Today we travel back across Ireland from County Donegal to Dublin. On the way, we will stop at the Knowth passage tomb in the Boyne Valley.
We so grateful for the beauty and openness and hospitality of Donegal. We have two more nights before we start the journey home.
Today we leave the north of Ireland. We drive from the east coast to the west. We will be staying for three nights in Donegal in the community of Glencolumkille.
On the way we will make a stop at Armagh.
We are in the Kildare area for three nights. Tomorrow we visit Clonmacnoise. And then we take a pilgrimage to Kildare and walk in the steps of St. Brigid.
Today is the feast day of St. Columba, the Irish monk who established the community of Iona in 565.
Let me bless almighty God,
whose power extends over
sea and land,
whose angels watch over all.Let me study sacred books
to calm my soul;
I pray for peace,
kneeling at heaven’s gates.Let me do my daily work,
gathering seaweed,
catching fish,
giving food to the poor.Let me say my daily prayers,
sometimes chanting,
sometimes quiet,
always thanking God.Delightful it is
to live on a peaceful isle,
in a quiet cell,
serving the King of kings.– Columba
Celtic Fire: The Passionate Religious Vision of Ancient Britain and Ireland edited by Robert Van de Weyer
Learn more about Columba and other Celtic saints in Celtic Saints in Holy Companions: Spiritual Practices from the Celtic Saints by Mary C. Earle and Sylvia Maddox.
Did you know that my book, Christ Beside Me, Christ Within Me: Celtic Blessings, is now available as an audio book?
Photo: Sheep on the isle of Iona. © 2016 by Beth A. Richardson. This photo and others by Beth are available on cards, cases, and other items at Redbubble.
Find more of my blessings in my book Christ Beside Me, Christ Before Me: Celtic Blessings. Subscribe to my video channel at YouTube.
In name of the Creator,
In name of the Child,
In name of Spirit,
Three in One:Creator cherish me,
Christ cherish me.
Spirit cherish me,
Three all-kindly.God make me holy,
Christ make me holy.
Spirit make me holy.
Three all-holy.Three aid my hope,
Three aid my love,
Three aid my eye,
And my knee from stumbling,
My knee from stumbling.
Adapted from Carminca Gadelica, Vol. 3, p. 63.
Christ, as a light
illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield
overshadow me.
Christ under me;
Christ over me;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light;
Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.– Northumbria Community Morning Prayer
This morning I am thinking about the coming release of my new book, Christ Beside Me, Christ Within Me: Celtic Blessings. The book (in print, ePub, and Kindle) is coming closer to the release date, I’ve completed video production for seven videos promoting the book, we are planning a virtual book launch on St. Patrick’s Day, and I’m in meetings about an online course featuring the content. (Sign up for email updates on the book, its release, and related events.)
I’m filled with gratitude for the chance to share my prayers and a little bit of my family’s story with you. The book started here in this blog and I’m grateful for you.
Blessings and peace to you.
I’m thrilled to announce that I have a new book coming out in early spring, 2016. The title has been set: Christ beside Me, Christ within Me: Celtic Blessings.
The book is a collection of blessings for the small moments of the day and for the special events that occur throughout the year. There are blessings for celebration and prayers for times of grief. I have thought of you as I have written these blessings and have imagined you using these in your daily life, the ordinary and the extra-ordinary times; moments of joy or seasons of sorrow.
I’ll be sharing the journey of this book through occasional emails. If you would like to receive email updates about the book as it makes its way through the production process, I invite you to add your name to this list.
In name of the Creator,
In name of the Child,
In name of Spirit,
Three in One:Creator cherish me,
Christ cherish me.
Spirit cherish me,
Three all-kindly.God make me holy,
Christ make me holy.
Spirit make me holy.
Three all-holy.Three aid my hope,
Three aid my love,
Three aid mine eye,
And my knee from stumbling,
My knee from stumbling.
Adapted from Carminca Gadelica, Vol. 3, p. 63.
All the Wonders 