Every Pilgrim S Guide To Celtic Britain And Ireland

Jones provides a wealth of information on the shrines, churches, saints, and holy sites of the Celtic tradition. Traveling pilgrims are introduced to these special places that link ancient spirituality with modern lives of faith. Photos. Maps.

Excerpt from Celtic Britain and the Pilgrim Movement The growth Of religious thought, Ethnic, Hebrew, or Christian, besides being Of supreme moment, is Of an interest so perennial that no apology should be needed for presenting any evidence not hitherto easily accessible. It has been my custom for some years, whilst occupied with the study Of ecclesiastical history, to jot down, or at least to make a mental note of anything that seemed speciallv to bear upon Wales, Cornwall, Ireland, or Scot land and as I pursued my investigations (begun solely for the satisfaction Of my own curiosity) the cultural Significance Of the pilgrim movement was strongly borne in upon my mind. Whether we consider its many-sided character, its human elements, its doctrinal import, its intellectual fertility, or the tenacity Of this irrepressible instinct throughout the ages, it appears to challenge comparison with any other field Of enquiry; and after a considerable amount Of material had accumulated, it was more than once pointed out to me that the publica tion Of what I had garnered might serve a useful pur pose; a suggestion in which the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion readily acquiesced. The pleasure which the preparation of the work has afforded me, during years of enforced exile, will be enhanced tenfold, if it proves that my expatriation has not prevented me from rendering Wales some service by throwing light upon an Obscure and neglected phase Of her religious and mental evolution. Whilst the work was being shaped, the question Of method cost me much thought. Assuming that manyreaders would be unfamiliar with both the Celtic and the ecclesiological aspects of the subject, I was obliged to steer between the Scylla of redundance and _the Charybdis of compression and baldness. Just as I was speculating how to escape-from this dilemma, I had an opportunity-oi discussing the main lines Of procedure with an historian and literary critic, on whose long ex perience I could confidently rely, and he confirmed my views. When the work had been revised, he was kind enough to read through portions of the manu script which might still be in doubt, and, as the follow ing letter shows, saw no reason to change his Opinion Upon every occasion your method of proceeding has been fully justified on two grounds. The contents of the book are, in many cases, such as to require a careful pre liminary preparation for what is to follow, and the work contains hardly anything that could be spared without detriment to the whole. You are obliged to give in formation for want of which the work would be positively unintelligible to most people. Though I am not unac quainted with ecclesiastical history, Often found the sort of focussing of general principles, before adducing the new evidence in which the work abounds, of great assistance in forming a comprehension of the fresh material. On the other hand, it is certain that among those whose keenest attention will be directed to its Celtic features, there will be many as ignorant of ecclesiology as others are of Celtic history. The Celtic scholar's need of some guidance, when ecclesiastical history is put before him, is in fact not only excusable, but a phenomenon that will appear natural to anyone who has ever seriously studied anything. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com

England's rich spiritual history is portrayed in this informative pocket travel companion, covering more than a thousand places that can be visited today. Cathedrals and abbeys, simple chapels, martyrs' memorials, pilgrim shrines and famous resting places are all featured in this book which connects us to our deepest spiritual roots, reveals the vast holy land lying beneath our feet and tells the stories of the men and women who shaped it.

This book traces the history of ritual landscapes in the British Isles, and the transition from religious practice to recreation, by focusing on a highly understudied exemplar: the coin-tree. These are trees imbued with magical properties into which coins have been ritually embedded. This is a contemporary custom which can be traced back in the literature to the 1700s, when it was practiced for folk-medical and dedicatory purposes. Today, the custom is widespread, with over 200 coin-trees distributed across the British Isles, but is more akin to the casual deposition of coins in a wishing-well: coins are deposited in the tree in exchange for wishes, good luck, or future fortune. Ceri Houlbrook contributes to the debate on the historic relationships between religion, ritual, and popular magic in British contexts from 1700 to the present.

Presenting a thorough, comprehensive theory of spiritual capital based on solid academic research, 'Spiritual Capital' serves to reinforce and amplify the notion of a moral economic core that is beginning to feature in contemporary economic arguments. In this rare major work wholly dedicated to the subject of spiritual capital, Sam Rima explains the desperate need for revolutionary and transformational thinking in the area of economic policy and practice and makes the case for a new moral foundation to business and economics that directly addresses today's financial and business crisis. Writing in an accessible style, and drawing on examples from several continents, Rima explains spiritual capital theory in terms of the resources needed for its creation, how it is formed, how it can be invested and what the return on investment can be. The book provides practical tools for measuring a personal or organizational store of spiritual capital, along with clear guidelines on how to engage in spiritual capital formation. These will benefit business leaders interested in developing viable and sustainable enterprises capable of avoiding the disconnection between economic policy and social reality. There are also recommendations here for policy makers regarding the macro application of spiritual capital theory. This important contribution to Gower's Transformation and Innovation Series will appeal to business leaders and policy makers, academicians and students in the fields of sociology, theology, and economics, and anyone interested in social and economic justice issues, social innovation, and corporate social responsibility.

The essays brought together here present a broad assessment of the serious issues facing rural life and the rural church today. The authors are drawn from the Anglican, Baptist, Methodist and Pentecostal Churches. The essays explore a wide range of biblical, theological, sociological, and historical concerns and topics. Throughout, the book is informed by a spirit of listening - to church-goers, clergy, church leaders, and local communities. Rural Life and Rural Church provides an invaluable resource for clergy and lay Christians involved in rural ministry, initial and continuing ministerial education, and Christian men and women living in the countryside.

From our earliest days, seekers from every great religious tradition have made pilgrimages—sacred journeys in the pursuit of wisdom, healing, guidance, and inspiration. In our contemporary society, more mobile now than ever before, pilgrimage is a popular vehicle for spiritual growth. Now this helpful guide has everything you need to make this practice your own. You’ll find perspectives that cross time and tradition, plus plenty of practical help, with historical perspective, inspiring stories, practical suggestions, and plenty of encouragement. You’ll learn about: —The history and practice of pilgrimage in many cultures —Ancient stories and traditions about pilgrimage —The stages of pilgrimage —The elements of pilgrimage and how to deepen your experience —How to make a pilgrimage doable —Famous pilgrims and significant holy places —Classic books and movies about pilgrimage

This is the first full-length study of the poet Ruth Bidgood, who is best known for her long-term literary engagement with the landscape and communities of the mid-Wales region she has made her home. Considering her entire career to date, this volume provides detailed scrutiny of Bidgood’s poetry from its genesis in her formative discovery of mid-Wales in the 1960s to her 2009 prize-winning volume Time Being. Whilst acknowledging the breadth of Bidgood’s poetic work, this book argues that her most important achievement is her creation, over many years, of what has become nothing less than a mid-Wales epic.