The Faith of the Irish

March is upon us and I’ve been pondering two things: Springtime and my Irish ancestry. Since this is Alaska and the greening of Spring won’t take place until April or May, let’s talk about Ireland.

Some Irish things in America: wear green not orange, leprechauns, Erin go Bragh, and St. Patrick’s Day parades. Some Irish people in America: coal miners, railroad workers, police officers, labor union leaders, politicians, presidents, indentured servants, and some infamous criminals. The Irish Diaspora, as it is known, has contributed its colorful threads to the American Tapestry.

I’ve been taking a deeper look at ancient Irish history lately, especially their Brehon law, and the Christian faith of the Irish church. The Brehon Law had its roots in pagan and druidic teachings. The pre-Christian Irish had many private libraries, kept many records, and had a legal system that focused on judgments that were just and provided for restitution as well as compensation. The people could contest any judgment and if a Brehon (advocate and/or a judge) proclaimed a judgment later found to be unjust, he or she would be fined. Women of ancient Ireland had more legal standing than many of their counterparts in other civilizations. Ireland is also home to ancient structures and monuments such as New Grange, which have passed the test of time.

When Christianity arrived around 430 AD, the Irish were cautious to embrace it, but once they saw that many of the teachings of Christ were similar to their own laws of justice and compassion, they became some of the staunchest and most committed followers of Christ the world would ever see. St. Palladius was the first to visit and begin the process, but St. Patrick was the first to stay and became the heart and soul of the Irish church.

Irish Christianity was built around communities of people dedicated to The Faith, as they called it. Husbands and wives with their families, single men, and single women, would all live around an Abbey under the leadership of an Abbot and Abbess. When celibacy was introduced by the Roman Church, the Irish strongly resisted in favor of the family, as the family had always been the focus of both their civil and religious organizations.

These communities were self-sustaining and provided services to people outside of their community. Hospitality was part of their ancient law and so became part of their Christian faith in action. They also provided homes for orphans and charitable outreach to their neighbors. Of course, life was not perfect, and people are people, but the members of these dedicated communities strived to live the ideals of Christ in their daily lives.

The Christian Irish people were a light to the world during the so-called “Dark Ages”. Their monasteries provided some of the most beautiful “illuminated” manuscripts ever seen worldwide, such as the famous Book of Kells (circa 800 AD), named for the Abbey of Kells in County Meath. The talented dedicated copyists kept alive the histories and words of wisdom of not only their present time, but of their ancient past, including many Greek, Latin, and Hebrew works. We owe much of our current knowledge to these men who labored by candlelight in cold, dark, isolated abbeys on Irish islands and mountainsides.

Christian Irish women were busy too. St. Brigid of Kildare is the patroness saint of Ireland. She is said to have been friends with St. Patrick. She founded two monasteries at Kildare, around 480 AD: one for women and one for men. Kildare eventually became a religious and intellectual center for all of Ireland.

One of the oldest hymns still stirring hearts today is an Irish hymn, based on a poem written, it is thought, as early as 600 AD. It is called, “Be Thou My Vision”. (You can find it on YouTube.)

There are various translations and various musical styles. My favorite is by the singer Audrey Assad. It is simple and haunting. Here are the lyrics she sings:

“Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best Thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord; Thou my great Father, I Thy true son; Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, Thou mine Inheritance, now and always: Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won, May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.”

This is the faith of my Irish ancestors and I stand true to them and true to it.

Karen Murray is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints experiencing life as a wife, mother, family historian, author, and political activist.