New Labyrinth Offers Spiritual Path

 

An ancient spiritual custom has found a home on the Merrimack campus. Construction was recently completed on a new labyrinth - a method for prayer and reflection where one walks along a flat path to reach a center.

The labyrinth is dedicated to the memory of William Lawrence Wenzel, Sr. and Gertrude Frances McFadden, the parents of Fr. Wenzel. It is located on the lawn between Austin Hall and Cushing Hall.

Merrimack’s labyrinth, a copy of the 13th century labyrinth laid in stone on the floor of the nave of Chartres Cathedral in France, consists of granite stones and bricks placed in a pattern to lead the walker to a central Augustinian symbol. It is a unicursal labyrinth with a single path to the center and out again.

Merrimack civil engineering students chose the location for the labyrinth, and assisted with the elevation and grading of the space. Benches were placed nearby, and a walkway connecting to the statue of Mary was installed.  Merrimack’s Physical Plant, alongside an architect, did the actual construction of the labyrinth.

Rev. James Wenzel, director of the Center for Augustinian Study and Legacy, led the project of getting a labyrinth at Merrimack. Construction of the labyrinth was made possible through donations collected at Fr. Wenzel’s fiftieth anniversary of his ordination.

“A labyrinth is very Augustinian in its purpose of inviting and encouraging people to engage in a journey to their heart while walking the path,” said Fr. Wenzel. “One of the hallmarks of St. Augustine’s spirituality is what is called “interiority’, a challenge to enter one’s center, believing that one will encounter God. The labyrinth is a metaphor offering an outer path to lead a person on an inner journey.”

For more information on the labyrinth, contact the Center for Augustinian Study and Legacy at (978) 837-5217.

Photo Caption: Pictured here, Fr. Jim Wenzel stands in the large labyrinth which is dedicated to the memory of his parents.