Prayer Labyrinth at Martyrs’ Shrine
As part of our tribute to Brian, our board is working in partnership with the Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland to create a prayer labyrinth on the Shrine grounds. This labyrinth will be a lasting way to honour Brian’s decades of leadership in Catholic education as well as his many years of service to the Martyrs’ Shrine.
What is a Prayer Labyrinth?
Although the concept of the labyrinth goes back at least to the ancient Greeks, the labyrinth took on a special meaning in Christian Europe. The winding path of the labyrinth is meant as a metaphor for the twists and turns of our faith journeys, which are rarely straight and simple. Walking the labyrinth, slowly and meditatively, moving toward the centre, is a spiritual practice with a long Christian pedigree: the most famous is set into the stone floor of the medieval cathedral in Chartres France, where hundreds of spiritual seekers walk it daily.
Prayer Labyrinth at the Martyrs' Shrine
The labyrinth is a “condensed pilgrimage,” and so its location on the grounds of the Martyrs’ Shrine (the destination for more than 100,000 pilgrims each year) seems especially fitting. It unites a very ancient spiritual path with the needs of contemporary visitors to the Shrine, many of whom come seeking healing, answers or insight for their own journeys. It also highlights the historical significance, natural beauty and ecological importance of the Shrine’s location.
This summer we will walk the grounds of the Martyrs Shrine with Brian to determine a location for the labyrinth. In the centre, we hope to place a reflection bench and commemorative plaque. The labyrinth will be very significant for our students who go to the Shrine on retreat.
Retirement Gift Donation
In lieu of retirement gifts, we invite people (if they choose) to donate to the creation of the Prayer Labyrinth at the Martyrs’ Shrine. You can make your donation directly and securely online to the Martyrs’ Shrine at https://martyrs-shrine.com/donate-now/. Tax receipts will be provided for any donation exceeding $25. In the “Dedication Information” section of the website, please indicate that your donation is in honour of “Brian Beal.” All donations will be used for the creation of the Prayer Labyrinth in Brian’s honour. Any remaining funds will be donated to the Martyrs’ Shrine.
Important note: Don’t forget to indicate that your donation is in honour of Brian Beal so that funds can be allocated appropriately.
