St.
Patrick was called to return to the place of his slavery, St. Ninian
called to evangelize the Scots of Galloway, and St. Brendan called to
cast off in his small boat and end up in Iceland bringing the light of
Christ to the Norse. St. Columba, too, was forced to move by evil
circumstance, leaving the monasteries he had established in northern
Ireland for a rocky, yew-covered isle we call Iona.
The
Celtic monks called their peregrinations the "White
Martyrdom". White, because their blood was not shed (though that
could and did happen), and martyrdom, because they had to leave their
beloved home. Their belief was that the spiritual journey of our lives
demands both outward and inward wandering, often not knowing where God
will lead. The Celts had wandered all across Europe before landing on
its western fringes. They knew what it meant to pick up your feet and
go. It is said that St. Aidan progressed around his diocese on foot,
never on horseback except in case of emergency. When you travel afoot,
you see the land, the sky, the water, and the people.
We are
not meant to travel alone but in companionship and in community.
Everyone requires a special friend, what the Irish and Scots called a
"soul friend" or anam cara, to help us in our spiritual
journey. In ancient times, it was not necessary or even usual for the
anam cara to be a priest or someone "more spiritual" than
oneself. Rather, this was a relationship in which spiritual insights,
growth, and difficulties were shared with honesty and good advice both
taken and given. Sometimes, a soul friend is required to take harsh
action to keep us on the true path. St. Brigid reputedly said, "a
person without a soul friend is like a body without a head."
Since
the ties of kinship and community are very strong among the Gaels, not
much happens in their close-knit agricultural communities that is not
seen (and commented upon!) by other eyes. When someone's in trouble or
needs help, family is right there. For Celtic Christians are no
prigs, and felt the pleasures the good Lord has given to us should be
enjoyed freely and often. Here is a great sentiment attributed to St.
Brigid that well expresses the Gaelic view of God's provision:
I
would like to have the men of Heaven in my own house:
With vats of good cheer laid out for them.
I would like to have the three Marys, their fame is so great.
I would like people from every corner of Heaven.
I would like them to be cheerful in their drinking,
I would like to have Jesus too here amongst them.
I would like a great lake of beer for the King of Kings,
I would like to be watching Heaven's family, drinking it through all
eternity.
Irish
and Scots monasteries were communities (townships) which had to defend
themselves and sometimes even warred amongst themselves. Courage and physical
prowess have always been highly prized among the Celts.
Love
for learning and a meticulous recording of both Irish myth and the
classic Greek and Latin texts have given the Irish/Scots the
well-deserved accolade of "saviors of civilization" during
the so-called Dark Ages (the golden age of Celtic Christianity). The
Book of Kells and the Lindisfarne Gospels are the prime examples of
this achievement.
When
the druid religion gave way before Christianity, many elements of
druid belief were incorporated into the Celtic Christian worldview.
One of the most significant is the belief in the Otherworld - the
place where our spirit flies and the place where the faeries live. For
the druids, the line between worlds was thin and the Otherworld was as
real as the one we physically inhabit.
This
notion was incorporated into Celtic Christianity in a very beautiful
way. As we've said, community is vital to the Gaels. But community
doesn't begin or end with those who are presently living amongst us.
Rather, our relationships span all time and space, making the saints
who've gone before completely accessible to us -- willing to care, to
share and to guide in a very real and personal way.
In
Celtic spirituality we are never alone in our journey, but have ever-present
and immanent support from angels and saints, and most especially from
Mary, Mother of God. Celtic culture has always respected the wisdom of
women. It is said that St. Brigid counseled kings and ruled as abbess
over men and women both. While many monks and nuns chose celibacy, it
was not required and many priests married (at least prior to Roman
ascendancy). Also, many laymen and laywomen lived in monastic
communities, their dedication and spiritual contributions recognized
and respected.
The
Celtic peoples live on the fringes of the world. In the early
centuries of the first millennium the western world was awash in war
and chaos and civilization seemed to retreat to the distant environs
of Byzantium far, far away. Yet, a small trickle of simply robed men
appeared, first two Britons, Ninian going to Galloway in southern
Scotland, and then Patrick returning to northern Ireland. From Ireland
the trickle grew, sending men like Columba, Aidan, Brendan, Columbian,
and many more. With dusty feet and a few companions, these men walked
the paths of Scotland, northern England, France, Switzerland, Germany,
Italy, and as far away as Iceland, ministering to the poor,
establishing monasteries, spreading education, preserving knowledge,
and being Christ in this world.
Most
did not know where they were headed when their journey began, nor what
hardships they might endure along the way. They traveled light,
trusting in providence to provide for their needs and trusting God to
take them where they were to go. It is the pilgrimage itself that
defines who we are; the journey is the purifying fire. God alone
determines where, when, and how that journey ends. What we offer to
God is our willingness to step out onto the path and start
walking.
Additional
comments:
Some of
the characteristics of Celtic Christianity discussed here include
community, spiritual friendship, life as a pilgrimage (and actual
pilgrimage), family loyalty, the intimate communion of saints both
living and dead, the immanence of the spiritual world, the goodness of
nature, hospitality, and contentment in simplicity. There are many
others, as well, most particularly contemplation. If these ideas speak
to your heart, the books listed here should give you a good start in
making more of your spiritual journey.
http://www.heartoscotland.com/Categories/CelticChristianity.htm
