My Journey to Life: On the Trail of Celtic Saints

This vivid celebration of Irish monks travels to historic abbeys and Christian communities in Ireland, England, and Scotland as German journalist Rainer Wälde takes viewers on a tour of sites related to several Catholic saints: Patrick of the Hill of Slane, Brigid of Kildare, Kevin of Glendalough, Columcille of Iona, Oswald of Bamburgh, and Aidan and Cuthbert of Lindisfarne. Arranged chronologically, My Journey to Life visits ruins and countryside locales, interweaving glimpses of artwork and artifacts, readings from spiritual texts, commentary from religious scholars, and even some musical interludes (harpist Cliona Davis performs an authentic Celtic tune, and the Crux Vocal Ensemble sings an ancient hymn in the ruins of Glendalough). Wälde stops at the Gallarus Oratory, an early place of worship in Ireland; checks out the Trinity College Library in Dublin, where the Book of Kells is preserved; and to present-day Christian communities. Along the way, viewers will hear some discussion of New Monasticism and a few of the questions Christians ask of themselves and their faith: What does the Gospel mean, and what does it mean to follow Jesus today? In closing, Wälde's wife describes how, inspired by their sojourn in Ireland, the family incorporates Christian ritual into daily life. Backed by stunning cinematography and a lovely Celtic soundtrack, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)