For the teachers at St. Anthony School in Florence, the soothing sound of a fountain’s trickling water now welcomes them each morning with the promise of a calm and perhaps even harmonious day.

For parents of children attending the school, the carline just got more scenic and peaceful as they are reminded of the importance of faith, driving right by the garden each time they drop off or pick up children from school.

For parishioners of the church, the school’s new prayer garden symbolizes a beacon of light and hope for the precious children of their parish.

But most of all, for the children of St. Anthony School, the new prayer garden is a quiet spot to reflect on their prayers and the love that God has for each of them. The new prayer space is more than a garden. It’s a safe spot to live out one’s faith and pray in tranquility with the natural beauty of God’s creation.

The idea for an on-campus prayer garden was first presented in November 2022 by the school’s advisory board for Catholic identity. The board is tasked with making the St. Anthony’s Catholic traditions more visible. The campus needed some sprucing up, but more than that, the board wanted children to have an outdoor place to reflect on their prayers, a calm space that they could help create, care for and of which they could feel proud. The garden was completed in October this year.

The school’s prayer garden features many different perennials that students can replace as the seasons change. The garden also gives students a chance to feature their school houses, along with giving the students lessons in gardening and peaceful outdoor prayer.

The house system at St. Anthony, which serves K3 through eighth grade, places students into four groups — it’s a bit like Hogwarts, only Catholic. Sts. Paul, John Bosco, Jude and Joan of Arc are the pillars of the four houses, where students hone their leadership skills and develop teamwork and cooperation. There are student leaders voted in by their peers in each house who organize house meetings.

Kristine Galemmo, principal at St. Anthony, said that students in the different houses form a bond and develop a sense of community. That’s where the idea came from that a statue of each saint-patron of the houses would adorn the four corners of the prayer garden. It was accepted with open arms.

“Seeing each saint in a corner of the prayer garden allows our house system to be external to the public,” Galemmo said.

Father JohnBosco Duraisamy, pastor, said the garden stands as a testament to the four houses within the school.

“These saints, with their unique qualities and attributes, serve as role models for our students, guiding them on their spiritual journeys,” he explained.

Another focal point of the garden is the statue of Jesus praying, which Galemmo said represents children walking in the footsteps of Jesus.

Development and construction of the garden included many dedicated volunteers. Galemmo said that Tim Davis, board chair for Catholic identity, was the person who fostered and nurtured the garden from concept to completion. Hannah Davis, one of the teachers, designed it; Doug Amon, a parent, donated his expertise in brick and stone laying; and Tim King, a parishioner, consulted on plants.

Funds were raised through a Student House Walk-a-thon, plus awarded monies from St. Anthony Men’s Club and Women’s Guild, Knights of Columbus and many parishioners, parents and from the school’s annual auction.

Charbel Seif, kindergartener at St. Anthony, was asked why it was important for the school to have a prayer garden. “So God can make us healthy, strong and to grow. It makes me happy because I can pray here.”

Alex Finianos, an eighth grader, said the school needed a prayer garden “so that students could pray in silence. Some students might be going through something, so peace and quiet would mean a lot to them. In addition, people who may find it hard to speak to God can speak to him in this garden. It is also very beautiful!

“As I enter the prayer garden, I almost immediately feel calm,” he added. “Looking at the statues of the saints, I can also feel God’s presence. If I wanted to pray, I could definitely speak to the saints, as if they were right there. It proves that tranquility and peace emerge from the most simple things.”

Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS, visited the prayer garden during the confirmation ceremony at St. Anthony Church on Oct. 14. It was on that day that he gave it his blessing.

“The prayer garden is a place where our students, teachers and staff can come to seek solace, find inspiration and connect with the divine,” Father John Bosco concluded. “May it continue to bless our students, parents and all those who visit with its profound spiritual significance.”