Labyrinth Walk for Peace

St Mark’s Episcopal Church hosted a public ‘Walk for Peace” on Sunday November 3rd. Directional Labyrinth signs were pointing the way to this beautiful 11-circuit paver labyrinth. People came to walk quietly, think about peace, pray, meditate and dwell on what peace means to them. Several did not know Marco Island had a labyrinth, so they were pleasantly surprised to learn about it. Others were aware of it but took this opportunity to walk the Labyrinth for the first time.

A Labyrinth is an ancient design dating back over 3000 years. The classical Labyrinth design has been found on coins as early as 430 BC. 

A Labyrinth is Not a maze! There is no navigational challenge to a Labyrinth. There is only one direct path into the center and the same pathway out. Unlike a maze which has complex branching, a Labyrinth is a calming, peaceful path allowing you to rest in your thoughts as you walk.

Why walk a Labyrinth? A Labyrinth is a sacred path. As you walk the Labyrinth you become a pilgrim resting in your thoughts. Some say:  “I go to celebrate my joy”;  “I go because it quiets my mind and opens my soul”; “I go to heal my aching heart”; “I go to quiet my mind and bring peace to my heart, mind and world”; “I go to give thanks for something special in my life”; “I go contemplate a big decision in my life”; “I go to work on forgiving.” Children sense something special and often go to race around and just have fun on a Labyrinth! The Labyrinth is yours to walk and the reasons you are walking are yours and yours alone. Consider yourself a modern pilgrim on a journey.

It’s easy to find a public Labyrinth when traveling. Go to www.LabyrinthLocator.org. Go to the map and find Marco Island! Today you will find Labyrinths in both sacred and secular settings such as churches, cathedrals, parks, hospitals, colleges, cancer centers, hospices, private yards and even prisons.

The modern Labyrinth began in 1992 when The Rev Dr Lauren Artress, who is called the “Mother of the Modern Labyrinth Movement in the Western world,”  introduced the Labyrinth in San Francisco at Grace Cathedral. It was a time when AIDS was sweeping the country and Grace Cathedral found that meditating on their Labyrinth brought peace and comfort to many in pain.

“Walk as One at 1” is a global event that takes place the first Saturday in May every year as part of  World Labyrinth Day. People around the world will walk a Labyrinth at 1:00 PM in their country’s time zone for Peace. Some Labyrinths are made just for this event including creating labyrinths in the sand on beaches around the world. It is called a “wave” around the world to celebrate and pray for peace. (See: www.WorldLabyrinthDay.org )

St Mark’s Episcopal Church, Marco Island, will celebrate the 18th annual World Labyrinth Day on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025. Everyone is invited to come join and “Walk as One at 1 for World Peace.” This free event is open to the public. It will be held on the church’s Labyrinth located at North Collier Blvd & Bluebird Avenue.  

The St Mark’s Labyrinth is open to the public! For more information, call or text Ellen van Nagell,  502-445-0249. Ellen is a trained labyrinth facilitator and is available to help you or your group learn more about Labyrinths at no cost.