McDonough Chapel of the Mother of Mercy

SXU Masses

Masses are held during the academic year, with mass every Wednesday at noon. There will be no masses during school breaks and holidays. Please view the SXU Calendar for the Sunday mass, any special masses, and the break schedule.

Please note a new mass time began on Sunday, October 23, 2022. Mass will be at 7 p.m. and continue with that time moving forward on Sundays.

Queen of Martyrs

Weekday masses are also offered at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at Queen of Martyrs Parish. The parish is located at 10233 S. Central Park, on the corner of Central Park and 103rd Street.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Individual confessions are heard every Saturday at Queen of Martyrs Parish from 3 to 3:45 p.m.

McDonough Chapel, honoring Mary under the title of the Mother of Mercy, is named to recognize the gift of Jim and Jacque McDonough. The Chapel, dedicated by Bishop John Gorman in October, 2000, seats 210. The octagonal shape of the building symbolizes the ancient Christian tradition of the "8th day of creation," the day of Christ's resurrection.

The art within the Chapel follows two main themes. The first is that of wings, found in several sculpted pieces. The bronze cast tabernacle was inspired by the Genesis 1 passage, "and the spirit hovered over the waters." Unique to the Chicago area, the tabernacle is suspended from the ceiling and is in the shape of a winged creature hovering over the world that also conjures the words of the Jesuit poet Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-89): "The Holy Ghost over the bent world broods, with warm breast and with ah! bright wings."

The second main art theme is the Celtic knot. Although pre-dating Christianity, the Celtic knot was adopted by Irish Christians to reflect the belief that God is without a beginning or an end. This symbol is found in both the stained glass and the sculpted pieces.

The reconciliation room is an intimate prayer space available to all individuals and small groups for private prayer and quiet reflection.

A Marian collection of two-dimensional artwork is comprised of multi-cultural images of the Blessed Mother that rotate within the Chapel interior according to liturgical season.

The exterior entrance to the building is lined with bricks that compose the Mercy Heritage Walk, honoring the Sisters of Mercy who have worked at the current campus, as well as the five founders and Sister of Mercy presidents of the institution.

Architect: Newman Architecture
Liturgical Design Consultant: Mark Joseph Costello, Capuchin
Sculptor: Russell Baron
Stained Glass: Kenneth von Roenn, Jr.