Laudato Si’ Week 2021
Adventure, faith and nature are connected in archdiocese’s Outdoor Sacred Spaces
Julie Reyes and her daughter Ana celebrated “Mother-Daughter Day” together on May 1 at Camp Rancho Framasa in Brown County by visiting the camp’s new grotto to the Blessed Mother. The Catholic Youth Organization camp is one of the outdoor sacred spaces in the archdiocese that offers visitors fun places to explore, beautiful settings and opportunities to grow in faith. (Submitted photo)
(Editor’s note: Pope Francis has proclaimed May 16-24 as ‘Laudato Si’ Week 2021. The week is dedicated to the “celebration of the great progress the whole Church has made on its journey to ecological conversion” since the pope’s 2015 encyclical, “Laudato Si’: On Care of Our Common Home.” The package of stories in this issue of The Criterion features the bold and grassroots efforts that some parishes in the archdiocese have made toward care of the environment, opportunities that connect faith and nature for individuals and families, and fun, easy tips for making the world a better place to live.)
By John Shaughnessy
As Julie Reyes put together the list of “Outdoor Sacred Spaces” in the archdiocese, the mother of two small children had a revelation that these sites would be wonderful places for families to visit.
“I was immediately thinking of families during the pandemic,” says Reyes, a member of the archdiocese’s Creation Care Commission. “As a family, we would often go to the Children’s Museum or the Indianapolis Zoo. I never thought about going to Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House or the EcoLab at Marian University [both in Indianapolis].
“When we started putting together this list, I thought families are going to love it. Then I started sharing it with people around my age, and they said, ‘This is great. I didn’t know these places existed.’ ”
For the 38-year-old Reyes, the list of sacred places across central and southern Indiana offers a trinity of terrific qualities: They’re fun places to explore, they reveal the beauty of God’s creation, and they also offer opportunities to learn more about the Catholic faith.
“You get to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, and you can learn about our sacred traditions, the saints, new prayers and devotions, and connect with God in a new way,” says Reyes, a member of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.
“We also knew finding ways to engage children in faith activities can be challenging, and the archdiocese has such a variety of great sacred outdoor spaces.”
So far, Reyes has explored Marian’s EcoLab, the grounds of Fatima Retreat House and Camp Rancho Framasa in Brown County with her daughters, Ana, 5, and Carmen, 3.
“When we were at Fatima, they really enjoyed themselves. We had lunch there, prayed and enjoyed the quiet and peaceful time together. On the way to the EcoLab, we talked about St. Francis. They found a beaver habitat there. They wanted to see it with their own eyes. They love being outside.”
She’s also looking forward to taking her girls to the White Violet Center for Eco-Justice on the campus of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in St. Mary-of-the-Woods. The center, which is home to alpacas and an organic garden, focuses on environmental education.
For Reyes, the list of sacred spaces reflects one of the main goals of Pope Francis’ encyclical, “Laudato Si’: On Care of Our Common Home.”
“Our actions today are going to affect future generations,” she says. “It’s hard not to look at your kids and not think about that. This has put in perspective that what I do isn’t just impacting the present, it’s also impacting the future.”
Here is a list of 10 of the “Outdoor Sacred Spaces” in the archdiocese, including some of their main features as recorded on their websites:
Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove
The nearly 50 acres of this monastery of the Sisters of St. Benedict features an outdoor replica of the prayer labyrinth of the Chartres Cathedral in France and a 3-acre Peace and Nature Garden.
Marian University in Indianapolis
The campus is home to the 75-acre Nina Mason Pulliam EcoLab, a habitat with more than 3 miles of trails. The EcoLab also features a Blessed Mother Mary Shrine and Rosary Walk.
Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House in Indianapolis
With 13 wooded acres, this refuge features trails, a prayer labyrinth, Stations of the Cross and a Rosary Walk and Prayer Garden. Shrines to Our Lady of Fatima and the Holy Family are also highlights.
The Woods in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
The home of the Sisters of Providence near Terre Haute features a replica Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, St. Anne Shell Chapel and the White Violet Center for Eco-Justice.
Oldenburg Franciscan Center in Oldenburg
The grounds of the Sisters of St. Francis provide a scenic walking tour of shrines and the sisters’ cemetery. Michaela Farm offers more opportunities to connect with God in nature.
Camp Rancho Framasa in Brown County
Hiking trails and a grotto to the Blessed Mother are among the features of this 297-acre camp in the rolling hills of southern Indiana that serves children, adults and families for scheduled stays throughout the year.
Mother of the Redeemer Retreat Center in Bloomington
Known locally as “The Farm,” the retreat center’s hilly grounds offer a haven of peace and prayer, including a Seven Sorrows of Mary Path, a Rosary Walk and Stations of the Cross.
Saint Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad
The archabbey offers paths through woods that lead to a number of shrines and sculptures. The shrine of Our Lady of Monte Cassino is surrounded by trees and scenic views, with a prayer garden nearby.
Mount St. Francis in Mt. St. Francis
The home of the Conventual Franciscan Friars sits on 400 acres with woods, nearly 10 miles of walking trails and a 17-acre lake. The grounds also feature a park, a prayer labyrinth and a meditation path.
Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand (Evansville Diocese)
Known as the “Castle on the Hill,” the monastery is surrounded by spectacular views from its hilltop location. The monastery grounds include a prayer labyrinth, Lourdes Shrine and flower-bordered paths. †
See more Laudato Si’ Week 2021 coverage
