Weakness at the beginning of Lent
I am tired. I feel tired and afraid, with no control over anything. At my best moments, I realise that this is a gift – the gift of awareness, of truth. Because the truth is we are never in control … Read More
My ‘lesser’ versions: the ill, the weak and the mortal
I have seen people die. I have seen people suffer. I have seen the anguish in their eyes. Most times, it comes from a combination of fear of the weak beings they have become, and regret for the strong being … Read More
The hollow gaze of a beast
I am beginning to think that I am secretly a bear. I definitely have the social skills of one. I am as voluble as a bear during hibernation, and as attached to my room as a bear to its cave. … Read More
Someone’s asked in an email from where I get the strength to keep going
People are so beautiful it hurts. We all have this beauty in us, this otherworldly potential to be so much more than what we settle for. At times, this awareness is the only thing that makes sense of this senseless … Read More
One photograph
This is we, the pilgrims of last summer, praying on the beach of St Columba’s Bay on Iona. When I close my eyes and think back to 2015, this is the image that captures it best: a handful of people, … Read More
Waiting for Christ
This has been such a tough year – not only for so many of us, but for the world as a whole. Like never before, I long for Christ to come and turn this dust we are made of into … Read More
On the Feast Day of St Oran of Iona
I would have liked to write one more post about St Brendan’s Isle, mostly to show you the ruins of the sixth century church and monastery which we shall visit during our pilgrimages next summer. Since today we celebrate St … Read More
The Irish Cells on St Brendan’s Isle
There is something unique about St Brendan’s island, something I find very difficult to put into words, because I have no term of comparison. These Celtic Pilgrimages are filled with places of such spiritual strength that they can be overwhelming. … Read More
The Story of St Brendan’s Monastery
Praying in St Brendan’s monastery is one of the most spiritual experiences of our pilgrimages. To get to the isle is itself an adventure. We wake up very early in the morning, then we find our way to a small loch … Read More
Three Pilgrimages to the Celtic Isles – Summer 2016
The Monastery of All Celtic Saints is absolutely delighted to announce that we shall lead three new Pilgrimages to the Celtic Isles of Scotland over the summer of 2016. We shall visit some of the most remote and authentic places … Read More