Do you have a “Thin Place”?

During the summer months, often with my dog Caesar, we go to the woods for our long walks. Over in the woods we have our favorite trails that we very much enjoy. I have to tell you that there are areas in the woods that honestly remind me of the old country, especially the woods over my parents’ village called Perhačka. As Caesar and I enjoy walking the trails I realize how our ancestors, founders of the GCU, felt when they arrived in this part of the country. It felt like being back home in staryj kraj.

These woods and mountains in Pennsylvania felt like what Celtic Christians have for centuries spoken of: “thin places.” What are these “thin places”? They are sacred places where the distinction between heaven and earth is “thin,” and God makes Himself known. Some of these places are just natural, given to us by God, and are revealed to us; many of these have been places of worship for thousands of years – others are created and set aside by us, children of God. Yes, the so called “thin places” are sacred places. In this busy 21st century where do you encounter God? Do you have a “thin place” in your life?

In our Byzantine Catholic Church during the Great Fast we have the opportunity to hear the fascinating stories from the Old Testament. One of them (Genesis 28: 10-18) is about the patriarch Jacob who, while on a journey, came to a certain location and spent the night there. He dreamed a dream and saw a vision of a ladder set up from heaven to earth and the angels of God ascending and descending upon it. God Himself appeared and there spoke to Jacob. What is fascinating is that when Jacob awoke, he spoke the following words: “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” The patriarch Jacob knew that God was there, it was a “thin place” for him. Later on in Byzantine theology, the story of Jacob’s ladder foreshadowed the Blessed Virgin Mary, who connected heaven and earth, by bringing forth the Son of God from her womb. Mary herself, foreshadows the Church, wherein heaven and earth are joined, and God is with us.

At the time this article will be published in the October GCU Magazine, crowds of Byzantine Catholics would have descended upon Washington D.C. to a Basilica dedicated to our Blessed Mother. A “thin place” in Washington D.C. suddenly became a place of thanksgiving for our faithful as we celebrate the Centennial Celebration of the Byzantine Catholic Church in the United States and the 50th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Byzantine-Ruthenian Chapel at the National Shrine. As we celebrate this milestone, we lift up to God, giver of all good things, our common prayers of thanksgiving for our Byzantine Catholic Church in the United States. Many generations of our faithful received their spiritual consolation and eternal life with God in our Byzantine Catholic Church. The GCU, since its very beginning, was an essential part of this historical journey.

The Byzantine Catholic pioneers came into this country with an enormous treasure. This treasure is our holy faith and with this faith, they built the most beautiful churches that became that “thin place” for many generations.

Now we certainly believe that the Church itself is the whole people of God, united in faith in union with our bishops. We know that the Church is not the buildings, and the glory of the Church is not in wealth, but according to its purpose – to create the best environment for prayer, to make different people – God’s people

So, do you have a “thin place” in your life? What we are called upon to do is to make our places, wherever they are, into thin places. For Caesar and I being in the woods is that one spot where we just feel super chill and at peace. For you it may be your porch, a park, or even your favorite coffee shop. These places are like your personal "God Zones" where you feel closer to God.

However, my friend, don’t forget and neglect attending your parish church! As we enter that “thin place” we are to be overwhelmed at the power of the place, because there is God! A holy place helps to make us fully human, to heal our humanity and to set us free. There’s just something about our churches. These “thin places” can make us be better, nobler, higher, truer, more beautiful.
Over a hundred years ago our ancestors and the GCU realized how important it is for us to have a “thin place” or that God Zone in our lives. Having that special spot where we can hang with God and other believers. Remember, your parish church can be a powerful God Zone where you encounter God and feel His presence. Don’t take this place or the people there for granted, they are our parish family. Come ready to hang out with God and invite others to join you.

If you are lacking that “thin place” or God Zone, start looking for one. You'll know it when you find it. And when you do, you'll experience the peace and joy that comes from hanging with God in your God Zone, experiencing that “thin place” that transforms our lives into temples for God.

As I write these words, our “thin place” St. Nicholas Chapel in Beaver, PA, at our GCU Home Office will welcome Fr. Anthony Costantino as the new administrator of our beautiful Chapel. Best wishes to Fr. Anthony as he began to serve at our St. Nicholas Chapel on Saturday, October 12. Liturgy will be every Saturday at 5 pm.

Fr. Anthony Costantino is a native of Canonsburg, PA. He was ordained a priest in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix in 2022. He spent seven years serving as a Franciscan on the Gila River Indian Reservation south of Phoenix Arizona as well as in inner-city Detroit. After departing from the Franciscan Order, he returned to the Pittsburgh area last year and began serving with the Byzantine Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. As of July 1st he has been assigned as administrator of St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church in Ambridge and St. George's Byzantine Catholic Church in Aliquippa. In addition to these assignments, he is excited to begin providing spiritual and pastoral care for the faithful of St. Nicholas Chapel in collaboration with Fr. Valerian Michlik, the spiritual director of the GCU.

Fr. Val Michlik | GCU Spiritual Advisor