Carved wooden birds, a crucifix, and photos of Greg Lewis’ mother, now 102, and his father, who died when the artist was 10, transforms a tabletop into something beautiful and meaningful for Lewis. (Courtesy Greg Lewis)
Carved wooden birds, a crucifix, and photos of Greg Lewis’ mother, now 102, and his father, who died when the artist was 10, transforms a tabletop into something beautiful and meaningful for Lewis. (Courtesy Greg Lewis)
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Portland-based liturgical artist Greg Lewis, creator of the Risen Christ outdoor murals at Our Lady of Peace Retreat House, the design chapel furnishings at Providence Milwaukie Hospital and the chapel stained glass window at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, has a new mission. He is encouraging people to set up a sacred space in their homes. “Large or small, it can become a personal sign and symbol of our own spiritual identity,” he writes in an essay: “A Sacred Space in the Home: Making it Personal.”

Lewis refers back to the ancient Israelites, who gathered around Moses’ Tabernacle, “a portable sanctuary” for the tribes of Israel.

“And now in present day, where are we encamped?” he asks. “In our homes.”

While noting Catholics are returning to worship in their parish churches, Lewis believes people also benefit from personal sacred places of spiritual rest. “A place of order, focus, prayer,” he explains.

He offers four questions for those thinking about beginning such a project.

1) What was your earliest memory of a sacred space, and how did you feel in it?

2) If you could create a sacred space for yourself today, where would it be?

3) What personal signs and symbols of your faith would you put in it?

4) What roadblocks — perhaps not having the space, time, money or energy — are in your way?

Lewis points out that a sacred space can range from a space as small as the top of a dresser to one as large as a part of the garden, a repurposed closet or even an entire spare bedroom.

He says that even when we’re not using our space, knowing it’s there can be centering, a reminder of God’s love.

For more:

greglewisstudios.net