July 20, 2018

St. Brigid

July 20, 2018

I thought, that I would go back and write posts for the days that I missed because I had no wifi, but instead I think I will try to capture the spirit of what was done on those days and how I and we are responding to them...

On the second day of the pilgrimage, it rained all day.  We walked for 15 miles in the rain. Stopping for lunch at a church that had a marvelous stained class window with Brigid and ate our lunch from a local convience store.  We ate, 21 of us, stuffed into a small sacristy at the back of the church. It was the first time that I have eaten in the sacristy, although we were stuffed in there it was the beginning of our bonding.

Then for the next few hours we walked, with someone in the front and a sweeper in the back holding Brigid's Signs.  We also walk with a candle for Brigid that is lit in a lantern and a shaman's staff.  Everyone walks at a different pace and so some arrive before others.  A driver also checks in regularly to see if anyone needs a ride.  By 7:00 p.m. we had all made it to Ardee, wet, cold and weary, but dinner reinvigorated all of us.

The next day we were off again for another long day, but this time in sunshine.  We begin each day with stretching and reflections. Then we set forth for the days journey of 16 miles toward the Hill of Slane.  The Hill of Slane is where St. Patrick brought the pascal candle to the non-christian nation.  Each year the chief would light a spring fire, but that year, St. Patrick beat him to it.  Some say, he turned the chief to Christianity.  The hill overlooks the whole valley.  As we approach there is  a man who is a shaman who tells us the old stories and leads us into the forest, where we sit in a circle around a fire.  It is evening now.  Today we have collected 3 items along the way that reflect our intentions for the journey.  Near the end of the ceremony we place our intentions into the fire.

The overall experience of the rituals and the days are communitues of love.  We share and support one anothers' paths.  It does not matter our religion or practice.  What matters is our intention and our hearts. I hear stories of the reasons why people have pulled away from Christianity and I see the need in each to have ritual and love. It reminds me of the Camino experience in Spain, with the meaning of the shell meaning for some;  Many Paths, One God.

Prayer:

God of all that is and was and will be, break open my heart: where there is injury healing, where there is sadness, love, and where there is fear, peace.  Open wide my eyes to see you in all things.  Open my senses so that I may experience Brigid, Saint and Goddess, and open my mouth, that I may proclaim your praise in all that I do and all that I am.  May it be so.  Amen