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For many years, the outdoor labyrinth at the CSA Motherhouse invited countless pilgrims to walk a sacred path of reflection, prayer, discernment, and renewal. With each step, visitors experienced the ancient wisdom of the labyrinth—a journey inward, a journey outward, and a reminder that life itself unfolds through unexpected turns, pauses, and new beginnings.

As seasons change, so too do the ways we journey. While the outdoor labyrinth has completed its chapter in our shared story, the spirit of the labyrinth continues to accompany us in a new form.
Created from clay drawn from the earth and adorned with the colors of nature, handcrafted finger labyrinths are emerging as portable companions for contemplation and prayer. These small labyrinths carry within them the same invitation as their larger predecessor: to slow down, become present, and trust the path before us.

Just as our lives continually evolve, so do our sacred practices. The transition from a walkable labyrinth to a hand-held one reminds us that spiritual journeys are not tied to a single place. The path can be found wherever we are—in moments of solitude, in times of transition, and in the ordinary rhythms of daily life.

These new finger labyrinths will find homes throughout our community, including the hermitages, the Motherhouse, and our retirement center, offering opportunities for reflection and prayer across generations and life stages. They will be available to sisters, associates, visitors, and seekers who wish to engage in this timeless spiritual practice.

The creation and use of these labyrinths also reflect a spirit of inclusion. Drawing upon the wisdom and contemplative traditions of many faiths, they invite people of diverse spiritual backgrounds to experience the universal practice of mindful journeying. Whether used for prayer, meditation, reflection, or quiet presence, the labyrinth remains a symbol of our shared human search for meaning, connection, and peace.

Though the path beneath our feet may change, the invitation remains the same: to trust the journey, embrace transformation, and discover that every ending holds the promise of a new beginning.

About the Labyrinths

The finger labyrinths were created by Kate and Tony Lake, owners of Misty Morning Crafts. Dusty Krikau, our Director of Mission Advancement, referred us to this small business, which is owned by friends of hers who have done custom work for her in the past. Tony and Kate were excited to take on the new challenge of creating labyrinths.

Working with 14” wide circles of flat clay does not initially sound difficult, but as Tony shared with us, “Flat things can be cranky [in the kiln] when they aren’t the same thickness everywhere.”

To create the labyrinths, Tony modeled and 3-D printed the labyrinth design and the CSA wordmark. The disc of wet clay was dusted with cornstarch, so the labyrinth stamp would release easily. After stamping, Tony traced the path of the labyrinth to remove clay and then deepened and softened the grooves with wet fingers. Then, the CSA stamp was pressed into the clay near the “entry” point. Each labyrinth was air dried for a full week before the first firing in the kiln. Once cooled, the pieces were glazed in colors designed to recall water, foliage, and flowers, and then fired again. Finally, Tony inspected each piece for any sharp edges and gently sanded them down to ensure a smooth experience.

Just as labyrinths remind us that life itself unfolds through unexpected turns, pauses, and new beginnings, the journey of creating them was meandering. The initial outreach to Misty Morning Crafts took place on February 9, 2026. Generating the pattern, testing the prototype, and finally creating the six labyrinths was a slow meditative process that required patience and attention. During the final few days, Tony shared how enjoyable and spirit-filled he found the experience by highlighting the wide range of spiritualities that will come together when these labyrinths are used: An agnostic Jewish-practicing employee of CSA (Dusty) created an artistic connection to her Buddhist friend (Tony) who was learning about therapeutic shamanism throughout the time he spent creating meditation tools for use by Catholic sisters and people of all faiths in hermitages designed for spiritual retreat. The pieces arrived exactly four months after the process began on June 9, 2026.

We are grateful to Misty Morning Crafts for their thoughtful and quality work on this sacred project.