St. Irenaeus Health Ministry has scheduled two Labyrinth Walks for Sunday, March 11 and Sunday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Parish Hall of St. Irenaeus Church located at 5201 Evergreen Avenue in Cypress.
Early Christians made vows to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem at some time during their lifetime. However, since that was not possible for everyone, the spiritual and physical journey of walking the labyrinth within designated cathedrals was seen by the Catholic Church as an acceptable substitute for an actual pilgrimage to the Holy City itself.
St. Irenaeus Health Ministry has scheduled two Labyrinth Walks for Sunday, March 11 and Sunday, April 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Parish Hall of St. Irenaeus Church located at 5201 Evergreen Avenue in Cypress.
Early Christians made vows to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem at some time during their lifetime. However, since that was not possible for everyone, the spiritual and physical journey of walking the labyrinth within designated cathedrals was seen by the Catholic Church as an acceptable substitute for an actual pilgrimage to the Holy City itself.
The Labyrinth at St. Irenaeus is modeled after the 11-Circuit Design of the 13th Century Labyrinth found at Chartres Cathedral in France. During this season of Lent, the Labyrinth Walks give people a time and place to take a few minutes to make their own mini-pilgrimage to Jerusalem. They can spend time in quiet contemplation on the life of Christ, as they meditate, release their burdens and listen in silence at the sacred center of the labyrinth. The journey to the center of the Labyrinth is really a metaphor for the spiritual journey each one takes to reach his or her sacred center.
Those who are unable to walk the Labyrinth, can participate while sitting on chairs and using a smaller version of the Labyrinth using their fingers to trace the circular paths of the Labyrinth.
There are 40 lanterns that illuminate the Labyrinth at each Labyrinth Walk as lights are dimmed for participants to enjoy an atmosphere that will help them focus on their prayer journey.
At this time, Health Ministry is offering interested people the opportunity to purchase a plaque that will be placed on each Labyrinth Lantern after being engraved with words in honor of a family member or loved one, or for a special tribute to a person or cause. The 40 plaques are available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis for a donation of $25 per plaque. The plaque will remain with the Labyrinth Lanterns and will be present at each Labyrinth Walk at St. Irenaeus.
For more information about the Labyrinth Walks or the plaques for the Labyrinth Lanterns, contact Monica Kovach at 714-995-2819.