The beginning of a spiritual journey emerges from an act of the imagination, a recognition that the reality in which we are living transcends the physical world we inhabit. Conceiving a broader sense of existence gives us a new freedom to act unimpeded by the restraints we once experienced. However, this act of faith does not completely free us from the restraints of the physical world or conventional society. Instead, it awakens us to our capacity to build a new reality within and eventually beyond those boundaries.
We may find our inspiration for this leap of faith from many different sources, especially religious writers who teach us the truth of our existence. However, if we do not have in our minds and in our hearts a tangible model of how to live and behave in this expanded world, we may find ourselves emotionally and spiritually exhausted by our efforts to build this new reality around us.
One exemplary demonstration of the capacity of Christianity to transform the society around its lives in the Celtic Christian traditions which emerged in the British Isles as the western most provinces of the Roman Empire dissolved into chaos in the fifth century. In these turbulent realms, Christian missionaries ventured into the realms of modern-day Ireland, Scotland and Wales to create what have come to be known as "colonies of heaven", places in which Christian ideals and principles reshaped the lives of the people living in (and around) them.
Celtic Christian spiritual life was both a personal journey and a recognition of the social and cultural context in which faith is lived. Building upon a monastic approach to the spiritual life, Celtic Christians often developed very specific rules of behavior which emerged from their individual encounters with God. At the same time, these men and women were aware of the broader world in which they lived. This fostered a vibrant approach to faith which linked personal intimacy with God with practical considerations of broader social and cultural issues.
Reading, Prayer and Conversation
To better appreciate the vitality of this dynamic, you will be asked to prayerfully consider the personal spirituality of a single Celtic saint as well as the social and cultural perspectives associated with Celtic Spirituality in general. So, when you are ready, reflectively consider the following guided exercises:
“Nurturing the Courage of Pilgrims”
a prayerful reading of a book exploring the life and beliefs of Saint Ita of Killeedy as well as suggestions for reflection and scriptural prayer related to her spiritual vision. Nurturing the Courage of Pilgrims focuses on the personal spiritual vision of Saint Ita of Killeedy who, while leading a small community in southern Ireland, had a profound influence in the broader world through her fostering of some of the most significant saints of the ancient Celtic church.
To proceed to “Nurturing the Courage of Pilgrims”,
please click here.
“Exploring the Celtic Christian World”
a consideration of different aspects of Celtic spirituality in five conversations with luminary voices in the Celtic spiritual revival of the last few decades. "Exploring the Celtic Christian World" presents a series of ecumenical reflections on the vision and achievements of the early Celtic churches which sought to live the Gospels in places where their vision of love and community often stood in stark contrast to the world around them.
To proceed to “Exploring the Celtic Christian World”,
please click here.
Note: You may choose to listen to these conversations (and consider the reflection questions for them) after completing Nurturing the Courage of Pilgrims, but it is highly recommended that you intersperse your considerations of these conversations with your personal reflections on Saint Ita and her spiritual vision. This will allow you to consider both the personal and the societal implications of Celtic Christian thought at the same time so that these two strands may interweave with one another in a manner much like the interweaving of cords and Celtic art, integrating your personal prayer with your calling to serve others as you build colonies of heaven in your own life.
This offers two possible paths through these conversations: spacing them evenly across your considerations of Nurturing the Courage of Pilgrims or devoting a a single sequence of days to your reflections on the conversations. If you integrate these conversations into your prayerful journey through the book, it is recommended that you commit one of your daily prayer periods to listening to the conversation and another to reflecting on the questions associated with that conversation (creating two-day breaks in your considerations of Nurturing the Courage of Pilgrims). On the other hand, if you consider these conversations after completing the exercises in the book, you should devote yourself to reflecting on each conversation over two days in a unified sequence of ten days.
Review
After completing these activities, you should consider your encounters with the beliefs and practices of Celtic Christianity. You will find it helpful to review your notes and reflect on the topics and issues which spoke most strongly to you, capturing your imagination or offering insights into your own life or the world around you.
To proceed to these considerations, please click here.
For Further Reflection and Study
If you want to explore the topics and themes of this part of the program in greater depth, you should consult the writings of the individuals who participated in the conversations in “Exploring the Celtic Christian World” as well as the works of Esther de Waal, Noel Dermot O’Donoghue, John O’Donohue, and Edward Sellner.
For additional suggested readings prepared on A4,
please click here.
For additional suggested readings prepared on US Letterhead,
please click here.
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