"A pilgrim is a wanderer with a purpose."
-Peace Pilgrim
Today we talked about what it means to be a pilgrim and then we went on our own pilgrimage to Sewanee. Describe what the journey (both literally and figuratively) meant to you. What was is like to be in that quiet beautiful place? We visited three chapels (All Saints, St. Augustine, and the St. Mary's chapel at the convent), we saw the Memorial Cross, and we walked the labyrinth. What was interesting or meaningful to you about those sacred spaces? What was your favorite part of our trip there?
I thought Sewanee and St. Mary's were very beautiful places to be. A lot of the places we visited were very interesting to me. When we first saw the Memorial Cross, I thought it was huge. The stone steps under leading up to the cross were lovely and I liked the words written on the cross. The All Saints Chapel was extremely beautiful and grand, and I really appreciated the stained glass windows. Likewise, though the St. Augustine Chapel was quite small, I thought the stained glass was very beautiful. The labyrinth was very different looking than I expected, but walking it was much more fun than I thought it would be. Visiting all these places was interesting, but I have to say that visiting the convent was my favorite part. I had never been to a convent before. I expected an old fashioned stone building, but the house was actually somewhere I wouldn't mind living in.
ReplyDeleteI had a wonderful time on our classes pilgrimage today. Before we left I really did not understand what the difference was between a tour and a pilgrimage. After this great experience I found out that a pilgrimage is more of a spiritual journey rather than just coming to learn for a tour. Right when we got to Sewanee we went to the memorial cross. This was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, the veiw was spectacular with the huge white cross. Next my breath was taken away the moment I walked in to the All Saints chapel. I was quiet and just stood, I think it would be wonderful to just go to at least one service in this gorgeous place. Today I saw these chapels as wonderful and beautiful, figuratively speaking these chapels were Gods house. Each of these chapels made me think how much people really love God and love to worship and do for him, which is to spread the word. Next we went up to the quiet St. Marry's, this was one of my favorite places. Right when we got there we were greeted by such a sweet lady. We then learned about how St. Mary's was started by sisters from an episcopal church this was started in 1988. Later on turned into a retreat for people to come and grow spiritually and really get in touch with God quietly. Before we walked the Labyrinth we were supposed to think about are two questions and are themes. Walking the Labyrinth was one of the best silent and thinking times I have had in a very long time. This time made me think about my life and journey and where I am going in my life. I related my life to the themes I was doing. Also this silent time made me think more of what it means to be a christian. We then walked to the Convent, before I had no idea of what to expect. We walked up for the first time and flowers and the white building popped out to me the most. Also I had no idea that convents would have so many animals, it sorta made me think that these women do, do more than just pray all day every day. All of these wonderful places made me grow closer to God I feel. My favorite part of the trip was the Labyrinth because I felt I really got to become closer to God and think about everything in my life in just those few minutes that felt like forever.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the journey to Sewanee and all the places we visited while we were there because it was nice to go to a place I have heard so many good things about from my older church friends. From what I have heard, I can now say I agree with what they say because it is a very beautiful and peaceful place in the mountains. Of all the places we visited (I did enjoy all of them), I thoroughly enjoyed the All Saints Chapel the most because of its size, layout inside (especially the stained glass), and how it is similar and different compared to the Episcopal Church I attend. What I found interesting about the All Saints Chapel was how the altar was not sitting on top of the ‘step-like’ platform behind it like most altars are in churches so I found that interesting. I also found it interesting how instead of pews, it was chairs. I also liked the memorial cross because it is nice how the university and the town are honoring people who have served our country and community. The place where the cross is located is another aspect I enjoyed because the cross is not blocked by trees and when you stand next to it, you look out over what looks like a country side. Of all the places we visited, in Sewanee, I think they did a good job with representing Christianity in a respectful and appropriate way.
ReplyDeleteToday's trip to Sewanee was incredibly spiritually beneficial to me. When we arrived at the Memorial Cross, the cross was so incredibly large, yet symbolic for those veterans in each of the wars/battles. In such a position and place, it could even be assumed to symbolize God's constant watching over us. As for the All Saints Chapel, it was stunningly peaceful and beautiful, with its magnificent stained glass, yet it could also be taken as a bit overwhelming, with its being so large. On the other hand, St. Augustine's Chapel, the older of the smaller chapels, was more relaxed and down to Earth. It is definitely more suitable for a small, less public worship or even just a personal time of prayer. Once we arrived at St. Mary's Retreat Center, there was an instant vibe of serenity and wholesomeness, thanks to the lack of artificial noise. Going through the labyrinth was definitely a time of reflection and pondering of our two essential questions. However, one of our questions was twisted just a tiny bit from "Who is Jesus Christ?" to "Who is Jesus Christ to me?". This lead our group to really put a personal spin on the question and really consider our personal relationship/foundation with Jesus. The labyrinth is not a simple walking trail for pondering, but is also symbolic of life in that you have so many twists and turns, and you feel like you get so close to your goal, but you're really only half way there. Overall, today was a successful pilgrimage and a very spiritually enriching experience for all of us.
ReplyDeleteSewanee was a positive experience for me. I was enraptured by the serenity and beauty of the place. It seemed as if one of the ways this area glorified God was through the beautification of the Lord’s house (the chapels and churches). Today reminded me of how the Episcopal Church glorified God through the acknowledgement of the beauty of his creation. Sewanee and Saint Mary seemed to also focus on meditation and personal devotion. The man that talked to us at St. Mary’s Chapel mentioned St. Mary provided a quiet place to pray and meditate like Jesus did during his lifetime. I thought that St. Mary’s convent was an interesting idea, but I know that going into a convent would never be my first choice. However, for some people, it is a good way/ opportunity to focus. Overall, I am really glad we were able to visit Sewanee today.
ReplyDeleteToday's visit to Sewanee was more than just educational for me it opened up my mind and heart to the meaning of who Jesus is to me and who he is to others and how that can look differently although we both hold him at the same standard. The trip began with us going to the Memorial Cross which truly was magnificent with the cross's large size and wonderful view that it overlooked. Then, we went to All Saints Chapel which was amazing with so much detail and beauty that went in to one room. Then we went to the St. Augustine chapel which was built and used prior to All Saints Chapel yet its beauty and attention to detail was no less. After we visited the Chapels we went to St. Mary's Retreat Center whose mission is to offer a quite place where people can get away and be in a truly peaceful environment. There we went through a Labyrinth which was the most influential part of my trip. The Labyrinth was a path that people can walk which eventually leads you to the center and then back out. The Labyrinth can be used at a metaphor to life or can just speak to your heart. I feel like God really spoke to my heart and taught me more of what Jesus means to me and what being a christian means to me. The Labyrinth was an amazing experience. After that we went to the St. Mary's convent which was very intriguing to me to see how different people are called by God to do different things with their lives. The trip to Sewanee was amazing and showed how God is so amazing and wonderful and how people want to honor him and create wonderful places in his name.
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