CELTIC GRACE is found everywhere: in nature, in children, in love, laughter and tears, in setbacks and suffering, wherever the human spirit wonders and ponders the meanings of things. Celtic grace is also found in darkness and shadows, courage in facing whatever. Celtic grace is a mindful dancing to the fullness of life in all its ups and downs. It is living with a grateful heart arising from the inward journey, finding blessing everywhere, even in pain and loss. Celtic grace embraces the wisdom found in all faith traditions. It is more comfortable with mystery than certainty.The Celtic view defines a thin place as a small corner of the earth where heaven and the natural world meet. In such a place, one glimpses an echo of the Eternal, a striking Elegance of the ordinary, perhaps an image of some beauty, or a silent serenity, or even whispers of ghostlike voices of the past. Thin describes the transparent veil separating the two, like an ambiance of Something Else being present. Thin places are places where one is surprised with the serendipity of grace or beauty or a deep and profound peaceful silence. It can be occasioned by an awareness of the preciousness of the present moment.Paschal's poetry and meditations arise from an active contemplative life, first as a Benedictine monk, then as a married Catholic priest with children and grandchildren, and as a pastoral psychologist, still with six different ministries. He has just completed his spiritual memoir, Resilience of a Dream Catcher. (2014)
