The Celtic imagination and the literature of Ireland are rich in ancient story, lyric poetry and beautiful song. Together we will explore some of this richness and how this Irish Celtic spirituality may speak more clearly to us today. We will hold what the Irish call a “ceilidh”, a gathering of collective wisdom. We will unlock the door to our imagination and hearts through the threefold genres of Irish vocal expression—lullaby, lament and love. Our guides will be the modern Irish writers John O’Donohue and John Moriarty, two beloved teachers of Ireland. Our guides will also include the women of Ireland like Deirdre of the Sorrows in the 12th century whose shuddering sound turned the world upside down and Eibhlin Dubh Ni Chonaill in the 18th century who howled in the heath.

Leading this retreat is Br. Stefan Andre Waligur, founder and abbott of the new ecumenical monastic community called Community of Peace in Louisa, VA. Like the Taize Community in France, Community of Peace gathers three times a day to chant a beautiful sung prayer for peace. Br. Stefan is a classically trained composer and pianist graduating from New England Conservatory of Music. He earned his PhD in Christian Spirituality from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA with his dissertation: Howling at the Moon: The Transformative Spirituality of the Irish Lament.

For more information or to reserve your space for this Retreat, please contact Debbie@mountainlightretreatva by 9/1 for early bird registration of $175 per person for this 2 night event, including 6 meals, with lunch and dinners prepared by Chef Sarah Lanzman. For registration after 9/1, the fee is $225 per person.