Celtic Daily Prayer

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It wasn’t so much a central emphasis on GNOSIS = to know, resulting in a rational, propositional presentation of gospel facts. This can lead to the arrogance of a ‘we’ve got it all’ attitude and if there is a rejection of the propositions, it often means a rejection of the person too. It was the equivalent of Exodus 17 where Aaron and Hur held up the hands of Moses so that God’s people would prevail in battle. Liturgical prayer was a form of spiritual warfare by holding up the hands of the Church through prayer Charles Ringma, TSSF and a Companion of the Community, delivered three talks at the 2015 National Conference in Sydney Australia: A reflection by Trevor Miller I recall during a visit to Ireland reading in the vestibule of the Franciscan Church in Killarney, a simple definition of spiritual direction. It was the notice said, ‘not about giving answers. It was about helping each other to hear the voice of God in life’s experience and to discover […] Read more The discipline of knowing your limitations In the mid 1980’s the Nether Springs Trust was formed to release John into a ministry of spiritual direction in the context of a contemplative calling. In 1989 an apostolic group called Northumbria Ministries, committed to mission in the ancient kingdom of Northumbria, led by Roy Searle, met with the group that represented Nether Springs and explored a coming together as one. It soon became clear that a union of the two was in the purpose of God and this merger led in 1990 to “The Nether Springs Trust, Home of Northumbria Ministries”, a prelude to what would later be named the Northumbria Community. As these founders pioneered and explored, a Community emerged around them, unplanned, spontaneous. Foundational questions, like those asked in exile, ‘Who is it that you seek?’, ‘How then shall we live?’ and ‘How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?’, began to shape the thinking and understanding of God’s call on our lives alone and together.

New monasticism, as in any expression of Monasticism, stands in the wisdom tradition – which is not an accumulation of knowledge for its own sake, but a constant application to life actually lived. ‘A wise person does not gather and dispense insights, but rather has the heart to live those insights.’ Here are answers to some questions we are frequently asked concerning the Northumbria Community in Australia Paul Cullity provided us with this important Paper over 20 years ago. It remains a powerful and significant outline of Monasticism: The Heart of Celtic Christianity If you want to capture the idea of Celtic Monasticism in words, you’ll find that words themselves seem inadequate. I have struggled for weeks now to present the essence […] Read more Learning Grace by Living Nakedly Liturgical Prayer was seen as a confronting of the Powers in the heart (cell) as well as in our place of mission where Bede’s history records countless episodes of Signs and Wonders, and the erecting of High Crosses at the crossroads.

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Perhaps coming from their Druidic, pagan culture they had a very real sense of the spiritual world. They understood spiritual warfare as an everyday reality – the Sign of Cross was Trinity affirming and Cross exalting. A saving sign of protection to keep away evil, not superstition but a statement of fact. Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Deuteronomy 4:9

Is there a Northumbria retreat house in Australia, like Nether Springs or the other Community Houses? This is why it is crucially important that our spirituality must not be seen as a separate compartment marked sacred whereas real life is lived in all the other compartments marked secular. To do this is to set limits and put boundaries on God. i.e. We only look for Him and are ready to listen to Him when we are involved in those sacred things – prayer, singing of hymns, meditation – and if for whatever reason we fail in our doing of these things then as a consequence we don’t meet with God at all. (Or worse is the thinking that if God speaks only through the Bible – then all we have to do is shut the Bible and this effectively shuts out God).

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We receive many requests for permission to reproduce parts of our liturgy or other items from Celtic Daily Prayer Books 1 and 2. We are greatly encouraged that so many people find help and inspiration from our published resources and we want to enable as many people as possible to make use of them. Spirituality then, describes our approach to life – what we think, what we do and how we do it, what we see etc. Perhaps we get at least a similarity of its meaning when we talk about a person’s mentality, or mind set or world view. We are pilgrims on a journey, we’re Companions on the road, We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load

Midday Prayer retains the ‘thee and ‘thou’ forms of speech. This may seem unfamiliar to the many who are used only to modern language, but it is a deliberate attempt to highlight the contemporary relevance of the treasure of prayer from long ago. Magnus Magnussen put it well when he observed that Roman Clergy said ‘Do as I say and expected to be obeyed, the Celtic clergy said ‘Do as I do’ and hoped to be followed.’ That’s why Soulfriends were encouraged – Anam chara. An article by Trevor Miller On a recent visit to Roslin to see Brother John, my spiritual director, who along with the late Roland Walls, was a founding member of the Community of the Transfiguration, we talked about the significance of those spiritual influences that had shaped our formation and spirituality as respective Communities. One […] Read more Pray as you can, not as you can’t In the Celtic Christian world every ‘church’ was monastic. So when we talk about the Celtic church it is synonymous with the monastery, with people living in Community. It wasn’t simply a matter of just declaring truths but living out the gospel in community. They would have identified with Elisabeth Goudge in her paraphrasing of Francis of Assissi; ‘Francis went everywhere preaching the gospel and sometimes he used words.’ (Preach the gospel, if necessary, use words).

Community Introduction (Nether Springs) Monday, 8 April, to Thursday, 11 April 2024 An introductory retreat outlining the history, vocation and Novitiate process of the Northumbria Community. An essential retreat for all who want to explore their relationship with the Community. Priority will be given to those who have already expressed an interest in exploring the […] Read more Retreats in May 2024

The use of the ‘sign of the Cross’ is a powerful symbol still! As is the Celtic CAIM prayer of encircling. As is the use of blessing = thinking and wishing well on others (benediction) as opposed to cursing = thinking and wishing ill on another (malediction). Our own Midday Office – Theresa’s Bookmark is another good example ‘Let nothing disturb thee.. alone God suffices’.. An invitation to journey further with us either by joining the Novitiate or, by becoming, or continuing to be, a Friend of Northumbria Community A Community group comprises one or more companions and others who come together to encourage each other in the Rule of Availability and Vulnerability. They share prayer, liturgy and fellowship. The Community groups are in and around Brisbane. Nether Springs is also the home of a small resident expression of the Community, who in the context of seeking God themselves, help keep the home running smoothly and facilitate retreats for guests. We look forward to being with you during your visit. All that we are saying (and very tentatively at that) is that some of those biblical and ethical emphases that were central to the lifestyle and teaching of desert and Celtic monasticism have real similarities to the emphases that God has laid on our own hearts. The discovery of some of their emphases in our search for a Northumbrian spirituality, gave us a language to understand ourselves, and helped us to tell our story.

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Take what opportunities they can to meet with other Companions, Novices and Friends of Northumbria Community at Community Group meetings, Community Gatherings or at the Mother House. If the opportunity arises, Novices are encouraged to join a team involved in an event to which the Community has been invited to contribute. A Quiet Day Reflection from Trevor Miller This obscure scripture passage is part of our Day 15 meditation in Celtic Daily Prayer – linked to Day 14 and Day 16 prayers for Holy Island – with its recognition of the reality of spiritual warfare. William Barclay called it a ‘compact and eerie little parable about […] Read more A Future and a Hope – Part 2