Oblate artist Brother Mickey McGrath worked with students, faculty, and staff to create a new space on campus for prayer and reflection. Its inspiration is a shrine to Our Lady of Deliverance (known as the Black Madonna of Paris) that Francis de Sales visited daily during a time of spiritual and personal crisis when he was 18. The connections to our patron saint, and to our concern for the spiritual growth and personal wellness of our students, is striking.  

In the image, an older St. Francis de Sales stands at the foot of the statue holding a bouquet of flowers. Our Lady of Deliverance wears a crown and holds the infant Jesus, who in turn holds a sacred heart (and wears a Salesianum t-shirt). A sunflower, referenced often in our patron’s letters and writings as a reminder to turn frequently to God like a flower toward the sun, is also present, as is the Holy Spirit flying overhead. 

The Latin word Memorare is emblazoned on the mural next to Our Lady and the Infant Jesus. Translated as remember, it is the first word of a traditional Catholic prayer to the Blessed Mother that young Francis prayed frequently during his time of trouble. He was saying this prayer when he was delivered from doubt and anguish, experiencing profound consolation and confidence in God’s love and mercy.  The prayer is below:

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, 

that never was it known
that anyone who fled to thy protection, 

implored thy help, 

or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, 

O Virgin of virgins, my mother; 

to thee do I come, before thee I stand, 

sinful and sorrowful. 

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, 

despise not my petitions, 

but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

On the side walls, there are also two quotes from St. Francis de Sales, both of which were shaped by his conversion experience as a teenager, and which reflect key pillars of our Salesian mission and spirituality. The first, Be who you are, and be that well, needs little introduction, and speaks to our desire that every student is both accepted for who he is and challenged to be the best version of himself. The second, All through love, nothing through fear, reflects our commitment to high expectations for students, achieved not through fear or force but through a caring environment, a supportive community, and learning to “love” doing things the right way. 

This project had three goals: first, to tell an important story from the life of Francis de Sales that is relatable to the boys; second, to convey through art our core educational values; and third, to include students, faculty, and staff in the creation of a space for prayer and reflection. I knew my college art teacher, Brother Mickey, was the perfect artist for the job, both from a process and product perspective. And I could not be happier with the results. For years to come, I hope all members of the Salesianum community, especially our students, find this chapel to be a refuge in their own times of challenge, stress, and crisis.