Friday 15 October 2010

St. Michael's Labyrinth

In 2001, I visited a very simple but lovely rock labyrinth at St. Michael's Retreat Centre in Lumsden, Saskatchewan, a small prairie town about 30 kilometres north of Regina. At one time, St. Michael's was a Franciscan monastery but today it operates as an ecumenical retreat centre.

St. Michael's Cretan-style labyrinth is located in a nearby field and looks somewhat wild and free with all the prairie grasses growing up around the rocks. On the day I was there taking these photos, it was a hot and perfect summer day. I had the labyrinth all to myself and basked in the sunshine as I slowly and meditatively walked its path.


The labyrinth has a large granite boulder sitting in its centre. Sort of like a mini-megalith . . . hmmm, perhaps this is the Stonehenge of Saskatchewan!

Sometimes labyrinth walkers leave small gifts or tokens of appreciation in the centre to mark their passage through the sacred circuits. Small pebbles, tea light candles and scattered coins were piled on this centre rock. Also a black cassette tape, significance unknown. I noticed a couple of scraps of paper tucked in among the offerings which probably contained written prayers or requests.

I haven't been back to St. Michael's since then but I hope the labyrinth is still there in that quiet, peaceful field, offering its contemplative path to all seekers, pilgrims and wanderers.

18 comments:

mxtodis123 said...

It's lovely out there sitting by itself in the midst of the countryside.
Mary

Wendy said...

What a beautiful place. I hope to see it someday.

Jeanne said...

Very moving. A perfect spot for a labyrinth.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

I really like this one!!! Kind of more natural. Although of course, the stones were placed there, I know. Just............. :-)

brandi said...

~so beautiful...simplicity is sometimes the most fulfilling and nourishing to our souls...warm wishes and brightest blesings~

Anonymous said...

How inspiring! my Moms shared their labyrinth experience, that was similar, in north/central Ontario. It was the first time I had heard of one and I've been loving the knowledge I'm getting from your labyrinth stories and journey!

yellowdoggranny said...

I love canaderians

Chris 'Frog Queen' Davis said...

What a lovely place. I really enjoy these labryinth posts. Thank you!!

Cheers!

Jim said...

I wish it was closer but am glad you have had the chance to 'walk' it.
Jim

Dancing With Fey said...

It looks lovely.

Kiki's Cauldron said...

Walking a labyrinth is a truly spiritual experience. This on is particularly beautiful!

Little Messy Missy said...

That is very cool! I wish there were some labyrinths around my neck of the woods!
xoxox

Blueberry said...

Now I am wondering what is on that tape.

Unknown said...

It looks so beautiful there. How many labyrinths have you walked Debra?

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Quite a few, Lyn -- I hope to feature them all eventually in this series.

Edain said...

Very cool! A friend of mine, who is opening a vineyard next year, is building a labyrinth on their grounds too. :)

BTW...have you picked up your copy of my free Pagan eBook yet? Check my blog post for 16th October. ;)

fromsophiesview said...

Oh I'm sure it is still there. You are so fortunate to be able to find and locate these labyrinths and then to spend the time there.
PS tks for the kind 100th post wishes!

DB Stewart said...

There's nowhere quite like Saskatchewan (but people don't seem to know that).