Who are the Celtic Saints?


Book Description

Cutting through the mists of Celtic myth, this historical account introduces the saints to us as real men and women in pursuit of holiness. The Celtic period began in 435 and ended in 715; this work tells the stories of the various branches of the Celtic church in this period.




Celtic Saints


Book Description

They may be coated in layers of myth and pious anecdote but dig deep enough and the pioneering leaders of Celtic Christianity are revealed as reassuringly human individuals, responding to their faith by deliberately living on the edges of society. From the goddess-nun Brigid and absent-minded Cainnech to severe ascetics such as Columbanus and Baldred, together they demonstrate a close connection with the natural world, an astonishing self-discipline and, above all, a rigorous commitment to what it meant to be 'pilgrims for Christ'. Establishing a network of influential monastic communities, they travelled from the territories of the Atlantic seaboard – Ireland, Wales and Cornwall – across Scotland, the north of England and deep into continental Europe, transforming the religious experience of all they encountered.




Holy Companions


Book Description

The Celtic tradition continues to captivate readers. Centuries old, it seems to speak to the modern world with a fresh voice. In Holy Companions, readers are invited to get to know and journey with eighteen Celtic saints. The authors have provided a theme inspired by each saint, along with a brief biography, a reflection on what the saint's life and words may mean to us today, and some spiritual exercises and practices that grow out of that life and work. Written accessibly, this is an excellent book for individual exploration or group study.




Celtic Saints


Book Description

The Ireland of the Dark Ages inspired strange and marvelous legends that intertwined history and fancy. Today these legends live on in the stories of wandering saints who traveled throughout the British Isles and Europe. From St. Patrick, who chased the snakes from Ireland, to Brigid, the wise woman of Kildare, this book tells the stories of 30 saints, with each depicted in full-color illustrations reminiscent of stained glass windows.




Celtic Saints


Book Description

Who were the Celtic saints of Britain? Why did them embark on long pilgrimages? Where were they going and what prompted them to make such journeys? Elizabeth Rees recreates the experiences of many of the well-known and lesser known Celtic missionaries, saints, monks, nuns and martyrs, pieced together through archaeological and literary evidence. Furnished with maps of sites mentioned in the text, routes taken and drawings of artefacts and buildings.




Wisdom of the Celtic Saints


Book Description

Faithfully presenting the lives and legacies of twenty-eight Celtic saints of the sixth to ninth centuries in this newly revised and expanded book, Sellner reveals their wisdom in a way that can be understood and appreciated by contemporary readers. With background material on the Celtic Church, the characteristics of its spirituality, the symbolism in the stories, and the roles of soul friends, readers will reap a rich harvest for their own spiritual growth. The stories recounted range from the well-known saints, like Patrick, Brendan, Columcille, and Brigit, to those less likely to be familiar--Monesan, Ita, Samthann, and Declan. Vivid portrait-illustrations by Susan McLean-Keeney add to the prayerful beauty of the book. Readers will appreciate both the abiding truths the stories contain as well as enjoy these good stories, well told. In Europe, the author is considered a pioneer in writings on Celtic spirituality and soul-friendship, and in the United States, "one of their primary interpreters."




A Dictionary of Celtic Saints


Book Description

Throughout the Celtic world, in Britain, Ireland and France, the early Christian saints left a profound legacy to the history and culture of Northern Europe. This is the first ever dictionary of Celtic saints and is fully illustrated with photographs of where each saint lived and worked, ranging from ruined monasteries to holy wells, and from caves to Roman and Celtic forts. The reader is therefore drawn into the beautiful world which these men and women inhabited, while also being able to trace the history and legend surrounding these early British Christians. Easy to use, with an Introduction and maps to pinpoint the sites described in the text, A Dictionary of Celtic Saints will appeal to anyone interested in history, landscape or spirituality. Based on sound scholarship, it will also be helpful to students of civilisation and culture. Elizabeth Rees is a Roman Catholic nun with a Master's degree from Oxford. She is one of Britain's leading authorities on the Celtic saints and is the author of many books on the early Christian world.




Celtic Saints of Ireland


Book Description

Most books about Celtic saints are based on their legendary medieval lives. This book, however, is based upon our earliest surviving information: an examination of the sites where these early Christians lived and worked. Archaeology, combined with the study of place names, inscribed stones and early texts, offers us important clues which help us to piece together something of the fascinating world of early Irish Christianity. Elizabeth Rees, an acknowledged authority on Celtic Christianity, has produced this insightful history which is the first in an exciting new series. Illustrated throughout with her own evocative photographs of where these saints resided and worked, the reader is drawn into the beautiful world which these men and women inhabited.




Celtic Christian Spirituality


Book Description

The Celtic Christians beheld the world around them and perceived the divine life of God as upholding every aspect of the material universe. Their prayers and poems, their liturgies and theological interpretations give Christians a sense of faith that is confident in a merciful and infinitely creative, healing God.




Celtic Saints of Wales


Book Description

Most books about Celtic saints are based on their legendary medieval lives. This book, however, focuses on the sites where these early Christians lived and worked. Archaeology, combined with early inscriptions and texts, offers us important clues which help us to piece together something of the fascinating world of early Christianity. The book is illustrated with the author's own evocative photographs of the sites where the Celtic saints of Wales worked and prayed. The reader is therefore drawn into the beautiful world which these men and women inhabited. 'Celtic Saints of Wales' includes accounts of most well-known saints, and a number of less famous individuals. It is not, however, exhaustive: lack of historical data means that there are hundreds more Celtic monks and nuns, of whom we know little beyond their names. The book is easy to read, with an Introduction and maps to pinpoint the sites described and photographed. It is aimed at a broad reading public. Since it is both readable and fully illustrated, it will appeal to anyone interested in history, landscape or spirituality, and to Welsh tourists. Based on sound scholarship, it will also be of value to students of history, religion and culture.