"Popularized in Catholic churches across 14th century Europe, the word sanctuary refers to a holy" -- CeCe Burger, 8th grade
“Sanctuary to me means somewhere you feel safe to be yourself and exist in,” says AJ Morales, 8th grader at Oakland School for the Arts,. Popularized in Catholic churches across 14th century Europe, the word sanctuary refers to a holy, sacred place or worship. The word is described as a “consecrated place, building set apart for holy worship; holy or sacred object."
A sanctuary today can be described as a place of protection and safety. But sanctuaries don’t always have to be places, “I go and talk to my mom because I feel safe enough to share things with her. She is like a sanctuary to me,” expresses Morales. She says after a long day at school she likes to come home and reset her social battery. Some things that can help with that are taking a nap, eating good food, or when she’s ready talking to her mom.
Family and friends are very important to Morales. She says she finds herself going back to them constantly. “Every single day when I get in the car to go home I tell my mom all about my day, how I feel and overall how everything went–and she just listens, which really helps because I can let all of my emotions out.”
Everyone’s idea of sanctuary is different, but the meaning will always be reduced to a holy place of comfort or reflection.
A sanctuary today can be described as a place of protection and safety. But sanctuaries don’t always have to be places, “I go and talk to my mom because I feel safe enough to share things with her. She is like a sanctuary to me,” expresses Morales. She says after a long day at school she likes to come home and reset her social battery. Some things that can help with that are taking a nap, eating good food, or when she’s ready talking to her mom.
Family and friends are very important to Morales. She says she finds herself going back to them constantly. “Every single day when I get in the car to go home I tell my mom all about my day, how I feel and overall how everything went–and she just listens, which really helps because I can let all of my emotions out.”
Everyone’s idea of sanctuary is different, but the meaning will always be reduced to a holy place of comfort or reflection.
