Enders Island

There is a little island jutting off another little island (Mason’s Island)  just a causeway away from the towns of Stonington and Mystic here in Connecticut that is open to the public year round.  I’m surprised it’s taken me all these years to discover it, but here we are.   It is described as follows:  Enders Island is an 11-acre island off the coast of Mystic, Connecticut and the site of St. Edmund’s Retreat, an independently owned and operated Catholic Retreat Center. The ministry of Enders Island is dedicated to the work of spiritual care, recovery from addiction, and education in a variety of fine arts within the Christian tradition—both in-person and online.

Mom had cataract surgery last week and I had a few hours to spend during her procedure.  Enders was nearby so I went exploring this lovely, serene place. I had the place almost to myself and it was indeed a cold winter day, but the wind was gentle and the sight of it all was warming in a way that is hard to describe.  There are some memorials scattered about, I don’t know whether there are remains on the property or if these are just stone testaments to the love people had for them.  The little chapel at waterfront is full of messages and little gifts for the deceased who are dearly missed…

I’ll let the photos do the rest of the talking here…

This little chapel is obviously a place of great solace for many.

 

Standing out on the rocks in front of that little chapel, I felt the power and the calm of the sea, the air, the solid footing below me that has been there for eons.   There was the peace of the many souls who created and embelish this sanctuary,   the peace of those who visit this place along their journey, both among us and beyond…. a peace this weary soul needed.

Till soon, friends –