Each day, I wonder how this day can be better than the last... and without fail, I crash in my room at night filled with gratitude for the places I’ve gone, the things I have seen, felt, experienced...
Today we left the Boyne Valley north of Dublin and headed south to Glendalough. As usual, we had morning prayers and a song on the bus... and traveled to St. Brigid’s cathedral in Kildare. St. Brigid is the second most revered saint in Ireland, only second to Patrick. She is known for having ties to a pre-Christian goddess and was known for her care of the earth, her generosity and care for the poor. As Christianity came to Ireland, her goddess characteristics were reflected in her as a Saint. She founded many monasteries and one old Irish manuscript records her as being anointed as Bishop. Fascinating story from oral tradition passed down through the ages.
We then went to the Solas Bhride, an ecumenical center dedicated to the spirit and of St. Brigid and Celtic spirituality. The Brigidine Sisters welcomed us and we had a beautiful Sunday service with them, with our fellow pilgrim Leslie from Australia presiding, our Episcopal deacon Jackie attending and our Lutheran priest doing the reading, and our another pilgrim doing the homily. The liturgy was adopted by our leader Teresa from Celtic services at Iona. It was beautiful. Teresa shared the Mary Blair was celebrating along with us. Beautiful connection!
We then had lunch in the Center and then traveled to the site of St. Brigid’s holy well. After brief reflections by the Sisters, we left feeling renewed.
A brief stop at the Wicklow Gap took us for a brief walk down the site of the original pilgrim trail and then on yo Glendalough. We will be here for four nights before we head for home. Amazing day!
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