I love to travel. In my younger days I carried only essentials in my backpack on various destinations throughout the world, including Asia, Australia, South America and Europe. But these days, instead of bunk beds in hostels, I prefer a comfortable mattress in a clean hotel. In April, I was fortunate to take a journey to France.
About an hour outside Paris is the city of Chartres. Like many French towns, the Chartres Cathedral is located in the heart of the city. Built in the 13th Century, the Cathedral has stunning stained glass windows, many of which are original to the building. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.
It is also known for its Rose Labyrinth on the floor inside the cathedral. Unlike a maze, it has only one path winding from the entrance to the center and back. The walker sets out, taking twists and turns, but eventually makes their way to the center. To walk the Chartres Labyrinth is similar to taking a pilgrimage walk like the Camino de Santiago through Spain, France or Portugal, only this walk takes about 20 minutes, not 20 days! It is meant to symbolize the spiritual journey of a pilgrim on the winding path to enlightenment.
On my visit to Chartres, I looked forward to walking the labyrinth as thousands had done since the pattern was created in limestone and marble around the year 1220. But my labyrinth walk in the Cathedral was not to be. We visited on Good Friday. Additional seating had been set out in the central nave of the church for Easter masses. The swirling pattern of the labyrinth lurked beneath the assembled chairs. Looking at it, I was in awe that craftsmen centuries before had painstakingly laid out the pattern.
I wondered what they thought of as they walked the labyrinth for the first time all those centuries ago. And I hope they were proud when imagining that people would continue to do so for hundreds
of years to come.
Even though I was not able to walk the labyrinth in Chartres, I knew that only a few blocks from my home in Thunder Bay was a replica of the Chartres labyrinth. The grounds beside St. Paul’s Anglican Church on Ridgeway Street has a labyrinth that anyone in the community can walk for reflection and thoughtful meditation. Under mature trees, this labyrinth uses red bricks and grass to lay out its path. Many of the bricks have engraved messages of hope, special sayings or names of remembered loved ones.
That is the funny thing about traveling. Although you may go thousands of miles from home, sometimes you can find what you are looking for in your own backyard. I feel blessed that I can enjoy the St. Paul’s labyrinth here in Thunder Bay. How fortunate we are to have this tranquil gem in our city for all to enjoy.
