On Celtic Christianity
John Michael Talbot

Celtic Christianity has influenced me greatly as the founder of The Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage. The integrated monasticism of Celtic Christianity, including celibate brothers, sisters, and monastic families, has been especially helpful as a historical precedent. However, it would be a mistake to overly "modernize" their example without a firm historical footing. Celtic Christianity is sometimes appealed to in order to legitimize almost any new approach to religion, Christianity, or Catholicism.

Regarding sexual integrations, the Celts kept a very strict separation between the sexes in their double, and fully integrated monasteries. They were fully orthodox Christians. They were also adamantly obedient to the bishop of Rome, as is witnessed by their appeals to Rome's authority when they were resisted by continental Christians upon their pilgrimage among them. What made them unique was the full integration of their monastic based churches, and the radical zeal of their faith and evangelism. So they spread rapidly throughout continental Europe.

What was actually problematic to the continental Christians was far less inspiring! It was the unusual tonsure worn by their monks (hair shaved from the temples forward, and grown long down the back), and the date on which they celebrated Easter, which was different then the date used by Christians in continental Europe.

So for me they pose a wonderful example of the full integrations of primitive Christian monasticism, and radical orthodox faith and lifestyle, but must be kept within the framework of their own historical setting before their example can be properly applied to our situation today.

I first got involved with Celtic Christianity through Celtic monasticism, from which the Christian faith was spread in what we now call Island, Scotland, Wales, and Northern England, keeping in mind that Celtic culture also spread throughout European continent as far south as Spain. I read many books on Celtic monasticism by monastic authors. This all took place in the early 1980s and culminated in my Celtic influenced recording, "The God of Life," and a chapter on Celtic monastic influences on Franciscan eremitism in my book, "Hermitage," by Crossroad Books. Celtic monasticism was very important to the foundation of The Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage, but it was not central either.

Most of my opinions about Celtic monasticism can be found in the book, though they have developed some over the years. I do believe that Celtic Christianity was, " Roman," in that they appealed to the authority of the bishop of Rome, or the Pope, in times of local unresolved conflict, as did most of the local churches throughout early Christianity. However, they most certainly were not, " Roman," if by that one means, "continental Europe." The typical diocesan structure, which worked so well in the urban centers of Continental Europe, simply did not work in the more tribal society of the Celts. Therefore, a more flexible monastic structure had to be used, and it was with great success! I bring this out clearly in the book.

As to Celtic sounds; I was using the Ullian pipe, Hurdy Gurdy, and Tin Whistle long before they became popular in the late '80s and '90s. The Hammer Dulcimer has long been heard in American Hill music, in which I have my bluegrass banjo roots, so its inclusion was quite natural. I have always been a lover of the orchestral harp, and the steel string Celtic Harp was a crystalline addition to its softer sound. However, I must be honest and admit that I'm quite weary of the recent Celtic craze in popular music.

Through all of this the Celtic influence in my spirituality and music has been important, but certainly not central. For me music is much more broad than anyone particular culture, no matter how wonderful the culture may be. The same is true for spirituality. I am a lover of any spirituality that brings me to the heart of the Mystery and Paradox of the cross of Jesus Christ. For me, I can find this can Celtic, mainstream monastic, Franciscan, a long list of other venerable Christian spiritualities. I can even find forerunners of this paradox within the intentional revelation of God within the Old Testament, as well as within less intentional glimpses of God's image within the major religions of the world. So for me it is the Mystery of Jesus Christ that remains ever central to any spirituality or sound that comes forth from my ministry.

John Michael Talbot