My Sacred Space

A Visual Gallery

My Sacred Space features 100 original photos and descriptions submitted by young people ages 13 to 25 depicting the spaces they consider sacred – places, objects, or moments that capture a sense of wonder, awe, gratitude, deep truth, and/or interconnectedness. Springtide Ambassadors curated this gallery from the various submissions we received.

As our research found in The State of Religion & Young People 2023: Exploring the Sacred, young people are having sacred moments often outside of traditional gathering spaces. We encourage viewers to reflect on the stories and images here, and consider how and where they can help cultivate a sacred sensibility with the young people in their sphere.

Special thanks to Linda Badami, who created and conceived of My Anonymous Church – a photographic inventory of spiritual spaces – the inspiration and model for My Sacred Space.

It was one afternoon when my mom came and picked me up from an afterschool club and when I walked outside the school, I was greeted with a beautiful sunset, the one in the picture. Although I have many other sunsets and sunrise pictures, I felt like this was the best one yet. It was very calm and there was no chaos. But unfortunately after a couple of pictures and just adoring the sunset, it was time to go home. So my mom and I walked into the train station and left. This picture is definitely my sacred space.

This space is a photo I took of the dance studio I work in. This is my sacred space. This is my area to release my emotions, be creative, connect with others, let go of my worries, and fulfill my passion for movement.

This is a photo of a sunset on the beach. This photo is sacred to me because my grandmother was very religious and she loved sunsets so that's why i chose this photo

The photo I submitted is a photo of orange bows. Even though they don’t look like much they have a lot of meaning. The photo was taken at my friend’s funeral. I find this image sacred because she was someone who always spread love and happiness. She was someone who I always have and always will hold close to my heart. After she passed, anything orange that might not be seen every day (such as a butterfly or an orange flower) reminds me of her and it reminds me that she was everything but ordinary.

This place is sacred to me because it is peaceful and calming and I don’t get distracted and I feel at ease when I am in my room because I can just have my music playing in the background and just relax and lie down and rest my mind since it thinks a lot during the day.

There is a trail that loops around this beautiful park near my house. I frequently bike through here listening to music, admiring the golden sun, feeling the lyrics and melodies resonate through the beautiful earth around me. It is a deeply immersive, enthralling, healing, and life-giving experience. Lately, I’ve been enjoying playing a slowed-down cover of "Electric Feel" sung by Henry Green and "Floating" by Khalid.

Music in an ensemble is the place where I am my most creative, most vulnerable, and most 1connected with those around me.

My bed is sacred to me because that is where I pray most of the time and I feel that it is my safe space.

A lake upstate is my spot to be in peace and silence and to be in touch with my thoughts. I never realized how thoroughly I could speak to God when it's just me in the middle of a lake with nobody around to listen or watch and him watching me from the cotton candy skies reflecting onto the water. I'm able to tell him about my biggest worries or my worst and best emotions straight from my soul. This lake holds my happiest memories and it holds my tears. I'm so grateful to have it as my sacred space.

This photo is sacred to me because it reminds me of God's power and love. The leaves on the branches remind me of his creation and how important it is to the earth, the animals, and to us. We use those plants for medication and oxygen and animals use it for their homes. The bridge reminds me of Jesus being fully human and fully divine. He bridges the gap between mortal men and immortal God. He does what we can't do, like heal those who are hurt physically.

The birds in the photo are from when we first got them. Ever since I was a child I have had a love for animals. I want to give them a better life in whatever way I can at first they were like close friends but when I was on vacation one of them had sadly escaped from the cage. Ever since that day I made it my duty to protect the birds from anything I also have started to put on music in my room so they can be lively when I get back. That is why they are sacred .

This photo is sacred to me because it's in my family's hometown of Guasave, Sinaloa. This photo was taken when I went for the first time. The sunset was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen and it always reminds me of the memory of dancing with my aunts, swimming with my cousins in the warm waters, and being able to enjoy a fresh coconut.

I have always found the ocean peaceful but when I came across this lighthouse on the pier, I felt immediate tranquility. I sat there for hours listening to the soothing sounds of the waves and watching the sky fade into darkness. I felt a sort of freedom when I sat there. I just felt peace as if all my anxieties were washed away by the ocean waves. I've never felt that level of tranquility before, and it was just special. It gave me time to just think. I could think about the good and bad, and let everything go.

