Within the Catholic tradition of spirituality and mysticism, a person seeking a closer relationship with God eventually experiences a need to shed unnecessary burdens on life’s journey—ultimately to find communion with God within the very center of oneself. This kind of spiritual journey has long been symbolized in the Christian tradition by the labyrinth—a winding path that leads to a sacred center.

Now, thanks to the generosity of our supporters, the Sisters of Mercy have built a Mercy Labyrinth and Prayer Garden on our beautiful property in Hartsdale to provide this spiritual tool to our sisters, associates, friends, students and other visitors.

What is a Labyrinth?

A labyrinth’s circular walkway has one path leading to its center, a sacred place representative of the spiritual center within our own lives. Unlike a maze, which has many paths with dead ends meant to disrupt the journey, a labyrinth’s single path helps to lead you on your journey, freeing you to concentrate on quieting your mind through prayer or meditation.

Today’s labyrinths are modeled on the ancient paths worn into cathedral floors during the Middle Ages by faithful Christians, who were metaphorically walking in the footsteps of Jesus. In this day and age, people from all walks of faith use the labyrinth’s path as one of many tools to enhance prayer and personal growth.

The walk to the center represents a journey toward inner peace, wholeness, healing and connectedness. The path is winding, yet purposeful, and representative of the twists and turns within our own lives. Although everyone takes the same path to reach its sacred center, everyone’s metaphorical journey is personal and private.

Part of Our Ministry

In keeping with our pastoral ministry to help others along their spiritual journey, we feel compelled to facilitate the power of prayer. Our founder Catherine McAuley reminded us of the importance of prayer when she said, “We have one solid comfort amidst this tripping about: our hearts can always be in the same place—centered in God.”

We know that the journey to nurture a relationship with God within our lives can be challenging, and there are many of us who wish to find a special place where we can go to deepen our awareness of God. Our Mercy Labyrinth, which will be the centerpiece of a Prayer Garden, is our response to this need in our world today.

We invite our friends to come walk our Mercy Labyrinth and Prayer Garden as testimony to the belief that we can make our world more peaceful one person at a time.

It is our hope that by incorporating bricks with the names of your loved ones, our Prayer Garden will become a personally meaningful place for you—and one that you will visit often. If you are not able to visit, you will find comfort in knowing that your loved one’s name will forever be on the lips of our Sisters in prayer.

Gifts and Memorials

The Mercy Labyrinth opened to the public in fall 2005. Click here to read about our dedication ceremony. Gifts in support of the Labyrinth are gratefully accepted at:

Mercy Labyrinth Fund - 150 Ridge Road, Hartsdale, NY 10530.

You may wish to order a memorial brick or make a flower dedication to commemorate the life of a special person, whether living or deceased. These are wonderful remembrance gifts for weddings, graduations, christenings or anniversaries. Click here to visit our Gifts and Memorials page for more information.

To find out more about how you can leave a lasting legacy in our Prayer Garden, please call Kristina Papa Behar at (914) 328-3200 ext. 417, or download an order form. (click here to download PDF Order Form.)

Thank you to all who so generously support our Labyrinth and Prayer Garden!