Update from the Precious Blood Renewal Center

Two dozen participants joined the Renewal Center team on a beautiful, clear spring morning to celebrate World Labyrinth Day on May 3. Marked on the first Saturday in May, World Labyrinth Day encourages folks around the world to gather at 1 p.m. local time to walk their local labyrinth with the intention of promoting peace. Fr. Timothy Armbruster led this year’s celebration at the Renewal Center. 

An estimated 5,000 people in 35 countries walked labyrinths on May 3, “walking as one at 1.” The idea, according to organizers, is to create a “wave of meditation for world peace” that flows around the globe over 24 hours.  

Labyrinths have been used for spiritual healing and prayer services for centuries, Fr. Timothy explained in his presentation. For example, the labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral near Paris, France, was built around 1200 and has been used for pilgrimages and acts of repentance since. 

The annual World Labyrinth Day is particularly important for the Renewal Center, because we see our labyrinth as central to our mission of fostering reconciliation and renewal in society and bringing healing and hope to fractured people. We try to incorporate labyrinth walks in as many of our programs as we can.  

Our labyrinth is based on a design by South African Clare Wilson. Known as a Reconciliation Labyrinth, its unique design allows two parties to enter the labyrinth through separate entrances, meet in the center at the reflecting pool, and then leave together through a single exit. Our labyrinth was dedicated in August 2016 to commemorate the Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis. 

We are hosting a book discussion group this summer and there is still time to join it in person or by Zoom. Fr. Garry Richmeier will lead the group reading “The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage” by Fr. Richard Rohr, Tuesday evenings beginning June 17.  

And please join us for our summer picnic celebration June 28 at 11 a.m. This is a purely social gathering: no books, no assigned readings, and no homework. We’ll grill hamburgers, brats, and vegan options and have loads of fun. 

See our website for details for these events and many more: pbrnewalcenter.org/events.