Prayer pathway at OCU
Photos by Andrew Himes
At Oklahoma City University, Chapel Dean Charles Neff creates an octagonal prayer labyrinth on Feb. 27, for use throughout the season of Lent. Rev. Dr. Neff said it takes about 10 minutes to perform a contemplative walk along the path. The labyrinth includes a prayer station at each of its four corners and one in the center. Neff pointed out the diagram that was his guide as he carefully measured and placed strips of blue tape on the chapel floor at the United Methodist-related university. The short-term installation follows the exact layout of the Freddy and Diana Prince Labyrinth at Georgetown University, which in turn is based on a 13th-century design from the Cathedral of Reims in France. OCU’s worship committee came up with the idea of creating the labyrinth for spiritual reflection during Lent. Last fall, pews were removed from the chapel’s center and replaced with chairs to allow various forms of worship in the space, Neff explained.
