Chapel for Europe

Prayer Vigil for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
2025-01-23 19:00 - 20:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Protestan Church, Place du Nouveau Marché aux Grains 8, Brussels, Brussels, 1000
The prayer vigil for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will take place at the Protestant Church, Place du Nouveau Marché aux Grains 8, 1000 Brussels, on Thursday 23 January 2025 at 19:00.
In the northern hemisphere, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity traditionally takes place from 18 to 25 January, while in the southern hemisphere, where January is often a holiday period, churches often celebrate the Week of Prayer around Pentecost.
The theme of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 is based on a text from the Gospel of John: “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26). The prayers and reflections have been prepared by the brothers and sisters of the monastic community of Bose in northern Italy. As usual, an international team appointed jointly by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity [DPCU] and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches worked with the authors to finalize the materials.
The year 2025 will mark the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council. This commemoration provides a unique opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the common faith of Christians as expressed in the Creed formulated at that Council. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 is an invitation to draw on this common heritage and to enter more deeply into the faith that unites all Christians.
The resources include an introduction to the theme, an ecumenical service, a selection of short readings and prayers for each day of the Week. Because of the ecumenical significance of the year 2025, short patristic texts, mostly from the first millennium, have also been included to give an insight into Christian reflection at that time and to help place the definitions of the Council of Nicea in the contexts in which they originated and were influenced. The resources can be used in a variety of ways and are intended for use not only during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, but throughout the year 2025.
The DPCU is pleased to publish the texts for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025.
Image: Greek-Orthodox Metropolis in Paris

Windows to Heaven - Icons in the Orthodox Church
2025-02-06 19:00 - 20:30
Icons have a very important role in the spirituality and liturgy of the orthodox churches. These images of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary or Saints help the viewer to get in touch with God. They are called “Windows to heaven”.
Archpriest Paweł Cecha, Rector of the Polish Orthodox parish in Bruxelles will give us an introduction into the Orthodox understanding of icons, the theology and spirituality behind them and their liturgical use.
The Chapel offers also a course on writing icons. More information here.

Opening of the Exhibition-Laboratory: “If you leave, you take the Trinity with you”
2025-09-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Chapel for Europe, Rue Van Maerlantstraat 22-24, Brussels, Belgium
Opening of the Exhibition- Laboratory
“If you leave, you take the Trinity with you” The Council of Nicaea and the origin of Knowledge as Relation
In occasion of the celebration of 1700 years since the First Council of Nicaea.
The exhibition aims to help us decisively take a new path, as expressed in a quote attributed to Saint Gregory of Nazianzus when he was stopped at the gates of the city “If you leave, you take the Trinity with you.” Those who were leaving should carry the Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) in their hearts and lives. The Trinity is not just a theological concept but a present reality to be experienced and incarnated into the world.
In Nicaea I, the Trinity is understood in its fascinating tension between knowledge and relationship, originated by a happening when Saint Spyridon of Tremithus, Bishop of Cyprus, performed a miracle involving a brick to demonstrate the Holy Trinity. It revealed itself to the listeners in its three elements of water, earth, and fire while remaining one. It is an eye-opener not only for the originality with which the Trinity can become creatively and concrete vividly in the world, but also for the necessity of seeing God in relationships of all kinds.
The exhibition is a kind of laboratory that, in the context of Nicaea I, not only shows how word, image, and matter are interwoven, but also how we can recognize one in the other without separating or mixing them. The goal is to practice sincerity of understanding, which, according to Guardini, means: “Knowledge is always somehow an encounter in love.”
1st part: Relationship in the word
2nd part: Relationship with the image, with the image embodied
3rd part: Relationship with the other, with this source of renewal
The exhibition will be open for visits until Thursday 16th October 2025.
Organisers and curators:
Prof. Dr. Yvonne DOHNA SCHLOBITTEN – Professor at the Faculty of History and Cultural Heritage of the Church – Pontifical Gregorian University and Prof. Dr. Lucian LECHINTAN sj – Pontifical Oriental Institute.

Alpha Course at the Chapel - September 2025
2025-09-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Chapel for Europe, Rue Van Maerlantstraat 22-24, Brussels, Belgium
Come and be curious. An Alpha course is a series of group conversations that freely explore the basics of the Christian faith in an open, friendly environment. Everyone’s welcome. No matter your background or beliefs, you’re invited.
Alpha brings together people from all walks of life who are curious about faith. Each session starts with some time to eat, relax, and get to know your group.
Each session covers a different topic of faith, either in a short talk or video. The Alpha episodes are designed to engage and inspire conversation. They’re about thirty minutes long and explore the big issues around faith and unpack the basics of Christianity, addressing questions such as Who is Jesus?, How can we have faith? And how does God guide us?
The last part of an Alpha course is a chance to share your thoughts on the session’s topic and discuss it in your small group. It’s an open and welcoming environment, no matter what your opinion. There’s no pressure to say anything, but the floor is yours if you do want to.
Here you find an introduction video.
Dates: 11 Wednesdays from 19:00 to 20:30, starting on Wednesday, 24 September, and once on a Saturday, date to be confirmed.
Registration required. Limited places.
For further information or questions, please contact Fr. Bernd Guenther at: bernd.guenther@chapelforeurope.eu

