We invite everyone in our school community to practice espacio during special times as a means to prepare our hearts for the new life of Jesus' resurrection.  The time of espacio is 3:00 to 3:05 p.m. daily.  It is suggested that people gently close their eyes and sit relaxed and alert to the silence.

While espacio literally means "space" in Spanish, in the context of prayer, espacio means making space and time for God. At the 2000 General Chapter of the Society of the Sacred Heart held in Amiens, France, the term espacio was used to refer to a time of quiet taken by the RSCJ community in the midst of the busyness of an international gathering.  It allowed people to make space and time for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

The practice has a symbolic as well as a practical meaning because the contemplative foundation of Sacred Heart spirituality is acknowledged as the source which gives meaning and purpose to all activity. As the 2008 General Chapter in Lima, Peru reinforced, the community's spirituality remains "wholly contemplative; wholly apostolic."  The Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill community is using the term espacio during Lent to refer to a time when everyone on campus pauses in the midst of the busyness for five minutes of silent prayer.