The ancient path of Celtic Spirituality, rooted in the 6th century, still guides our footprints in the third millennium of the Christian era. In our time of extinction the Earth is calling us back to heal the air, the water and the land that life in our common home may be restored to its original dignity. Celtic Spirituality is a way of being and seeing and responding, as we listen to the divine heartbeat in all things. It calls us to a relationship that is intimate and reciprocal where the concept of universal communion is the ultimate human achievement.

The spirituality of Celtic people continues to call us to the primal rooting and it strikes a chord with pilgrims everywhere. The early tribes focused on the seasonal rhythms of the natural world and in this heartbeat they found the Sacred Presence. In our time when the earth looks threatened and trampled a reawakening of God is Everywhere, points the way to healing and new life.

Many writers have identified four major themes in Celtic spirituality, namely,

Pilgrimage

Immanent Presence of God

Monasticism and Community

Symbolism through Art

In pilgrimage the outward journey facilitated the inner encounter. On the journey the presence of God was experienced in the design and beauty of all things natural. The thin places refer to the places where the connection was felt and where, in the wonder and awe of creation, visible and invisible worlds were seen as one. Our Celtic ancestors had a natural leaning towards community. They understood and yearned for oneness and this was expressed in monastic communities where religious and laity lived and worshipped together. These characteristics of a people in search of God found deep and lasting representation in art forms that depict the relationship and holiness connecting everyone and everything.

In this time when consumerism blurs the pathway, there is a call-back to walk gently on the earth, to listen to the heartbeat and to reconnect with the spiritual pulse sustaining all life.