There is no doubt that the Irish have been gifted with many things: music, poetry, the gift of the gab, one could go on...   

And yet right down through our history, Christianity has been a hallmark of Irishness. It inspired the rise of independence, resilience in the face of poverty and the combat of disease by missionaries on a global scale.

Spiritual faith

As I write this blog, I am reminded that our newest bank holiday in 2023 is to fall on St Brigid’s feast day 1 February.

Some believe that  Brigid is a Celtic goddess.  But who was the real St Brigid?  

Several historical accounts state that St. Brigid was born in 451 in Dundalk in Ireland and died in 525. Her mother was a Christian slave.  Her father was a pagan and a wealthy chieftain in Leinster.  Brigid was baptised by Saint Patrick, and tradition would have it that she went on to found several monasteries bringing her Catholic faith wherever she went.  

Quite an achievement for a young woman at that time!

Superstition or faith?

Are these stories just mere legends? 

For the cynics amongst us, it is harder to explain away the monastic settlements that populate our countryside.

Ireland’s unique Christian heritage has left its impact across the landscape. 

From remote beehive huts of the early Christian hermit on The Skelligs, to the oratories and High crosses of communal monasteries in places like Clonmacnoise, Glendalough and Fore Abbey, together with the soaring architectural wonder and exquisite sculpture of places like Mellifont. All of these undoubtedly bear witness to the rich legacy of their founders.

And the names of men and women associated with these settings have also survived, albeit largely forgotten. Take for example Ardfert Cathedral which was devoted to St Brendan, Clonmacnoise associated with St Ciarán, Fore Abbey celebrating St Fechin, Scattery Island of St. Senan and Glendalough a university city associated with St. Kevin. 

The list goes on…

The Skelligs 

When people think of the Skelligs they may think of Star Wars and maybe its large puffin population. And yet it houses an extraordinary 6th-century monastic site which was occupied by monks who lived as hermits. When we ask ourselves about the lives of these men and women - we might find we know very little. And yet their lives were no less epic because we have forgotten.  Their lives were made up of adventure and failure, with its full share of violence and destruction at the hands of outside invaders. 

Their legacy lies hidden (literally) under the ground we stand on, a rich fund of spirituality from our past.  

The Island of Saints and Scholars

St Columbanus travelled with a band of 12 men and set up monasteries all over France and Northern Italy. Brugnato Cathedral in Italy houses a fresco of the saint, the city of Bobbio has a coat of arms, while in Brittany there is a granite cross, all of which provide real testimony of his travels around the year 590.  

Pope Francis referred to this spiritual legacy,

 “I think of Saint Columbanus, who with his small band of companions brought the light of the Gospel to the lands of Europe in an age of darkness and cultural dissolution. It was their daily witness of fidelity to Christ and to each other that won hearts yearning for a word of grace and helped give birth to the culture of Europe”.

And Columbanus was not alone, St Cillian went to Cologne and St. Gall to Switzerland. There was no Ryan air back then, just little rickety currachs.  It is that sense of do or die these men and women had about their faith which is the only explanation for the great feats they undertook with very little consideration for their own personal safety or comfort. 

It is hardly surprising that the title “Island of saints and scholars” began to stick.  

I had a more recent reminder of this heritage while on holiday in Rome with another Irish friend. We happened to meet a woman from Nigeria, and in the course of conversation, it transpired that my friend’s aunt, a nun, had taught this woman in school. 

Another Irish missionary in modern history whose life had left an impact for good on the life of someone else.

Faith today in 2022

Faith of the Irish? Today in 2022? Cynical? Sceptical?  Perhaps yes.  

But if we take a look around us is that really the way things are? 

The faith of a neighbour to call a priest for the person who is dying. 

Or the faith of those who still attend daily Mass even though it is difficult and there is a shortage of priests. 

The faith of the many parents who have their child baptised and ensure they receive the sacraments. The faith to sit by someone’s bedside and offer comfort in times of illness and grief.

Recently I was sitting in a bench in St Andrews Church in Westland Row Dublin. The music from Faith of Our Fathers was ringing out across the wide nave and enormous church. As I contemplated the huge ornate pillars and magnificent ceilings, I found the whole experience truly edifying.

Faith of Our Fathers, we will love

Both friend and foe in all our strife,

And preach thee too, as love knows how

By kindly words and virtuous life,

Faith of our Fathers! holy faith!

We will be true to thee till death!

And I found myself saying to myself that Faith is only truly valuable when it is accompanied by deeds.

Deeds of charity and love. 

Deeds of honour and loyalty.

Deeds of forgiveness.

This is the Faith that we are all called to share with one another so that it may form a real part of our lives.