Two weeks ago, women from Liberty Manor walked the labyrinth at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester. This is the third Lent we have been invited to offer labyrinth walks over a three to four day period, and the second that women from Liberty Manor have walked.

Here are a few of the journal entries:

· Today as I walked the labyrinth I asked God to give me the strength I need to make it through this journey I’m going through. When I was done with the walk I feel as though he is walking side by side with me.

· I felt like my father was holding my hand, just as he did when I was a little girl. I miss you, Daddy. Love you, Kristina, a child of God.

· The Bends represented life and events not knowing how things will happen but knowing God will see you through.

· As I traveled on my Journey through this beautiful [maze], it was like layers of troubles falling before me once I entered it and came out. It was like a breath of fresh air. Thank you, God. Thank you for giving me the strength to continue my journey. KG

· I want God to help me stay off drugs. Be with my kids.

· God, please be with all of these women that have come to pray to you on this day. Heal our hearts and open our minds to your will and your way. Please protect our soldiers as they protect our country. Guide us all, Lord. Allow us to be open to receiving your love.

· Father God, Use me with your unconditional love and your blessed grace to become the person I aspire to be; a vision, a replica of You. May Your Holy Spirit guide me in the love and understanding to build new loving lasting relationships with my children, my family, and my community. The One Called Precious

· Father God, Thank you for everything you have done for me and my children. I love you for being here for me in the bad and good.

· Please never leave me. I always going to need your grace. Love

It was amazing watching the women making their own finger labyrinth two weeks later. Some didn’t wait for directions—and had to start over. Some did theirs hurriedly . . . and it showed. Some struggled and had to pull up the dividing lines several times. And some focused intently and produced something beautiful and calm. Some of these women never finish anything, but they finished their labyrinth. Each recognized that the creation of their labyrinth mirrored their personal lives.

Olivia* didn’t have her heart in it. She was slumped over in her chair. She was thinking about leaving for the street that day—which would land her back into addiction, probably jail, or even death. I encouraged her to decorate the labyrinth in order to remember how beautiful she was. And she did. And she was still there, with a smile on her face, a week later.

After group another woman met with her significant other, the program director and her therapist. Suddenly she burst through the door and ran to get her labyrinth—beautifully done—to show them. Her smile covered her face—so different from just a few weeks before when she was angry and anxious about being at Liberty Manor.

Eighteen women made labyrinths that day, proud of their accomplishments and with a new awareness of their life journeys. After group I met up with three former LM residents, two who left under less than ideal circumstances, but all doing well—even after a stint in jail. That afternoon I talked with a woman who had almost two years clean and sober but went MIA (missing in action), hoping to help her get back on track. All in a day!