The Stella Orientis Chapel is the main place of prayer and worship, used for celebrating the Holy Mass and simply a place of adoration that the people around the University of Asia and the Pacific can use anytime. In every angle, the viewpoint of the place, the main function of these forms can be seen infused with each other, complements one another in order to create a single meaning which is meant to be delivered and preserved. As soon as you enter, you will face the reredos that holds the position of the place for sacrifice that is offered. In the middle part of the reredos, the statue of Mother Mary with Child Jesus and above them is the image of the Holy Trinity - Jesus Christ, The Father, and The Holy Spirit. On the upper corners of the reredos, there are angels holding golden plates with the words “pray for us” and “full of grace” (translation of Ora Pro Nobis and Gratia Plena). The images, words, and holy materials all over the chapel communicate with its visitors by emphasizing their prayers. The altar itself is simple with six candles and a cross in the middle of these candles. It is easy to see the unity between the reredos and the altar as the colors, paintings, and the objects that are used go well with each other, which also means they form harmony among themselves in the chapel. The design of the altar is very centered on Jesus, and Mother Mary. What is left is the Holy Spirit which the altar actually leads to through its octagon design that starts at the altar then leads to the ceiling to show the image of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove framed within a much bigger octagon than the ones leading to it. What is placed around the altar is always an obvious showing of the emphasis and focus of a church is, but this subtle architectural design puts emphasis on something that only observant church goers will notice allowing the church to not just be a regular place of worship, but an engaging one as well. The ceiling’s height also enables a good sound resonance while the choirs perform in there. The ceiling has many little octagon shapes that are connected to the reredos. Connected to in the middle is one large, golden octagon with a dove that embodies the Holy Spirit at its center (Kosloski, 2017). The octagon has long been used in places of worship to symbolize eternity and renewal (Venefica, 2008). One of the reasons of the use of octagons in designs is its significance to the religion as it was quoted by Venefica. 

 

We interviewed one of the users of Stella Orientis Chapel in the campus and asked her opinion about how she feels when she is in the chapel: 

 

[INTERVIEW]

 

Rosa Mendoza

 

Everyday for mass. 

 

It is one of the places I go to whenever I want to talk to God doon sa blessed sacrament or kahit doon sa labas lang to pray the rosary

 

-       Syempre sa mass, I’m not sure if limited lang to human interaction kasi hindi lang human yun. For example receiving the eucharist. 

-       For confession naman, sacrament of reconciliation or penance through the priest who acts like God which cleanses 

-       Also if human interaction, yung interaction ng mga people

 

In conclusion, the general building configuration addresses the guests of the Oratory and urges them to supplicate and look for God. The different decorations of the Church in themselves are utilitarian as they draw out our otherworldliness and yearning to converse with God. The spot is loaded in strict imagery that one really wants to contemplate upon the excellence of the Catholic confidence and besides, the significance of the confidence to every distinct individual that means foot inside Stella Orientis. At last, we can see through Stella Orientis that excellence is to be sure a vital factor in any structure, particularly in temples as this magnificence can resound the ideal magnificence that is God Himself.

Venefica, A. (2008) ​Symbolic Meaning of Octagon. ​Available at: http://www.symbolic-meanings.com/2008/05/24/symbolic-meaning-of-octagon/​ (Accessed: 7 March 2020).