10am on Wednesday 24th - after lunch on Friday 26th April 2024
Celtic Spirituality has undergone a significant revival in recent times – many lives have been touched and changed by this renaissance. Yet the purpose of this two-day/night retreat is to look back at the original spirituality and historical context of the Celtic Saints - what evidence do we have and who actually were they? Within the context of Biblical teaching, what was their spirituality? How can we benefit from their spiritual vigour and richness in our modern-day faith journeys?
The original Celtic Christians introduce us to two types of journeying. Many left their homes and families for ‘the love of God’ and in search of their ‘places of resurrection’ (the act of peregrinatio). We will explore the journeys of some of the wandering Celtic Scholars, seeking to understand their motives and purpose. In the Voyage of St Brendan, did St Brendan and his monks really reach America? Is this book the tale of a real journey, or a spiritual allegory? Perhaps the most famous peregrini - St Columba of Iona - was he really a true peregrini, or a visionary, missionary and ambassador? Did the Celtic peregrini St Columbanus really revive the church in Europe? How significant to the evangelisation of Britain was St Aidan’s monastery on Lindisfarne?
The outer journey of the Celtic peregrini was driven by the inner journey in their hearts. What do the Celtic Saints have to teach us about this inner journey? What practical steps do they recommend for our spiritual journeys today?
Led by Dr Peter Ruxton, please see his biography here.
£160, includes accommodation and meals
PROGRAMME
Wednesday 24th April
11:45 College Community Eucharist in Church (optional)
13:00 Lunch in Dining Hall
14:00 Introduction to Celtic Spirituality
15:30 Tea
16:00 The Voyage of St Brendan and the Celtic Seafarers
18:00 Supper
19.00 A Chance to Reflect & Question plus Celtic Evening Prayer
21:30 College Compline in Chapel (optional)
Thursday 25th April
07:30 Celtic Morning Prayer/College Eucharist (optional)
08:15 Breakfast
09:00 St Columba & Iona
10:30 Coffee
11:00 Group Reflection
12:30 Lunch
14:00 St Columbanus & the Revitalisation of Europe
15:30 Tea
16:00 Time for Individual Reflection
16.30 College Evening Prayer in Church (optional)
18:00 Supper
19.00 A Chance to Reflect & Question plus Celtic Evening Prayer
21:30 College Compline in Chapel (optional)
Friday 26th April
07:30 Celtic Morning Prayer/College Eucharist (optional)
08:15 Breakfast & Check out of rooms
09:00 St Aidan & Lindisfarne
10:30 Coffee
11:00 Celtic Spirituality for Today
12:30 Lunch and depart