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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 RNDM
