Pilgrim guides Martina Purdy and Elaine Kelly with comedian Tim McGarry and other walkers outside the St Patrick’s Centre in Downpatrick. 
Following in the footsteps of St Patrick is an ideal way to find peace and solace, writes Martina Purdy
When I left the convent after five years, I left behind a life rich in silence, and was warned by a friend to be careful in a world that had become extremely busy. “It’s the age of overwhelm,” my friend declared. “People are constantly bombarded now with information, email, phones, texts, Facebook, not to mention radio and television. Be careful!”
Although I had a busy career as a BBC political correspondent before I entered the Adoration Sisters on the Falls Road in Belfast, I had been without a mobile phone (I used to sleep with my BBC phone under my pillow) for five years. Radio and television was rare and I had learned to really love silence.
Out of the convent (the congregation had grown too small and fragile to complete my nine-year formation), the world was very fast and very noisy.
Post-convent trip
Elaine Kelly a former barrister was one of three other women whose formation as interrupted and we went on a post-convent trip to the United States and Canada.
In fact we discovered Madam Secretary on Netflix and we binged for three or four nights before realising we were stressed out. “My head is numb, I’m anxious and I don’t know why,” I complained to Elaine who immediately admitted she had similar symptoms.
“It’s that show on Netflix,” she said. “It’s overwhelming us – it’s all talk and way too much violence. We need to go cold turkey and be more careful what we feed our souls.”
I agreed. We had over-dosed and were overwhelmed.
And it’s a lesson for all of us in today’s world where anxiety and stress seem to be endemic.
Of course, prayer is the antidote to this but it takes a while to come down from the speed of life sometimes. Where do you find that space, that quiet and how do you learn to protect it and guard it?
Well, if you are still reading, the Saint Patrick Centre is offering for the first time a new four day adventure in nature and silence and sacred space. It’s called ‘The Journey’ and is designed for small numbers and begins at our base – Tobar Mhuire Retreat Centre in Crossgar, Co. Down.
‘The Journey’ involves three guided walks through the stunning St Patrick’s Way in Co. Down, a visit to meet the Benedictine Monks in Rostrevor and receive a pilgrim’s blessing and a chance to learn about their spirituality. It’s also an opportunity for relaxation and retreat and to learn about monastic medication and spiritual journaling on the journey through life.
Dr Tim Campbell, who began to develop this exciting new spiritual adventure before lockdown, said he wants people to learn about the true Patrick, not the caricature that has taken hold in modern culture”
“One of the first things you will do is go to the beach at Ballynorhan,” says pilgrim guide Elaine Kelly. “The beach offers gorgeous views of Gunn Island and you will then walk along cliff top paths on the stunning Down coast into Ardglass, visiting St Patrick’s Holy Well at Sheepland, and Ardtole, the site of one of the ancient churches Ireland’s patron saint himself was said to have founded.”
“In the constant age of overwhelm it’s a chance to unwind, and to be refreshed by the absolutely stunning beauty of the coast St Patrick knew so well.
“You will begin to learn about the true Patrick, his spiritual journey and literally walk in the steps of this great apostle of Ireland,” Elaine says.
Dr Tim Campbell, who began to develop this exciting new spiritual adventure before lockdown, said he wants people to learn about the true Patrick, not the caricature that has taken hold in modern culture.
“In many ways Patrick and March 17 has been overtaken by the festivities and we have forgotten the man and his message at the heart of it all. The true Patrick had to find faith for himself.
“The Christian faith which the young Patrick was born into did not blossom in him until he was kidnapped by Irish pirates, having witnessed his father’s servants murdered before his eyes as a teenager. It was in the isolation of the Irish countryside, most likely at Slemish, that Patrick began to pray and to meditate and to open his eyes to the wonders of God’s creation. It was then that he began to find the true God and his true self.”
Pilgrims
“I recently had the chance to walk St Patrick’s Way again from Rostrevor to the Silent Valley and I have to say it is stunning and I think it is a hidden treasure that will feed many pilgrims in these challenging times as we emerge from the lockdown, perhaps seeking a more meaningful way of life,” he says.
When we heard about ‘The Journey’, Elaine and I immediately agreed to take part with the pilgrims. It reminded me of Irish poet John O’Donohue’s poignant words, “Each new day is a path of wonder, a different invitation. Days are where our lives gradually become visible”.
‘The Journey’ will also take you into Newcastle, on the seashore, where St Patrick himself converted the son of a chieftain, Donard. Northern Ireland’s highest peak in the seaside town is named after Donard who became a holy monk on the mountain.
In Irish mythology the mountain was associated with the mythical figures Boirche and Slángha. There are many treasures in the shadow of Donard’s mountain and on the journey you will walk along the Shimna River, visit an 18th Century hermitage built into the river and enjoy panoramic views of the Mournes, including Slieve Bearnagh and Slieve Commedagh.
Why not join us in this great adventure? Why not walk on this journey and be amazed?
More details about The Journey which takes place August 23-27 are available on www.saintpatrickcentre.com or contact The Saint Patrick Centre in Downpatrick on 028 4461 9000 (048 4461 9000 from the Republic).
