Reminders of the Holy...Roadside Prayer Shrines

Prayer Shrine near Bisbee, AZ

Little roadside prayer shrines.  We may drive past most of these without realizing they are there as we whiz down highways and back roads.  But if we do notice them and actually take the time to stop, look and listen to these little gems, we enter into another world.  

A couple of years ago I was driving in southern Arizona on a highway just north of the town of Bisbee.  I happened to notice a small, white structure, on the side of the road...a prayer shrine. 

I stopped for a look and snapped this photo.  As you can see, it is brick, painted white, has a locked gate and statue of the Lady of Guadalupe, flowers and candles.

I stood there by the shrine as cars whisked by.  In between the occasional car rushing by were moments of silence and the sounds of nature, birds, wind... in the high southern desert mountains of Arizona.  It was beautiful.  

As I stood there looking into the shrine, time seemed to slow down.  I wondered who built this?  Who maintains it?  But it really did not matter...for how nice it was there...

Prayer Shrine near Globe - Miami, AZ

Here is another prayer shrine on the Arizona road, near the towns of Miami and Globe.  This shrine is a little bigger and much more ornate with many pictures, candles, prayers, statues and so forth.  

And this little prayer shrine is near Tombstone, AZ. 

I know there are many more.  

What a gift they are.

Reminders of the Holy: Tiny Chapels

One of the many tiny backyard chapels of the Greek islands

How do you experience the Holy?

I confess, have always had a "thing" for tiny chapels.   And yes, although I do love cathedrals and other houses of prayer, tiny chapels hold a special place in my heart.

Have you ever found one of these little gems as you explored off the beaten path somewhere?  Teeny, tiny, cute...and very special!


When I visited the Greek islands many years ago, I was delighted to find many little chapels, most of them white with blue doors.  In fact, many houses had their own private little chapels in their backyards!


Now, for someone who has a thing for little chapels, I thought this was pretty cool.

Many of these chapels are no larger than the size of a large garden shed.   They maybe allow a maximum of perhaps six people inside.  Maybe ten if it is a larger tiny chapel. 


But size, numbers and 'heads in the pews' were not the point.  These are holy places, a place to rest and pray.  A quiet, peaceful place....to listen, and perhaps be alone... with God.

St Nikolaos Chapel, Mykonos

Wonderful reminders of the Holy in our busy, fast paced world.


This is St Nikolaos Chapel in Mykonos.  Notice it is right next to the water and boats.   St Nikolaos is the patron saint of Greece, and the protector of sailors.


Here are some photos of beautiful little chapels for you to enjoy.

Tiny chapel in town, Mykonos

Here (to the right) is a tiny chapel in town in Mykonos.  And yes it really does hold worship services, smells, bells, incense and all!

Tiny Roadside Chapel, Salome, Arizona

But let us not overlook our tiny chapels here in the USA.  In the American southwest, (my home) we may not have as many tiny chapels as Greece, but we do have some! 

Tiny Chapel near Yuma, A

Here is a photo of a tiny roadside chapel in Salome, Arizona.
 
And here is another tiny chapel near Yuma, Arizona.  I read a farmer built this in memory of his wife.   Unfortunately, I also read the chapel was damaged in a storm most recently.
And this little backyard chapel is just a few blocks from my home in Phoenix.  It is actually a monastery, the Holy Stavropegial Monastery of St. Anthony. 


There are so many ways to see, hear, taste and experience the Holy.  I know not everyone gets into little chapels like I do.  But I do know that each of us has that special something, whatever it may be.  


What is yours?

Modern Day Monk

Have you recently perused the classifieds and looked at what jobs are available ?   Notice a great many of them, in fact I would say the majority, say something like,  "must be able to work in a fast paced environment".

Have you ever noticed how we say certain words and phrases, as they are the thing to say, sometimes without even thinking about it?  For example, the big little phrase these days is "real quick".  Such as, "I just need to check this, real quick."   Or, "I just need to do this, real quick..."

Everything is "real quick", and "fast paced".  

It seems there just are no jobs out there if you want one with low stress,  a slower pace, with decent pay and not have to do things "real quick"!    I should add, for many careers, not having to work 80+ hours a week!

We have become adrenaline junkies, caffeine addicts, take massive amounts of vitamins and or supplements for energy, etc.  We have become a society that is driven, intense, workaholic, sleep deprived, vacation and rest deprived and deal with great amounts of stress.

All my life I have had fast paced jobs, have worked multitudes of hours every week, and have dealt with extreme stress, especially the past few years with family tragedies and global deployments.

Is it any wonder I got sick last year?

Well, I have been given the blessing of having my life again.

St. Benedict giving his "rule" (teachings) to his monks

And I do not want to work 80+ hours a week....I do not want to do things, or anything for that matter "real quick".  And I most certainly do not want to be in an intense, fast paced environment!

Eesh!

What if we said, "I just need to do this, real slow!"

And I will continue to look in the classifieds for a job ad that says, "must be able to work in a slow paced and relaxed environment!"

I think I will become a modern day monk!  

Join me, if you dare!