Chapel for Europe

Ignatian Prayer Group
2025-01-10 18:45 - 20:00, 2025-01-17 18:45 - 20:00, 2025-01-24 18:45 - 20:00, 2025-01-31 18:45 - 20:00, 2025-02-07 18:45 - 20:00, 2025-02-14 18:45 - 20:00, 2025-02-21 18:45 - 20:00, 2025-02-28 18:45 - 20:00 (Europe/Brussels) and 4 more dates | Chapel for Europe, Rue Van Maerlantstraat 22-24, Brussels, Belgium
The Ignatian Meditation Group meets every Friday in the crypt of the Chapel for Europeat 18:45 with an adoration and at 19:00 the guided meditation beginns.
Ignatian spirituality can show you the way to a joyful and meaningful life. It will give you the tools to learn to focus, in a very concrete way, on the importance of joy in the life of Christians who wants to live according to the Gospel.
For more information, please contact:
Fr. Bernd Guenther sj: bernd.guenther@chapelforeurope.eu.

Alpha Course at the Chapel
2025-01-15 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-01-22 19:00 - 20:30 | 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 is a chance to share your thoughts on the session’s topic and discuss it in your small groups. 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.
Dates: 12 Wednesdays, 19:00-20:30 (16.10.-15.12.24; 15.1.-22.1.25) and one Saturday, 10:00-18:00 (30.11.)

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.

Painting with light
2025-02-17 18:30 - 21:00, 2025-02-24 18:30 - 21:00, 2025-03-03 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-10 18:30 - 21:00, 2025-03-24 18:30 - 21:00, 2025-03-31 18:30 - 21:00
ICONS WRITING WORKSHOP
CALENDAR AND FEES
Classes will be held once a week at 18h30 till 21h on Mondays. The meeting will consist of 15 minutes of preparation, 2h of work, 15 minutes of cleaning. We start on February the 10th till April the 14th (except March 17th).
The cost of the 9 classes per 2,5hours is 230 euros paid once at the beginning of the workshop. The price of the classes includes the participation fee, one-on-one consultations, room rental fee and materials. The minimum group is 6 persons, the maximum – 12.
Work materials:
By coming to the workshop you’re getting all needed materials to make one icon: a set of 4 brushes: in different sizes made of squirrel hair plus one plastic one, a palette, a wooden board prepared with white layer of glue-chalk “levkas” and 11 pigments and tools for work in the class – sponges, spatulas, sandpaper, paper towels, wine, eggs, candles, paper, tracing paper, rubber bands and others.
REQUIREMENTS:
No experience or art education is necessary to start writing icons !   Learning begins with mastering the basics of icon-writing and is conducted at a pace that suits the participants’ abilities and needs. We work with the historical method.
During the class you will learn:
– hold the brush correctly
– precision and diligence
– making emulsion from eggs and wine and mixing tempera from pigments and emulsion,
– the basics of observation and composition, making a sketch and transferring it to the wooden board,
– painting
A few words from the presenter:
“My name is Katarzyna Martynuska and I am an art historian by education at the University of Warsaw. I acquired my painting skills at the Study of the Christian East in Warsaw and at the Christian Association of Creators of Sacred Art “Ecclesia” in Cracow.
In Warsaw, for four years, I led icon painting workshops at the “Way to Beauty” studio, with which I still cooperate. I am currently a student of the master class at the Brussels Academy of Icon Painting.  I am also a founder of “TEKLA” association – promoting women and girls in the Catholic church.  My second profession is music – I’m playing baroque music violone, now I’m also a student in Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles.”
REGISTRATION and any questions:   icons@martynuska.com
My website:
https://martynuskaicons.weebly.com/about-me.html
https://martynuskaicons.weebly.com/gallery.html

EU Prayer Groups Gathering
2025-02-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Chapel for Europe, Rue Van Maerlantstraat 22-24, Brussels, Belgium
Do you work for the EU?
Would you like to pray for the new Commission and Parliament, and the various policy challenges we face?
Would you like to meet other Christians working in the EU institutions?

