AN ARTICLE in the Church of Ireland Gazette is headed "Three hundred pilgrims join to celebrate Augustine and Columba". In giving thanks for the continuing of the faith over 1,400 years we in our times can be strengthened in our vision. We are grateful to all involved in organising the events that are to take place around Saint Columba's Day (June 9th), and to the writer of the article for drawing our attention to them.
This year we are celebrating the 1,400th anniversary of the death of Saint Columba and the arrival of Saint Augustine in Canterbury in 597 AD. Three hundred pilgrims will travel from Canterbury to Derry by various routes from May 25th to June 9th. The purpose of the pilgrimage will be to celebrate the legacy of these and other missionaries to these islands in times past, and to emphasise the relevance of the Christian faith as a reconciling and hope giving force among our people today and tomorrow.
Great encouragement has been gained from the interest already being expressed throughout the country in this imaginative ecumenical project. It is seen as a contribution to the ongoing missionary activity of the Gospel initiated in these islands over 1400 years ago. This imaginative ecumenical project invites our prayers that the Holy Spirit may rekindle fresh enthusiasm, strengthen conviction, inspire reconciliation and dedication to the hopegiving forces God provides. The pilgrims joining to celebrate Augustine of Canterbury and Columba of Derry will pray to "catch" more of the great vision and spirit by which they lived.
In our land there are countless shrines associated with as many saints of the Celtic Church. They have much to tell today's world. It is sad indeed when, through being given only scant or surface attention, valuable messages about living by the Gospel fail to make impact. People absorbed in the cut and thrust of modern life - of keeping pace with daily demands, of being up to date with the news, of remembering to put the bin out - may well find it an effort to adjust to the thought of 1400 years of church life being accomplished, and the poise and calmness it gives.
"Lord, we hold in veneration
All the saints our land has known,
Bishops, doctors, priests, con fessors,
Martyrs, standing round thy throne;
Patrick, Brigid, Finnian, Columb
Sing the great heroic band!
Who of old by prayer and labour
Hallowed this our fatherland."