Celtic
Fear not, for God will be unto us a helper, a mariner, and a pilot. May God do unto us his servants and his little vessel as he willeth.
- Saint Brendan
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Patron Saint | Community Leader | Reflections | Location & Services | Email
Saint Brendan's is Celtic
We are a community that is guided by a Celtic spirituality. By "Celtic spirituality" we refer to a spirituality resulting from the cross-fertilization of pagan Druidry and Christianity, and which is characterized by:
Due to the ancient Celts' wide distribution throughout Europe, there are many people of European descent who have some Celtic ancestry without realizing it. However, one needn't be a person of Celtic ethnic descent to appreciate the distinctive spirituality of the Celts. Saint Brendan's welcomes to its community all who feel an affinity with its spirituality, regardless of race or ethnicity.
For more on Celtic Spirituality, you may wish to read Church of Scotland minister Peter Neilson's article on the Celtic Way, Andrew Dunn's summary of Celtic Christianity, Alistair Bate's interesting and informative article entitled, Celtic Spirituality: A Unitarian and Druidic Perspective, and Philip Carr-Gomm's article entitled, Christianity and Druidry: A Meeting Point.
- Love for nature and all of creation
- Recognition of the presence of the divine residing in everything and everyone
- Devotion to and love of learning
- Yearning to explore the unknown
- Love of silence, solitude, prayer, and meditation
- Mystical concept of time and space
- Appreciation of ordinary life and time as holy
- Value of kinship relationships and especially soul friends (anam cara)
Due to the ancient Celts' wide distribution throughout Europe, there are many people of European descent who have some Celtic ancestry without realizing it. However, one needn't be a person of Celtic ethnic descent to appreciate the distinctive spirituality of the Celts. Saint Brendan's welcomes to its community all who feel an affinity with its spirituality, regardless of race or ethnicity.
For more on Celtic Spirituality, you may wish to read Church of Scotland minister Peter Neilson's article on the Celtic Way, Andrew Dunn's summary of Celtic Christianity, Alistair Bate's interesting and informative article entitled, Celtic Spirituality: A Unitarian and Druidic Perspective, and Philip Carr-Gomm's article entitled, Christianity and Druidry: A Meeting Point.
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Help us spread the word about Saint Brendan's with products that bear our logo. You can find out more at Saint Brendan's Celtic Community Shop. All products are provided at cost. We're not interested in making money, just in spreading the word about our progressive Celtic spiritual community!
A Celtic Reading List
(Alphabetized by Title)
(Alphabetized by Title)
Candle in the Darkness: Celtic Spirituality from Wales, Patrick Thomas
A brief volume about early Celtic Spirituality in Wales.
Carmina Gadelica: Hymns and Incantations, Alexander Carmichael
An invaluable collection of Celtic prayers, songs, poetry, and spells gathered in the 19th Century from the people who had used this material for centuries. This work provides the source material for much of modern Celtic Christian and, interestingly enough, Celtic Pagan spirituality.
Celtic Spirituality, Oliver Davies, Editor
A collection of early Celtic Christian stories, poetry, liturgical fragments, etc. Includes some of the "lives" of Celtic Saints like Patrick, Brigid, and Brendan.
Christ of the Celts: The Healing of Creation, J. Philip Newell
A truly moving volume about the Celtic Christian vision of the "Cosmic" Christ and how this vision differs from orthodox Christianity.
Every Earthly Blessing: Rediscovering the Celtic Tradition, Esther DeWaal
A good introduction to Celtic Christian Spirituality. Comparable to some of J. Philip Newell's works.
Kindling the Celtic Spirit: Ancient Traditions to Illumine Your Life Throughout the Seasons, Mara Freeman
Covers the complete Celtic year, detailing Celtic traditions and customs from both Pagan and Christian sources.
Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality, J. Philip Newell
If you are only going to read one book about Celtic Spirituality, this is the one to read. It provides a foundation upon which to build your knowledge of Celtic Spirituality and how it's creation-centered approach differs from that of doctrinally-oriented orthodox Christianity.
The Celts: Life, Myth and Art, Juliette Wood
A lovely, illustrated guide to Celtic history, myth, and art.
The Celtic Spirit: Daily Meditations for the Turning Year, Caitlin Matthews
A great book of daily meditations that draws upon insights from Celtic Pagan myth as well as Celtic Christianity by one of the foremost experts on Celtic myth, shamanism, and spirituality.
The Celtic Wheel of the Year: Celtic and Christian Seasonal Prayer, Tess Ward
A wonderful collection of daily prayers for use throughout the year. Incorporates beautiful feminine imagery for God. Good stuff.
