The Labyrinth
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A labyrinth is a meditation path leading one to
reflective prayer. This unique prayer form can be experienced
alone or with a group of people.
The Villa is happy to have an outdoor labyrinth as well as two indoor labyrinths. Our guests find these to be a powerful addition to their retreat experiences. |
| A Brief History- The labyrinth at Chartres was imbedded in the floor around 1200 and pilgrims walked it as their individual pilgrimage of seeking the sacred. The labyrinth’s Christian history reaches all the way back to a 4th century basilica in Algeria where the words “Santa Eclesia” (Holy Church) are found at the very center. In Italy there is a 9th century wall labyrinth at the St. Lucca cathedral; Christians traced the pathway with their fingers.
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The labyrinth was a sacred path, an ancient symbol that spoke to our spiritual ancestors of their pilgrimage here on earth. The labyrinth had only one path winding throughout the symbol and in the walking, the pilgrims often experienced the labyrinth as a mirror for where they were in their own lives. |
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The labyrinths at Villa Maria offers you a form of meditative walking. We invite you to walk the labyrinth as a symbol of your own journey – walking it with an open heart and mind. May your sacred walk be a source of discovery, of insight, of solace, of healing. Above all may it be a sacred pilgrimage, a pilgrim’s journey. |