On Feb. 27, the Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Student Center in the LeDroit Park neighborhood near Howard University celebrated the dedication of its new chapel, marking a milestone for the Catholic community at the campus. Cardinal Wilton Gregory, apostolic administrator of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, was the principal celebrant of the Mass, and Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop emeritus of Washington, served as the principal concelebrant.
Also concelebrating the Mass were Msgr. Eddie Tolentino, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Silver Spring and a Howard University alumnus; Msgr. James Watkins, pastor of St. Ann Parish in Washington, D.C.; and Father Patrick Smith, pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Washington, D.C.
The Catholic student center is named for Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration and a dynamic evangelist and noted educator from Mississippi who died of cancer in 1990 and who is one of seven Black Catholics from the United States being considered for sainthood.
The dedication Mass opened with the Howard University Bison Catholic Choir singing “Lord, Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary” during the entrance procession. Father Robert Boxie III, chaplain of Howard University’s Catholic community, welcomed attendees with a call-and-response:
“God is good!”
The congregation replied, “All the time!”
He thanked Cardinal Gregory and jokingly referred to the occasion as part of the cardinal’s “farewell tour” as he prepares to conclude his tenure as archbishop of Washington.
Father Boxie noted that the community had not yet agreed on a name for the chapel.
“We want to be in the space for a little bit and follow the Spirit to get the correct name,” he said, adding, as students might say, “We need to get a vibe check.”
During the Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling, Cardinal Gregory blessed the chapel walls with holy water. He prayed, “May the Lord support us with His grace, so that we may remain faithful in His Church.” The choir sang “Wade in the Water” as the blessing continued.
In his homily, Cardinal Gregory referenced the well-known phrase “Can you hear me now?” from a Verizon commercial, drawing a parallel between cell phone connectivity and prayer.
“It is frustrating to be out of reach in a world that relies so heavily on our cellular capabilities,” he said. “It is even more frustrating to be out of touch with the One upon whom our very existence depends.”
He reflected on the deeper meaning of the chapel’s dedication, describing the altar as the heart of the Catholic community – a place where God’s children gather to speak with one voice. “The altar is the place where all hearts are united in Christ,” he said. “That is why the altar is consecrated, smeared with sacred chrism – the oil of Christ Himself. We bless the altar because we believe that this truly is the place that can be called the gateway to God.”
While Catholics can pray anywhere, he said, there is no substitute for the Lord’s altar, where the Church’s perfect prayer – the Mass – is offered. “Altars can be large and ornate or small and simple in their design,” he said. “What makes them sacred is that they are the place where the Church at prayer can always be certain that when we ask God the question, ‘Can you hear us now?’ the answer from the Lord is always, ‘Loud and clear!’”
The new chapel, he said, now serves as a cornerstone for the Catholic community at Howard University. No longer just a refurbished garage, it has become a sacred space where students will come together to celebrate their faith, build fellowship, and grow spiritually.
“Like any family that has a new piece of furniture, we should admire and carefully watch over this new altar and liturgical objects,” Cardinal Gregory said. “But above all, we should promise one another that we will be a better family because the place where the Father always listens to His children has been enhanced and beautifully renovated.”
Following the homily and the Litany of Supplication, the dedication continued with the Rite of Anointing and Incensation of the Altar.
Cardinal Gregory removed his outer vestments and tied a gremiale, a ceremonial apron, around his waist. The chapel fell silent as attendees looked on.
Outside, sirens wailed in the distance, with the noise of the city contrasting to the stillness inside. Within the chapel, the only sounds were the measured movements of the archbishop as he anointed the altar with sacred chrism. He traced oil across its center and corners, a rite symbolizing the five wounds of Christ. Beneath the chapel lights, the chrism shone as he smoothed it into the wood.
He then washed his hands and put his outer vestments back on.
Standing before the altar, Cardinal Gregory placed frankincense into the thurible, which had been brought to him, releasing fragrant smoke that curled toward the ceiling.
“As this house is filled with the pleasant fragrance, so might your church be filled with the aroma of Christ,” he said.
Moving through the smoke-filled chapel, Deacon Kyle Simon of St. Joseph Parish in Largo, Maryland, swung the thurible in slow, deliberate arcs, its chains glinting in the low light. The choir’s voices swelled, singing “My Prayer Shall Rise Like Incense.” The scent of incense deepened, mingling with the smell of the chrism in the air. Each motion carried the dedication ceremony forward, marking the chapel as a place for worship.
Attendants then draped the altar with a white cloth for the first time, signifying its readiness for the Eucharistic celebration. They lit candles on the newly consecrated altar, their flames casting a glow throughout the chapel. To complete the preparation a bouquet of flowers was placed at the foot of the altar, a traditional element in liturgical settings.
Students and attendees expressed gratitude for the new chapel, which will serve as a focal point for worship and spiritual growth for the Catholic community at Howard University. The space features lights adorned with wooden crosses, copper-colored Stations of the Cross set high on the walls, and a prominent painting of Sister Thea Bowman at the back.
Father Boxie and campus minister Ali Mumbach selected the Stations of the Cross. Additional lighting was installed to highlight the Stations, along with the altar and tabernacle.
The chapel’s design emphasizes warmth, simplicity, and sacred beauty, providing students with a space for prayer and reflection. Modeled after the chapel at the St. John XXIII Residence for retired priests in Hyattsville, Maryland, it was designed to maximize openness and light.
“Since the space is small, any attempt to make the space feel ‘bigger’ was the right way to go,” Father Boxie said, explaining the decision to keep the rafters exposed.
Father Boxie said the project was a collaborative effort with input from various contributors.
Additional appointments are still expected, including a permanent main crucifix, statues of Mary and Joseph, and further enhancements such as stained-glass windows and artwork of saints. Father Boxie hopes to add more color to the space with a fabric wall behind the tabernacle and crucifix.
After the dedication Mass, Deacon Simon reflected on the chapel’s journey from concept to completion.
“It’s wonderful to see this chapel and student center, which grew from an idea to fruition,” he said.
For Noelle Blackman, a freshman biology major at Howard University, the dedication marked her first visit to the Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Student Center.
“It’s really nice inside,” she said. “I’m thrilled to have this space to use for studying and even more excited about daily Mass, because I hope to start coming.”
Jordan Allen, a freshman psychology major, spoke about the importance of a welcoming Catholic community at Howard University.
“It was so nice to be welcomed by people who understood where I was coming from,” she said.
For Nahdia Parks, a junior majoring in environmental and political science, the Catholic Student Center there provided her first real experience of being part of a Catholic community among peers.
“This was my first experience having Catholic friends, and that support carries into our everyday lives,” she said.
Looking ahead to Lent, she highlighted the importance of friends who can encourage one another in their faith.
“Having Catholic friends means we can remind each other to stay committed to our Lenten promises,” she said.
She described the chapel as her favorite part of the student center. “Everything was done so carefully,” she said.
With the chapel’s consecration complete, Howard University’s Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Student Center now has dedicated spaces for worship and fellowship.
The Mass concluded with an address by Father Boxie, who reflected on the significance of the dedication during Black History Month.
“We made history today on this penultimate day of Black History Month – we’ve made history here at Howard,” he said.
He thanked Cardinal Gregory, Cardinal Wuerl, the priests, deacons, benefactors, and students who helped make the chapel a reality. He also recognized Ali Mumbach for her contributions to the Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Student Center.
Cardinal Gregory praised Father Boxie’s leadership.
“I would like to publicly and from the heart thank Father Robert Boxie. Robert, you have poured your heart and soul in service to these people. They love you, as well they should,” he said.