This photo was taken place on a beach in Puerto Rico. My sacred space is in nature. My sacred space is the beach because it’s relaxing and beautiful. Regardless of the time, the beach is always so pretty and the sound of the ocean is very calming. Whenever I feel stressed I think about the beach and it helps me relax and think about the positives that are in my life. When I’m at the beach it helps me center my thoughts. These are some of the reasons why the beach is my sacred space.

My sacred space is the beach at night. There is something very peaceful to me about the serenity from the scene and the only thing you can hear is the waves lightly crashing. It is also beautiful to see the moonlight reflecting off the ocean. The beach at night is my sacred space because I can enjoy the silence by myself and reflect upon whatever may be troubling me.

This photo was taken by me at a beach in Portugal. I love the beach and how calm the waves are. It is so peaceful and such a nice place to sit and think to myself. Every time I am at a beach I think of the story where it talks about walking in the sand by yourself but seeing two sets of footprints. It reminds me that I am never alone but instead I am always with God.

This is the ground where I played my cricket championship. Cricket is a sport that I am extremely passionate about. Whenever I am on the cricket field, any stress turns into a calm, relaxing feeling where I feel like I belong. It provides me with a good break to reflect while I am doing something I enjoy.

My photo is a picture of a sunset and it’s sacred to me because I think of the universe and all the universe is capable of and how I was made here.

The Lord reveals his nearness to me every time I visit this place. He is a beautiful creator, and He reveals his faithfulness every evening with the setting of the sun. Beautiful sunsets like this are a reminder of His grace and mercy.

This space is sacred to me because it was a moment when the world around me seemed so quiet. I love it when I can just be by myself, with my music in my ears, without anybody bothering me and just enjoying and noticing the world around me. I have an eye for noticing the simple things and when I do, it is when I am most scared. The sky/sunsets are also one of my favorite things.

This photo is of a greenway I love to walk my dog, Lucy. It is sacred to me because it allows me to appreciate nature and observe God's creation. I try to make sure to take in these moments with Lucy since she’s elderly and I’m not sure how much time we have left together.

God is the most incredible painter.

It is a photo of my school’s theatre. I did a show for them last year, and every morning it is always so quiet. I go in there and I can remember the memories from the show I did. It’s comforting to me.

A space that I find sacred is my backyard. Nature, the breeze, the water, and animals surround me. I am serene in my environment and feel extremely calm. I feel God when I am in my yard because I see the beauty he has created. The beautiful sunset, the trees, the ducks in the water, and more. God created all of this beauty and I am forever grateful for it. It is extremely peaceful and calm in my yard. I am able to collect my thoughts and breathe freely.

This is my dog, Gizmo. This picture is sacred to me because she was the best dog ever and was always there with me during the hard times I had in life, and it was always like she was protecting me, and I can still feel that same way even today.

I am a practicing Catholic, but I chose not to use a photo taken in a church or of any devotional items because I think our spiritual lives are cultivated in our daily lives—faith traditions, if we choose to adopt one, are the lenses through which we interpret the spiritual. Sacred experiences come from a posture of openness, the willingness to have your breath taken away by everyday moments. This is a photo of such a moment, a sunset from the balcony of my apartment, where I paused, paid attention, and experienced a graced moment because of that.

This is my porch, and I sometimes sit outside here. I’m there with nature and I close my eyes and listen to the sounds around me. Nature is part of God's creations so I feel close to him when I am in nature.

My sacred space is my dance studio. This picture is a picture of the view from my dance studio. The dance studio has always been a special place to me even since I was younger. My dance studio is a place where I feel free. I can go there and let all of my emotions out and let go of everything. My specific dance studio will always be what I consider my sacred space because it will always hold such a special place in my heart.

This photo is one of my favorite sacred spaces since it is one of my houses located in PA. I feel like it is one of my favorite sacred places since my dad always brought us there and always made it feel like home. My dad did pass away a while ago and ever since he has we keep this favorite place of his very close to us. I feel like it is a pleasure just going there reminiscing how he always made it feel fun and adventurous.

