Chapel for Europe

Morning prayer online (fr)
2024-12-18 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-01-08 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-01-15 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-01-22 08:00 - 09:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Chapel for Europe, Rue Van Maerlantstraat 22-24, Brussels, Belgium
Come and discover our Morning Prayer with psalms, the Gospel of the day and intercession prayer, following mainly the prayer of the Laudes. The prayer are mostly in French, but can also be partly in English, depending on the attending persons.
30 minutes of prayer are followed by a coffee or tea together in the foyer of the Chapel. An excellent way to start the working day!
When:

Mondays, 8:00-9:00 at the Chapel
Wednesday, 8:00-9:00 via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82240793358#success , ID: 822 4079 3358 – There is no code, there is a waiting room. For more information, please contact: ALCARAZ Fabienne at Fabienne.ALCARAZ@ec.europa.eu
Fridays, 8:30-9:00 in the Crypt of the Chapel

Contact: Fabienne Alcaraz at Fabienne.ALCARAZ@ec.europa.eu

Messe (fr.)
2024-12-18 13:15 - 13:50, 2025-01-07 13:15 - 13:50, 2025-01-08 13:15 - 13:50, 2025-01-14 13:15 - 13:50, 2025-01-15 13:15 - 13:50, 2025-01-21 13:15 - 13:50, 2025-01-22 13:15 - 13:50 | Chapel for Europe, Rue Van Maerlantstraat 22-24, Brussels, Belgium
At the Chapel for Europe weekly masses are celebrated on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 13:15.
The mass is celebrated according to the roman catholic liturgy including the Eucharist. Usually the celebration will be in French, on occasions also in English, depending the attendees.
The Chapel opens its doors and welcomes you from Monday to Thursday from 12:00 to 14:00 for a silent prayer, a moment of reflection or just some minutes of spiritual pause during the busy week days. Come as you are, you are always welcome!

Rorate Mass
2024-12-19 07:00 - 08:30 | Chapel for Europe, Rue Van Maerlantstraat 22-24, Brussels, Belgium
Come join the Rorate Masses at the Chapel on Advent Thursdays early morning, at 7:00. Afterwards stay for sharing, breakfast and a nice cup of coffee/tea. In December on Thursday 5, 12 and 19 at 7:00.

The “Rorate” Mass is an ancient Advent tradition that takes its name from the opening words of the Introit (which is an opening psalm or antiphon), coming from Isaiah 45:8.
“Rorate, caeli, desuper, et nubes pluant justum, aperiatur terra, et germinet Salvatorem.”
“Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just: let the earth be opened and bud forth a Savior.” – Isaiah 45:8
A Rorate Mass is traditionally celebrated just before dawn during the Advent as a devotion to the Virgin Mary. This Mass in honor of Virgin Mary is a beautiful candlelit Mass that begins in the darkness of early morning. The interplay of light and darkness as the church becomes progressively brighter with the sunrise symbolizes the coming of the Eternal Light, whom we await during the Advent season.
What is the History of the Rorate Mass?
The Rorate Mass originated in the Middle Ages as one of the many Advent devotions to the Virgin Mary. The Liturgy was very popular among the people, especially in German-speaking areas, and was commonly celebrated on all Saturdays during Advent, with some areas having a Rorate Mass several or even all weekdays in the season.

Morning Prayer (fr)
2024-12-20 08:30 - 09:00, 2025-01-10 08:30 - 09:00, 2025-01-13 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-01-17 08:30 - 09:00, 2025-01-20 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-01-24 08:30 - 09:00 | Chapel for Europe, Rue Van Maerlantstraat 22-24, Brussels, Belgium

Ignatian Prayer Group
2025-01-10 18:45 - 20:00, 2025-01-17 18:45 - 20:00, 2025-01-24 18:45 - 20:00 | 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.

Mass for young professionals (En)
2025-01-12 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-01-19 19:00 - 20:00
We invite everybody, especially the young professionals from the European and International milieu, to come together to celebrate every Sunday with this (Catholic) mass, singing Taizé songs, sharing the Gospel, and praying together.
The service is usually in English. After the mass, we have a traditional drink and chat.
Contact: welcome@chapelforeurope.eu

Adoration
2025-01-13 12:00 - 14:00, 2025-01-20 12:00 - 14:00
Mondays during lunchtime (12:00 to 14.00) we invite you to the Eucharistic adoration in the crypt. In the presence of Christ, the exposed blessed Sacrament, we watch and pray and remain silent to open ourselves to His graces…

Photo exhibition: Getting to know the Christians of the Middle East
2025-01-14 12:00 - 2025-02-14 14:00 | Chapel for Europe, Rue Van Maerlantstraat 22-24, Brussels, Belgium
Photo exhibition: Getting to know the Christians of the East: An exhibition of current and heritage photos of the Christians of the East.
Thanks to L‘Œuvre d’Orient the Chapel for Europe will showcase this photo exhibition from 14.01.2025 to 14.02.2025 during the Chapel’s opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 12:00 to 14:00. You can also make an appointment to visit the exhibition at other times and/or bring a group from your community. Contact: welcome@chapelforeurope.eu
Since it was founded in 1856, Œuvre d’Orient has expanded its field of action while remaining faithful to its vocation: to give priests and religious communities the means to carry out their missions in the service of all. For more than 170 years, l’Œuvre d’Orient has been helping Eastern Christians from 23 countries in the Middle East, the Horn of Africa, Eastern Europe, and India.

