Significant Places – Worksheet
A. Mullally
From the following list, tick the places that are special to you:
The Beach
A Park
A River
My Friend’s House
School
A Church
The Shops
A Lake
The Mosque
The Garden
A Museum
A Coffee Shop
My Relation’s House
A Mountain Walk
My bedroom
Other
Pick your top three significant places and give reasons why they are special
My first significant place:
My second significant place:
My third significant place:
Sacred Places
There is a difference between special places and sacred places. A special place can be
somewhere you love to visit like the lake near your house or your best friend's house.
Sacred places are usually associated with holy people, with prophets, with saints, with
gurus, with the location of visions or healing events. They are places that help us to look
at life differently, places where people can encounter God.
Examples of such places are Mecca; Mount Athos, Greece; Glendalough, Co. Wicklow
or St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
Different kinds of Sacred Places
1. Places of Historical Sacredness
These are places associated with holy people. It could be the birthplace of a
religion or founder of a religion, for example Bethlehem or Mecca. Other
sacred places could be the home or burial place of a holy person.
In Ireland holy wells or nature areas were dedicated to a saint, for example
St. Bridget's Well in Clondalkin or Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo. Can you
think of any others?
2. Sacred Buildings
These are places like mosques, churches or temples, all built by human
hands with the intention of creating a place of worship and prayer. Can you
name any?
Questions
1. Names three sacred spaces you
know.
2. Why do you think people visit
these sacred spaces?