Alpha Course at the Chapel - September 2025
2025-10-01 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-10-08 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-10-15 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-10-22 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-10-29 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-05 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-12 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-19 19:00 - 21:00 and 4 more dates
Come and be curious. An Alpha course is a series of group conversations that freely explore the basics of the Christian faith in an open, friendly environment. Everyone’s welcome. No matter your background or beliefs, you’re invited.
Alpha brings together people from all walks of life who are curious about faith. Each session starts with some time to eat, relax, and get to know your group.
Each session covers a different topic of faith, either in a short talk or video. The Alpha episodes are designed to engage and inspire conversation. They’re about thirty minutes long and explore the big issues around faith and unpack the basics of Christianity, addressing questions such as Who is Jesus?, How can we have faith? And how does God guide us?
The last part of an Alpha course is a chance to share your thoughts on the session’s topic and discuss it in your small group. It’s an open and welcoming environment, no matter what your opinion. There’s no pressure to say anything, but the floor is yours if you do want to.
Here you find an introduction video.
Dates: 12 Wednesdays from 19:00 to 20:30, starting on Wednesday, 24 September, and once on a Saturday, date to be confirmed.
Registration required. Limited places.
For further information or questions, please contact Fr. Bernd Guenther at: bernd.guenther@chapelforeurope.eu

Presentation of the Christian Life Community (CLC)
2025-10-02 19:00 - 21:00 | Chapel for Europe, Rue Van Maerlantstraat 22-24, Brussels, Belgium
Thursday, October 2, 2025 – 7:00 pm
Chapel for Europe – Rue Van Maerlant 22-24, 1040 Brussels
Have you ever wished for a place where you can pause, reflect, and share your life in a meaningful way with others?
The Christian Life Community (CLC) offers just that: a space to listen, to be listened to, and to grow together in the light of the Gospel.
During this Open Evening, you will be welcomed into an experience of a typical CLC meeting. Through the Ignatian “three rounds” method, inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, you will discover how ordinary life events can become a place of encounter with God.
CLC is not simply a prayer group, a Bible study, or a theological discussion. It is a community of companionship and service — people supporting one another in discerning how to follow Christ in everyday life.
It is a place where faith, reflection, and action meet.
Whether you are curious about Ignatian spirituality, seeking a community to grow with, or simply looking for a moment of depth in a busy world, this evening is for you.
For further information or questions, contact Fr. Bernd Guenther at bernd.guenther@chapelforeurope.eu

CANCELED Weekend Retreat: Silence, Nature and Community
2026-02-07 - 2026-02-08 | La Diglette, Fourneau Saint Michel, Belgium, Fourneau Saint Michel
Weekend MAGIS Retreat: Silence, Nature and Community
Treat yourself to a little break…
This weekend offers you a space to slow down, pray in silence, reflect and share with other young adults. We will meet in La Diglette, a retreat house nestled in the beautiful woodland of Fourneau Saint Michel (ca. 1,5 hours from Brussels). We will live simply by preparing our meals together, taking turns. Our common language will be English.
This weekend is for you if you…

feel the need to take a break
would like to reflect on your life
would like to deepen your faith or reconnect to it
you are looking for an introduction to “adult” prayer
you feel the need to make a decision

You can look forward to…

silence and time for yourself,
guided and individual prayer sessions with the Bible
community experience
the possibility of a personal conversation (spiritual accompaniment)

For: Students and young professionals, aged 18–35 years
Place to be: La Diglette – La Diglette 1, 6870 Saint-Hubert
Co-ordinated by Julia Schwarzer and Daniel Weber SJ. Julia is a postdoctoral researcher in Ancient Church History at KU Leuven; Daniel is a Jesuit and student of Political Science at ULB Brussels.
Costs: Student/reduced rate: 85 Euro
Standard Rate: 120 Euro
Plus Rate: 135 Euro * with this rate you make the retreat affordable for everyone
If cost is a barrier for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out — financial considerations should never be a barrier to participation.
Info and registration: Daniel WEBER SJ (daniel.weber@jesuiten.org)

Our Father who art in heaven - Retreat in daily life Lent 2026
2026-02-19 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-02-26 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-03-05 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-03-12 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-03-19 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-03-26 19:30 - 21:00 | Chapel for Europe, Rue Van Maerlantstraat 22-24, Brussels, Belgium
Our Father who art in heaven
Retreat in daily life
Lent 2026
Lent is a special time to realign oneself and strengthen one’s relationship with God. We invite you to a retreat in everyday life to deepen your spirituality and grow in the experience of God’s closeness.
The retreat includes a daily biblical prayer, for which instructions are provided, a prayerful review of the day, and a weekly sharing about it.
The retreat follows the OUR FATHER, the basic Christian prayer. Bible passages are offered for daily meditation, which can deepen and illuminate the respective prayer requests of the Lord’s Prayer.
Start: Thursday, 19 February at 19:30
Weekly meetings on Thursdays at 19:30 until 26 March
Information and registration with Fr Bernd Günther SJ (bernd.guenther@chapelforeurope.eu)