Histoire de l’Œuvre d’Orient

1856 : Traité de Paris, fin de la guerre de Crimée, la France est reconnue protectrice des chrétiens de l’Empire ottoman.
4 avril 1856 : Fondation de l’Œuvre des Écoles d’Orient par des laïcs professeurs à la Sorbonne : le mathématicien Augustin Cauchy, l’helléniste Charles Lenormant, Alfred de Falloux, Charles de Montalembert et le Père de Ravignan.
L’association est destinée à soutenir les écoles francophones au Liban.
1857 : L’abbé Charles Martial Lavigerie est nommé 1er directeur de l’Œuvre des Écoles d’Orient. Il devient ensuite évêque de Nancy, puis archevêque d’Alger, cardinal et fondateur des Pères Blancs.
1857 : Novembre, Publication du premier bulletin de L’Œuvre d’Orient. CENT SOIXANTE ET UN ANS D’INVENTAIRE DES BULLETINS DE L’ŒUVRE D’ORIENT
1858 : L’Œuvre des Écoles d’Orient est reconnue Œuvre d’Église par le pape Pie IX.
1860 : Massacre des chrétiens par les Druzes qui soulève une forte mobilisation en France.
1886 : Mgr Félix Charmetant, fervent défenseur de la cause arménienne, devient directeur de l’Œuvre des Écoles d’Orient.
1931 : L’Œuvre des Écoles d’Orient devient l’Œuvre d’Orient et collabore étroitement avec la Congrégation pour les Églises orientales.
2010 : Mgr Pascal Gollnisch devient le 11ème directeur de l’Œuvre d’Orient sur proposition de l’archevêque de Paris.
2014 : Mgr Pascal Gollnisch est nommé par le cardinal Vingt-Trois, vicaire général de l’ordinariat des Orientaux catholiques en France.
2016 : 160 ans de l’Œuvre d’Orient
Depuis sa création en 1856, l’Œuvre d’Orient a élargi son champ d’action tout en restant fidèle à sa vocation : donner aux prêtres et aux communautés religieuses les moyens d’accomplir leurs missions, au service de tous.

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.)

How to disagree well : Christian Reconciliation
2025-01-21 19:00 - 20:30 | Chapel for Europe, Rue Van Maerlantstraat 22-24, Brussels, Belgium
A series of three conferences on the difficult journey of HOPE and how to transform conflict.
This series aims to facilitate a deep encounter between faith and some leaders involved in the public and political sphere.
From the heart of Europe, we want to contribute to a more sustainable peace in today’s polarised society, not through seeking shallow common ground, but through better understanding our differences – learning to disagree well.
Following the “Rose way” we invite you to navigate change and transform conflict so together wecan reimagine peace.
This is a joint project of Rose Castle Foundation and Chapel for Europe.

1st Conference – Tuesday 21.01.2025 – 19:00HOW TO DISAGREE WELL – CHRISTIAN RECONCILIATION
During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity we aim to discuss Rose Castle’s project “ChristianWisdom of Reconciliation” based on the 12 Habits of reconciliation for fostering EcumenicalDialogue.Reconciliation seeks healing of what is broken. It recognises all is not well, and repair is needed.The 12 Habits are practical characteristics emerging from decades observing reconcilers on thefrontlines of violent conflict. They are rooted within the Christian faith, whilst also accessible toanyone seeking to be a reconciling presence within their context. Click here to find out more.Guests – How they understand Christian Unity in practice – John 17– Rose Castle Foundation -Moderation by Canon Sarah Snyder– Rev. Dr. Sorin ȘELARU – Representing the Orthodox Churches to the EU– Fr Manuel Barrios Prieto – General Secretary of COMECE– Rev. Frank Dieter Fischbach – General Secretary of CEC
You can participate also via livestream. Here is the link.

2nd Conference – Tuesday 11.02.2025 – 19:00HOW TO DISAGREE WELL – SCRIPTURAL REASONING,A DIALOGUE BETEEN FAITHS
Inspired by World Interfaith Harmony Week we would like to introduce this fresh approach tomodern day inter-faith dialogue, which puts scripture at the heart of the conversation. Unlike some forms of inter-faith engagement, it is not about seeking agreement but rather sharing our very different scriptural texts to address a shared contemporary challenge or issue. The aim is to discover a better quality of disagreement, so we can collaborate for God’s sake as we seek repair of a broken world.Guests for a living practise– Rose Castle Foundation – Moderation by Canon Sarah Snyder– Rabbi Avi Tawil – Director of the European Jewish Community Centre – Brussels– Prof. Nick Adams – Professor of Philosophical Theology – University of Birmingham – (UK)– Prof Dr Lejla Demiri – Chair of Islamic Doctrine at the Center for Islamic Theology, University of Tubingen (Germany).

3rd Conference – Tuesday 13.05.2024 – 19:00HOW TO DISAGREE WEL –TOOLS TO HELP US NAVIGATE THROUGH CHANGE, CHAOS AND CONFLICT

We are facing heightened change and conflict across Europe once again, with communities facingdestructive division/polarisation. How can we be wiser leaders across these societal divides,without compromising on what we believe? Rose Castle Foundation works with outstanding youngleaders, equipping them as reconcilers across some of the world’s deepest divides. Together theyshare their insights from collaborating across substantial differences in political and socialcontexts.– Rose Castle Foundation – Moderation by Canon Sarah Snyder– M. Ahmed Haykel Gaafar – director of REspect!, a reporting portal countering hate speech in Germany– M. David Hazan – serves as a Hazan at the Norrice Lea Synagogue in London and training at the Rabbinic Academy.– M. Jean-Louis Hanff – Member of the Christian Democrat party in Belgium “Les Engages” and member of the Belgian CVX – Christian life Community

Prayer Vigil for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
2025-01-23 19:00 - 20:00 | 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
