Labyrinths

[Simon_Templar]

I've heard of this practice of walking through a labyrinth. Seems to be getting more popular, but many also consider it to be new age.. anyone in here know anything about it??

[JoabAnias]

Sounds new age alright, a quick search yielded:


Can Catholics walk a labyrinth?
In Christian spirituality a labyrinth originally was used to allow Christians to act as pilgrims on the road to Jerusalem in an age when an actual trip to Jerusalem was far too expensive and dangerous for ordinary Christians. It was, in a sense, what we today might call a "virtual-reality pilgrimage." If a Catholic wished to use a modern labyrinth for the same purpose, using Catholic prayers, that would be perfectly fine.

Catholics should, of course, avoid non-Christian or other dubious spiritualities, and so should not use labyrinths for the purposes you report. You are under no obligation though to inform the sisters of this. You may, if you wish, but my guess is that they already know that the spirituality they are promoting is not a traditional Catholic spirituality.
http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?p=2366541


Answer by Fr. Robert J. Levis on 02-16-2003: Dear Connie, I know next to nothing of it. Sorry. Actually it is so bizarre to me, it smacks of a kind of elitism in prayer, a special prayer that only some are called to. Solid healthy prayer is at your daily and continual disposal, I surely recommend it. God bless you.
Fr. Bob Levis
http://www.ewtn.com/vexperts/showresult.aspat=


The labyrinth has its origins in ancient pagan rituals, most famously at Knossos in ancient Crete, where one was located in the basement of the famous palace where the man-eating Minotaur was said to roam. The mythic hero Theseus journeyed through the labyrinth to slay the creature, which had a human body and the head of a bull. Theseus's doubled-headed ax was called a "labrys," hence the name. Other labyrinths in ancient cultures were tied to fertility rites and goddess worship.
http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?recnum=3440


Answer by Fr. John Echert on 07-24-2005: I would have NOTHING to do with such an activity. Such a drop cloth was once spread in the seminary chapel where I used to teach, and in response to my question, "What has this to do with Christ," the sponsor of the activity had no answer.
Father Echert
http://www.ewtn.com/vexperts/showresult.asp?at=

[Simon_Templar]

thanks :)

[Morcova]

Interesting.

[Peaceful Dove]

A neighboring Catholic Parish built a labyrinth. Many parishioners joined in and placed personal walking stones on it.
It is used often while praying. I see nothing at all wrong with it and it is a lovely, peaceful place to pray.

We can always find something wrong with almost anything.

[Simon_Templar]

A neighboring Catholic Parish built a labyrinth. Many parishioners joined in and placed personal walking stones on it.
It is used often while praying. I see nothing at all wrong with it and it is a lovely, peaceful place to pray.

We can always find something wrong with almost anything.

Also true.

I found it interesting that labyrinths were used as a symbolic pilgrimage. Thats an interesting concept.

[winsome]

A neighboring Catholic Parish built a labyrinth. Many parishioners joined in and placed personal walking stones on it.
It is used often while praying. I see nothing at all wrong with it and it is a lovely, peaceful place to pray.

We can always find something wrong with almost anything.

I'm going on pilgrimage tomorrow to a place that has a labyrinth. It's just a simple brick path that goes round in a spiral and then unwinds itself. I've found it very peaceful and meditative going slowly round it.

[hawko]

I've heard of this practice of walking through a labyrinth. Seems to be getting more popular, but many also consider it to be new age.. anyone in here know anything about it??

I too have heard that this is associated with the new age stuff. I would stick to traditional Catholic practices, such as the stations of the cross, and Eucharistic adoration.

[isabella1]

Sounds like that could be teetering in a gray area, which I consider to be dangerous. I know of many new age people that have convinced Catholics that their practices are peaceful, prayerful etc... and then the Catholics incorporate it into their practices, never knowing that they have created a crack for satan to get into. Not just individuals, but whole churches. Once you open Pandora's box so to speak, you better watch out for what comes out of it. Well intentions can go bad also.