The Celtic Way

"The Celtic Way journey gives your group a chance to reflect on the past in a way that impacts the future"

VOYAGE TYPE

Narrative Voyage

Every year millions celebrate St. Patrick’s Day without realizing the significance of this amazing man. When Patrick introduced Christianity in Ireland in the 4th century, his expression of Christ’s love did not transform a country as much as it metamorphosed Christianity. Over the next few hundred years, Celtic Christianity reached the edges of the known world and preserved Western culture from barbaric destruction. From holy isles like Lindisfarne in England, Inisheer in Ireland, and Iona in Scotland to monastic houses of learning in France, Wales, and Cornwall, this new expression of Jesus’message became a light at the edges of the Roman Empire during the Dark Ages.

Even today, these sacred spaces of Celtic Christianity remain otherworldly places to visit. The Celtic Way Wonder Voyages take place in the eight traditional Celtic centers of origin: Ireland, England, North Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Isle of Man, and Cornwall. Each of these specific locations speaks to us today through the stories of their saints, their impact on the world, and how we can still absorb the message of Christ they preached into our lives today. The Celtic Way journey gives your group a chance to reflect on the past in a way that impacts the future. Will you join us on The Celtic Way?

Overview

Visit Iona isle, where St. Columba established his monastery here in the 6th century as a beacon of light to the world.
Participate in daily prayer and worship opportunities at a working monastery.
Walk the ancient monastic site of Clonmacnoise, Ireland which dates back almost 1,500 years.
Take a day to climb Croagh Patrick, the traditional mountain pilgrimage of the Irish.
Travel to the heart of Welsh Celtic Christianity: St. Davidʼs, one of the most enchanting and evocative destinations in Wales.
Follow in the footsteps of little-known saints like St. Brynach, St. Molig, or St.Non.

Itinerary

Every Wonder Voyage itinerary (mission trip and/or pilgrimage) is personalized to the desires, direction and personality of each group. This itinerary is only a description of the kind of journey we can create for your unique team.

Iona, Scotland

Day 1
Today we will take a couple of ferries and a bus to get to where St. Columba established his monastery here in the 6th century as a beacon of light to the world. Iona’s influence even continues today. This once-in-a-lifetime experience will establish a special place in your heart. After we arrive and settle in, we will show you some of the important spots on the island and prepare you for the journey of discovery.

Day 2
There are precious few moments in our lives when we can stop and rest in God’s presence. The island of Iona provides an opportunity for just that. We come to Iona as pilgrims in search of Thin Places, places where heaven meets earth. We will take the opportunity while we are here to settle in to the rhythm of this place. We will participate in daily prayer and worship opportunities at the Abbey. You will have time during these two days to walk, think, journal, explore and spend time in prayer. May Christ meet us in a significant way while we are here.

Ireland

Day 1 – Time Travel
Another day trip will take us to the ancient monastic site of Clonmacnoise. Our destination is situated at the crossroads of Ireland in County Offaly and dates back almost 1,500 years. This place is a wonderful way to travel back in time and learn how monastic communities functioned.

Day 2 – The Sacred Mountain
According to Christian tradition, St. Patrick went up the sacred mountain at festival time in 441 AD. After fasting at the summit for 40 days, he banished all the snakes and demons from Ireland. The site quickly became an important place of Christian pilgrimage. Today you will make that same journey.

Wales

Day 1 – St. Davidʼs and Early Christianity
The first stop of the morning will be St. Nonʼs on the coast, the birthplace of St. David, where we will engage in a circular pilgrimʼs walk then venture onto the cliffs above. Porth Clais, the place of Davidʼs baptism is our next port of call and where we will stop for a lunch break. We travel to the heart of Welsh Celtic Christianity: St. Davidʼs. It is one of the most enchanting and evocative destinations in Britain.

Day 2 – The Hidden Saint
After morning prayers our host and expert in Celtic Christianity will greet us. He will answer many questions and share the history of the area with our team. He will also lead us on a magnificent journey in the footsteps of St. Brynach, who brought Christianity to this little valley over 1500ʼs years ago. We will see St. Brynachʼs church, have lunch at one of the oldest pubʼs in Britain, visit the high crosses of Nevern and see the bleeding yew.