My Celtic Pilgrimage September 2024
For twenty years Monica Brown and Hilary Musgrave have been leading a Celtic Pilgrimage from County Carlow, Ireland and this year I was one of the fortunate pilgrims to enjoy this unique experience.
The Brigidine conference centre in Tullow was our base. The setting there is peaceful and serene with a small stream flowing through bush walks with places for rest and reflection.
Hilary outlined for the essence of Celtic spirituality. The Celts came to Ireland in 500 BC and with lively song and dance celebrated the seasons and the elements, Summer-fire, Autumn- water, Winter-earth, Spring-air. They honoured the gods who blessed them, Boann the goddess of Water, Aonghus the god of love, Danu the mother goddess, Brigid the goddess of healing and fertility.
Being People of passion and joy the enthusiasm for their faith resulted in many monastic communities, countless saints, and innumerable missionaries dedicated to the spread of the gospel. Through times of oppression and darkness their Celtic spirit never died.
We visited sacred shrines, creative Celtic crosses, ancient portals, abandoned monasteries and holy wells. We were immersed in Irish history, prayer, stories, song and music. We visited places of Celtic interest like Glendalough, Kildare, to hear St Brigid’s story and be blessed with the waters of Brigid’s well, Jerpoint Abbey, Newhaven, Boyne Valley, Tara Hill, where we relit St Patrick’s fire, the one he lit in defiance of the King!! Each day began with prayer and ended in symbolic ritual and reflection. The bus trips were quiet times as we absorbed the beauty of the countryside and the day’s pilgrimage.
It was all amazing and being interspersed with Monica’s songs and Hilary’s reflections made it a rich and revered experience…one to ponder. Monica Brown and Hilary Musgrave have led these Celtic Pilgrimages for twenty years. This was their last but they continue to share their music and Celtic Spirituality which are available at Emmaus Productions Australia.
Sr Barbara Henley
Pilgrim’s of 2024 prayer.
The Divine is all around Us
The Divine is all around us in the tenderness of our gathering
the listening ear of our heart the compassionate cry of the deer
the giftedness of our ancestors the freedom to express our faith
In the monastic mystery that blesses us, the courage and humanity of Brigid the wisdom and faith of Patrick, the solitude and silence of Kevin
In the beauty all around, of colours emerald green and gold, pastures rich and fertile. In the joy of being together, the fun of ceol and craic, friendships celebrated with gratitude for the sacred in one another
Indeed, The Divine is all around Us