On Feb. 25, 2026, at 8 p.m., the Guadalupe Chapel in the Abbey Crypt at Benedictine College glowed under flickering candlelight as women gathered for a holy hour of adoration.
Candles lined the center aisle and the overhead lights were dimmed, the chapel hushed and reverent.
The night featured an hour of Eucharistic adoration, confession and a meditation by Sr. Mary Jacinta of the School Sisters of Christ the King.
Fr. Ryan Richardson, a chaplain at Benedictine College, exposed the Blessed Sacrament as the candle flames trembled beneath the altar. The voices of women rose softly, chanting “O Salutaris Hostia”.
On the opposite sides of the chapel, Fr. Richardson and Fr Christian Schwenka heard confessions.
Sr. Mary Jacinta stepped up to the ambo and delivered a meditation where she led Benedictine women in reflection on how Christ had personally called each of them to be there with him tonight.
“Just like Zacchaeus climbed the tree and was drawn to Jesus, you have made your way down here tonight in front of Jesus, And he has made his way to you. He is here and you are here. And that is good,” said Sr. Jacinta.
When her reflection quietly ended, freshmen Erin King, Sydney Conrad and sophomore Teresa Braun began to sing, leading the chapel in musical adoration.
They sang songs such as “Belovedness” by Sarah Kroger to remind every young woman of her identity as beloved of Christ, and “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury as a reminder of how deep God’s love runs.
“We practiced last week once,” Braun said. “I picked the music a few weeks ago, but we practiced once last week. Just once.”
Their music touched the hearts of many in the chapel. Sophomore Rebecca Peterson said she was moved by the atmosphere.
“I’m trying to come up with better adjectives than just beautiful,” Peterson said. “It was very calm and serene and very prayerful.”
As the hour came to a close, the women knelt to sing “Tantum Ergo” as the Blessed Sacrament was reposed in the tabernacle.
“It was really powerful,” Ava Runnebaum, a sophomore, said. “Honestly, it was a great way to end my day and just spend time with the Lord and sit in his presence.”
