Wisdom of the Celtic Saints

By Edward C. Sellner

“Listen with your hearts to the stories and sayings of these Celtic saints,” suggests Edward Sellner. “Allow them to become spiritual mentors again, teaching contemporary Christians about soul friendship and about an ancient spiritual heritage.” Faithfully presenting the lives and legacies of twenty Celtic saints of the sixth to ninth centuries, he reveals their wisdom in a way that can be understood and appreciated by contemporary readers. With background material on the Celtic church, the characteristics of its spirituality, the symbolism in the stories, and the role of soul friends, readers will reap a rich harvest for their spiritual growth.

The stories recounted range from the well-known, like Patrick, Brendan, and Brigit, to those less likely to be familiar—Monesan, Samthann and Aidan. Vivid portrait-illustrations by Susan McLean-Keeney add to the prayerful beauty of the book. We can read these accounts both for the abiding truths they contain, and for the enjoyment of good stories, well told.