`In the Footsteps of the Celtic Saints`
Dear Mac Gregory,
Although the Hebrides figure prominently in our tales of the Saints the territory covers Northumberland, Lindsfarne ( St. Aidan) Glasgow (St. Mungo or as he was sometimes known St. Kentigern) St. Columba ( Ireland and Iona etc. Columbanus the Missionary in Europe, St. Patrick of Ireland, St. David of Wales, St Brendan the Navigator to whom all small boat sailors turn for succour when the high waves threaten. On the "Stella Maris" off the North Sea coast I have said more than my fair share of prayers to Brendan. St.Cuthbert of Northumberland. Thus I did not use `Hebridean Journey` in the Title for obvious reasons. I must not forget St. Brigid of Ireland. I don`t intend to follow a sequential order of our wanderings but rather to pick out here and there the journeys which in particular have given great joy and bequeathed beautiful memories. I intend to begin with Colonsay and Oransay as two particularly beautiful pearls........
the following information is from a wonderful old travel book on Scotland which is falling to pieces which I bought for a few pence from a Book Barrow in Edinburgh about forty five years ago. I love it and take it with me all over Scotland. We learn that Westward from Jura is another pair of islands separated only by a narrow gulf- Colonsay and Oransay ( Mac. noticed an `Oransey` (different spelling) mentioned on your site. During the War I Remember the Troopship `Oransay` or `Oransey` being a name that cropped up often.)
We also learn that it is the Northern Isle which is more populated. The author remarked
that `one feels oneself at the end of the world`..........Wonderful!!........
It is possible to cross to Oransay dryshod at lowtide . Kevin Byrne our very popular Irish mine host at the Colonsay Hotel where we were staying had dropped us off at the beach and pointed out the path to follow. On Oransay there are the ruins of a fourteenth century Agustinian Priory with a finely sculptured sixteenth cross We also learn that here in 1882 ( two years before my father was born) a Viking,........
(.d get pictures)
Viking, buried in his shipand with his horse beside him. There is a great sandy beach at Kiloran Bay.Kevin pointed out a detour which he thought would interest us. We saw St. Columba`s hill. Apparently when St.Columba left Ireland in disgrace he and his companions left Ireland for Iona, they landed first of all on Oransay. Columba climbed his hill but when he found that he could still see Ireland he and his Monks pressed on for Iona. Cynthia and I set out to climb the but the onset of bad weather prevented us
so doing, Title of Photos...1=Cynthia at Notice Board on Oransay. 2=priory on Oransay..3=1,000 year old Cross on Oransay. 4= Cynthia at Cross. 5= Cynthia taking a well earned drink from St. Columba`s well at Colonsay. 6 =Typical sea view!
The Priory is quite amazing and beautiful in it`s splendid isolation. It is absolutely breathtaking! Thanks to the advantages of a Jesuit education I am at home in the Latin Linqua. When I find myself in beautiful ruined places whose walls used to resound to the wonderful chant of the Salve Regina at Vespers, then Cynthia and I make a point of saying the Rosary and prayers in Latin. A chill runs down my spine when I think that perhaps we may be the first in a long time to say such prayers! That is what mean when I talk about `living history`! You can feel it! We wandered through the ruined Cloister and remarked on the height of the doorways. We think that the Monks were wee men,about five feet. We saw human bones in a case behind the remains of the high altar. The ruins of the Priory were remarkably clean and well cared for in every way. That is enough for tonight. Tomorrow I will give the background to the story of Columba leaing Ireland for Iona.........
Originally there was certainly a Columbine church and Cell on Oransay but the ruined Agustinian Priory dates from the Middle Ages. ( I`ll give a Bibliography at the end but the Reader may find it helpful to have a quick click on " Lives of the Celtic Saints".)
Columba was a great scribe like all the Monks. Remember that there was no such thing as a printing press or for that matter a computer or scanner. Dedication, love and great attention to detail. I have in my library a copy of a small section of `The Book of Kells` and it is truly a sight to behold! The original is in Trinity College! If you ever go to Dublin don`t miss the opportunity to gaze in awe at a sublime example of the work of a Master.
. Try and read `How the Irish saved Civilisation` by Thomas Cahill, Published by Hodder and Stoughton, 1995. With wonderful humour he describes how after Alaric and his mob of Barbarians in 410 A.D. burned the `Aenid` by Virgil, the `Illiad` and the `Oddessy` by Homer and all the rest of the great literature of our world, at the gates of Rome. Then the Irish monks in their little islands started to copy and to save what they could. What a wonderful fist they made of it too! Of course, per example of The Book of Kells,` their main and outstanding work was to copy the Gospels! To work is to pray! What kind of man was the average Celtic Monk?
St Wilfrid of Canterbury, the great English Saint, lived by the Law and for the Law! In contrast, St. Columba and his merry men lived by the law of Love, Compassion and gentleness to all. `Love thy neighbour as thyself`. Sounds pretty good to me!. Columba in my opinion had a mixture of the good and not so good points in his make up like many Gaels. We are generous, open hearted brave and loyal! We are quick tempered fiery,and quick to take offence. We don`t like chancers and Machiavllian types who cannot be trusted. We try not to be judgemental but it is very difficult! We don`t like mean, petty and vain men! In fact, I suppose that we are difficult to please. Our word is our bond. Quite a mix but we make friends for life!
