Celtic Spirituality (Classics of Western Spirituality (Paperback))

Translated and introduced by Oliver Davies, with the collaboration of Thomas O'Loughlin. Preface by James Mackey. This volume offers translations of numerous texts from the Celtic tradition from the 6th through the 13th centuries, in a cross-section of genres and forms, including saints' lives, monastic texts, poetry, devotional texts, liturgical texts, apocrypha, exegetical texts and theological treatises. The latest from Paulist Press's extraordinary series on world spiritual traditions and classics - one that has brought great theologians and mystics to the attention of scholars and general readers alike, this generous volume includes writings by and about saints Patrick, Brigit, and Brendan, as well as less familiar poems, liturgies, narratives, and sermons all capably translated and presented by Davies (theology and religious studies, St. David's Coll., Univ. of Wales). It is a joy to see these texts gathered for the modern reader for the first time and to revisit the distinctively ardent, earthy religious experience of Celtic Christianity in the Middle Ages. Preface xv I. INTRODUCTION An Introduction to Celtic Spirituality 3 The Concept of a Celtic Spirituality 3 The Origins of Celtic Christianity 12 Celtic Christianity: Mission and Maturity 16 Toward a Celtic Spirituality 23 The Sources: Introduction to the Translated Texts 26 Hagiography ("The Patrick Tradition" by Thomas O’Loughlin) 26 Monastic Texts 37 Poetry 40 Devotional Texts 45 Liturgy 47 Apocrypha 49 Exegesis 51 Homilies 53 Theology 55 A Note on the Selection and Translation 60 II. THE TEXTS Hagiography: 1. The Patrick Tradition (by Thomas O’Loughlin) 67 i. Patrick’s Declaration of the Great Works of God (the "Confessio") 67 ii. The Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus 84 iii. The Sayings of Patrick (the "Dicta") 90 iv. The Life of Patrick by Muirchu 91 v. Patrick’s Breastplate (by Oliver Davies) 118 2. The Brigit Tradition 121 i. Ultán’s Hymn 121 ii. The Life of St. Brigit the Virgin by Cogitosus 122 iii. The Irish Life of Brigit 140 3. The Voyage of Brendan 155 4. The Life of St. David by Rhigyfarch 191 5. The Life of Beuno 213 6. The Life of St. Melangell 221 Monastic Texts: 1. The Preface of Gildas on Penance 227 2. The Penitential of Cummean 230 3. The Rule for Monks by Columbanus 246 Poetry: Irish Poems 259 1. A Hymn of Praise 259 2. The Lord of Creation 259 3. The Scribe in the Woods 259 4. My Speech 260 5. All Alone in My Little Cell 260 6. Grant Me Tears, O Lord 261 7. On the Flightiness of Thought 262 8. Three Wishes 263 9. The Saints’ Calendar of Adamnán 263 10. A Prayer to the Archangels for Every Day of the Week 264 Welsh Poems 266 11. Almighty Creator 266 12. Padarn’s Staff 267 13. Glorious Lord 267 14. Praise to the Trinity 268 15. Praise to God 269 16. Alexander’s Breastplate 269 17. Praising God at the Beginning and End 271 18. The Advice of Addaon 272 19. Elaeth’s Englynion 273 20. The Song of Elaeth 273 21. The First Word I Say 274 22. Maytime Is the Fairest Season 276 23. Fragment of the Dispute Between Body and Soul 277 24. To the Trinity 277 25. Lord of Heaven 278 26. The Deathbed Song of Meilyr the Poet 278 27. Meilyr Son of Gwalchmai’s Ode to God 279 28. The Deathbed Song of Cynddelw 281 29. The Loves of Taliesin 283 30. Poem to the Virgin Mary 285 Devotional Texts: 1. May Your Holy Angels 289 2. O God, Lord of Creation 289 3. The Breastplate of Laidcenn 289 4. The Broom of Devotion 292 5. Litany of the Virgin and All Saints 297 6. Litany of the Creation 298 7. May This Journey