What’s that new and interesting object at the far end of the parking lot?

It’s a Prayer Labyrinth!

This Prayer Labyrinth was designed and built as part of Nathaniel Pyne Mercier’s Eagle Scout Project. Nate wanted to share with the parish…

“Many people helped support this project both through guidance, hands on work, and funding. I wish to thank my Scout Leaders, Joe Hebda and Jamie Colomb, for their leadership, motivation and mentoring. To Troop 414 scouts and parents that took time to help me with this project. A special thanks to Tim Janiszewski for giving me the idea of the labyrinth. A big thank you to my parents for all your support throughout the years and especially with this project. Finally, Father Rafferty, to whom I have dedicated this Prayer Labyrinth - thank you for allowing me to locate the labyrinth at OLC. THINK THINK THINK”

What is a labyrinth?

A labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. The Labyrinth represents a journey to our own center, where we encounter God, and back again out into the world. Labyrinths have long been used as meditation and prayer tools. In a labyrinth there is a clear path in and out (there are no dead ends, as in a maze). The Catholic Church adapted the labyrinth for its own purposes within its cathedrals. Within Catholicism, the labyrinth could symbolize several things: the hard and winding road to God; a mystical ascension to salvation and enlightenment; or even a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for those who could not make the actual journey. While prayer labyrinths have been used in Catholic cathedrals for centuries, the past decade has seen resurgence in their popularity. Labyrinth Walking is a Spiritual Practice

Spirituality - living in tune with God – requires attention and practice. Walking a labyrinth is such a practice. It is a form of personal meditation, prayer, and devotion. (Even if a person is unable to walk, he/she can follow the path with his/her eyes.) The labyrinth, with its single path, offers a way that is certain. That doesn't mean, however, that it is easy. In a labyrinth there are no short cuts; we must walk the entire length of the path. But if we persevere, the outcome is assured…we reach the center where we find God, and gifts such as truth, wholeness, clarity, and spiritual healing. With those gifts, we return back to our lives.

The Labyrinth is a Physical Practice

The labyrinth is a form of body prayer. Being physical, the labyrinth is anchored in time and space, just as we are. We are also beings of spirit; the bodily experience of the labyrinth allows our mind and spirit to focus and reach a deeper connection with God. At the same time, one of the most noticeable effects of walking the labyrinth is stress reduction. We can feel the difference in our physical bodies, and experience a restoration of balance between body, mind, and soul.

The Labyrinth Is a Form of Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage is an outer journey with an inner purpose. It takes us away from the routine of daily life to sacred places where the veil seems thinner and God more approachable. The labyrinth does this. It organizes our experience and engages us in spiritual travel. While the labyrinth symbolizes the route, no one can take it for someone else; we must each find our own way. The labyrinth is the same, in that it imposes nothing, but allows each person to find that which is meaningful to them. God may have something new for you each time you walk the labyrinth.

A Time to Listen

Walking the labyrinth is time out from our daily schedule. We aren't checking items off our list of things to do, or planning the menu for dinner, but discovering what God has to say to us! During the walk, while we relax our mind, we still must remain alert to follow the path. This state of relaxed alertness is the ideal form of meditation. With our sense of awareness, we are able to listen better to God and are open to any messages or inspiration or creativity that He offers us.

Sound too good to be true? Try it for yourself!

How to walk a labyrinth

1. Stand in front of the entrance to the labyrinth…

2. Center yourself by taking a couple of deep breaths…

3. Acknowledge your coming meditative or spiritual journey within the labyrinth. Is there something you wish to discuss with God? Or are you entering with the sole purpose of discovering what God has to say to you?...

4. Begin your walk. You can pray, think, or clear your mind: it’s all up to you…

5. Continue to walk. Go at your own pace. Whether slow or fast, this is your journey and you decide how you get there…

6. Pause on reaching the center; stay a while with God. It’s the perfect place to pray, meditate, and relax.

7. Walk out at your own pace, continuing to experience God’s love for you.