Books About the Christian Use of Labyrinths
- Artress, Lauren. (1995). Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool. New York, Riverhead Books. This book, as well as the author’s continuing work subsequent to its publication, created significant impetus in the contemporary revival of the labyrinth. Dr. Artress’ interest focuses on the medieval 11-circuit design found at Chartres Cathedral in France. Explores the historical origins of this divine imprint and shares the discoveries of modern-day seekers. The Labyrinth Society Website.
- Candolini, Gernot (2001), Labyrinths. Walking Towards the Center (New York: Crossroad Publishing). “These pages are a rich, wondrous blend of history, faith’s deep call, and the wisdom gleaned from the journey.” Paula D’Arcy from the Foreword.
- Ferré, Robert (2001). Church Labyrinths. Questions and Answers Regarding the History, Relevance, and Use of Labyrinths in Churches. St. Louis, MO, One Way Press.Question and Answer format addressing issues relating to the history and modern use of labyrinths with emphasis given to the Christian context.
- Ferré, Robert (2001). Origin, Symbolism, and Design of the Chartres Labyrinth. St. Louis, One Way Press. “The purpose of this book is to give the reader a greater depth of understanding about the Chartres labyrinth.” Author.
- Field, Robert. (1999). “Christian Pathways.” Mazes: Ancient and Modern. Norfolk, England, Tarquin Publications: 32-41.A chapter with many pictures and diagrams of English and other church labyrinths.
- Geoffrion, Jill Kimberly Hartwell (1999). Praying the Labyrinth: A Journal for Spiritual Creativity. Cleveland, OH, Pilgrim Press. Based on Jill’s experiences of praying the labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral, this book invites the reader to explore her/his spiritual experiences both on and off the labyrinth.
- Geoffrion, Jill Kimberly Hartwell (2000). Living the Labyrinth: 101 Paths to a Deeper Connection with the Sacred. Cleveland, OH, Pilgrim Press.This book encourages readers to expand the ways in which they explore the labyrinth. Full of helpful ideas for individual and group use of the labyrinth.
- Geoffrion, Jill Kimberly Hartwell and Elizabeth Catherine Nagel (2001). The Labyrinth and the Enneagram. Circling into Prayer. Cleveland, OH, Pilgrim Press. Readers are given an orientation to the Enneagram and an explanation of its nine positions, as well as exercises on the labyrinth to identify barriers within. From these experiences, readers will enjoy the transformation that arises from new learning and insight. Space for journaling and reflection is provided with each experience.
- Geoffrion, Jill (2003). Labyrinth and Song of Songs. Cleveland, Pilgrim Press. Labyrinth and Song of Songs lays side by side the author’s poetry, prayers, and hymns which were inspired by the labyrinth and the Hebrew Scriptures love poem “Song of Songs.” Written in the voices of Lover, Beloved, and Friends, both works are personal, provocative, and invitational. Delight, longing, and love rise to greet the reader.
- Geoffrion, Jill (2003). Pondering the Labyrinth: Questions to Pray on the Path. Cleveland, Pilgrim Press. This book was written in response to expressed needs for resources that could be used at a labyrinth. Divided into four sections, About Labyrinths, Questions to Ponder As You Experience the Labyrinth, Questions to Ponder Away from the Labyrinth, and Questions to Ponder for Special Reasons, this book is highly accessible. Those encountering the labyrinth for the first time will find their questions answered while those who have been using the labyrinth will discover new approaches to their labyrinth experiences.
- Geoffrion, Jill. Christian Prayer and Labyrinths: Pathways of Faith, Hope, and Love. Cleveland, OH: Pilgrim Press, 2004. Book designed specifically for Christians who would like to use the labyrinth for personal meditation or Christian communal worship. She begins with a brief summary of the Christian history of labyrinths, and from there, offers both Hebrew and Christian Scripture texts with a question and prayer connected to each Scripture. There is also a section on experiencing Christ in the labyrinth that contains prayers and poems. Several line drawings of labyrinths and journal sheets are included.
- Geoffrion, Jill. Praying the Chartres Labyrinth: A Pilgrim’s Guidebook. Cleveland, OH: Pilgrim Press, 2006. Labyrinth lovers will find themselves transported to France, and those lucky enough to have made the pilgrimage will be grateful for Geoffrion’s insightful reminders of their journey.” Judith Tripp.
- Hays, Edward. The Lenten Labyrinth. Leavenworth, KS: Forest of Peace Publishing, 1994. “Daily reflections for the maze-like journey of Lenten transformation which have the power to change—to radically enrich—your way of thinking, loving, and believing. Forest of Peace Publishing. Uses the labyrinth more metaphorically than literally.
