1. Irish places of Pilgrimage

2. Characteristics of Pilgrimage Pilgrimage is a particular type of journey On pilgrimages, groups of people unite in a common faith and travel together to a holy place or shrine Going on pilgrimage without change of heart brings no reward from God It was the hope and the dream by leaving home and travelling to a special place one might return somehow changed and renewed Pilgrims frequently travelled together in groups to give each other support and protection Today people continue to go on pilgrimage to be at one with themselves and with God

3. Modern Pilgrimage World Youth Day 2011 was held in Madrid The theme for 2011s World Youth Day is Rooted and Built Up in Jesus Christ,Firm in the Faith (Col 2:7). Did anyone from your parish go Madrid ? Find out where the next World Youth Day will be held

4. Irish places of Pilgrimage There are many Irish places of pilgrimage: Lough Derg Glendalough Croagh Patrick Faughart Knock St Brigids well in Kildare How many of these do we find in the Archdiocese of Dublin? Many people who travel to pilgrimage sites go to pray for special intentions or to give thanks to God for His love or healing.

5. Name a pilgrimage site in Ireland which is associated with: Mary _______________ Penance through fasting ____________ Penance through climbing in bare feet ________________ Place of prayer on feast of St Brigid ___________________ St Kevin ___________________ St Laurence OToole ______________ Pilgrimage Sites

7. Where were pilgrim sites located in Ireland? In rural settings At monasteries In desolate places to escape distractions and become closer to God the Creator Such religious life emphasised solitude, pilgrimage, mission, sacred locations and tough penitential acts.

8. Let us consider two important pilgrim sites within the Archdiocese: Kildare (Cill Dara) means the Cell or Church of the Oak. Here, in the late 5th century, St.Brigid built her Abbey on a hill beside a great oak tree. It is important to remember that the Irish/Celts believed in a goddess Brighid long before she became a Saint and this area was sacred to her. Glendalough (Gleann dá Locha) refers to the valley of the two lakes. In the early 6th century, Saint Kevin settled in this picturesque pilgrim site in Wicklow. Even today, it remains the best-preserved monastic city in Ireland. It includes a round tower and seven churches. TO DO: Find placenames in your area containing the word Kil or Cill? Does the origin of this placename go back to Celtic Christian times? (It may be useful to check with your local librarian or interview a local historian to assist you.)

9. S ome characteristics of Celtic Christian Sites: High Crosses Holy Wells Holy Trees Round Towers Fire Temple

10. Parishes of the Archdiocese of Dublin

11. High Cross (also called Standing Cross) These freestanding crosses were found outdoors They were probably made of wood initially Later they were made of stone & richly decorated The cross features a stone ring around the intersection, forming a Celtic cross This style of cross is only found in Ireland, Scotland and parts of Britain Such crosses were erected outside churches, monasteries, at land boundaries or crossroads Some may have been used as preaching crosses

12. The second tallest high cross in Ireland is found in the Dublin Archdiocese, in Moone, Co.Kildare. The theme of the cross is the Help of God-how God came to humanitys assistance in their hour of need. Scenes carved on the stone cross include: Daniel in the lions pit, the sacrifice of Issac. It is in three parts: the three children in the fiery furnace the miracle of the loaves and fish the flight into Egypt TO DO: Research Where is the tallest High Cross in Ireland located? Create an album of other Celtic crosses. Design your own Celtic cross use as the theme of your design Jesus the Teacher. (Tip: consider the Parables Jesus told; the stories about Jesus ministry). Visit the exhibit on the High Crosses of Ireland at Collins Barracks. High Cross

13. Celtic Cross

14. Did you know?..... For centuries, people revered the deities of wells. In Christianity, Christ uses water to heal. Water is used in Baptism. The Saints blessed the waters of wells and used them for Baptism. Pilgrims traditionally put water from the holy well on afflicted body parts. Many Saints founded a local church beside this source of water. St. Columba is reputed to have blessed over 300 wells. The Wayside well (beside St Brigids Well) is a small and ancient source of water. People visit here to collect water in bottles because of its reputed healing properties. St.Brigids Well is a large and ornate well and the site contains a statue of St.Brigid. There are 5 prayer stones in a line. It is a custom to pause at each stone and to reflect upon an aspect of Brigid/Brighid. First stone: Brigid, a woman of the land Second stone: Brigid, the peacemaker Third stone: Brigid, the friend of the poor Fourth stone: Brigid, the hearthwoman Fifth stone: Brigid, woman of contemplation. Behind the fifth stone is a round well that you encircle 3 times to achieve harmony within yourself and within the universe. Bible search: Baptism of Jesus Matthew 3:1-17 Woman at the Well John 4:7-43 Holy Wells