Whenever I am outside I love exploring nature and taking walks to take in the beauty around me. This is my sacred space because we are surrounded by God's Creation and being outside helps me see that and have that connection.

The view outside my kitchen window is my sacred place. I find this place to be my sacred place because whenever I want, I can go look at the calming view of the clouds and the places around me. It is a beautiful view during the day and at night. I find looking outside at the world the most calming thing to me. When I look outside I feel the wind and the sun and it helps me feel at peace.

The beach, specifically in Cape Cod during sunset, is a place that is most sacred to me. It is a place where I feel most at peace, and I forget about my problems that are in the back of my mind. I am not stressed when I am there, I just listen to the water that hits the rocks and appreciate God's creation.

I feel most sacred when I am at the beach. My favorite time of the day is either during the sunset or sunrise. When I am at the beach at one of those times whether I am in the ocean or sitting in the sand that's when I feel most sacred. Where my house is I am able to walk down to the beach in five minutes. Sometimes I’ll wake up early so I can walk down to the beach during sunrise so I can take pictures or just sit there.

In this photo, it is my dog, Apollo. In the photo, he is just happy to play with a ball in his mouth. While I am happy to see him happy. This moment is sacred to me because of the feeling of friendship. The bond between us is special, no one can replace it. I feel as though even if I were to be alone, I always have him by my side. Just his presence is enough to keep me out of my darkness. Just like how God looks over me, I feel that I look over and love him.

I took this photo when I went to Vermont in October of 2021. I go every year on Columbus Day weekend and it is an experience that I will never take for granted. The picture is a beautiful view of the mountains that I get to see. This is my sacred place because it allows me to truly take everything in.

This place is where I feel safe and happy. I went to China on a trip to visit my grandparents after 4 years. I enjoyed this place over everywhere else I went to because it had the least amount of people and the lights made me feel calm and at peace. There were some amazing moments there and it is a sacred space to me.

This photo was taken by me this summer at the beach. I had just come out of the ocean and walked to the lighthouse. I sat on the rocks that were piled together and just relaxed. I was covered in salt from the ocean and was probably sunburned, but it was so calming. I didn't have to worry about school or work at all. I loved every second of it.

This photo was taken on the Polish-Slovakian mountain border when I went hiking during my summer break, and it shows the Polish side of the border. This photo shows a sacred space because of the peacefulness accompanied by it. I find religion to be something of comfort and stability, and I feel like this image is a representation of that. It is a place to feel calm and connect with yourself truly.

I spend the most time in my room, and take great care in making it a space in which I am comfortable and calm. I put effort into decorating it into something I’m proud of and happy to see when entering. I try to depict a certain feeling or emotion through the use of lighting, decor, or music, etc.

This photo is sacred to me not only because of the aesthetic but because of the calmness and joy a place like the beach gives me. growing up I was never a big beach person but as I grew up I grew closer to the beach and will forever love and cherish the memories I have there with friends and family. I also believe the beach has the best sunsets that our past relatives bring to us. Not only do I love the ocean, the memories and the feeling it allows me to connect with loved ones from my past.

The lake with my family and friends is very scared and special to me. It is a place that is very relaxing and I can let all my worries go.

I submitted a picture of the lake because it’s a place where I go often and I really find peace there. I love to pray on the dock by the water while watching the sunsets.

My dog is my sacred place mainly because I was struggling a lot with mental health and other issues, and when I got him, he helped me so much. It took us a while to get to know each other because I didn’t want to spook him because he was really shy. Since I’ve had him, he’s helped me so much. He lets my play with his fur and staring into his beautiful green eyes calms me down.

My photo is one Sunday that me and my mom went to church. This is my sacred place because this is the place I feel closest to God and where I can pray with very little distractions.

Places are made sacred by the people you share them with. This is a vista from Monte Subasio in Assisi, Italy. It reminds me of a hike I did with a friend there, and more generally of a time in my life when I felt free and more connected to others having the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, all walks of life, every day!

My sacred place is Rockaway Beach, my hometown. This place is sacred because I know that I can go there anytime I feel stressed, I need to think, or if I just want to be with my friends and family. The beach is a safe and sacred space for me forever.

