The problem was that the space was not really big enough to support a large structure. In addition, the dimensions would have forced us to design something round instead of rectangular. I immediately thought of all those possible alumni who would want to get married in the Belen chapel. I am sure their brides would not want to walk around the aisle, but down it.
No question the front corner space occupied by palm trees was the best spot. At first glance it didn’t seem to fit the kind of structure we wanted, but the architect assured me it did. Sure enough, there she is. With a capacity of 650 people and a nave long enough to tire the most enthusiastic bride and her reluctant father, the chapel now becomes the new face of the school. Her location is a clear statement of our Catholic identity.
Throughout this whole process, I have rediscovered something I learned as a student at Belen Jesuit from Mr. Nuñez, my art history teacher. It’s the way art, and in this case architecture, serves theology so beautifully. The design of the chapel does not simply convey beauty, but it uses beauty to make a real theological statement. It is there to serve as a catechetical tool to communicate the faith. Yes, the building shields us from the sun and rain. Yes, it is beautiful to look at. But, more importantly, it tells you the story of our faith and teaches you a lesson.
Here’s one right off the bat. When you look at the chapel, the first thing you may notice are the three arches that lead to a portico. The three arches are not placed there randomly. They represent the most basic theological concept at the root of Christian belief, the Holy Trinity. Any person who claims to be a Christian believes there to be a Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. So basic is this truth, we baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. That is the first step towards being a Christian and, thus, the first step into our chapel.
There is so much more to explore here. Throughout the next few months, I would like to share some of them with you in preparation for the quickly approaching completion of the chapel of Our Lady of Belen. We are all excited about how the chapel will enhance the formation of all of us as committed Christians.
Auspice Maria
BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was founded in 1854 in Havana, Cuba by Queen Isabel II of Spain. The task of educating students was assigned to the priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), whose teaching tradition is synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline. In 1961, the new political regime of Cuba confiscated the School property and expelled the Jesuit faculty. The School was re-established in Miami the same year, and over the next decade, continued to grow. Today, Belen Jesuit sits on a 30-acre site in western Dade County, only minutes away from downtown Miami.