Early Irish Monasticism

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Early Irish Monasticism is an exploration of the ascetical theology and praxis of sixth to eighth century Irish monasticism as a radical response to the gospel. It claims that the radicality of this response arose from the distinctive cultural consciousness of the Celts. It concentrates on the Irish Celts and makes use of a wide variety of sources including pre and post-Christian elements: social organisations, sagas, Brehon Laws and druidism to emphasise that culture to a great extent determines one's response to life. Syncretism, which the study sees as indicative of the Irish proclivity to accept other peoples' religions tradition, is an element of the study that may not be familiar to some readers. Some of the photos are included in the appendices to reinforce the concrete evidence for this in both Scotland and Ireland. The primary sources utilized include: Irish penitentials, monastic rules, the Vita of ColumCille and the Sermons of Columbanus. These sources, especially the monastic rules and penitentials, have often been read 'out of context' and have so given rise to the allegation that the Irish were overly harsh in their living and that they were obsessed with sexual sins. Both aspects of Irish monasticism are treated in a reassessed understanding of the basics of asceticism drawing on the earlier formulation of Cassian in his theory of Contraries. The Sermons of Columbanus, the quintessential Irish wanderer on the Continent, are goldmines of ascetical theology while also being important extant historical documents.

Reviews

mention- The Chronicle of Higher Education/ October 27, 2006
"While much of the content is a synthesis and recasting of the research of others, readers will find this work, given its analysis and interpretation of monastic literature (however selective), a useful introduction to the monastic culture of Celtic Christian Ireland in the period of its flowering." - Thomas P. Power, Toronto Journal of Theology, July 2008 -- Thomas P. Power
"The book contains not only a wealth of the history of religious life, an analysis of a newly-founded Church maturing in a non-Christian environment and a description of how the faith might be inculturated, but also a provocative and stimulating challenge to personal faith development." - Insight
"This work...certainly has a home in any library that boasts of significant collections in monasticism or the Celtic Church." -Calvin Mercer, Horizons, Fall 2008
Review in Theological Book Review, Volume 20, No 2, 2008
... an extensive study of Irish Monasticism as it existed from the sixth to the eighth century. -- Currents in Theology and Mission
"Such sensitive understanding of the function of monastic texts has often been lacking in past treatments." -- Catherine Thom * Expository Times *
'This book was an excellent idea. An introduction to the literature of early Irish monasticism would enable one to dispel the Celtic mist and hear these early Irish monks speak for themselves.' Augustine Holmes, The Tablet -- Augustine Holmes, The Tablet, February 2007 * Tablet, The *

Author Bio

Dr Catherine Thom rsj is a Sister of St Joseph, an Australian Congregation. She has taught in Australia, United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Lithuania and has contributed to many journal publications.