Be Easy 300 8. The Path I Walk 300 9. The Prayers of Moucan 301 10. The Protection of the Father and the Son 306 Liturgy: 1. The Tract on the Mass in the Stowe Missal 311 2. Two Eucharistic Chants From the Stowe Missal (by Thomas O’Loughlin) 314 3. Communion Hymn 316 4. Hymn at the Lighting of the Paschal Candle 317 Apocrypha: 1. The Evernew Tongue (1-22) 321 2. The Creation of Adam 327 3. The Power of Women 328 4. The Vision of Adamnán 330 Exegesis: 1. A Mystical Interpretation of the "Beati" (Psalm 118) 343 2. Gloss on Psalm 103 345 Homilies: 1. Sermons of Columbanus 353 i. Sermon Five 353 ii. Sermon Eight 354 iii. Sermon Eleven 357 iv. Sermon Thirteen 359 2. Catechesis Celtica: Commentary on Matthew XVI, 24 363 3. An Old Irish Homily 366 4. The Cambrai Homily 369 5. Three Sunday Catecheses (by Thomas O’Loughlin) 371 Theology: 1. On the Christian Life by Pelagius 379 2. "The High First-Sower" (the "Altus Prosator") by Columba (by Thomas O’Loughlin) 405 3. Homily on the Prologue to The Gospel of John by John Scottus Eriugena 411 4. The Food of the Soul 433 Abbreviations 456 Notes 459 Select Bibliography 530 I. Principal Printed Sources of the Translations 530 II. Other Primary and Secondary Sources 533 Index 545 An Introduction To Celtic Spirituality -- The Sources : Introduction To The Translated Texts. Hagiography. The Patrick Tradition / (by Thomas O'loughlin) ; The Brigit Tradition ; The Voyage Of Brendan ; The Life Of St. David / By Rhigyfarch ; The Life Of Beuno ; The Life Of St. Melangell -- Monastic Texts. The Preface Of Gildas On Penance ; The Penitential Of Cummean ; The Rule For Monks / By Columbanus -- Poetry. Irish Poems ; Welsh Poems -- Devotional Texts -- Liturgy -- Apocrypha. The Evernew Tongue (1-22) ; The Creation Of Adam ; The Power Of Women ; The Vision Of Adamnán -- Exegesis. A Mystical Interpretation Of The Beati (psalm 118) ; Gloss On Psalm 103 -- Homilies. Sermons Of Columbanus ; Catechesis Celtica : Commentary On Matthew Xvi, 24 ; An Old Irish Homily ; The Cambrai Homily ; Three Sunday Catecheses / By Thomas O'loughlin -- Theology. On The Christian Life / By Pelagius ; The High First-sower (the Altus Prosator) / By Columba / (by Thomas O'loughlin) ; Homily On The Prologue To The Gospel Of John / By John Scottus Eriugena -- The Food Of The Soul. Translated And Introduced By Oliver Davies ; With The Collaboration Of Thomas O'loughlin ; Preface By James Mackey. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 530-544) And Index. Sure to be of exceptional interest among scholars as well as recreational readers is this volume in the esteemed Classics of Western Spirituality(TM) series. Celtic Spirituality offers translations of numerous texts from the Celtic tradition from the 6th through the 13th centuries, in a cross-section of genres and forms, including saints' lives, monastic texts, poetry, devotional texts, liturgical texts, apocrypha, exegetical texts, and theological treatises. Davies has written a helpful introduction, which covers the origins and characteristics of Celtic Christianity and the different genres included in body of the work. He provides readers with insight into the style, form, and character of the texts, including explanation of the Celtic emphasis on orality, the importance of place, emphasis on the environment and animals, and the role of the imagination. With its wide diversity of texts and emphasis on a current of spirituality that is both popular, historical, and inspirational, this volume will be important for scholars of spirituality and Celtic history as well as persons of Celtic descent. +