Sacred Spaces October 3, 2008
Posted by Damian in Relating to God.Tags: almost catholic, cathedrals, Jon Sweeney, sacred space
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I’ve read a few times recently about the concept of ’sacred spaces’, physical locations that have pious associations, are somehow sacramental, or are a place that has special meaning in our relationship with God.
Sacred spaces are places where worship has taken place for a long time; places like Canterbury, Santiago de Compostella. In N.T. Wright’s thinking, they are places where heaven and earth intersect – like we Christians are, like Christ was. Places of prayer and divine communion.
However, when asked the question (at ‘Almost Catholic’, the blog of author Jon Sweeney), what physical spaces I consider sacred, I have trouble answering. I’ve never taken a pilgrimage, although the idea has appealed to me from a young age. I’ve never been to any grand European cathedrals, any traditionally sacred spaces apart from my local churches over the years.
For me, the most sacred of spaces have been the places I’ve gone to be alone with God: That is, the ocean, and the bush far from civilisation. I’ve always felt the closest I will ever come in this life to experiencing the enormity of God is through a stormy sea, or looking up into the stars.
I recently read a fantastic quote recently, although I cannot remember for the life of me which book it was from, and it went something like this:
“When I look up into the night sky, nothing makes me feel so small, and loved, than the thought that once, our almighty God once looked up into those same stars, and, too, felt small, loved, and in awe at the beauty.”
The closest I have to a sacred space is the entirety of God’s creation.
What’s yours?
Sacred Spaces appear for me also where I feel close to God, but there is something about the connection of what has gone on there before. Bolton Abbey is for me one of the places where I feel God close (and probably my favourite). It’s a medieval Augustinian priory ruin where the nave is still used as a parish church. It’s at the south end of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales in valley with the River Wharfe flowing beside it. On a day when it’s not busy (or even when it is), it is absolutely stunning. There is something about the natural beauty, the ruins that once housed worship for 700 years, and the worship that continues that makes this a sacred space.
Will – Bolton Abbey looks beautiful. Thanks for the link. I’m incredibly jealous of you English – my mother’s a county Durham girl, but I haven’t travelled to Europe since I was a young ‘un. That looks like a place to put on my ‘to visit’ list for when I finally come to visit. I’m in awe of such a place, surrounded by natural beauty, a home to worship for such an unimaginable length of time. Here in Australia, we’re just not used to being exposed to such history.
Here in the USA we’re in much the same situation as Damian. Unless you’re on the east coast it’s nearly impossible to find anyplace that’s been built up for more than 150 years. So my sacred spaces have nothing to do with age or long-time worship.
Sacred spaces to me have been places out in the wild where I have felt close to God, or places that have some meaning for me, like the church building where I was a child, grew up and was married. I have also felt that old battlefields are sacred places, where the blood of patriots flowed.
Having never been to Europe, I am fascinated by sacred places like Bolton Abbey, and Glastonbury.
I’m glad it’s not just me, Gary. Thanks for sharing.
The history that surrounds this area in just a 20 mile radius is amazing! That’s what caught my wife and I when we moved over here from the US. If a house is 100-150 years old, South Carolinians get excited. The house I live in is over 100 (owned by the Methodist Church – I couldn’t afford it)! The funny thing is that most folk that live around here take it for granted because they have always lived near by.
If you get the chance to come over to Europe, take it. Unfortunately, I can’t recommend Glastonbury as a ‘pilgrimage’. Well, unless you are a pagan (in the formal sense of the word) – the shops are all witchcraft and associated products. It seems to have become a centre for the occult. The abbey itself is beautiful and the views from the Tor magnificent, but it is simply a tourist attraction run by English Heritage. I find the ‘out of the way places’ like Bolton Abbey or even the large cathedrals much more conducive to spiritual pilgrimage.