Labyrinth at Most Holy Trinity
Why walk the Labyrinth?
People walk the labyrinth for many reasons. Some do it to relax, some as a walking meditation, some just for fun. If you would like to prayerfully walk the labyrinth, we invite you to
take some time to clear your mind, to relax before you walk. Weather permitting, you may wish to remove your shoes. Move at your own pace. Be open to inner promptings to pause, to slow down, to pass others. Do what feels natural. Maintain silence throughout your walk, for your benefit and for the sake of others.
As you enter the Labyrinth, you begin the first of three stages of your walk — Purgation. This is a time for releasing, letting go of the details of your life, the cares and concerns that keep you distracted and stressed.
As you reach the center, you are open to the stage of Illumination. Stay in the Center as long as you like. Continue to do what feels natural. Sit, kneel, stand, meditate, face several directions. Read something you have brought with you on this journey. Stay in the center for as long as you wish. It is a place for clarity and insight. Receive what is there for you.
As you prepare to leave the Labyrinth, take time for gratitude and for integrating this experience into your life. This part of the walk is the path of Union, joining God, bringing back to the world a renewed vision or a refreshed spirit. Each time you walk the Labyrinth, you may become more empowered to find and do the work God as given you. Spend some time outside the Labyrinth in reflection and meditation before you leave.
With the challenges and concerns of our busy lives, the Labyrinth offers a way to journey in faith, to find stillness and rest. The Labyrinth at Most Holy Trinity is made possible through the generous donation of parishioners.
You are invited to walk the Labyrinth alone or with a group, at the beginning or end of your day, on your lunch break, as the sun sets, by starlight and moonlight, in all seasons.
Aren't labyrinths strictly some sort of New Age phenomenon?
No. Labyrinths are ancient. The labyrinth was a central feature in many of the European Roman Catholic churches in the middle ages and many of these still exist today. The most famous of these remaining labyrinths is at Chartres Cathedral near Paris,France. The labyrinth at Chartres was built around 1200. It was walked as a pilgrimage and/or for repentance. As a pilgrimage, it was a journey to become closer to God. When used for repentance, the pilgrims would walk on their knees. Sometimes this eleven-circuit labyrinth would serve as a substitute for an actual pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The cross is at the center of the pattern of the labyrinth and is used in the construction as a guide. Even today, churches with labyrinths encourage people to walk the labyrinth during Lent and Advent.
Are there other labyrinths in my city?
We can't tell you for certain, but a good way to find out is to check out the World Wide Labyrinth Locator and search for the area for which you want statistics. The Locator will give you the number of labyrinths that have been entered into the site. There will be many more labyrinths than have been entered, but the Locator will give you a base number to start from. You will know there are at least as many as that number.
source:
1. The Labyrinth Society: http://www.labyrinthsociety.org/faqs
2. St. Mary's Catholic Faith Community, Wisconsin: http://www.stmaryhc.org/spirituality/labyrinth.php
People walk the labyrinth for many reasons. Some do it to relax, some as a walking meditation, some just for fun. If you would like to prayerfully walk the labyrinth, we invite you to
take some time to clear your mind, to relax before you walk. Weather permitting, you may wish to remove your shoes. Move at your own pace. Be open to inner promptings to pause, to slow down, to pass others. Do what feels natural. Maintain silence throughout your walk, for your benefit and for the sake of others.
As you enter the Labyrinth, you begin the first of three stages of your walk — Purgation. This is a time for releasing, letting go of the details of your life, the cares and concerns that keep you distracted and stressed.
As you reach the center, you are open to the stage of Illumination. Stay in the Center as long as you like. Continue to do what feels natural. Sit, kneel, stand, meditate, face several directions. Read something you have brought with you on this journey. Stay in the center for as long as you wish. It is a place for clarity and insight. Receive what is there for you.
As you prepare to leave the Labyrinth, take time for gratitude and for integrating this experience into your life. This part of the walk is the path of Union, joining God, bringing back to the world a renewed vision or a refreshed spirit. Each time you walk the Labyrinth, you may become more empowered to find and do the work God as given you. Spend some time outside the Labyrinth in reflection and meditation before you leave.
With the challenges and concerns of our busy lives, the Labyrinth offers a way to journey in faith, to find stillness and rest. The Labyrinth at Most Holy Trinity is made possible through the generous donation of parishioners.
You are invited to walk the Labyrinth alone or with a group, at the beginning or end of your day, on your lunch break, as the sun sets, by starlight and moonlight, in all seasons.
Aren't labyrinths strictly some sort of New Age phenomenon?
No. Labyrinths are ancient. The labyrinth was a central feature in many of the European Roman Catholic churches in the middle ages and many of these still exist today. The most famous of these remaining labyrinths is at Chartres Cathedral near Paris,France. The labyrinth at Chartres was built around 1200. It was walked as a pilgrimage and/or for repentance. As a pilgrimage, it was a journey to become closer to God. When used for repentance, the pilgrims would walk on their knees. Sometimes this eleven-circuit labyrinth would serve as a substitute for an actual pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The cross is at the center of the pattern of the labyrinth and is used in the construction as a guide. Even today, churches with labyrinths encourage people to walk the labyrinth during Lent and Advent.
Are there other labyrinths in my city?
We can't tell you for certain, but a good way to find out is to check out the World Wide Labyrinth Locator and search for the area for which you want statistics. The Locator will give you the number of labyrinths that have been entered into the site. There will be many more labyrinths than have been entered, but the Locator will give you a base number to start from. You will know there are at least as many as that number.
source:
1. The Labyrinth Society: http://www.labyrinthsociety.org/faqs
2. St. Mary's Catholic Faith Community, Wisconsin: http://www.stmaryhc.org/spirituality/labyrinth.php
