The Heart of Worship and Community for PHJC in Donaldson
- Mass: 9:00 a.m. Sunday
- Note: Mass times may change for community events. Please call Donaldson switchboard at (574) 936-9936 to confirm.
- Contact: Andrew Jennings, Director of Liturgy and Music ajennings@poorhandmaids.org | (574) 935-1723
Open to all who seek prayer, reflection, and sacred beauty.
Open to All
The Ancilla Domini Chapel serves as the mother church for the American Province of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, and as a spiritual beacon to the spiritual family of Saint Katharina Kasper, as well as the chapel for Marian University’s Ancilla College. The Motherhouse was built in 1922 and the chapel was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary on May 24th, 1923.
Worship is the purpose of this chapel — to respond to God’s unconditional love through beauty, music, words, actions. The chapel is the center of liturgical celebration and of community prayer for the Sisters who live at Convent Ancilla Domini and all who belong to the American Province of this international congregation of women. Sisters gather here to celebrate the Eucharist, to reflect on Sacred Scripture, and to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit stirring within.
Ecumenical groups frequently enjoy this worship space. It is a place of prayer for people of many faiths who attend programs at Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center, those who live at the Maria Center, and those who attend one of the many sacred music concerts. The Ancilla Domini Chapel is open to all visitors.
A Sanctuary of Sacred Beauty
The architecture of the Ancilla Domini Chapel expresses a great movement of the human spirit. The neo-Gothic columns of the nave soar up as if reaching toward God in heaven. The columns are decorated in the Corinthian style, used often by the Romans in their adaptations of Greek forms. Stained glass windows enhance the beauty of the chapel, which can seat 500 people. On the unique ceiling are featured images of angels supporting symbols of Mary as Queen.
The Annunciation scene above the main altar is an imported carved work. The scene is very significant to the Poor Handmaids because it symbolizes the Sisters’ charism and name. The statues represent Mary and the angel in dialogue (Luke 1:26-38). The angel is expressing God’s call to Mary to be the Mother of the Messiah, Jesus. Mary responds humbly of her desire to participate in God’s plan of redemption. She is willing to serve as mother of the Savior. Mary answered the angel, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done to me according to your word.” The Latin words “Ancilla Domini,” mean “Handmaid of the Lord.” From this title Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ take their name.
The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ are committed to sharing their spirituality with all who visit the campus, as reflected in the many liturgical activities in the Ancilla Domini Chapel. Thousands of people each year attend various liturgies and musical performances in the Ancilla Domini Chapel, with hopes of hearing the majestic sounds of a pipe organ in the magnificent acoustics of the Chapel. We believe that God, the giver of music, is present whenever we sing God’s praise. The pipe organ, because of its size, range of color, and ability to “breathe” with the voice, is the most suited of any instrument to lead and sustain congregational singing. The Sisters’ commitment to meaningful liturgy, support of the sacred and musical arts, and integral ecology led to the decision to commission a new instrument that would serve all who come to Ancilla Domini Chapel for generations to come. The Taylor and Boody Opus 83 was dedicated in March of 2023 and was designed to reflect elements of the Chapel architecture as well as the high altar.
