Every Earthly Blessing

Book excerpt: A clear-eyed exploration of Celtic spirituality that enriches the Christian experience. Every Earthly Blessing delves into the rich, earthy Celtic heritage and traditions to bring lyricism and charm to Christian worship. It presents the reader with scholarly research and context, along with beautiful Celtic poetry and songs. The topics Esther de Waal explores include monasticism, pilgrimages, creation and healing, sin and sorrow, and salvation, in the previously mystical and romanticized backdrop of Celtic Christianity. “Esther de Waal writes with perceptive insight about the beauty and richness of the Celtic Christian world, especially its poetic tradition, but without romanticizing it. Every Earthly Blessing remains one of the best books in its field.”—Cintra Pemberton, O.S.H., author of Soulfaring: Celtic Pilgrimages Then and Now