The Deacon's Bench
I’m spending more time in airports these days, and periodically I’ll see signs pointing the way to a chapel. More often than not, the “chapel” is a non-denominational prayer room with little more than a couple chairs scattered around, with some leaflets and Bibles on a table. But if you’re looking for more than a place to pray, and need to get to Mass, what can you do?
Happily, this website has the answer, listing major airports with links and Mass information:
Most of these chapels are open to all faiths, but some have a regularly scheduled Catholic Mass on certain days. And, if you are traveling over a weekend, it can be a great opportunity to attend Mass that you otherwise might miss. In addition, if you have a group traveling with a priest, he may be able to celebrate Mass in the chapel.
Some also have reconciliation….a great opportunity if you just came off a flight where the person ahead of you had his seat so far back he was almost in your lap!
By coincidence, I found myself this morning at JFK Airport in New York City and, having some time to kill, dropped by Our Lady of the Skies, the Catholic chapel in the Delta terminal.
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The Blessed Sacrament is there, and a holy water font, and a couple dozen chairs. They offer Mass five days a week. A book is open near the door, so you can ask for prayers.
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There are also prayer cards available.
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And, near the altar, there’s this unusual depiction of Our Lady of the Skies, poised atop an airplane propeller.
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My only other experience visiting a Catholic airport chapel was during a brief overnight stay in Chicago last year.
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The space is larger than the one in New York—although, when I visited, I was one of only a handful of people attending the Mass.
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The priest who oversees the chapel gave me a holy card with this prayer:
Father of mercies,
Our life journey is in your providential and loving hands. Your son, Jesus, is the way, the life and the truth as we make our pilgrimage on earth to our heavenly home.
Your Holy Spirit gives us enlightenment and courage as we meet the challenges and responsibilities of our lives.
Through Mary, the mother of Jesus and our mother as well, you extend to us the unique and loving care of a mother.
With all the angels and saints, we come before you, Father, and give you thanks for these and all your gifts that accompany our lives.
Hear our prayers as we begin our journey…
bring us safely to our destination
be with those who are responsible for making our journey possible: the flight crew, airport workers and those charged with our safety and security
accompany with your consolation and encouragement those among us who make their journey in sorrow or with a sense of loss
give us patience and a deep spirit of respect for all whom we will meet along the way
when our earthly journey is completed, bring us home to You with joy.
We ask this through Christ our Lord,
Amen.
Anyway: check out this website to see if an airport you’re visiting offers Mass. You never know when it might come in handy.
Photos: Deacon Greg Kandra
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