I've been growing my own plants since kindergarten, including those ones in that pot. As I watched how these plants developed and eventually perished, I was able to experience the mysteries of life and death. It began like my faith did, as a sprout. When neglected, my faith slowly died, just like those plants did and vice versa. Those plants have served as a kind of metaphor for who I am. My spiritual journey took different turns with each sprout. From the sound foundations of the past to the present, these plants will always hold inherent sacred value to me.

My sacred space is just in nature especially in sunsets.

I feel safe here because it’s in Europe across the sea and away from all of my work and stuff like that. I put this photo because I felt when I was in Italy it was safe, protected, and fI feel safe here because it’s in Europe across the sea and away from all of my work and stuff like that. I put this photo because I felt when I was in Italy it was safe, protected, and free of all of my worries. The beach is so calming in Italy too.ree of all of my worries. The beach is so calming in Italy too.

Nature is a time I feel most connected to God. I feel connected with God because I can reflect on my day and the days before. It’s also a time of relaxation from all stress, which I believe God wants us to have.

My photo is my dog, Brando. Brando is most sacred to me because he shows me love and care. When I'm feeling down he is always there to pick me right back up. Brando will always have a special place in my heart.

The softball field to me is sacred because I find peace when I play.

This photo is from a concert I attended recently. Live music is something that is sacred to me. Music combines emotion, community, and harmony into one cohesive event. Music is something that can be experienced on a personal level as well as with others. Music helps me to find peace within the world, and live music events are a culmination of this peace and connection with others.

My sacred space is in the sunset by my house. I find the colors of a sunset really calming, as they remind me of my dog who passed away over a year ago. I would walk my dog, Mia, every day around seven or eight o’clock, and on our walks, we would see the sunset. I looked forward to those walks, as they were peaceful and it would just be me and my dog. Now, even though she is gone, I still watch the sunset at the end of the day and it reminds me of our great times together.

The photo that I chose that represents a sacred space to me is the field. I chose this because I pray during my games to do well and it helps me relax and stay calm.

The beach is sacred to me because it allows me to find peace. I sit there most days and reflect or just sit in silence to enjoy some quiet time. It’s a beautiful place to be and the water allows me to feel connected to many people and places.

I grew up staring at this beach, but it means so much more now than it did the first time.

I find God’s creation sacred. I personally really enjoy being in nature, and I know God made nature and our world for us to enjoy.

I would describe the sky as my sacred space because it allows me to be able to live in the present and not have to think about the problems going on in today's society. The sky represents a sense of peace as well as the concept of being free. It gives me the opportunity to go anywhere in the world at any time that I want. It is one of God's most beautiful creations.

This is a picture of the Vatican in Rome, Italy, and I definitely experienced the sacred there. When I visited the Vatican I got to see and pray at the Sistine Chapel. Also, there were the bodies of many popes which reminded me of how ancient and religious the Vatican country is. From my point of view, it was fascinating seeing the artwork of artists such as Michelangelo that have been there for many years. My favorite painting was a picture of Jesus, as you walked past it, it looked like his eyes were following mine. It was very nice.

State Park in Door County, WI. Only sound I can hear is the waves crashing on the rocks and it silences everything else in my mind.

I chose my Smokey Quartz crystal because in holds a lot of good energy. When I hold the crystal I feel good.

This photo shows my sacred place, which is the beach. The beach is my sacred place because it allows me to stop and relax. When I relax, I can reflect on my life and my relationship with God.

A sunset is one of my sacred spaces. It makes me feel at peace and especially when its beautiful it makes me believe that those that I have lost in my life are up in heaven and make a beautiful sunset because of how beautiful they are and that they are still with me. It is in nature, an outside space where you can see wherever you walk at a certain time. It is something I can't hold physically but I can hold mentally. I can hold it in my mind of a peaceful image that I can keep.

I chose Disney because I always feel comfortable to be myself and feel like a kid again.

My favorite park, where I go to read, take walks, and think. It is sacred to me because I can always find peace here and a break from all the noise.

