PROGRAMMES | LUMEN
7 space , a reminder of that slowing down that we tend to forget , “ says Mr Firmin Lee , a member of the school Chaplaincy team and the person who initiated this project . “ The Labyrinth is a prayer space for all — staff and students . One should come to the Labyrinth with no expectations . There are twists and turns in the Labyrinth but God is the center of it all . I have walked in the Labyrinth and come out of it knowing myself better .”
Since the Labyrinth was constructed , a number of meditation and prayer sessions have been held there for students . Matthew Ng from MN518 says , “ For me , the labyrinth walk was a deeper discovery of myself . During the walk , I found that my mind began wondering and I started to ponder on things that I had avoided before ; my anxieties , my struggles , my shortcomings . I realised the things that I didn ’ t even know I was struggling with up until then , but the walk was more than just understanding myself - it was a reconciliation with myself . The walk helped me to find peace with myself and all my troubles and be grateful for the people who support me through these struggles .
In her reflection , Natalie Chong from MN517 wrote , “ My experience of walking the labyrinth was eye-opening and meaningful . Going into the labyrinth , I had no expectations . But as I walked and stopped and listened , I found my mind wandering to the many experiences I ' ve had in the past year . Whether good or bad , reflecting on such memories and thinking about where I am now made me feel a great sense of peace and joy . After the walk , we had a sharing session which I found very meaningful as I got to know and
understand my friends better .”
While the Labyrinth dates back to centuries ago , there is much relevance and perhaps , more important than ever for one to find that quiet time to reflect and experience God .
We live in a world that promotes the cult of more - more testing , assessments , homework , lessons , meetings just to list a few . The Labyrinth is an antithesis to our times but that makes it all the more relevant . Instead of asking us for more , it pares down prayer and strips it down to its essential . What ? Silence . Our quiet time with ourselves and possibly , God . That is the essence of prayer . In a time when more is deemed better and more worthy , this prayer circle that asks us for less may be the panacea to the crisis of the modern man .
Facing page ( bottom left ): Students walking the Labyrinth This page ( top ): The Labyrinth in SJI
This page ( centre & bottom right ): Fr Adrian Danker blessing the Labyrinth
Background spread : A birds eye view of the Labyrinth
Official Opening and Blessing of Labyrinth
Located between the Secondary Science Lab Block E and Block F , the SJI Labyrinth was blessed and officially opened by Principal Fr Adrian Danker on 16 July 2020 , on the Feast of Mount Carmel .
Josephians are welcome to spend time contemplating as they walk the labyrinth .
The school plans to introduce students to the labyrinth as part of the Year 1 Josephian Formation Journey Programme . It will also be used for Level retreats and recollections .