Virtual Celtic Pilgrimage: The Wisdom of Irish Saints Kevin, Ita, and Enda
- Online retreat
- Self-study, start anytime
- Move at your own pace, in your own place
- Lifetime access
Registration Fee: $180 USD
Program Description
You are invited on a journey of the heart. In the Celtic imagination, the portal to cross thresholds into other realms is as close as our breath, as near as the pulse of our aliveness. You are invited onto a pilgrimage where you might physically walk only a few steps, but your soul can travel vast distances.
Abbey of the Arts has created this virtual pilgrimage with the help of our wonderful filmmaker friends at Morgan Creative and some of our favorite guides in Ireland as a way to invite you into the beauty of some of Ireland’s sacred places without having to pack a suitcase.
This pilgrimage was originally offered during Samhain (Oct 31 – Nov 8) which is the start of the new year in the Celtic calendar and the beginning of the dark half of the year. Samhain wisdom teaches us that all beginnings happen in the womb-space of holy darkness. This is also the time when the ancestors are considered to be especially close to us, dancing just beyond the veil.
The live sessions were recorded over the feast of Samhain (Oct 31-Nov 8) but can be watched at any time you want to connect with Ireland, Celtic spirituality and your ancestors.
What might your intention be in this season of your life?
What are the new beginnings you desire?
How might making a 9-day commitment to your inner journey reveal new pathways into the future?
What's Included
Each video recording of the live session originally offered around the Feast of Samhain lasts approximately 75 minutes and includes teaching and meditation from Christine Valters Paintner, music and prayer from Simon de Voil, invitations into embodied prayer with Betsey Beckman, and beautifully filmed videos with local guides Dara Molloy, Deirdre Ní Chinnéide, Pius Murray, Fr. Michael Rodgers, and Pádraigín Clancy, as well as storytelling from Órla Mc Govern, offering their wisdom and insight into aspects of Celtic pilgrimage and spirituality. These 10-15 minute videos were filmed at the islands of Inismor and Inisheer (two of the Aran islands off the coast from Galway) and the beautiful monastic city of Glendalough.
We explore the gifts and invitations that Saints Kevin, Ita, and Enda have for us. Each day we consider a different theme connected to their life and vision. Each day you will be invited into meditations to connect to the Celtic imagination and unearth your heart’s deep longings. There will be suggestions for practices of contemplative walking and other meditation between sessions.
If a nine-day pilgrimage is too intense for your life commitments, you can spread them out over nine weeks or nine months as you have lifetime access to them. Pilgrimage is time outside of time, so however you are being called to journey is perfect.
This pilgrimage also includes a bonus poetry reading with Irish poet Mícheál ‘Moley’ Ó Súilleabháin and an Irish Keen exploration (the ancient Irish death lament) with singer Mary Mc Laughlin.
Daily Themes
Day 1 -St. Kevin
Journey and Pilgrimage
Day 2 -St. Kevin
The Veil is Thin
Day 3 -St. Kevin
Retreat to the Desert
Day 4 -St. Ita
Women in Monastic Life
Day 5 -St. Ita
Dreams and Visions
Day 6 -St. Ita
Samhain and Seasonal Rhythms
Day 7 -St. Enda
Angel's Walk
Day 8 -St. Enda
Way of the Hermit
Day 9 -St. Enda
Remembering Who You Are
Your Guides for the Journey
Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, REACE
Christine is the director of AbbeyoftheArts.com, a virtual monastery exploring contemplative practice, creative expression, and ways to nourish an earth-cherishing consciousness. She is a spiritual director, teacher, pilgrimage guide, and author of nine books on spirituality and the arts. Her deepest belief is that the earth is the original monastery–a wisdom guide and mentor in living a soulful and vibrant life. Visit the “About Christine” page for more information.
Rev Simon Ruth de Voil
Reverend Simon Ruth de Voil is an interfaith-interspiritual minister, sacred musician, spiritual counsellor, and chaplain. His sacred work—both musical and interpersonal—explores themes of the inner landscape of the soul, the enchantment of the natural world, and the healing power of spiritual practice. As a chaplain and counsellor, Simon helps individuals and groups connect sacred presence with everyday life. Simon is also a transgender activist and a luthier in training. Visit Simon’s website here.
Guest Teachers
Betsey Beckman
Deirdre Ní Chinnéide
Dara Molloy
Pius Murray
Mary Mc Laughlin
Órla Mc Govern
Fr. Michael Rodgers
Pádraigín Clancy
Mícheál ‘Moley’ Ó Súilleabháin
Praise for the Virtual Celtic Pilgrimage
Registration
$180
Registration Fee
Terms and Conditions
Please consider your purchase carefully and review the many free materials we have on our website to make sure the program will be a good fit or get in touch with any questions.
We ask that you honor our work by not sharing the program materials with others who are not enrolled.
Please contact us for permission to quote in settings beyond the program
Some self-study retreats include video or audio recordings of sessions that were recorded in a live community offering of the retreat and may make reference to forums or other modes of sharing. Please disregard these as self-study retreats do not have these available.
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