Our Lady of Montserrat Chapel, completed in September 2014, was so named because it is significant to the life of St. Ignatius and it relates well to the lives of our Seattle Prep students. At a critical moment on his spiritual journey, when the faith of the young Ignatius was shaken and he had to face a fundamental life decision, he began a pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montserrat. It was there that the young soldier Ignatius had a conversion of heart, a realization of a false self and found new meaning for life. At the altar of Our Lady of Montserrat, he decided to keep vigil and pray fervently for the whole night. Afterward, he was resolved to leave aside his armor and sword in exchange for sack cloth and a walking staff. He no longer served as a soldier for the King of Spain, but as a soldier for the King of Heaven.

Our new chapel is located at the heart of the school– a place of sanctuary for students as they journey through life and face fundamental decisions about their true and false identities. The prominent visual presence of the Montserrat Chapel on campus makes a strong statement about Seattle Prep’s commitment to the spiritual formation of our young men and women. It is their spiritual formation that moves them to strive for the greater good and greater love and justice in their roles as students, sons and daughters and as conscientious citizens of the world. Our Lady of Montserrat Chapel is inspired by the early Jesuit Missions and was designed with these aspirations:

• to reflect Jesuit values and traditions
• to be of the Seattle Prep Campus and Pacific Northwest
• to be multifunctional, adaptable, and simple

The Chapel provides a contemplative space for prayer, reflection and liturgical celebration. It is designed to accommodate personal and communal prayers, as well as both small and large liturgical gatherings. With a variety of materials and textures, a pleasant color palette and warm lighting, the Chapel aims to create a prayerful ambience and a sense of the sacred. It is hoped that our Chapel will be a sanctuary where students feel the warm embrace of God. There, they will experience God in many different ways as they continue to strive to seek God in all things.

Our Lady of Montserrat Chapel was designed by Hennebery Eddy Architects in collaboration with Francis Nguyen, SJ.

 

Chapel Artwork & Details

 

Please click here to fully explore our new chapel, including its artistic elements such as the tapestry, stained glass window and Our Lady of Montserrat statue.

Chapel Usage Policy

Due to its limited seating capacity and intimate setting, Our Lady of Montserrat Chapel is not a suitable venue for larger gatherings such as weddings and memorial services. Also, in keeping with the expressed wishes of the Archdiocese of Seattle, sacraments (such as Baptism) should be celebrated in home parishes. Therefore, as a general rule, the chapel is not available for non-school related functions. However, exceptions will be made on a case by case basis, dependent upon the circumstances. Interested alumni should email Manager of Alumni Relations Emma Johnson to discuss availability.