The Celts 2

The Farne Islands, once a place of Celtic pilgrimage, is bleak enough in the summer. In winter it must be harsh in the extreme. Nearby are the rocks from which Grace Darling and her father, in 1838, rescued nine passengers and crew from a shipwreck and brought them to safety. I have seen the 21 ft. open rowing boat that was used and I marvelled just how such a slender young woman could handle such a craft in a storm

One of my posts was about Celtic Christianity. I tried to drive away some popular misconceptions.

Now for the positive. When the original Celts migrated from Ireland, through Scotland, finally arriving in the north east of England in about the middle of the seventh century, they found the land still in the grip of paganism and pagan worship. With great faith and courage and determination they decided to go on a mission to bring England back to its Christian heritage. Travelling by foot, they would approach a tribal leader and boldly and courageously urge him to embrace the gospel and get rid of all forms of paganism. Many large scale people movements took place. Their apostolic journeys are amazing considering the primitive condition of the roads at that period. Columbine, travelling mainly on foot, reached Austria and Switzerland.

The Celts had a high doctrine of creation. This world was not some inanimate, evolving machine, nor was it a simple vale of tears; it was alive with the creative action and providence of God. He was the master

of the winds and the waves and the sea.

There is a fascinating passage in Bede. Mentioning how some of the saints seemed to have power over the very forces of nature, he goes on to say, "We , on the other hand, often lose that dominion over creation, that is ours by right, through neglecting to serve its Creator". They undoubtedly saw and expected many healings and amazing providences

There is one instructive story from Bede's Life of Cuthbert. The monks were hoping to bring several boat-loads of wood back to the monastery, when the wind veered and carried the boats out to sea. The local peasants mocked their prayers, shouting out, " They have done away with the old ways (pagan worship) and nobody knows what to do." But Cuthbert continued to intercede on his knees. The wind suddenly changed and brought the boats safely back into the Tyne. The peasants were suitably impressed and spread the news of the event.

Another thing that impresses you when you read these small biographies is the care taken of the poor and the marginalised. Their leaders encouraged a heart and life of compassion. Cuthbert, when he retired to the bleak fastnesses of the Farne Islands, found that his primitive abode became a place of pilgrimage. Many came from great distances. Bede writes, "No one left unconsoled, no one had to carry the burdens he came with. Spirits that were chilled with sadness he could warm back to hope again with a pious word."

Another facet of their lives was their keen perception that the church faced a subtle and determined enemy. There are a lot of stories of spiritual battles concerning people and places. They were very conscious of the wiles of the enemy. It is instructive to read of the famous Celtic prayers of protection, the most famous of which is Patrick's Breastplate. Many Christians, including myself, do not take this matter seriously, trusting in a sort of carnal self-confidence, so popular in this age addicted to positive thinking. Mini disasters often occur.

Here is a Celtic prayer that will give you a flavour of the spirituality.

The arms of God be around my shoulders,

The touch of the Holy Spirit upon my head,

The sign of Christ's cross upon my forehead,

The sound of the Holy Spirit in my ears,

The fragrance of the Holy spirit in my nostrils,

The vision of heaven's company in my eyes,

The conversation of heaven's company on my lips,

The work of God's church in my hands,

The service of God and my neighbour in my feet,

A home for god in my heart,

And to God, the father of all, my entire being.

(Lorica of St Fursa)

My advice to those interested in this subject is simple.

Avoid, first of all, the many books about the Celts and go to the translations that are available of the original documents. "The Age of Bede" by Penguin books is an excellent one to start with.