prayer labyrinth
THE SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF POMPEII – PRAYER LABYRINTH
Follow the path to peace, healing, strength, comfort and wisdom that can only come from spending time with Jesus in prayer.
“It is solved by walking.” -St. Augustine
Why Pray on a Labyrinth?
A labyrinth is a spiritual tool or space for encountering Jesus in prayer. It is a metaphor for walking sacred path toward Jesus, and then back out into the world. Labyrinth prayer can simulate a pilgrimage experience. It is a symbolic journey to Jesus-the presence of Jesus within each of us.
A labyrinth is defined as a single pathway that turns back on itself before passing through the center and returning to its single opening.
Having only one path, a labyrinth, is different from a maze, which has multiple paths as well as dead ends. While a maze is designed to challenge and confuse, we Catholics use labyrinth prayer as a spiritual practice to deepen our faith and grow closer to Jesus.
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The 3 R’s of Labyrinth Prayer
There is no right or wrong way of praying on the labyrinth. We are each free to walk and pray in whatever way feels right for us, guided by the Holy Spirit.
Some spiritual authors see three distinct stages to labyrinth prayer. The 3 R”s:
Release…
The journey in-What distractions, pretenses or resistances are you called to shed as you journey into the presence of Jesus?
Receive…
The center – feel free to linger here. Rest in the presence of Jesus.
What do you want to bring to Jesus? What is Jesus’ invitation to you?
Return…
The journey out – what is Jesus calling you to do in the world? Whom are you being called to become?
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Possible Approaches to Labyrinth Prayer
There are as many ways to pray on the labyrinth as there are people. Bring to Jesus whatever is right and true for you. Some ideas to consider are:
+ Ask a question or bring a decision, such as, ”Jesus, I am wondering what should I do next in my life.”
+ Honor a significant date or transition in your life. “Thank you, Jesus for a new opportunity.”
+ Give thanks for the blessings in your life.
+ Reflect on your life, your faith journey, or on something that is concerning you right now.
+ Ask for help for yourself or others.
+ Repeat a mantra or phrase as a way of entering into meditation, such as, ‘Come Ho- ly Spirit, come,’ or a spiritual word, such as, ‘love, love, love…’
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Prayer for a Labyrinth Walk
0 God of many paths, I stand before this labyrinth today, metaphor for my journey to you. I have been taught that “the shortest distance between two points is a straight line,” and being an impatient person, I am uncomfortable with waiting. I have often modeled my journey to you on a straight line. But you, God of infinite patience, have shown me that there is another path, a curved path. On this path, my anticipation is heightened as I approach the center, only to be led out again to the periphery. But this path more closely resembles life itself. On this path, I put just one foot in front of the other. It may seem at times as if I am not approaching my goal, while in fact, I am drawing closer all the time. But you are a God of surprises and mystery; and I don’t control the path. The labyrinth is a symbol of my surrender to mystery, trusting, not knowing for certain, that the part which curves in and out again ultimately leads to the Center, which is You.
-Jeanne Sonnenberg
(cf. www.catapultmagazine.com to read a brief testimonial on “Walking a Curved Path)
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Come Journey with Us! All are welcome...
God calls all people to make a sacred journey through life. The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii gathers such pilgrims of faith.
Nota Bene: The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii’s Labyrinth is a replica of the one at Chartres Cathedral, France. Also, a relic of the True Cross along with a chunk of Amethyst are embedded into the floor directly in the center of labyrinth.
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Nota Bene:
The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii’s Labyrinth is a replica of the
one at Chartres Cathedral, France. Also, a relic of the True Cross along
with a chunk of Amethyst are embedded into the floor directly in the center of labyrinth. In Italy, one of the most well-known church labyrinths can be found on the façade of the Cathedral of Lucca, where a 12th-century marble labyrinth is sculpted on a pillar near the bell tower; other Romanesque and Gothic churches across Italy also feature labyrinths on their floors or walls, with notable examples in Ravenna’s Basilica di San Vitale and various churches in Tuscany.
Key points about Italian church labyrinths:
Lucca Cathedral: This is considered one of the most famous church labyrinths in Italy, with a detailed marble design on a pillar near the bell tower.
Basilica di San Vitale, Ravenna: The floor of this basilica features a
circular labyrinth design.
Style and location: Many other churches in Italy, particularly those with
Romanesque and Gothic architecture, can also have labyrinths integrated into their design.
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Below images from February 9, 2024 depict ritual with placement of relic of true cross with papers, amethyst, and note of event for future reference, like a time capsule.
