Today's Dedication of the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut was awe-inspiring. The distinctive beauty of the setting, the solemnity of the liturgical prayers, the abundant flow of oil and incense, the creative variety and appropriateness of the music made the more than two-hour celebration seem one prolonged moment of joy and thanksgiving.Here is a portion of the prayer of dedication:

Lord, send your Spirit from heaven to make this church an ever-holy place, and this altar a ready table for the sacrifice of Christ. Here may the waters of baptism overwhelm the shame of sin; here may your people die to sin and live again through grace as your children.Here may your children gathered around your altar, celebrate the memorial of the Paschal Lamb, and be fed at the table of Christ's Word and Christ's Body.Here may prayer, the Church's banquet, resound through heaven and earth as a plea for the world's salvation.