Join us on Thursday 20 February at the Chapel for Europe! Rue Van Maerlant, 22-24, 1040 Etterbeek.
Doors open 18:30 for a 19:00 start.
There will be sung worship, a short talk, and time to pray, followed by a simple reception.
All welcome. Please invite your colleagues!

Opening "À la rencontre de la fraternité humaine", an educational exhibition & Interfaith panel
2025-02-25 19:00 - 20:30 | Chapel for Europe, Rue Van Maerlantstraat 22-24, Brussels, Belgium
The Chapel for Europe collaborated in the creation of an exhibition of 8 banners around Fratelli Tutti, designed by the Maison diocésaine de l'enseignement Bruxelles-Brabant Wallon. The exhibition links the text of the papal letter with the wisdom of other spiritual traditions, opening up a path of dialogue.
The Chapel is pleased to invite you to the opening of this exhibition on Tuesday 25 February at 7.00 pm.
This important educational tool will be presented by Geoffrey Legrand, and the theme will be discussed by several guests from different convictions.
Interfaith panel in French: "Regards Féminins sur Fratelli tutti"- Sema Aydogan, Muslim- Marie-Françoise Boveroulle, Catholic- Nathalie Claessens, Muslim- Véronique Pochet, Buddhist- Sr Julian, Anglican
The exhibition will be on display at the Chapel until March 16. Although it has been designed for schools, it can also be used elsewhere and borrowed. Dutch and English versions are also available. For bookings or questions, contact Geoffrey Legrand: geoffrey.legrand@codiecbxlbw.be.
A warm invitation! Please free to share it.

Retreat in Daily Life during Lent
2025-03-06 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-03-13 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-03-20 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-03-27 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-04-03 19:30 - 21:00 | Chapel for Europe, Rue Van Maerlantstraat 22-24, Brussels, Belgium
Lent is a time for reflection, prayer, and spiritual growth—an opportunity to reorient our lives and strengthen our relationship with God. The Chapel invites you to a Retreat in Daily Life that will help you deepen your spirituality and grow in the experience of God’s closeness.
This retreat is based on Ignatian spirituality and will focus on the Credo—formulated at the Council of Nicaea (325 ad), 1,700 years ago. The Credo is still the basic summary of the Christian faith in all churches today, it will guide us as we reflect on our daily lives during Lent. The retreat will include a personal daily prayer, for which instructions will be given, a prayerful review of the day and weekly sharing in the group.

Start Date: 6 March at 19:30 in the crypt
Weekly Meetings on Thursdays at 19:30 until 10 April in the crypt

To register or for more information, please contact Fr. Bernd Günther SJ at bernd.guenther@chapelforeurope.eu

Mothers, role models of faith - An interfaith dialogue
2025-03-25 19:30 - 21:00 | Chapel for Europe, Rue Van Maerlantstraat 22-24, Brussels, Belgium
The love and guidance of a mother undeniably shape our perspective on life, while their nurturing support helps us grow in faith. A mother’s ability to impart faith is a powerful influence that guides us through our journey, serving as a beacon of hope and strength.
Through stories, prayers, and words of wisdom, mothers empower their children to dream, believe in themselves, and overcome life’s challenges. A mother’s faith is characterized by an unshakable love – a love that transcends fear and nurtures resilience.
We are so excited to introduce you to four incredible mothers from diverse religious backgrounds. These amazing women will be sharing their journeys as faith-filled transmitters of faith and how their beliefs play a crucial role in raising their children:

Nehama Uzan – Programme Director – European Jewish Community Centre
Joëlle Troeder-Leblond – Co- chair for Soka Gakkai International Belgium with responsibility for women’s activities (Buddhist)
Mari Sol Pérez Guevara – Poet, author of the book “Spirituality and burnout”, spiritual coach and Theology student. Catholic.
Tiar Rkia – President of the European Women of Faith Network (Muslim)

Facilitator : Sabina González Vilas – Program and Interfaith Dialogue Manager at the Chapel for Europe
