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Celtic Holy Eucharist
Saint Mary's 5:00 pm service on the first Saturday of the month features a Celtic Eucharist. Why a Celtic Eucharist? Celtic spirituality hearkens back to the earliest days of Christianity. The Keltoi mentioned by Paul in his letter to the Galatians spread throughout Europe but ended up primarily in Brittany, Ireland Cornwall, Scotland, and Wales. Missionaries from Antioch came to these areas imbuing them with the influenced of the Eastern church. Isolated as these areas were the Christian traditions that emerged there were not subject to the authority of the Roman Church and developed their own theology and practices. Drawing heavily on the gospel of John, Celtic spirituality came to emphasize creation, the Trinity, and God’s immanence, as well as the thin boundaries between the secular and the holy. For the Celts, praying and working were not separate realms; rather they flowed naturally into one another, emphasizing wholeness in life rather than fragmentation. In recent years there has been an upsurge in interest in Celtic spirituality and Celtic liturgies. The Celtic tradition with its more contemplative emphasis and its focus on creation seems to speak to people worn by the busyness and demands of 21st century life. Celtic liturgies appeal simultaneously to the hard and to the mind, speaking to the whole person, and connecting humanity, God, and nature. Our Celtic Eucharist follows the ancient traditions and incorporates both ancient and modern prayers. Candles and lighting help to create a more intimate setting, and silence in which we can experience God’s presence in community is an integral part of the service. Celtic harper Thom provides Celtic music that helps to set the meditative and reflective atmosphere. Join us for a worship experience that captures the best of the ancient tradition and feeds both body and soul. top | home | site index |
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