Amidst the hustle and bustle of the Caloocan City is a calm and serene haven where mallgoers can reflect, refresh, and renew their spirits at the newly opened SM City Grand Central.
At the Our Lady of Most Holy Rosary Chapel in the mall’s fifth level, they can pray, and attend Mass, and other services.
Bishop Pablo Virgilio S. David of the Diocese of Caloocan, who recently assumed the Presidency of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), led the Eucharistic Mass and Chapel Dedication. He also officiated at the chapel blessing together with members of the Sy Family led by SM Prime Holdings Executive Committee Chairman Hans Sy Sr., Carol Sy, and SM Engineering Design and Development President Hans “Chico” Sy Jr.
Designed by Casas + Architects, the 1,025 square meter chapel has a simple and contemporary, streamlined and yet warm look. An air of quiet solemnity is evident by the use of light neutral colors, travertine stone for altar floor and walls while the general area is in porcelain tiles with the same color tone. The altar is fully molded on a solid surface to establish its contemporary minimal look.
Inspired by traditional period churches, the main doors and pews are in narra with natural varnish. The ceiling design has sinuous arches completely lined with lights to showcase its form.
Sacred sculptures of the Crucifix, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, and St. Joseph are uniquely handcrafted by sculptor Ronald Castrillo; while the 14 stations of the cross in Stained Glass Mosaic Windows are designed by VitreArtus Liturgical Arts.
The chapel also has a choir loft and a children’s room. Felicidad Sy chose to name the chapel after our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary as she is a Marian devotee. The new chapel was built to give thanks and glory to God, and to give back to the religious community.
Apart from the Chapel of The Most Holy Rosary in SM City Grand Central, SM has opened chapels at SM City North Edsa, SM Megamall and SM Aura, as well as the Shrine of Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life at the Mall of Asia Complex and the Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod in SM Seaside in Cebu.
The Chapel of Our Lady of The Most Holy Rosary located at the fifth level of SM City Grand Central can house an estimate of 1,000 patrons and daily mass at 12:15 p.m., anticipated mass at 5:00 p.m., and Sunday mass at 12:15 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
The administration and management of the chapel will be under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalookan under Reverend Father Paul Nicklaus C. Woo.