Across the expansive, green grounds of St. John the Apostle Church in Leesburg lies a small cemetery. Beside the cemetery stands a tiny, historic stone cabin, complete with a brick chimney and an adjacent well. Despite its austere exterior, inside the cabin sits a sacred space, a chapel.
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge dedicated the St. John the Apostle Cemetery Chapel at a special Mass June 10, with more than 40 parishioners in attendance. Since the small chapel could accommodate only 20 people, additional parishioners gathered under a tent outside the chapel for the liturgy.
As the main church’s bells tolled the hour at 5 p.m., Bishop Burbidge, led by Deacons Richard Napoli and Mark Voorheis, Father Kevin J. Larsen, pastor, and Fathers Edouard B. Guilloux and Michael J.R. Kelly, parochial vicars, processed across the parish grounds to the chapel. Father Larsen handed a ceremonial key to Bishop Burbidge, who announced, “Father Kevin, unlock the door to this chapel.” Father Larsen complied, and the clergy, deacons and 11 parishioners entered the chapel.
Bishop Burbidge sprinkled holy water on the chapel’s walls and altar. Following the Liturgy of the Word, Bishop Burbidge addressed parishioners both within and outside of the cabin in his homily.
“This is a ceremony many people do not get to see in their lifetime, the dedication of an altar, the dedication of a church,” he said. “I think it’s very powerful that this dedication takes place on these holy grounds, these sacred grounds, a cemetery. So, the truth that we sometimes forget or maybe don’t want to think about, namely, is that life here on this earth is merely a journey.”
The liturgy helps remind the faithful of life’s purpose, Bishop Burbidge added. “In the ceremony is also a beautiful prayer of dedication. As we make this earthly journey, when you think about it, each day that God gives us is a gift, an opportunity for us to rededicate ourselves to the Lord.”
The rite of dedication began with a chanting of the Litany of Saints. Bishop Burbidge then offered the prayer of dedication before anointing the altar with sacred chrism. He anointed the chapel’s walls with chrism, then placed a brazier upon the altar, which burned incense, filling the small chapel. He used a thurible to bless the altar with incense before Father Larsen took the thurible to bless the walls, Bishop Burbidge, and those present.
Fathers Guilloux and Kelly wiped the altar and dressed it with linens and candles. Father Larsen lit the altar’s candles, as well as the four candles mounted on the chapel’s walls. It was time for the Liturgy of the Eucharist to begin.
Before the final blessing, Father Larsen thanked Bishop Burbidge as well as the parishioners who helped fund the chapel renovation. He also gave a sneak peek into the cabin’s origins.
“Over the nine years that I’ve been here, everyone asked me, ‘What was that building for?’ And since I had no idea, I’d just make things up,” Father Larsen said, garnering laughs from parishioners. “I think at some point it was a residence.”
“But now I can definitely tell people what this build is used for, which is a beautiful chapel in a beautiful cemetery,” he added. “And the building is at least 200 years old, so I’m sure that whoever built this never thought it would become this.”
Father Larsen added that the chapel would be under the patronage of St. Lazarus of Bethany, whom Jesus raised from the dead. In honor of the saint, he commissioned parishioner Victoria Du Plessis to paint an icon of St. Lazarus, similar to an icon of the saint featured in the dome of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.
“It’s the second icon I’ve painted, so I’m kind of new to the whole field of iconography,” Du Plessis said. “It was pretty intimidating but very flattering at the same time.”
St. John the Apostle also acquired the original icon of “Raising of Lazarus” by Monastery Icons, which is on display in the chapel.
For parishioners like Lisa Kelly, whose parents are buried in the St. John’s cemetery, the chapel provides a place of solace. She said her father used to sit and meditate in the St. John’s cemetery, and with the dedication of the chapel, she can now do the same. “It’s a very special thing,” she said.
