Brother Martin completes Phase II with chapel

With construction completed on the James B. Branton Chapel, there is no doubt where the center of campus now is at Brother Martin High School.

“This chapel summarizes what Brother Martin High School has been, is and will be,” Archbishop Gregory Aymond said at a dedication Mass held Nov. 19 on the Gentilly campus. “It creates a loving shadow that God is present. … This is holy ground, a holy place that summarizes what this Catholic school is all about.”

Brothers’ charism prominent

The 5,500-square-foot, 250-seat chapel, designed by Waggonner and Ball Architects and built by Ryan Gootee General Contractors, will be used for more than Masses. Through its design and features, it will be a “teaching chapel,” said Principal Greg Rando.

Rando highlighted elements in the chapel significant to the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and the Catholic faith: stained-glass panels saved by Brother Ivy LeBlanc from a Brothers of the Sacred Heart chapel in Paradis in Le Puy, France, that was demolished; an exterior cross designed by John Perilloux representing mission crosses erected by the order’s founder, Father André Coindre, throughout south-central France; names of chapels and churches significant to the brothers, cast in stone at the chapel’s entrance; a marble block above the main entrance inscribed with”Ametur Cor Jesu” (Loved be the Heart of Jesus, the brothers’ motto) commissioned by Brother Martin Hernandez’s family and originally used in the brothers’ residence; and unique 14 Stations of the Cross and bronze sculptures of the Holy Family and Teaching Jesus (modeled after a statue in Lyon, France) by Deborah Luke.

“Isn’t this an amazing classroom in addition to a sacramental and sacred space?” Rando asked those gathered for the dedication.

As is customary with a dedication of a chapel, Archbishop Aymond accepted the building plans from Rando, anointed the chapel’s altar and walls with sacred chrism, incensed the altar and lit the paschal candle from which the entire chapel was illuminated.

Archbishop Aymond, a 1967 graduate of Cor Jesu, said his faith formation began to take root while he was a student. He said he hoped the chapel would help form hearts “that can grasp the love of God” as students step inside to just say hello to God or pray in times of difficulty and thanksgiving.

“This is the place where God and the young church will meet,” Archbishop Aymond said.

Named after student

 The $3.3 million chapel is named in honor of James B. Branton, a member of the Class of 1974 who died of an aneurism before graduation. It was made possible by a generous donation from the H.T. Branton family and other benefactors, said Brother Martin Development Director Tommy Mitchell.

Kathryn Branton, mother of James, was in attendance with her husband, H. Tom Branton, son David and daughters Laura Hall (read the first reading), Melanie Manzella and other family Kathryn Branton said even though their family was not Catholic, the school had an impact on James and David (a 1976 graduate). David, who completed RCIA and is now Catholic, said the school was a “guiding principle” in his life. He has been active on foundation board and capital campaign.

“It meant so much to our son,” Kathryn Branton said. “This was his world. … I’m glad we were able to do this.”

Building spirituality

Mitchell said even though Hurricane Katrina delayed the construction of the chapel, its original, simple-yet-classy design remained because its goal was to “bring out the charism of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.” He said the chapel honors the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and their contribution in forming so many young men, including himself, a 1979 graduate.

“I think this is probably the most important piece we’ve added as a building,” Mitchell said. “This goes to the very core of what we are about. We are a Catholic educational institution, and this is only going to enhance the spiritual formation of everybody on campus.  … We now have a place where anybody who wants to can sit and pray and be with the Lord.”

School President John Devlin said the construction of the chapel has been a labor of love for everyone involved, “love of the school, for the brothers, for our mission and love for the Sacred Heart.”

It completes the $14.1 million Phase II of Brother Martin’s campus redevelopment that included E.A. Farley Field (2004) and the Roland H. and Macy Paton Meyer Science and Mathematics building (2007) and marks the first time that the school has had a stand-alone chapel. It will be used by students and the Sacred Heart brothers,18 of whom were in attendance at the dedication.

With the chapel, the brothers’ mission written in the order’s preamble –  “to rescue young people from ignorance, to prepare them for life and to give them a knowledge and love of religion” – continues 190 years after the order’s founding.

Now with Phase II complete, Devlin said stakeholders will re-evaluate what’s needed in Phase III.

“We want to take a fresh look from our planning back in 2005.”