The Steering Group of Loving Sister Earth provided ECI with this reflection on the first National Holy Wells Day.
National Holy Wells Day 2017 was promoted by Loving Sister Earth and the Columba Community, Derry. Loving Sister Earth works through contact persons in each diocese, to link devotion to Ireland’s Holy Places with action on today’s environmental issues. By tapping into our rich heritage and thus rediscovering our roots, we want to collaborate with all who are labouring to promote the objectives of Laudato Si (May 2015).
NHWD on June 18 generated enthusiasm across the country, and showed that people have a protective affection for their local wells. Below are accounts of events organised in the north, south, east and west of the country. Not everyone, of course, celebrated on June 18, as other dates for celebration had long-standing priority, for example St Declan’s Well (July 24). But dates and attendance numbers are not the important thing: what matters is that significant consciousness-raising occurred. People were glad to be networked into a national concern. They want NHWD to become an annual event, which it will be.
Pope Francis’ call for the protection and fair distribution of clean water was the theme for this first NHWD. A Novena was prepared by the Columba Community, Derry, and at local wells across the country pilgrims prayed, and then shared on how to protect water in their area. Others prayed at home, walked by the sea, or drank water mindfully. Rituals, blessings, contemplation and the sign of peace were used. At Catherine McAuley Nursing Home Beaumont, an imaginative staff member created a ‘well’ in the garden: residents processed from the church to it, where it was blessed by the priest-chaplain, and prayers were said.
September’s Intercom magazine will carry a short report on the day, while the July/August Intercom carries an extended article on Loving Sister Earth.
Coincidentally, in Waterford on June 26-27 the Irish Research Council and UCD’s Department of Medicine hosted a two-day International Workshop on the History of Medicine in Ireland. The theme was Holy Wells and Sacred Water. Thousands of holy wells exist across Europe: Austria has some 467; Denmark 650; Russia 3500; Wales 1779, England 2000, and Ireland 3000, of which several hundred are the focus of devotion still. Papers were read on the healing qualities attributed to these wells.
Reports from Around the Country
St Gobnait’s Well, Ballyvourney, Co Cork
‘Our visit to St Gobnait’s Well proved to be an inspired choice. June 17th was a glorious summer day and a number of Cenacle Companions made the journey to Ballyvourney. We were fortunate to meet a man from the locality who filled us in on the folklore of St Gobnait. The well was easily accessed on a gentle, wooded slope. We were thankful for the shade of the majestic lime tree, while the natural stone surround provided seating for our prayer during which we gave thanks for the sights and sounds of God’s creation around us.’
Columba Community, Derry
‘Introduction
From prehistoric times people have gathered around sacred trees, springs and holy mountains to worship. They intuitively sensed that God had created these sacred living things. Many in fact thought that such sacred things were actually gods themselves.
In the Judaic Christian tradition we have believed and worshipped one God. In the Christian tradition we see God made flesh in Jesus and living on within us believers through our Baptism and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was speaking about gatherings like this when he said, “When you gather together in my name I am there in your midst.”
Today we meet here to follow in the tradition of thousands of our Celtic ancestors in thanking God for the essential gift of spring water. We are baptised with water and the Holy Spirit into a long tradition of faith which was carried by saints – joyful believing people who are now with the fountain of living water, Jesus our Lord.
Ritual
As we renew the blessing of this water, O Lord, renew your blessing on our personal baptism into your body. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
– All extend hands over the well –
Renew today the vigour of the ancient faith lived out on this island by Patrick, Brigid, Colmcille, Mura and all the Celtic saints. Lord hear us, etc.
Lord, as we obediently gather here and at holy wells throughout Ireland we pray that a new spirit will flow through all our Christian people that will allow us to put on the mind of Christ. Fill us again with powerful faith and direct us in how to build the people of God in ways that feed the hunger and satisfy the thirst of our people. Lord, hear us, etc.
Quiet Prayer
Our wells are often associated with God’s healing power. Let’s take a moment in silence to ask God to heal us or someone for whom we are praying…
After the silence we say: Jesus, we trust in you (x3).
Action
As we pass round the cup of water from the well and bless ourselves we sing:
Bless the Lord O my soul, bless the Lord O my soul, let all that is within me bless his holy name.
As we finish our time together we say…
Holy Wells Novena Prayer (Novena Booklet p. 4)
Litany of the Saints (p. 13)
Please join hands to say the Our Father for the renewal of his kingdom values and for protection from all evil. Amen.’
Tobar Na Molt (Wethers’ Well) Tubrid, near Ardfert, Co. Kerry
‘At the gate: Welcome and sharing on why we are gathered here.
Walking in: Quietly to oneself if you wish … “Bless for me, O God, the earth beneath my foot; bless for me, O God, the path whereon I go” … and look… smell …feel …breathe… listen…
At the entrance: Pause as we enter the sacred place of healing and peace and light and let us remember the words of the Prophet Isaiah 12:3: With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
Inside: The story of this well.
Walking the round of the well: Let each of us pray and reflect in our own way.
Now gathered around the Well: Prayer for the Protection of Water
O God of All Creation,
Teach us how to protect Water
On which all living things depend, plants, animals, fish, birds, humans.Help us to ensure that Water may always flow freely and purely for all of your Creation. May Your Spirit soften our hearts and enlighten us So that we may act responsibly to protect Water, the vital source of life in Our Common Home. AMEN
Blessing with the water: Three palmfuls: the palmful of the God of Life….the palmful of the Christ of Love…the palmful of the Spirit of Peace.
The Prayer of the Six Directions: North, South, East, West, Up and Down.
Walking out: What does this moment leave with me? What do I carry from this time together? How can I help to protect water?
“Praise to Thee my Lord, for Sister Water. She is useful and humble, precious and pure.” St Francis of Assisi.’
St Augustine’s Well, Lough Atalia
‘Fourteen people gathered, mostly La Retraite Sisters and Jesuits. We created our own Ritual, using the Novena Booklet, items from the website, etc, and were very happy to be part of something that was happening around the country.’
St Colmcille’s Well Knocklyon Dublin
‘On National Holy Wells Day a ritual led by the Loving Sister Earth Working Group took place at St Colmcille’s Well which is situated at the foot of the Dublin Mountains in a peaceful and tranquil place not far from the M50. A number of people came by and joined us. An ecumenical Ritual had been held there on the previous Sunday, close to the feast of St Colmcille.
The scripture passage of “The Woman at the Well” was our theme. We were invited to be still and listen, to become aware of the beauty of nature surrounding us, the ripple of the water running in the nearby stream, the song of the birds and the sound of the wind playing on the trees.
Gratitude was expressed for the life-giving gift of water as it was taken from the well and shared.
Prayers were offered for both personal and global concerns. We then prayed together the Prayer for The Protection of Water.
FORWARD PLANNING FOR NHWD 2018
National Holy Wells Day 2018 will take place on Sunday June 17th.