The Druids, Peter Berresford Ellis
Possibly the single best and most comprehensive scholarly work on the Druids yet written. Particularly valuable for its information on the common roots and practices of the Druids and the Hindus. A very tough read, but well worth the effort.
The Rebirth of Druidry: Ancient Earth Wisdom for Today, Philip Carr-Gomm, Editor
The revised version of an earlier compilation of a wide assortment of articles on the Druid Revival. Of value to the student of Celtic Spirituality, whether Christian or otherwise. Edited by the Chief of the revivalist Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids.
This is the Day: Readings and Meditations from the Iona Community, Neil Paynter, Editor
A book of meditations on Celtic Christian themes compiled from writings of members of the famed Iona Community.
Where Three Streams Meet: Celtic Spirituality, Sean O'Duinn
A scholarly work by an Irish Monk on the cross-fertilization of Druidry and Christianity in the Celtic Church. A tough read, especially if you don't know Gaelic, but extremely interesting and valuable.
Who Were the Celts?: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Celts 1000 B.C. to the Present, Kevin Duffy
A good overall summary of the history of the Celts to modern times. It is a fairly easy read, and a good layman's sort of introduction to the Celts as a people and culture.
A brief volume about early Celtic Spirituality in Wales.
Carmina Gadelica: Hymns and Incantations, Alexander Carmichael
An invaluable collection of Celtic prayers, songs, poetry, and spells gathered in the 19th Century from the people who had used this material for centuries. This work provides the source material for much of modern Celtic Christian and, interestingly enough, Celtic Pagan spirituality.
Celtic Spirituality, Oliver Davies, Editor
A collection of early Celtic Christian stories, poetry, liturgical fragments, etc. Includes some of the "lives" of Celtic Saints like Patrick, Brigid, and Brendan.
Christ of the Celts: The Healing of Creation, J. Philip Newell
A truly moving volume about the Celtic Christian vision of the "Cosmic" Christ and how this vision differs from orthodox Christianity.
Every Earthly Blessing: Rediscovering the Celtic Tradition, Esther DeWaal
A good introduction to Celtic Christian Spirituality. Comparable to some of J. Philip Newell's works.
Kindling the Celtic Spirit: Ancient Traditions to Illumine Your Life Throughout the Seasons, Mara Freeman
Covers the complete Celtic year, detailing Celtic traditions and customs from both Pagan and Christian sources.
Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality, J. Philip Newell
If you are only going to read one book about Celtic Spirituality, this is the one to read. It provides a foundation upon which to build your knowledge of Celtic Spirituality and how it's creation-centered approach differs from that of doctrinally-oriented orthodox Christianity.
The Celts: Life, Myth and Art, Juliette Wood
A lovely, illustrated guide to Celtic history, myth, and art.
The Celtic Spirit: Daily Meditations for the Turning Year, Caitlin Matthews
A great book of daily meditations that draws upon insights from Celtic Pagan myth as well as Celtic Christianity by one of the foremost experts on Celtic myth, shamanism, and spirituality.
The Celtic Wheel of the Year: Celtic and Christian Seasonal Prayer, Tess Ward
A wonderful collection of daily prayers for use throughout the year. Incorporates beautiful feminine imagery for God. Good stuff.
The Druids, Peter Berresford Ellis
Possibly the single best and most comprehensive scholarly work on the Druids yet written. Particularly valuable for its information on the common roots and practices of the Druids and the Hindus. A very tough read, but well worth the effort.
The Rebirth of Druidry: Ancient Earth Wisdom for Today, Philip Carr-Gomm, Editor
The revised version of an earlier compilation of a wide assortment of articles on the Druid Revival. Of value to the student of Celtic Spirituality, whether Christian or otherwise. Edited by the Chief of the revivalist Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids.
This is the Day: Readings and Meditations from the Iona Community, Neil Paynter, Editor
A book of meditations on Celtic Christian themes compiled from writings of members of the famed Iona Community.
Where Three Streams Meet: Celtic Spirituality, Sean O'Duinn
A scholarly work by an Irish Monk on the cross-fertilization of Druidry and Christianity in the Celtic Church. A tough read, especially if you don't know Gaelic, but extremely interesting and valuable.
Who Were the Celts?: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Celts 1000 B.C. to the Present, Kevin Duffy
A good overall summary of the history of the Celts to modern times. It is a fairly easy read, and a good layman's sort of introduction to the Celts as a people and culture.
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