Welcome into the Icon Chapel.
You are invited into a journey in prayer within this room.
Each wall depicting a part of the journey.
The Main Wall
The Main Wall
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God. John 1:1-2
The Celtic Saints
The Celtic Saints
We meet Celtic Saints, some of those who brought the Word alive into our tradition. From Patrick and Brigid to Columba Marmion of Dundrum.
Wall of Service
Wall of Service
We encounter those who modelled a life of living the Word
through their Service,
who modelled Being the Word.
Wall of Meditation
Wall of Meditation
We sit with some of those renowned for their life of
meditation and contemplation.
Meditation is an integral part of grounding ourselves in service.
Wall of The Gospel
Wall of the Gospel
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
What is an Icon?
The word icon simply means image. A religious icon is considered to be a soul window, an entrance into the presence of the Holy.
Icons serve as invitations to keep the eyes open while one prays. It is prayer to just look attentively at an icon and let God speak.
The profound beauty of an icon is gentle. It does not force its way. It asks for time spent before it in stillness….gazing. More importantly it invites the one praying to be gazed upon by it.
One is invited to enter into the icon and come closer to the Holy One portrayed. Icons are a reminder of God’s unconditional love.
To pray with icons, one needs to be comfortable, quiet and attentive. The process of lectio divina (Holy reading) can be used.
The key steps are:
- Ready – Sit comfortably and still the body. Focus on breathing.
- Look – Take time to look closely at the icon. What do you see?
- Look and reflect – What is the icon calling you to be? What is the message for you? What do you hear?
- Look and respond– Read the icon once more by gazing on it. Respond in prayer.
- Look and rest– let the image of the icon rest in your heart.
- Be – Give time for this to happen!!!
Adapted from an article on Catholic Identity, a service of Brisbane Catholic Education