- Jones, Tony. (2004). “The Labyrinth” in The Sacred Way: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life. Grand Rapids, MI, Zondervan: 126-133.
- Kallstrom, Christine. Children and the Labyrinth. Liturgical and Non-Liturgical Uses. Grand Prairie, TX: Alternative Learning Environments, Inc., 2001.A notebook of ideas for how to use the labyrinth with children. Some theory is included. Very helpful and sensitive.
- Kautz, Richard. Labyrinth Year: Walking the Seasons of the Church: Morehouse Publishing, 2005. Nothing expresses the mystery of our search for the divine as well as the labyrinth. As seekers walk to the center of the spiral, their minds quit and turn to God. Walking out again, they bring into the world the spiritual gifts they’ve received. “In A Labyrinth Year, Richard Kautz guides readers on a labyrinth pilgrimage that winds through the seasons of the liturgical year, with devotions – to be used while walking the labyrinth – based on the thoughts and emotions of characters whose stories are told in the seasonal scriptures. As readers explore the journeys of these people of faith, they connect with the deeper meaning of the stories and learn to live them out in their experience.” Publisher.
- Kern, Hermann. Through the Labyrinth. Designs and Meanings over 5,000 Years. New York: Prestel, 2000. There is an extensive chapter tracing the history of Christian labyrinths.
- Landon, Michael. “Chapter 8: Walking With Our Loved Ones in the Labyrinth.” Grieving Hearts in Worship: A Ministry Resource. (Bloomington, Indiana: AuthorHouse, 2012) 181-212.“The book’s practical suggestions offer church leaders and members a blend of topics, worship services, and reflection questions.” Publisher.
- Matthews, W. H. “Chapter IX: Church Labyrinths” In Mazes and Labyrinths: Their History and Development. (New York: Dover Publications, 1970) 54-70. An excellent historical introduction with illustrations.
- Radke, C. A. A Labyrinth Pilgrimage: A Pilgrim Journey to the Foot of the Cross. Self-published: http://crosslabyrinth.com, 2009.
- Saward, Jeff (2003). “Chapter Three: Christianity and the Medieval Mind” in Labyrinths and Mazes of the World (New York: Lark Books) 80-117.
- Wright, Craig (2001). The Maze and the Warrior. Symbols in Architecture, Theology, and Music. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press.” …At virtually every turn the reader finds information of considerable interest not only for music historians but also for art historians, liturgists, church historians, and even the modern social historian. Wright makes the traversal of his maze a particularly enjoyable and illuminating experience.” Alejandro Enrique Planchart, University of California, Santa Barbara. Academic, not practical in nature.
Articles about the Christian Uses of Labyrinths
- Burton-Christie, Douglas. “Into the Labyrinth: Walking the Way of Wisdom.” Weavings: A Journal of the Christian Spiritual Life XII, no. 4 (July/August 1997): 20-28.
- Cannota, Judy. “The Labyrinth: Praying Psalm 139.” Weavings XVII, no. 3 (2003). The author moves through Psalm 139 and relates the concepts to praying the labyrinth. JKHG.Coffey, Kathy (Jan.-Feb. 1995). “Labyrinth Prayer.” Praying (64): 20. “Modern people reclaiming this tradition are discovering in the labyrinth’s archetypal paths the sacred nature of their daily steps.” Page 20.
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Landon, Michael. “Chapter 8: Walking With Our Loved Ones in the Labyrinth.” Grieving Hearts in Worship: A Ministry Resource. (Bloomington, Indiana: Author House, 2012) 181-212.
- O’Roark, Mary Ann. “A Walk through Time.” Guideposts 54, no. 7 (September 1999): 40-43. A personal account of the author’s experience with the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth.
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Radke, C. A. A Labyrinth Pilgrimage: A Pilgrim Journey to the Foot of the Cross. Self-published: http://crosslabyrinth.com, 2009.
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Saward, Jeff (2003). “Chapter Three: Christianity and the Medieval Mind” in Labyrinths and Mazes of the World (New York: Lark Books) pp.80-117.
- Thompkins, Elizabeth. “Body Prayer! Walking the Labyrinth.” Grace: A Companion for Women on Their Spiritual Journey 2, no. 2 (March/April 1999): 23-26. Describes a wedding in a labyrinth. Also a basic, broad introduction to the labyrinth.
Bibliography/Bibliographie related to the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth