Prayer on the Go

For the mobile society, there is even a compact pilgrimage walk. Made of canvas, called a labyrinth, modeled on a meandering design in the floor of the 13th century French cathedral at Chartre, the newer model is carving a path across faith lines.

From ancient times, pilgrimages have led Christians and Jews to Jerusalem. Muslims make the haaj to Mecca. Now, in services at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Manhattan Beach, Christians, Muslims and Jews walk the symbolic walk.

“The labyrinth is blessed; we consider it a sacred path,” says Tom Murdock, who has introduced the ancient prayer tool to a dozen churches around Southern California. He also oversees a labyrinth event at his own parish, St. Cross by the Sea Episcopal Church in Hermosa Beach, on the first Sunday of the month.

Murdock walked his first labyrinth in San Francisco, where Rev. Lauren Artress of Grace Episcopal Cathedral brought back the practice six years ago. Murdock rolls up the 40-by-40-foot canvas model his parish owns and brings it to any group who wants to try it. A starter kit is $3,000.

Labyrinth etiquette starts at ground level. Murdock recommends wearing gym socks, not shoes, to keep the canvas maize clean. Passing a slower traveler is similar to passing a car on the freeway. Move to the side and go around. The main purpose is to walk and pray or meditate. More emotive types however, may dance, wave scarves or carry flowers on the way. At the center of the meandering one-sixth-of-a-mile journey, some people kneel or sit for a while. Most, however, complete their walking prayer in about half an hour.

“We bought our labyrinth as a spiritual outreach tool for other people,” says Murdock, who recently quit his day job as a yacht salesman to keep up with requests.