In this photo, I am at a Rangers game in New York. It is my sacred space because I am with others that like the same team as me, and I go with my dad. We have a great time and my voice is gone by the end of the game. If I did not have a good day at school I come home and turn on the Rangers game and watch it with my dad. We went to so many last year and I was happy because I was in the place where my favorite hockey team was playing.

I chose my prayer mat because it's the place where I feel most connected with God. After I am done praying I feel relief knowing my Lord is with me and is still with me guiding me every step I take.

This place is where I start my quiet time every morning. I look at God’s beauty and then in His word to see further beauty.

I've always been fascinated by history; going to this old fort educated me greatly. Looking through a window into old times creates a surreal feeling, even if it's just looking out onto the water in the distance. It makes me feel connected to reality, like I've found my peace. Even if this fort has been unused for decades, walking around and seeing the conditions and being educated uplifts me.

This a is a photo taken in my church. This is a sacred space to me because anytime I go in the building I can feel at peace and not worry about anything else that is happening in the world. When I am in this place I can live in the moment and not worry about the future or the past.

My sacred place is my music corner. Music makes me feel closer to God, so being in a place where music is, is beautiful to me.

This is a picture of me and my sister's names carved into the sidewalk of my old house. Every few years this slab of sidewalk would have to be replaced because it would always crack either from storms or just bad weather. When we first moved into the house in 2012 we started this tradition. It ended when we moved in 2021 and our names are still on the sidewalk, immortalizing the bond that we share.

The photo I chose is the New York City skyline at night off of the Gowanus Highway. Nothing fills me with more peace and comfort than coming home after a long night, and the skyline saying goodnight to me. I feel God's safety and comfort in that view and it is something the whole world should see. The pure joy I feel is immeasurable and incomparable to anything other than being at peace. That peace is something I accredit to God. Without Him, I wouldn't be at peace, and without Him, there would be nothing to cause that feeling.

My sacred place is the beach. It brings me peace and calms me down whenever I need it. When I need guidance of some sort I sit by the shore and listen to God's callings. Whenever I need help I find myself hearing him in peace at the beach. Everything negative leaves my mind and it gives me time to think about the positive things in life. I love the warm sand and swimming in the ocean relieving all my stress from the days prior. I feel connected spiritually when I am there. God helps me reground there.

The reason why this photo is sacred to me is because this was taken in Greece. I love everything in Greece, the land, islands, weather, and everything else. It’s like home to me to always come back every summer. I never wanna leave when I’m in Greece.

My photo that I would describe as my sacred space is my dog. I find that he is sacred because he is always there to support me emotionally. I hold him dear to me because I got him unexpectedly, my parents surprised me with him and I have always wanted a dog. When I was going through a rough time in my life he was always there for me to put a smile on my face.

This lake near my childhood home is a special place to me, where I’ve often gone to pray and reflect.

This photo is sacred to me because the beach is where I go to just have fun and forget about my problems. I love the sun and I love the ocean. The beach is so relaxing to me and I feel like it's the perfect place to go to clear my head and be happy.

The Taylor Swift concert is my sacred space because ever since I was a little girl, I’ve admired Taylor and her songs. As I grew up, I was able to understand her songs more than I used to, and relate them back to my own life. I value this in an artist because even though she isn’t speaking directly to me, it feels like she is because of her lyricism, and being able to sing along to the songs that are personal to me with Taylor in person is something so special to me.

The photo is a picture of a sunset in Rockaway Beach. This is a sacred place to me because this is my home. I feel safe here and it makes me feel happy.

This picture shows my sacred space since whenever I see the sunset it gives me hope and comfort that God is always there for me.

The lake makes me feel calm.

I just needed to stop by the farm and bring hay to their pasture. But thirty minutes later, I still found myself sitting with them. This happens a lot for me—there’s something sacred about spending time with unrestrained horses in an open environment. They’re big, powerful, and beautiful, yet they allow me to join their space. And they accept me there, nudging me, leaving hay in my hair, searching my pockets for treats. They’re occupied but not inundated. They’re peaceful. They help me to slow down, recognize my connection to other living things, and appreciate life.

The photo shows a rainbow. Rainbows are very beautiful and only happen in specific circumstances. I chose to have a rainbow because it's such a happy and calming thing to watch happen.

