In brief
Amidst the chaos of holiday travel, airport chapels, like Boston's Our Lady of the Airways, continue to provide a space for prayer and reflection. Designed originally for airport workers, these spaces have evolved over the decades to accommodate travelers and reflect a diverse range of faiths. While some chapels have shifted to interfaith setups, the essence of offering a quiet haven remains intact, demonstrating the importance of spirituality in public transport hubs.
BOSTON (AP) — As the holiday travel season begins, the influx of passengers at airports often makes finding a moment of peace feel elusive. However, airport chapels like Boston’s Our Lady of the Airways have been providing solace for decades, not just to weary travelers but often more so to the airport workers they were designed for.
“I love seeing travel bags and workers’ outfits. It gives hope that you’re ministering to a need,” said Rev. Brian Daley, one of the priests at Boston’s chapel, the first of its kind in the U.S., built in the 1950s. Initially intended for airport employees, it now welcomes a diverse array of visitors, as seen with Muslim prayer rugs discreetly placed in the back.
As travelers hustle through, a Southwest Airlines baggage handler, Brian Babcock, shares his experience: “I come here almost every day to pray for a few minutes. It’s awesome that I have a chapel within walking distance of where I work.”
Our Lady of the Airways is not isolated. Other chapels at major airports like JFK and O’Hare arose from the Catholic Church's outreach to workers, inspired by social doctrines emphasizing the dignity of labor. With busy schedules often clashing with religious obligations, these chapels were built to ensure that spiritual nourishment was accessible even within demanding environments.
Despite a general decline in religious attendance across the nation, Our Lady finds ways to serve travelers and employees alike, emphasizing outreach to those in secular workplaces. Currently, it holds one weekly Mass, adapting to available clergy while remaining a vital spiritual resource.
While many chapels across the country have transitioned to interfaith spaces, offering quiet zones for prayer, the original purpose remains. The evolving landscape of airport spirituality reflects a blend of faiths, catering to a diverse population seeking solace among the chaos of travel.
Harboring hope, a Catholic priest at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport emphasizes that the first customers of the chapel are the airport workers, often seeking guidance before their shifts. “It’s a little escape,” shares a gate worker from JetBlue, reinforcing the chapels' significance in today's fast-paced travel world.
As the holiday season ramps up, these chapels remain sanctuaries for both travelers and workers, grounding individuals in their faith amidst the hustle and bustle of air travel.