15. Holy Trees are often called rag trees or cloutie trees Pilgrims often left rags or items attached to the branches of a nearby tree They may have been in remembrance of healings received Some believe that, while the items remain on the branches, the prayers are still effective Have you seen the rag trees at Kildare and Glendalough? Holy Trees

16. Round towers began to be built about the same time as the high crosses. There remains some confusion as to the real purpose of these towers. They may have been: used for ringing bells status symbols landmarks to guide pilgrims used in liturgies or ceremonies watchtowers, storehouses and places of refuge. TO DO: The round tower at Glendalough is 30 metres high. Can you construct a scaled model of this tower? Make a 3D model of the pilgrim site at Glendalough. Place it in your Sacred Space on the Feast of St Kevin. Round Towers

17. The Fire Temple is located at the rear of the Cathedral in Kildare. In Pre-Christian times, the Priestesses of the goddess Brighid kept her flame eternally lit. In Christian times, the religious Sisters of St. Brigid continued this tradition. The light was extinguished during the Reformation. On 1 February 2006, the flame was permanently housed in a large glass enclosed vessel in the town centre of the Market Square. TO DO: Refer to Symbols in Alive-O 8 T1 L8 Bible Search: Genesis 28:10-22 (Jacobs Stone) Can you name the seven sacraments of the church? Choose 2 sacraments and list the symbols associated with these sacraments The Fire Temple (Kildare)

18. Who went on pilgrimages? The majority of people in Celtic times were not literate. They relied on the symbolism in pictures and architecture They cherished stories about the lives of the Saints and the relics of these Saints Pilgrim sites associated with these Saints were visited on Saints feast day Pilgrims often fasted, sought cures for illnesses prayed to and honoured their favourite Saints The Celtic people were a restless people and had an innate tendency to explore the unknown Unsurprisingly, the trend of white martyrdom developed amongst monks. This was where monks would leave possessions, family and friends in order to travel the wilderness forever in the service of God. TO DO: Interview someone who has gone on a pilgrimage recently. Why did they go? What did they do? Today, it is possible to go on a guided pilgrimage in Glendalough. The three most important Saints of Ireland were St.Patrick, St.Brigid and St.Colmcille (Columba).

19. Here is a Celtic Circling Prayer: Circle me, Lord Keep peace within, Keep harm without Circle me, God Keep love within, keep hate without. Compose your own Circling Prayer. Reflect on the prayers below. Choose one to use at your next Prayer Time Prayer to Jesus, Prayer to the Trinity Prayers to the Holy Spirit (Alive-0 3-Alive-0 8) St.Patricks Prayer Paidir dÍosa (Alive-0 4- Alive-0 8) Sing and pray the Deep Peace ritual (See Alive-0 4 DVD) Celtic Prayer

20. Why do we study Celtic Christian Spirituality? To offer children an opportunity to explore something of their Celtic Christian heritage so that their living of that Christianity today may be enriched. Suitable songs from Alive-O! A Íosa, Glan mo chroíse Alive-0 3 The King of Love Alive-O 4 Christ be beside me Alive -0 3 Stories In the Christian tradition, storytelling is not an innovation. Jesus told stories that challenged the people of his day to look again at their experiences. Through his stories he challenged them to re-evaluate these in the light of the values of Gods kingdom, which he explored in concrete terms in his stories. Access to the Celtic and Christian tradition is gained through the medium of story (AO-5). The children are introduced to Patricks coming to Ireland and Oisíns return to Ireland from Tír na nÓg. Christianity in Ireland absorbed much that was Celtic and a distinctive Celtic Christianity emerged. It is the root s of this Celtic Christianity that Irish children live out today. The children will engage with Celtic and Christian storytelling through which they begin to sift between the similarities and differences between the two. At a rudimentary level they will engage with a historical look at pre- Christian Ireland and the coming of St Patrick and take an equally modest geographical look at the Ireland of this time. Teacher Notes from Alive-O:

21. Activity 1 Draw a little shamrock to show the places associated with St Patrick. Activity 2 Draw a little St Brigids Cross to show the places associated with St Brigid. Activity 3 Draw a little round tower to show the places associated with St Kevin.

