Teilhard de Chardin in “Hymn of the Universe” makes a wonderful connection between the Mass and the cosmos, when he exclaims … “Since once again, Lord, though not in the forests of Aisne but in the Steppes of Asia, I have neither bread nor wine, nor altar, I will raise myself beyond these symbols up to the pure majesty of the real itself.

Our own Celtic spirituality is inspired by the awe and reverence for the cosmos. The concept of the numinous that the ancient people had, was linked to the earth with trustful expectation. This is the month of May. Traditionally May was heralded in by the celebration of Beltane, the bright fire when people communicated with the divine by using fire. The lighting of the “need-fire” was believed to appease a goddess whose favour people implored for a good harvest. A legacy of this was experienced when Rogation days were celebrated universally to bless the crops.


For our Irish ancestors in early Christian times there was a link between the old spirituality and the

introduction of the Mass into Ireland. Unfortunately with the passing of time we have lost our contact with the natural world and let go of this life-giving relationship with the earth. Today there is a worldwide call to renew our Celtic spirituality connecting with the whole cosmos and re-establishing our right relations with self/others/ the Universe/God.

Was it this ancient cosmic richness which imbued the heart of the late Sr Francis O.P. when she sang out:

Our Earth her lovely loveliest has given,
ascends the fairest of the sons of men
a gift from lowly earth to highest heaven
and in that giving Oh what endless gain!