Historical Setting: The Great Skellig in an unknown time
Order is restored and the abbot appears to be confused by my presence here. Am I his cohort or foe? He isn’t comfortable with nuance. He wants to hate me, but for this moment anyway, I’ve captured the wonder of his followers and it seems it would only undermine his power as the leader of this community to turn them against me.
“Please Father, continue with this Mass.”
The abbot begins the liturgy. [Footnote1]
Celebrant (abbot): “O God come to my assistance.”
People: “O Lord make haste to help me.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever unto ages of ages.”
The unison “amen” is the cue to kneel. Even though this is a Celtic liturgy, there are some differences between this and the services led by Father Columbanus. I was not expecting to kneel, so I’m depending on this walking stick just now. I’ve only recently healed back to standing. I’m conspicuously the last to kneel as the abbot waits before proceeding with the prayer of contrition.
“We have sinned, O Lord, we have sinned: remit our sins and save us. Hear us, O Thou Who didst guide Noah upon the waves of the Flood, and didst recall Jonah from the abyss by Thy Word; free us. O Thou Who didst offer a hand to Peter as he was sinking; bear us up, O Christ, Son of God. Thou didst perform wonders among our fathers, O Lord: stretch forth Thy hand from on high to answer our necessities.” [Footnote 2]
I am so awkward rising again to my feet, Brother Lugh feels compelled to help me up. It is a wonder I claim healing at all.
The abbot says, “Free us, O Christ:”
The dialogue continues.
“Hear us, O Christ.”
“Hear us, O Christ.”
“Hear us.”
The chant has a new, less complicated set of notes.
“Kyrie eleison.”
“Christe eleison.”
“Deo Gratias.” [Stowe Missal]
When the abbot elevates the chalice — the new chalice — the golden chalice in this place of raw rocks — this anonymously gifted chalice, is actually known to Brother Lugh by its gifter — known to him as a remembrance of a father to a son. Brother Lugh, wilts in tears of grief for his own, ever so earthly and mortal, father.
The words of institution — “the blood shed” — “the body of Christ” —
The release of the Spirit on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
[Footnote 1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stowe_Missal (retrieved 12-12-25) Blogger’s note: Just as I prayerfully write this blog about our spiritual oneness in God, having ancient earthly signs of this tucked into all creation, I search history on the internet looking for an 8th century Celtic Liturgy. And it is here. It is published in these later centuries as a book. Like the nature of color, all reflected to create the perfection of white, here is another earthly sign for that oneness of all human expression, despite the mortal little hates and foibles, may the amalgamation of human goodness and wisdom and the search for it, reflect a spiritual truth.
[Footnote 2] ©1995 M K Dowling ORDINARY of the MASS (retrieved 12-15-25, as included in the Stowe Missal)
(Continues Tuesday, August 25)
Lazarus Ink 