22. St Patrick IRELAND WALES SLEMISH BALLYMENA COUNTYANTRIM FRANCE BRITAIN ARMAGH COUNTY DOWN SLANE DOWNPATRICK Find these places on a map. I SURROUND MYSELF TODAY WITH THE POWER OF GOD GODs _______ TO COMFORT ME GODs ________ TO UPHOLD ME GODs GOOD ______ TO GUIDE ME GODs_________TO LOOK BEFORE ME GODs __________ TO SPEAK FOR ME GODs ______________ TO LEAD ME GODs __________TO LIE BEFORE ME GODs ____________ TO SAVE ME. READ ST PATRICKS PRAYER AND FILL IN THE BLANKS STRENGTH; HAND; WORD; SENSE; MIGHT; WAY; ANGELS; EYE. (Alive-O 5) Key places in the life of St Patrick:

23. To do: Read the prayer Christ Be Beside Me in your Alive-O 5 pupil book, page 11 Write out the prayer, Prayer to Jesus on page 17,Alive-O 5 and say it. You can also sing this hymn. It is called Christ Be Beside Me Research: Look in the class library for some Celtic myths and legends WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN o The Celtic gods? o The Christian God? PRAYER SERVICES: PRAYER SERVICE IN HONOUR OF ST PATRICK Alive-O 5 p.379 Alive-O 6 p.373 PRAYER SERVICE FOR THE FEAST OF ST BRIGID Alive-O 5 p.374 Alive-O 6 p.368 PRAYER SERVICE FOR ALL SAINTS AND THE COMMEMORATION OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED Alive-O 5 p.370

24. THE MONASTIC WAY OF LIFE IN THE 21ST CENTURY Glenstal Abbey, Co Limerick A recent interview in the Irish Times Weekend Review January 15th 2011 was conducted with Mark Patrick Hederman, Abbot of Glenstal, in Murroe, Co Limerick. He has spent 50 of his 66 years in Glenstal as student, teacher, headmaster and head of building works. The Benedictine monks live in Glenstal Abbey and the monastery is situated in an Anglo-Norman Castle. There are twenty monks in the community. They live according to the Rule of St Benedict and in following this rule find their balance in life between work, prayer and leisure. The Abbey is located in well-kept grounds and is a haven for wild life and natural habitats.

25. Glenstal Abbey is a very busy place. It is a hive of industry and monks are encouraged to use their gifts and talents. The monks run a boarding school for boys. People come to the Abbey in search of silence and solitude. They can stay in the guest house located on the grounds which accommodates fifteen guests. There is also an icon chapel situated in the Abbey, which houses Russian and Greek Orthodox devotional paintings. People are welcome to join the monks in prayer and for Mass.The monks gather for Mass each day in the beautiful chapel and they also pray in the chapel four times a day. More about Glenstal Abbey... Watch Alive-0 DVDs for monastic spirituality

26. The Abbot sees a great need for the way of life in Glenstal today. The monks are in tune with the signs of our times and in recent years they have written many books and produced CDs. The Glenstal Book of Prayer is one of the most popular publications. The Abbot Mark Hederman speaks of future plans for the Abbey. There are plans to build God pods where people can come and enjoy an atmosphere of peace and solitude. Plans are also underway to develop a farm where children can come to interact with animals and engage in workshops. Activity: Log on the website for Glenstal Abbey. Can you find Co. Limerick on the map? Look up: Alive –O 7 and read about the lives of St Kevin and St Laurence O Toole

27. St Benedicts Medal Can you draw a picture of the medal? What do the symbols engraved on the medal represent? Do you know anyone by the name of Benedict? Do you know why Pope Benedict is called Benedict the XVI? Where does Pope Benedict live? Log on to the Vatican website www.vatican.va They should each try to be first to show respect for each other RB 64.17 Pope Benedict and the Monastic Tradition

28. Pilgrim Sites outside Ireland Can you name people associated with these sites?