Archaeologists believe labyrinths date back over 4,000 years, but the first Christian labyrinth emerged during the Middle Ages. The most famous example is the stone labyrinth inlaid on the floor of the Chartres Cathedral in France.
This labyrinth and others from that time are sometimes referred to as a “Road to Jerusalem.” The Crusades and poverty prevented many from making pilgrimages to the Holy Land during the Middle Ages, so Church officials commissioned the building of labyrinths in the great cathedrals so that Christians could make a spiritual journey instead.
1. Prepare with a Scripture passage to remind you of God's presence. Suggestions include Deuteronomy 1:31, Exodus 13:21-22, Isaiah 42:1-9, Luke 24:13-35.
2. Name your intention and ask God to walk with you during the walk.
3. Walk the path and let your prayer unfold as you go. Trust in God's guidance.
4. Give thanks when you reach the center of the labyrinth.
5. Reflect afterward, writing down thoughts, feelings, or anything else that you experienced.
"Meditation is above all a quest. The mind seeks to understand the why and how of the Christian life, in order to hear and respond to what the Lord is asking." ~Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2705