Visions and Voyages: The Story of Celtic Spirituality - Paperback

by Fay Sampson (Author)

Using history, and a thoughtful examination of legends, Fay Sampson weaves the strands of Celtic Christianity like Celtic knotwork into a continuous story, exciting and unsentimental. As the Roman empire crumbled, Celtic Christians threw themselves into pilgrimage and quest. They found their visionary islands on Skellig Michael, Iona, Lindisfarne...Yet their spirituality was essentially concerned with politics and people. Brigid ruled a monastery for women and men, princesses and slaves, while Arthur was defending Celtic Britain against English invaders. Columban was deported from Burgundy. Aidan died protesting against his king. Some did slam the monastery gates on the sinful world. More tramped into the hills, staff in hand, to stand alongside ordinary people.

Back Jacket

While pagan Celts wove together epic stories of supernatural voyages to islands bathed in love and joy, Celtic Christians passionately embraced making this fantastical nirvana a living reality. Driven before the wind of the Spirit, these hardy pilgrims set sail to islands such as Skellig Michael, Iona and Lindisfarne without regard for their personal safety or sanctuary. They carried with them first-rate scholarship and a delight in art and poetry. This new wave of spirituality, today known as 'Celtic Christianity', was very much dictated by people and politics. The Irish saint Brigid led a monastery for women and men, princesses and slaves while Arthur defended Celtic Britain against the might of English invasion, antagonizing the church in the process. The forthright Irish missionary Columban was deported from Burgundy while Aidan, the founder of the Lindisfarne monastery, died protesting against his king. These were passionate people with passionate lives. While some slammed the gates shut to the sin of the outside world, far more worked alongside common folk to heal the wounds of injustice and wrongdoing. And their unique brand of Christianity flourished as increasing calamity struck. Experienced author Fay Sampson skilfully weaves the rich heritage of Celtic history and other information about legends and sainthood into an unbroken story. Visions and Voyages is a true celebration of the pilgrim spirit that characterized the Celtic era and which still has the power to challenge and resonate with us today. FAY SAMPSON is a widely published author, with a particular interest in fantasy and Celtic history. She has written 37 books for adults and children, spanning fiction and non-fiction. She was shortlisted for the Guardian's Children's Fiction Prize on three separate occasions.

Author Biography

FAY SAMPSON is a widely published author with a particular interest in fantasy and Celtic history. She has been shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize on three occasions and is a winner of the Barco de Vapor award.