By Emily Palmer
Contributing Writer
St. Joseph’s Oratory, in the heart of the Bonaventure campus, provides easy, 24/7 access to Eucharistic adoration.
Not many students have visited this structure, as it is a recent change to the campus. It was rededicated in May, but it hasn’t gotten much day-to-day attention from the student body.
Inside, the Eucharist is placed in a monstrance, also known as an ostensorium. The structure, specifically designed for the host’s observation, can be seen easily through the glass sides of the tabernacle. It’s a quiet, peaceful and private way to pray and adore the Eucharistic embodiment of Christ. It’s a spot for meditation as well, and the atmosphere feels intimate.
“It’s a different space, a place of quiet and solitude in the midst of campus,” Fr. Francis Di Spigno, O.F.M., said.
Di Spigno added that the oratory also helps students reflect on what the “Eucharist and the Body of Christ even mean, as well as how Christ is present in the bread, wine and our community.”
Di Spigno explained that the oratory is more than just a destination— it’s a tool.
“The presence of the Eucharist in the Oratory is a tool of focus for prayer and thought, much like rosary beads, and helps center those thoughts on divine contemplation,” Di Spigno said.
The oratory also represents how Jesus is in the heart of the campus as well as our own hearts, representative of the university’s faith, and also holds historic significance.
In regards to our Franciscan tradition, St. Francis was known for his frequent adoration of Christ. And, so, the oratory was built in 1927, when the campus included a convent where Café La Verna now stands.
The oratory was also the chapel for the Missionary Sisters of Immaculate Conception.
The artwork and architecture of the building also reflect historical religious aspects, such as the 12th Century Early Christian Byzantine style, and the 12-sided wooden altar depicting the 12 apostles and 12 tribes of Israel.
Di Spigno mentioned that the architect was Chester Oakley, who also oversaw the building of Devereux Hall.
The oratory, a sacred spot in the heart of campus, serves anyone who needs quiet time to pray, reflect or experience the presence of Christ.
In short: the oratory is “a way to invite students to come to the quiet,” Di Spigno said.
palmeret16@bonaventure.edu
