The Cloud of Unknowing is a book which has changed many lives. It is an essential practical handbook of contemplative prayer in the West. It is the foundation upon which Centering Prayer is built. And It has shaped my life profoundly. The Book itself starts with this prayer: O God unto whom all hearts lie … Continue reading The Cloud of Unknowing →

Pelagius is a very controversial figure. The Pelagian Heresy has been thought of by many to be the most commonly recurring heresy. It keeps popping up here, there, and everywhere. But heresy is in the eye of the beholder, and Pelagius felt that the notion of original sin itself was heretical.

My name is Br Finnian, I am an Anglican Franciscan friar living in east London, in the UK. That's me in the middle in the picture above. This is my 4th house now as a brother. We live ‘in community’ under vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience. Ours is a relatively busy urban friary. There … Continue reading Conversion and Commitment: Discerning the Call →

We often think of couples living together before marriage as a modern notion, but up until 1609 it was common practice in Scotland, especially in the more remote areas. A couple could live together, as if they were husband and wife, for one year and a day to give the relationship a test run before committing.

There are places of beautiful mystery in the natural world. I bet you've found one at some point in your life. Maybe you've been lucky enough to find many of them. In the Celtic tradition these places are called Thin Places. This is because the veil which separates Heaven from Earth is thin. You feel like you could almost touch Heaven, or even taste it.

I would like to share a guest post with you today. This is a piece written by Mark Condy. Mark is Celtic Christian living in Ohio. He has a blog on Celtic Christian spirituality which you can find here. I hope you enjoy his reflection! I got up and hastily threw my clothes on; I … Continue reading What is your favourite trysting-place? →

Tomorrow is the feast of Epiphany in the church calendar. The day when we celebrate those three wise men who came to visit Jesus and bring him gifts. The word epiphany itself comes from ancient Greek times. Before it was used to describe the moment of Christ’s being revealed to the world it was used … Continue reading Epiphany: Mystery in the Stars →

Every year, on New Year's Eve, people all around the world sing a few lines in Scots which most people don't understand. Those lines are: "Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought tae mind. Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and the days of auld lang syne." I bet you always wondered what that even … Continue reading New Year’s Eve: What does Auld Lang Syne Actually Mean? →

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. Dear … Continue reading Christmas: The Day Love Was Born →

We have a lot of ideas about what constitutes a traditional Christmas, but we often fail to realize that Christmas traditions have changed a lot since the first one in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. The first recorded Christmas celebrations took place in the 4th century and we don’t know a whole lot about them other … Continue reading Is There Such a Thing as a Traditional Christmas? →