I am writing this from Historic Bok Sanctuary in Lake Wales, Florida, USA.
The name aptly describes this beautiful combination of God’s beauty and human art. It was completed in 1929 and presented as a gift to the American people by Edward Bok. Before he left his native Netherlands to come to the United States, his wise grandmother had encouraged him: “Make you the world a bit more beautiful and better because you have been in it.”
And that he did. Historic Bok Sanctuary is a Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr-designed garden and 205-foot Gothic and art deco Carillon Tower — one of the best loved places for a spiritual renewal in Florida.
The land is ancient, the gardens are from a by-gone era and it has earned its name as a Florida Higher Place.
The silence quickly fills my soul while sitting or walking through the Bok Sanctuary. After a day at the Sanctuary, it feels as if I have been away a week. The age and beauty of this place has a lot to do with that I think.
While the gardens are super, it is the time sitting on a wooden bench along the Pine Ridge Trail — a nearly desert-looking untouched area of the Lake Wales Ridge in the Sanctuary that brings me closest to the silence and to God.
It may seem odd to have cactus in Florida, but the ecosystem has plenty and they were in bloom today. As is God’s peace..
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Blogging from Bok by Benedictine Oblate
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Hebrews 13 (King James Version)
ReplyDelete1Let brotherly love continue.
2Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
You might like to hear this beautiful music although you may have listened to it many times already I don't know but here is the URL TO listen
www.imeem.com/hrhb/music/T-hzyZnf/saint_benedicts_monks_brazil_spiritus_domini/
www.imeem.com/hrhb/music/T-hzyZnf
ReplyDelete/saint_benedicts_monk
Sorry I PUT A BREAK IN THIS TIME SO THE WHOLE URL for the music WILL DISPLAY .The last post was partial I think .
Thanks for the link. I listened to the music -- it is wonderful. In fact, I am listening to it now, and will keep it playing as I begin the Vigils divine office now.
ReplyDeletePeace to your heart.