THE CELTIC SAINTS

A serious study of the typical characteristics of the spirituality of the saints of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Scotland and Wales, who lived from the 5th to the 12th centuries. It is historically informative, theologically analytical and inspirationally directed, with attention given to its relevance for practice in our times. The author reconstructs this spirituality with references to books used by the Celtic monks, to Celtic liturgy, to Celtic art. Integration is the lesson these monks can teach us. Their life was that of monk, scholar, apostle and preacher. Their source of integration and strength was prayer based on the Bible and the Liturgy; their inspiration stemmed from the desert fathers, from devotion to the Mass and the Blessed Sacrament and their ability to think in terms of signs and symbols. Their spirituality in part can be described as ""pre-Franciscan"". The majority of American Catholics know little of this history. This affords an inspiring introduction.