THE LEGACY AND SPIRITUAL INSPIRATION OF IONA

While there are many places where we can travel for retreat, the Island of Iona in the western Hebrides of Scotland has stood out over many centuries as a jewel, attracting pilgrims, travelers, and seekers from all over the world and from all spiritual traditions, compelled by the desire to renew and deepen their personal and spiritual lives.

Iona is a very small island, located in the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland. Only three miles long and a mile-and-a-half wide, it is one of the oldest places on the planet with rocks that date 2.8 billion years. It is rugged and beautiful and known since ancient times as a place of unique spiritual presence and power. Its Christian history and legacy have been sources of spiritual inspiration over the centuries and the influence of Iona has far exceeded what might be expected from its size. Iona is a testimony to the way in which the Spirit works through what may seem like ordinary places and ordinary people to bring a new light to the world.

As the home of the most historically significant of the early Irish monastic schools, Iona became known as a major center of Celtic Christianity, a place of learning, worship, craft and art, where a new vision of the future was inspired. Through the work and mission of St. Columba in the sixth century, and the ongoing work of those who came after, the life-affirming and creation-honoring vision of Celtic Christianity spread throughout Europe. Iona was known as a “light of hope” through what we now call the “dark ages.”

The vision and practical work of Iona contributed to the founding of other monastic learning centers that were established in the Columban pattern, including Lindisfarne on the Holy Isle in Northern England and the mission of St. Francis of Assisi, as well as Meister Eckhart and Hildegard of Bingen. The theology and spiritual practices of the Celtic Christian tradition developed over a long period of time from the late first century and continued into the medieval period. Many scholars today are recognizing the importance of this long-ignored “contrary way” as we re-learn to honor the Earth and celebrate the rich spiritual gifts of people of all paths and traditions.

Iona continues to be a place of Christian pilgrimage for many, many people---a testimony to the ongoing power of its legacy and our yearning for the light of hope, faith and creative vision in our own time.

“I am reading about Celtic monasticism, the hermits, the lyric poets, the pilgrims. . . . A whole new world that has waited until now to open up for me.”

- Thomas Merton