Goal 6 - Ecological Spirituality
This backpacking retreat through the beautiful Red River Gorge provides the space, quiet, and conversations for students to rediscover themselves and reconnect with God.
An annual 90-minute program that focuses on Ecological Spirituality through prayers, readings, reflection/discussion questions, a short video, a Franciscan contemplation exercise and suggested activities.
The garden was dedicated in October 2001 to the memory of campus administrator Joe Belle and others who died while they were students, faculty, or staff members at UD. Belle, who died in July 2000 after a fourteen-month battle with brain cancer, had envisioned a garden that would offer a contemplative place for students. He called it Mother Mary’s Sanctuary and had preliminary plans drawn that included a pine grove setting for uplifting the spirit, a water feature for reflection, intimate areas for private thoughts and a Mother Mary sculpture for inspiration. This garden was the vision of Joe Belle, whose caring and dedicated service to students we celebrate in its serenity.