Irish Catholic Spirituality
We journey through the beauty of Irish Catholic spirituality, from Pádraig to potatoes. Join Angela Sealana and discover what wisdom the Irish have passed on, and what courageous challenges they’ve overcome.
During this episode, you will:
- Who was St. Patrick?
- Explore Irish symbols, sayings, and places of pilgrimage
- Learn how courageous Irish Catholics kept their faith amidst hardship
- Reflect on the impact of Irish Catholic immigrants
We are so grateful to this month’s sponsor, a Friend of Pilgrim Center of Hope, who made this podcast episode possible.
Listen to This Program Now:
Jewel for the Journey:
“Hope is the physician of each misery.” ― Irish Proverb
Get More Out of Your Journey:
Here in the Middle of the Valley by Seán Mac Fheorais
(English Translation by Patricia Scarry)
The mass was read and everything done
And God’s people were scattering
When a noise was heard coming in our direction
Here in the middle of the valley.
“What is that noise towards us?”
“It’s the pounding of horses’ hooves”
“Here come the soldiers of the King’s army”
Here in the middle of the valley.
The old man Brian O Lee turned
And walked towards the priest,
And he whispered in his ear
Here in the middle of the valley.
“O Father Seán, O Father Seán
Here come the Red Coats
You cannot escape now
Here in the middle of the valley.
“You are young, Father Seán,
I am at the end of my life,
Swap your clothes with me now”
Here in the middle of the valley.
The clothes were swapped hastily
Against the priest’s will,
And he shed big, sorrowful tears
Here in the middle of the valley.
The English captured Brian O’ Lee
And the priest went free
They hanged Brian from a tall high tree
Here in the middle of the valley.
But the fame of the brave old man
Will live as long as grass grows on the earth
His story will forever be told by men of destiny
Here in the middle of the valley.
The Original Poem in Irish
Anseo i lár an Ghleanna by Seán Mac Fheorais
Bhí an tAifreann léite is gach rud déanta,
Bhí pobal Dé ag scaipeadh
Nuair chualamar gleo ag teacht ‘nár dtreo
Anseo i lár an ghleanna.
“Cén gleo é siúd ag teacht ‘nár dtreo?”
“Sin torann cos na gcapall.”
“Seo chugainn saighdiúirí airm an rí
Anseo i lár an ghleanna.”
Do chas an seanfhear Brian Ó Laoi
Is shiúil i dtreo an tsagairt,
Is chuir sé cogar ina chluais
Anseo i lár an ghleanna.
“Ó a Athair Seán, Ó a Athair Seán.
Seo chugainn na cótaí dearga;
Ní féidir leatsa teitheadh anois
Anseo i lár an ghleanna.”
“Tá tusa óg, a Athair Séan,
Táim féin i ndeireadh beatha;
Déan malairt éadaigh liom anois
Anseo i lár an ghleanna.”
Do deineadh malairt gan ró-mhoill
I gcoinne toil an tsagairt,
Is shíl sé deora móra bróin
Anseo i lár an ghleanna.
Do ghaibh na Sasanaigh Brian Ó Laoi,
Is d’imigh saor an sagart;
Do chroch siad Brian ar chrann caol ard
Anseo i lár an ghleanna.
Ach mairfigh cáil an tsean-fhir áigh
Fad fhásfaidh féar ar thalamh;
Beidh a scéal á ríomh ag fearaibh Fáil,
Is anseo i lár an ghleanna.
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