Celtic Spirituality: Finding God in the Everyday
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In this blog, we will be exploring Celtic Christianity, an expression of Christianity that has had a profound influence on my own life. It flourished roughly between the 5th and 10th centuries in the ancient British Isles, notably in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Some of the more popular saints associated with Celtic Christianity are: Saint Patrick (385–461) who is the patron saint of Ireland and is known for converting the Irish to Christianity; Saint Columba (521–597) who founded the monastery of Iona, which was instrumental in spreading Christianity in Scotland; Saint Ninian (360–432), an early missionary to the Picts. He is associated with the monastery of Whithorn; Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne (590–651) was an Irish missionary who evangelized Northumbria and is linked to the monastery at Lindisfarne.[1] And there are several other such saints. Celtic spirituality had deep roots in early monasticism and emphasized a close connection to God through nature, community, and a rhythm of life centred on prayer and worship. In recent years, there has been something of a renewed interest in Celtic spirituality[2] that has found its way into art, music, and the church. Think of it as a distinct expression of Christianity, rather than a Church denomination.
As fascinating as it might be, it’s important to acknowledge, however, that Celtic Christianity can be somewhat romanticized today, and much of it is cloaked in legend.[3] Despite this, what we do know of Celtic Christian spirituality is that it offers us profound yet simple ways in which we can connect with God in our everyday lives. I’ll highlight some of its emphases, and then show how we can apply these spiritual insights from Celtic spirituality to our own lives:
Firstly, God’s Immanence: Some of the more liturgical churches emphasize the transcendence of God, that God is entirely other, inconceivable, giving a sense that God is distant, not dissimilar to Pseudo-Dionysius’ Mystical Theology and The Cloud of Unknowing (as helpful as I believe those books to be). Celtic Christianity, on the other hand, focused on the immanence, or the closeness of God, believing that God is intimately present in all of creation, in the crashing waves, the scuffling of beetles, the rustling of leaves, the smile of a passer-by.[4] I think that we ought to hold the transcendence and immanence of God in mystical tension. The Celts were acutely aware of God’s intimate presence in the mundane and sought to cultivate this awareness in their lives.
Secondly, the Natural World: The Celtic Christians embodied a deep connection to nature because, as I mentioned, they saw God’s immanent presence in his creation, in land, sea, and sky.[5] For them, nature was a place where you could encounter the living God.[6] This is why you would find Celtic monasteries in remote and wild places, like the Island of Iona, for example. The Celts did not view nature as something to conquer or exploit; instead, they nurtured their natural environment, appreciating its beauty and seeing it as a sacred place for prayer and reflection.[7] This is why nature almost always features in the Celtic prayers.[8]
Thirdly, Community: Hospitality, community, and close friendships were emphasized in the Celtic tradition.[9] These personal connections were important for one’s Christian journey. This was clear, especially in the vibrant monasteries that were centres of spiritual practice and learning, not to mention hospitality, where travellers were always welcomed as if they were Jesus Christ himself. We explored this wonderful Christian virtue when we studied Benedictine spirituality.
Fourthly, prayer and worship: Celtic Christians structured their lives according to a rhythm of daily prayer. This also included short, simple prayers during the day, even during mundane duties,[10] think of Brother Lawrence’s, The Practice of the Presence of God. If you know anything of the Celtic prayers, you will know that they are filled with poetry and images from nature, for example:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
(Traditional Gaelic Blessing)
Fifthly, poetry and storytelling: As I mentioned, the Celts were poetic, but they also loved to tell stories. Many of their myths and legends were interwoven with Christian themes, which is why it’s sometimes difficult to tell apart myth from reality in the ancient accounts of the Celtic saints. Nevertheless, these creative, shall we say, embellishments were used to convey powerful spiritual truths. Their poetic creativity can be found in their worship and prayers.
Lastly, visual arts: I should mention that their creativity also extended to the visual arts. You can look at the intricate artwork in the Book of Kells, the Lindisfarne Gospels, the High (Celtic) stone crosses, jewellery, like brooches, and other personal items. These all include interlaced patterns and knotwork, zoomorphic designs, symbols, and complex ornamentation.[11]
So, how can we embody some of the Celtic wisdom today in our own lives? Here are a few practical suggestions:
Celtic Christians believed in what is known as “thin places,” meaning that there are locations where the veil, so to speak, between heaven and earth seems especially thin. The experience of thin places could be on the seashore, in the meadows, in a forest, or even in specific places in your home or garden where you sense a deep connection to God. Spend time in these places in prayer and contemplation.
Another suggestion, similar to the previous point, is to embrace nature as a sanctuary. So, learn to connect with the natural world by going for walks in nature and seeing God’s presence in the environment. You could even watch the insects and birds in your garden as a way of appreciating nature as a sanctuary. Pay attention to all the details of God’s creation and allow yourself to experience God’s presence in doing so.
Learn to appreciate and engage with Celtic spirituality by exploring their prayers, poems, and stories. Allow their creative traditions to inspire your Christian devotion, practice, and prayer. You could start by developing a simple rhythm of prayer throughout the day. These might be spontaneous prayers or memorized set prayers that you say at specific times of the day.
Finally, consider how you can make hospitality part of your spiritual life. This could be as simple as inviting someone for a meal or taking time to listen to a friend in need.
By now, you should have figured that Celtic spirituality isn’t confined to church buildings or specific rituals; instead, it is about experiencing God in everyday life. You and I can develop a deeper and richer relationship with God by embracing some of these principles. By integrating prayer, nature, and community, we can grow deeply and holistically in our Christian faith.
Task
In this task, I want you to go for a walk in nature on your own. Pay attention to the details of creation and allow yourself to experience God’s presence in it. Take a moment or two during your walk to say a short prayer and meditate on God’s presence in nature. When you return, write a short reflection on what you experienced and anything specific that stood out to you or surprised you.
I’ve also included a free short book, Celtic Prayers and Blessings, for your interest. Read through them and maybe learn one or two of the prayers.
AI Disclaimer:
This article has been edited for grammar, clarity, and readability using AI-assisted tools. The core content, theological insights, and personal reflections remain my original work.
Notes
[1] Ian Bradley, Celtic Christianity: Making Myths and Chasing Dreams (Edinburgh University Press, 1999), 1.
[2] Bradley, Celtic Christianity, vii, 189–232; Charles R. Ringma, In the Midst of Much-Doing: Cultivating a Missional Spirituality (Langham Global Library, 2023), 319.
[3] Bradley, Celtic Christianity, x, 2.
[4] Ringma, In the Midst of Much-Doing, 318–19.
[5] J. Philip Newell, Christ of the Celts: The Healing of Creation (Jossey-Bass, 2008).
[6] Ringma, In the Midst of Much-Doing, 318.
[7] Newell, Christ of the Celts, 65.
[8] J. Philip Newell, Celtic Christian Spirituality: Essential Writings Annotated & Explained (SkyLight Paths, 2011), Ch. 1.
[9] Ringma, In the Midst of Much-Doing, 319–20.
[10] Newell, Celtic Christian Spirituality, Ch. 2; Ch. 4.
[11] George Bain, Celtic Art: The Methods of Construction (Dover Publications, 1973), null.
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