Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament
Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament
| This is a silent chapel, filled with the scent of flowers
and incense. Perhaps it is the most mystical in the entire basilica. The
Blessed Sacrament is here for the faithful to see, and it is particularly
awe-inspirinng for Catholics. It brings to mind the words and melodies
of the Lauda Sion Salvatorem, the Pange Lingua and the Adoro te devote,
the great hymns written by St. Thomas Aquinas when he composed the Holy
Office for the Feast of Corpus Christi.
These hymns seem to develop in a joyous crescendo, following the harmonious lines and colors of the gilded stucco on the ceiling, the gaze of angels in mid-f1ight, and the slanting rays of light that gently illuminate the space. All this beauty helps the soul, as does the intimacy and silence of this place, the trusting dialogue of prayer which becomes a song of joy. The tabernacle, by Bernini (1598-1680) is based on the
famous Gianicolo temple by Bramante. The two large angels kneeling on the
altar watch us, filled with joy and invite us to worship and pray, and
to forget the deafening noise of the world for an instant or two. Mesmerized
by all this, pilgrims and visitors alike can leave frivolity aside, and
contemplate what is really important. The devout may kneel before Christ,
their "Bread of Life" who brings the
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