Places for Prayer

Having never been to Rome, I have not had the privilege of visiting the Basilica of St. Mary Major. My research tells me that it is one of the four major churches in Rome, a patriarchal cathedral, the largest church in the world that honors Mary, the mother of God. Originally built in 313, it was restored and redecorated in 431, and redecorated and embellished over the years. It contains a relic of the manger of Jesus, the bones of St. Jerome, as well as numerous religious signs, pictures, and emblems. It sounds to me like a very inspiring place to sit and pray.
 
Today’s liturgy celebrates the dedication of this basilica. A suggested first reading (Revelations 21:1-5a) would be so fitting to mull over whether or not we are able to sit in this beautiful house of God.
 

 
While that particular reading is very uplifting and hope-inspiring, it brought a little smile to my face because there has been something new for me recently: a new place to pray. Instead of a special spot in a room inside my house or a certain pew in my parish church, my front porch has recently afforded a pleasant area to visit with God who dwells with me. My pew is a webbed aluminum collapsible (hopefully not while I am in it) chair. It may not be the quietest place I could find, but it is comfortable and familiar. People may walk by, but not to stop and have long conversations. Birds’ songs often accompany my prayer. Soft breezes might add a calm atmosphere. Who knows? I might inspire some passerby to say a few prayers too.
 
Matthew’s Gospel (6:6) suggests that when we pray, we should go into our room and shut the door. In the Acts of the Apostles (10:9), Peter went up on the roof to pray. In Acts 16:13, there was a place of prayer by a riverside. Jesus went out to a mountain to pray (Luke 6:12) and to a deserted place while it was still dark (Mark 1:35.) We can safely conclude that there are many available places to pray—just so long as we are faithful and fervent in our prayer time. We might inconspicuously bless our prayer spot with a little sprinkle of holy water. We could have our Bible, rosary beads, prayer books, and any other helpful resources in a bag, readily accessible.
 
I am sure all of us for months have had our daily routines disrupted. I know I am home a lot more than I used to be. I have formed a few new habits. It is so important not to misplace the good habit of prayer. In my prayer place on my porch, for a little while each day, I can mindfully put myself in the presence in my Lord. And especially today, I can pray and thank holy Mary again for her selfless giving of herself to be Jesus’ mother and now our Blessed Mother, too.
 
Resources: franciscanmedia.org; mycatholic.life
 
Sharon Krause is a RENEW volunteer whose writing has appeared in several resources for small-group faith sharing. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Manchester, Connecticut. Over the years, she has served in many parish ministries
 
Scripture passages are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.