Two stuffed animals, one is mine the other is my friend’s. We made them hug each other. It just feels sacred because it’s two things we love and they’re posed in a way that shows that love.

I took this photo when I was at a mountaintop botanical garden in Nice, France. It was a perfect day, and I remember feeling at peace. There were statues of women all over the garden with short poems accompanying them. The quote with this statue was “I know not where I was born but here is where I live now.” I felt calm when I was exploring this small paradise. This day was a gift from God.

I find a body of water so sacred and special. It’s a place where I can relax and reconnect to the earth.

My sacred space is the beach at sunset. Though it is an arguably big space and something I do not own, the beach at sunset is where I feel the most at peace. I get to relax after everyone begins to leave, sit on the lifeguard chair, and watch the waves crash while taking in the orange and pink sky. For a place to be sacred to me, it must make me feel at my calmest. And that is exactly what the beach at sunset does for me. Keeps me calm in a world of chaos.

The place where I find the sacred is at the beach. This place is in nature and I feel God’s presence there. I find this sacred because of the feeling of safety and calmness it gives me. I enjoy watching the waves crash and the sun set in beautiful colors. Everything about it reminds me of God: calm, safe, and magical.

The sky has always felt very sacred to me, specifically sunsets. Each sunset is unique, just like God created us. They are also like a beautiful gift at the end of each day that we get simply for making it through. We don’t have to complete an impossible task to get that gift either, just . . . make it through! They are a type of radiance that only God can achieve.

The white noise from the airplane, the open window and a book of interest brings me to the comforting space in my heart. No distractions and no rush. Time stands still as I await the descent onto the runway and the rush of life comes into play. While I was in the air, I felt as if I was, literally, on top of the world with my worries left in the clouds.

My sacred place is my summer camp Camp St. Paul. I've been coming to this camp since I was ten years old and it has become my second home. This place has given me my lifelong friends and memories I will never forget. Every time I return, I leave stronger in my faith. In the picture you can see a big white tent which is our chapel where we gather throughout the day. This place is sacred to me because it has taught me I can live a fun life while still having Christ at the center.

My photo shows a beach in Bridgetown, Barbados. Every year me and my family go to Barbados with our very close friends. This photo was taken last year while I was sitting on the beach. Usually, there would be a lot of people, full of excitement and children running around. That day was different. It was very quiet and only me and my friends were there. Barbados is what I look forward to every year to see my friends and be enveloped by my beautiful surroundings. The person in the water is my best friend. Barbados is my sacred space.

This photo was taken in Colorado after I had climbed the mountain in the pic. It was at night when the sun was setting and I was reminded of God’s goodness.

One place I feel sacred is at the top of the tree in my backyard. I've always loved climbing trees, and it is here that I feel the most centered and peaceful.

The photo is sacred to me because it shows two things that I love. NYC and the sunset. It brings me comfort of two things that I hold sacred to my heart, as well as a representative of my home city.

Rainbows are simply awe-inspiring natural phenomena that evoke a sense of wonder and reverence for the beauty of the natural world. I connect to nature and God in these moments because this was created and formed so beautifully by the Lord. Rainbows are symbols of hope, promise, or divine communication and they make me feel safe in the Lord and peaceful. The rainbow reminds me of Noah's Ark and is a sign of God's covenant with humanity. It represents the promise God made to us and shows that he hasn't forgotten us and is always in and around us.

In this photo, it is clear that the bright sun is shining in the sky. Lady Liberty is signifying the freedom that we have in this nation. This photo is sacred to me because the sky looks beautiful in this picture since the sun and clouds remind me of heaven. I imagine heaven is a beautiful place like this with rays of sun shining and lots of fluffy clouds above. The water looks peaceful as I believe heaven is. This photo puts me in a state of calm. I imagine God calmly looking down at the beauty he created.

This photo was taken when I was on vacation with my family in South Carolina. It is sacred to me because it resembles a time when I was able to spend time with my family and bond over our experiences. This was a sacred moment to me because throughout the whole year, we never got to spend time with each other because of work and school but at this moment we weren't worried about any of that, we were able to enjoy each other's presence without conflict.