Personal prayer space provides a quiet area for contemplation |
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Written by LAURIE STEVENS, Chronicle Writer
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Thursday, 06 March 2008 19:00 |
To encounter the divine, Linda Schlachter finds she need go no further than her own backyard.
Six years ago Ms. Schlachter, a member of Toledo Christ the King, built a labyrinth on the hill behind her Sylvania Township home to capture the peaceful experience she had walking the labyrinth at Weber Retreat Center in Adrian, Mich.
“I’ve always had a hard time just being still,” Ms. Schlachter says. Walking the labyrinth is a way to “move and pray at the same time.”
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| Many people find objects meaningful to them help create the atmosphere
for a prayer area at home. (Chronicle photo by Laurie Stevens) |
She read a book about the medieval prayer technique, and showed a picture of a labyrinth to her landscaper to see if he could create such a structure in her yard.
He carved a clearing from the overgrowth on a hill located across a narrow ravine behind her home, and used gravel and small stones to outline a path in the shape of a Cretan labyrinth — which Ms. Schlachter describes as being shaped like a brain. The two-dimensional, twisting pathway looks like a maze, but has a continuous path to its center.
The walk to the center is meant to help one let go of tensions like anger or resentment, explains Ms. Schlachter. A person looking for direction can also walk the path with a specific question in mind.
“When you arrive at the center, the idea is to be open to the answer,” she says. One takes that answer or feeling of peace they find with them as they walk back out of the labyrinth into the world.
When the weather is warm enough, Ms. Schlachter says she likes to walk the labyrinth around 5:30 or 6 a.m. The clearing is isolated and peaceful, surrounded by trees and a nearby stream.
Her neighbors occasionally use her labyrinth, and Ms. Schlachter also leads workshops to share the tool with others.
She feels it is important to have such a space away from everyday life where “you can [become] quiet and get in touch with that divine presence.”
Notre Dame Sister Joanne Mary Frania, director of Lial Renewal Center in Whitehouse, agrees that designating a space to pray at home is helpful.
“We know that God is present everywhere and always, but as sensate human beings, we often need the beautiful and tangible to calm and focus us,” she observes.
A sacred space can take many forms. Not everyone can build a labyrinth or set aside an entire room, but Sr. Frania points out most people can establish a “prayer corner” for communing with God.
“We use our creativity and our hands to create a sacred place that speaks something of our relationship of God,” she says.
Vicki Dougherty of Toledo Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral Parish says the space she created a year ago in the corner of her bedroom serves as a reminder to take the time to pray.
“I think you have more quality prayer when you have a quiet place away from everything,” she adds.
Mrs. Dougherty doesn’t feel the space needs to be large, as long as it is quiet and meaningful to the person using it.
Her space includes an old church pew, a kneeler in front of a window overlooking her garden, a dish with holy water, a rosary, prayer books that belonged to her mother and aunt, and other meaningful prayers she has come across.
Father Mark Davis, pastor of Bowling Green St. Aloysius, says the idea is to have a place where one can escape from everyday life and sit quietly with God.
“I really believe that it is hard to know God without knowing silence,” he says.
For that reason, Fr. Davis suggests having a timer in the prayer space to keep from worrying about losing track of time — or falling asleep — while meditating.
A spare bedroom in each of Fr. Davis’ past three homes has doubled as prayer room. He uses a futon for a couch, and a wooden trunk for an altar.
A painting by Rembrandt that depicts the story of the prodigal son hangs above his altar, which is covered by a small carpet he bought while studying in Israel. Decorations include a cross and other holy articles and mementos that hold “spiritual energy,” reminding him of God and of his “God-people” who inspire him. He also keeps meaningful cards and letters he has received in a basket nearby.
Tiffin Franciscan Sister Paulette Schroeder, director of retreats at the St. Francis Spirituality Center in Tiffin, suggests placing prayerful items on a small table in a corner, which could change according to the need or season. Photographs of those in need of prayers might also be placed on the table.
A bulletin board or section of the refrigerator could also be devoted to prayer ideas, she adds.
Sue Wilhelm, a spiritual director and member of Toledo Corpus Christi University Parish, says she prefers to have multiple “prayer spaces” scattered throughout her home to remind her of the presence of God in daily life.
She notes they can be as simple as a candle placed beside a Scripture verse, a book of prayers at the dining room table, or even be a collection of family pictures with some reminder of God in the midst, like a candle or verse.
Many Catholic homes also traditionally have a crucifix or an image of Mary and the Sacred Heart.
“I think it’s important for every person to gather around them whatever objects help them recall the presence of God,” says Ms. Wilhelm. “It has to do with reminding us of God’s closeness in the craziness of our everyday life.”
It also helps us remember God’s presence in ourselves and in our family members, she adds.
“These sacred places in our homes remind us to take off our shoes, so to speak,” says Ms. Wilhelm, referencing the story of Moses and the burning bush. “They remind us to nurture the presence of the sacred.”
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Last Updated on Monday, 28 July 2008 08:46 |
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