Overview

When Christianity came to Ireland, they embraced the faith with incredible vigor. "Celtic Christian Spirituality: Essential Writings -- Annotated & Explained" discusses the faith of the Celtic Christians and how their fervency played well into their everyday life and spirituality. Drawing from many of their writings studied well by Mary Earle, "Celtic Christian Spirituality" is a very much recommended read for anyone who wants to better understand the spirituality of the Celts and their haste in embracing Christianity.(Library Bookwatch2011-09-01)"Our lifelong pilgrimage is an invitation to gaze silently and steadily at present circumstances, watching for God's presence and guidance" (74). Who better to companion us in this pilgrimage than those men and women who journeyed “for the love of Christ,” the Celtic saints of ancient Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, and their spiritual descendants of more recent times? Thanks to the careful selection of their sayings and writings made by spiritual director Mary C. Earle, we can be confident that our journey will lead to that place of wholeness and blessing the Celts called their “place of resurrection.”Earle, an Episcopal priest, first discovered the tradition of Celtic Christian prayer many years ago through a book given her by a mentor toward the end of her seminary training. The effect was transformative: “The aridity that too much speculative theology and doctrinal wrangling had created within me began to dissipate. A sense of faith, living and true, strong and robust, playful and forthright, came through these prayers” (1). It is clear that for Earle, these texts do more than illustrate aspects of the Celtic Christian tradition, one of her stated purposes in compiling this anthology. Even more important, these writings have been selected for their capacity to provoke reflection and prayer as well as lead to deepening desire for personal and communal transformation.The sources range from the fifth-century writings of Saints Patrick and Pelagius, through the ninth-century teachings of John Scotus Eriugena, to the famous nineteenth-century collection of Hebridean prayers known as the Carmina Gadelica, and finally to the more contemporary writings of J. Philip Newell and John O’Donohue. Other lesser-known or anonymous voices are also included. Earle makes no claim to originality, drawing instead from previously published versions of these texts. Her contribution lies in the selection, organization, and annotation of what she terms modestly a “place to begin" (16). The reader is guided through the major emphases of the Celtic tradition in eight sections of the book: creation, prayer, incarnation, daily life and work, soul friends, pilgrimage, social justice, and blessing as a way of life. Each section is given a brief but illuminating introduction that sets the texts in context and points to their relevance for modern pilgrims.The longest section is devoted to creation, the emphasis for which the Celts are best known, and it includes such treasures as Pelagius’s Letter to an Elderly Friend, where he reminds his reader to “remember that all love comes from God; so when our love is directed towards an animal or even a tree, we are participating in the fullness of God’s love.” In “The Mass of the Grove,” a fourteenth-century poet likens the trilling of a bird to “An unfaltering reading to the people / Of the gospel without haste” (29). Indeed, it is savoring, rather than haste, which is the response Celtic Christian Spirituality will evoke in its readers.Perhaps the most moving passage for me was at the book’s end, where John O’Donoghue, the Irish poet who has written about anam cara (soul friendship), utters a blessing that echoes what many spiritual directors desire for themselves, as well as those they companion on the pilgrimage of life.(Spiritual Directors International2011-11-05)Mary C. Earle is an Episcopal priest, retreat leader, and spiritual director. She is the author of many books including The Desert Mothers: Spiritual Practices from the Women of the Wilderness. She has offered retreats and classes on the Celtic Christian tradition for more than 20 years in seminary, conference, and national settings.In the introduction, Earle makes reference to some of the themes that shine through the essential writings of Celtic Christians: attention and care for all creation; the gift of seeing God as present in everyday activities; and an emphasis on the practices of love, faith, and hope. Like the other volumes in the SkyLight Illuminations series, a text appears on one page and notes and commentaries are on the facing page.Here is wonderful material by Saint Patrick of Ireland, Pelagius, John Scotus Eriugena, George MacLeod of the Iona Community, John Philip Newell, and John O'Donohue. There are also selections from The Carmina Gadelica, a six-volume collection of poems, hymns, songs, and incantations compiled by Andrew Carmichael around the end of the nineteenth century. This paperback is divided into seven thematic sections:1. Creation2. Prayer3. Incarnation4. Daily Life and Work5. Soul Friends6. Pilgrimage7. Social JusticeWe close with a quotation from Pelagius in A Letter to an Elderly Friend:"Yet we should remember that all love comes from God; so when our love is directed towards an animal or even a tree, we are participating in the fullness of God's love."(Frederic and Mary Ann BrussatSpirituality & Practice)Mary C. Earle has offered retreats and classes on the Celtic Christian tradition for more than 20 years in seminary, conference and national settings.In this collection of passages from a variety of sources, she explains and notes some of the themes in the writings of these avid believers: the gift of seeing God as present in everyday activities such as tending to the fire in one's home, taking care while doing chores, and being sure to glorify God at the beginning and at the end of the day.Here is an example: "In the morning light, O God, may I glimpse again your image deep within me, the threads of eternal glory woven into the fabric of every man and woman" (from John Philip Newell, 21st-century Celtic practitioner).Another practice of these early Christians was to lavish attention and care on the natural world. And the third duty of a Celtic Christian was to walk the talk of love, faith and hope.There are many selections from the "Carmina Gadelica," a six-volume collection of poems, hymns and songs compiled by Andrew Carmichael around the end of the 19th century. Here's to you, dear reader: "God's blessing be yours/and well may it befall you" (SkyLight Paths).(Frederic and Mary Ann BrussatThe Lutheran Magazine2011-11-01)"With uncanny grace and deftness … [weaves] the soul-wrenching beauty of Celtic spirituality and the joy of contextual understanding into a seamless and deeply satisfying whole. The result, like the biblical Psalter itself, is a loving companion for all the times and seasons of our lives.—Phyllis Tickle, compiler,The Divine Hours“A poetic feast [led by] a wise soul friend, expertly guiding us through the meaning of the words so we might claim their meaning for our lives today…. Illuminating and luminous, insightful and grace-filled. I highly recommend this book!"—Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, author,Lectio Divina—The Sacred Art: Transforming Words and Images into Heart-Centered PrayerandThe Artist's Rule“With a poet’s eye, a pastor’s heart and a scholar’s erudition, makes [verse, prayer and praise] accessible and pertinent within both a contemporary and historical context…. Wonderful.”—Alice Peck, editor,Bread, Body, Spirit: Finding the Sacred in FoodandNext to Godliness: Finding the Sacred in Housekeeping“Recommended ... for anyone who wants to better understand the spirituality of the Celts and their haste in embracing Christianity.”Library Bookwatch“Thoughtfully selects and soulfully discusses Celtic works with wisdom…. I found myself reminded over and over again of the grace and beauty of creation through these lovely prayers and poems.”Greg Garrett, author,The Other Jesus; professor of English, Baylor University“A gift to all spiritual seekers…. [Makes] the wisdom of the Celtic spiritual tradition easily accessible. Read this collection slowly, allowing the rhythms to touch your soul.”—Rev. Jane E. Vennard, author,Praying with Body and Soul“Those who have come to appreciate the genius of Celtic Christianity will especially welcome this collection…. A delightful work!”Timothy J. Joyce, OSB, author,Celtic Christianity: A Sacred Tradition, A Vision of Hope“A deep well of inspiration and information for thirsty twenty-first-century pilgrims…. A trustworthy guide along the way.”Steven Purcell, director, Laity Lodge