Sacred Spaces

When I was working at the University of San Diego (USD) as a Resident Minister, I lived in a small apartment on campus. In my bedroom, there was a large window situated near one corner of the room. From this window, I could see the bell tower of USD’s on-campus parish, beautifully manicured lawns and flower beds, and pathways filled with students rushing to and from classes and meetings. I decided early on that this corner would make a wonderful prayer space. I decorated my corner with a comfy chair and blanket; a small table with a candle, a small statue of Jesus, and a journal; and a few posters of favorite prayers on the adjoining walls. Each morning, I would rise, grab a cup of coffee, light the candle, and nestle into my comfy chair. I would watch the sun poke over the campus buildings and greenery, listen to the bells marking the hour, and read the Catholic readings of the day. I retreated to this place every morning before I rushed off to work for two years. While there were mornings I did not want to get out of bed and begin the day, I always found refreshment and encouragement from the ritual of visiting my prayer corner. It was in this place I encountered the sacred, experienced beauty, and rested in the presence of God. 

While you cannot see the whole space, this is a small part of the sacred corner in my apartment at USD.

Since leaving USD, I often think of that sacred prayer corner and the peace I found there each morning. While I have not yet found my perfect corner with a beautiful view in my different homes, I have found places I can create a similar sense of ritual and peace. These places often include my statue of Jesus, a journal, a candle, and a nice cup of coffee. I have realized that these items, as well as consistency, have been the main ingredients for creating a space that is sacred for me; a space in which I am reminded of God’s continual presence and love.

According to the Teaching Catholic Kids’ article,
“Caring for your family’s spiritual needs during the COVID-19 outbreak,” a sacred space in your
home “can become a focal point for family prayer and a concrete reminder that God is present with
your family. This is especially important for young children, who are very concrete thinkers — they
experience the world with their senses and sometimes have difficulty understanding that God is present
if they do not see visible signs that point to the sacred.” With churches and places of worship
temporarily closed, I invite you to create a sacred space in your home. Spend some time together and
decide what the main ingredients of your sacred space might be. Consider the following questions: 

Will our space include any items? If so, which ones? Why? 

Where should the sacred space be? Inside or outside? 

What time of the day will we use it? 

What prayers and practices will we participate in? Together or separately?

While each home’s sacred space will look different, the outcome should be the same - a sense that God
is always present and ready to offer peace, love, and rest. 

As you consider what your sacred space might look like, check out the sacred spaces of some of the
faculty and staff at HCA below. If you would like to share your sacred space with the HCA community,
please send a picture and description to my email - nkathol@holychildacademy.com.

Peace and wellness be with you!

Mrs. DeLuca - “My sacred space is the reading corner in Henry's nursery. It's one of the few places in
my home where I feel at complete peace, when I'm spending a quiet moment reading with my son
before nap or bedtime.” 

Mrs. Myers - “I bend toward poetry. So when asked for a sacred space in my home, it’s hard not to say
the whole place is sacred. That is where my family is, of course it is sacred. Still, if I had to give a more
specific answer, I suppose my sacred space is my kitchen table. It is where we consistently gather to
pray formally as a whole group with prayers before meals and continue with less formal prayers of
thanks by sharing gratitudes of the day. There we learn how to forgive even though her foot is on my
chair again. We learn how to give even though mashed potatoes are my favorite. We learn patience
because of course a toddler can serve himself. When someone can’t bring his or her best, we learn
empathy. And so yes, the kitchen table that I trash picked with my husband for our first apartment with 
chairs held together by bungee cord and duct tape is my sacred space, because it is there that we l
earn- oh so imperfectly- how to love. It is there that we routinely break bread, and try again to be better
followers of Christ.”

Mrs. Roz -  We each celebrate our faith in many ways. Some have a daily devotional, some make prayer a priority, and others are committed to worship services, while still others enjoy a mixture of both. Another way we celebrate our faith is by creating sacred spaces in our home. Around the holidays this can be a Nativity scene passed down from generations, as ours has been. But in our everyday lives, creating a sacred space for your practice of faith or as a reminder of God's love and grace, can be healing, encouraging and bring peace. For some, our faith is interwoven in our decor, sometimes in our gardens or in special spaces throughout the home. This is my sacred space that combines faith and encouragement.

Mrs. Lewis -  “I like to pray in the window seat and near my plant. Out the window I can often hear birds and am reminded of God's amazing power. I have found peace in reading a daily devotional and recommend Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.”