Celtic Spirituality Pilgrimage, Day 13: Iona

St. David's Episcopal Church

Celtic Spirituality Pilgrimage

led by

Ken and Darlene Swanson

Day 13, April 16th: Iona

We travelled across the island of Mull for the second time to take the ferry across to Iona.  Today was clear and bright, and the wind not nearly so difficult as yesterday.

Approaching Iona.

We immediately walked up to the Abbey for a group shot.

Darlene gave a teaching on St. Columba in the Abbey Church's choir, near the high altar.

Darlene stressed how Columba reflected the biblical pattern of other giants of faith, such as Moses, David, Peter and Paul all of whom were forgiven and redeemed by God after committing grievous sins. Early in Columba's ministry while still in Ireland, his hot temper, pride, and sense of entitlement led to a clash of two clans and the deaths of over 3000 soldiers.  Columba was thus exiled from Ireland.  That is why he came to Iona in Scotland. With a deeply repentant heart, he founded his monastery on Iona vowing to serve God and others for the remainder of his life.  Despite Columba's shortcomings, God used him in a mighty way to spread the gospel.    

The pilgrims then had the rest of the day to spend in silence, finding ways to enter into the powerful presence of God on Iona; to experience this 1400 year old "thin place"of Celtic Christianity.  

Some explored the Abbey Museum which recreated the monastic life on Iona over the centuries.

The monks cared for one another in life and death.

The Book of Kells was created in the Iona scriptorium, and was only later taken to Kells Abbey in Ireland for safekeeping.

Kings desired to be buried on Iona.

The island became the major pilgrimage site for all Celtic Christians.

Other pilgrims sought communion with God through prayer.

In St. Michael's Chapel.

Before St. Martin's Cross.

In Columba's Shrine shadowed by St. John's Cross

Others sought out isolated places on the Island to pray.

One intrepid group hiked in silence nearly seven miles to the highest point on Iona to view Columba's Bay on the very south shore, the place where Columba and his twelve companions landed in 563AD.

Tired, but blessed by this most holy place, we left Iona, went back across Mull, took a ferry to the mainland and drove to Glasgow, where we will be for two nights.  Tomorrow, our final day, we will travel to Arran to visit a The Sannox Christian Center, a 21st century expression of Celtic Christianity.