Journeys with Celtic Christians Participant

 “The early Christians of Ireland developed an expression of the
faith characterized by deep devotion and fascinating stories,” Newman
said. “It offers rich insights for modern issues such as promoting a
caring society, relating to the natural world and welcoming strangers.”

Writers often use the metaphor of journey or pilgrimage to describe the
Christian life. What distinguishes this book and its development of that
theme is its invitation to readers to experience their personal faith
journeys through Celtic lenses. Pilgrimage is part of the DNA of Celtic
Christians. The faith spread and flourished in Ireland, Scotland, Wales,
and Northern England between the 5th and 11th centuries because saints
like Patrick, Brigid, and Columba traveled extensively, preaching,
teaching, and founding monasteries. Soon small groups of Christians
began to go out from these locations and begin new Christian
communities.



By connecting historical information with their current lives and
concerns, readers will be encouraged to consider the many ways
pilgrimage has shaped their personal faith. They will discover the value
and contributions of fellow travelers on the faith journey and how they
assist and shape that journey. By recalling how Celtic Christians
celebrated and marked significant moments in their lives of faith,
readers will discover ways they can develop this practice. They will
affirm the importance of both offering and receiving hospitality on the
faith journey, a discipline that was critical to the Celts. They will
also have opportunities to deal with difficult life journeys such as
transitions and opportunities for forgiveness, and the importance of
blessing one another in a world that values polarization over
cooperation and competition over community.

With an introduction that
sets the tone and introduces the theme and six chapters related to
distinctives of Celtic Christianity, this book is ideal for small groups
whose members want to grow together in their spiritual understandings
and commitments.