Labyrinth of Hope at St Josephs Catholic Church at Honey Creek - Spring Branch, TX
N 29° 48.194 W 098° 29.975
14R E 548359 N 3297086
A meditative labyrinth has been built on a hilltop on the property of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Honey Creek at 25781 TX-46 West, Spring Branch, TX 78070 (in Comal County). The labyrinth is surrounded by rustic Stations of the Cross.
Waymark Code: WM1381N
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 10/07/2020
Views: 1
Toward the back part of the large campus of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Honey Creek at 25781 TX-46 West, Spring Branch, TX 78070, is a hill across from the church's cemetery. Following the roadway past the church complex, follow the road alongside the cemetery. Stay to the right as the road ascends the hill and then forks. This right fork of the roadway will continue to the top of the hill. Turn left into the parking area where the trailhead toward the labyrinth begins as well as the trailhead for the pathway along the 14 Stations of the Cross. These Stations surround the labyrinth that is centered in the high point of this hill. The labyrinth is easily visible from the parking lot and has an arched entry that reads "Labyrinth of Hope" across the top horizontal board of the entryway. A few yards to the left of this entry toward the labyrinth is another trailhead which leads to the first of 14 Stations of the Cross.
This Labyrinth of Hope is made of native limestone slabs that are shaped both by coloration of the stones and the shape of the stones to differentiate the walking path stone from the dividing line stones between the pathways as they curve and fold. The overall circle created by the labyrinth is about 40 feet in diameter. The center of the labyrinth has a short, raised column made of the same stone slabs as the path. The beginning or entry point of this labyrinth is found in front of a stone monument on which a large bronze plaque had been mounted. This plaque gives the history of the labyrinth. Its intended purpose is to offer comfort from sorrow or loss and a meditative way to commune with God in time of need.
The plaque reads as follows:
"Labyrinths are complex pathways that intersect with each other in such a way that walking the path will draw the faithful into deep contemplation and reflection. They have their origins in ancient Egypt and Greece.
The Roman Catholic Church integrated the use of the labyrinth in meditation and prayerful reflection as a means to draw her children into the seemingly simple, but complex, Christian journey. In facing the challenges and uncertainty of the labyrinth, the Lord's flock places itself in complete trust and confidence in God. It will help deepen one's understanding of our God who is always with us, even when challenges of life are deeply painful.
[engraved photo of a young child]
This labyrinth was inspired by the tragic death and entry into eternal life of David Michael Siller, son of Giberto and Melissa Siller and grandson of Deacon Ken and vickie Nickel and Alejando and Louise Anne Siller. Placed deep in the Hill of the Cross, our labyrinth places our own losses, struggles, challenges, and brokenness in the midst of the most difficult journey in salvation history, the journey of Jesus to the cross and grave. The Lord's victory over death gives hope to our broken world.
'May all who walk it experience the healing comfort of our God, who walks it with us.'
Built by: Fred Salazar (March 2012)
Dedicated by: Archbishop Gustave Garcia Siller"
Note: although this labyrinth is on property owned by the St. Joseph's Catholic Church, the stated purpose of the labyrinth is for people who want to seek solace in God during times of sorrow to come to this labyrinth to find peace and comfort. It is private property but people are welcomed to come use the labyrinth. It is expected that those who do come on the church's property to walk the labyrinth or visit the Stations of the Cross will be reverential and respectful of the church property.
Link to St Joseph's Catholic Church's Labyrinth on its Hill of the Cross:
(
visit link)