This study explores whether Catholic chapels in shopping malls serve as exceptions or extensions of commercial spaces. While malls are often seen as non-places characterized by transience and anonymity (Augé, 1995), the presence of chapels within them presents a paradox. Through ethnographic research in Manila and Surabaya, this study examines how these chapels mediate between the sacred and the profane.
Findings suggest that while mall chapels share features of non-places, they also foster communal religious experiences, accommodating a mobile urban population. Their accessibility and convenience make them unique spaces where commercial and sacred realms overlap. Rather than existing outside modern consumer environments, these chapels integrate spiritual engagement into everyday urban life. This research contributes to broader discussions on the evolving nature of sacredness and how Catholicism in Southeast Asia adapts to contemporary urban landscapes.