A-maze-ing Prayer Tool?

Sr. Suzanne Homeyer, VHM

by Sr. Suzanne Homeyer

Are there days when you feel you have lost your way when it comes to prayer? Are you hitting a dead end as you try to see what God has in mind for your future, whether it be  for the rest of your life or maybe just for this afternoon? What does it matter where I have been in my walk with God? Where am I going? Which direction should I take now?

On retreat this year I re-discovered a wonderful prayer form — walking a Labyrinth! Labyrinths, according to some, have been around since before the time of Jesus. Just what is a labyrinth and why would it be a way to pray?  This particular blog post will attempt to answer these questions from my own experience with labyrinths in recent years.

The Chartres Labyrinth (Chartres, France)

I first encountered a labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral in France. Known as “the Mother of all labyrinths,” it is probably one of the most well-known and the destination of more pilgrims than any other.  I came upon it by accident.  Some friends and I were spending two months traveling through Europe after graduate school and visiting places we had heard about for one reason or another. The artist among us had often spoken of the beautiful stained-glass windows and the history of the building of this supreme example of Gothic architecture.  The windows were beautiful and we even were able to tag along with a group of English-speaking tourists who had engaged THE expert on THESE windows…

But I was struck by the pattern on the floor of the Cathedral as we entered the main doors. It wasn’t until years later that I realized that I was walking across something as treasured as the spectacular windows above —- the Chartres Labyrinth.

“[A] labyrinth has no traps…. There are twists and turns, the direction one is heading changes several times but there are no obstacles or dead-end paths that cause you to retrace your steps or to begin again. In a labyrinth one is always moving forward.” – Sr. Suzanne Homeyer

A labyrinth is a prayer tool.  At first sight it can resemble a maze of sorts.  Upon a more careful look it is obvious that a labyrinth has no traps….it is a direct path to follow from the threshold/ gate or entrance toward the core/center.  There are twists and turns, the direction one is heading changes several times but there are no obstacles or dead-end paths that cause you to retrace your steps or to begin again. In a labyrinth one is always moving forward.  Some people walk slowly, some with tentative steps or maybe purposeful strides — some have been known to dance their way along this spiritual path!

There are labyrinths all over the world.  My most recent surprise encounter with several were at the Villa Maria Spirituality Center in Frontenac, Minnesota — just south of Red Wing.  My breath was taken away as I stepped into the old gym which now bears the name Pilgrim’s Path.  Before me was the inner portion of the Chartres Labyrinth painted on the gym floor. Gothic arches made of colored and fabric-covered acoustic tiles lined the upper walls of the large room and colorful banners and swags of material hung from the high ceiling, drawing my eyes upward, much as the vault of a Gothic Cathedral. I was in a sacred space and I felt it with my entire body. I knew this was to be the place of  deep prayer and encounter with my God during the next 10 days.

Villa Maria Heart

What do you do with a labyrinth? I found the more appropriate question is “What will a labyrinth do with/for me?”  Its silent presence invites me to enter the path…and to move forward one step at a time. Pilgrims are encouraged to choose a mantra or concept to utter or think about along the way to the Center where one encounters God/Sophia/Divine Wisdom. Some people walk with a question or concern in mind. Some walk as a way to remember a loved one who has preceded them on life’s journey. I did a bit of each as I found myself drawn to this prayer – three, sometimes four, times a day.  I never actually danced the path but I did sing and created my own ritual gestures for entering and exiting the labyrinth…and always I met my God in a new and surprising way in the Center. I entered with several deep breaths, a calm spirit and an open mind. I always exited with a prayer of gratitude and a deep bow of reverence.

“Gratitude is the Paschal Candle in the cathedral of the Soul.” — Fr. Joseph Martin

This gym, turned Cathedral, offered a small library of books and articles on labyrinths as well as samples of two smaller labyrinths — one a finger model to be used on a table, counter or your lap and the other just a little larger than a silver dollar to be travelled with a thin 4 inch silver pencil. Outside labyrinths are also found in many places around the state.  I wasn’t really surprised to see one outside of the retreat center on the way to the old cemetery.  It reminded me that I am always moving forward on this journey we call life.  We enter the path and keep questioning and listening to our heart voice as we walk encountering ourselves as we travel to meet our God.

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For more information on labyrinths, google Minnesota Labyrinth Network.