The Poetry of Pilgrimage, by Micheal Mitton

Using poetry, prayers, photographs and Bible passages, this book captures the essence of 23 sacred sites, and the saints associated with them

The Poetry of Pilgrimage: Reflections on Celtic pilgrimage site in Ireland and Britain
By Micheal Mitton and Foreword by Russ Parker
BRF Ministries
ISBN: 9781800393219
Reviewed by Trevor Stammers

My review copy of these self-confessed ‘imaginations of a romantic’ (p 158) of an author was the third edition, so they have clearly already inspired many previous readers – as they have now me – to visit some of the sites associates with Celtic saints in Ireland and Britain or perhaps even to go on a pilgrimage to one.

Michael Mitton together with his friend and fellow-pilgrim Russ Parker have led dozens of such pilgrimages over many years and this book captures the essence of 23 sacred sites for experienced pilgrims to armchair pilgrims.

I suspect quite a few of the latter with turn into the former after reading it. 

Twenty-two Celtic saints are considered, Columba having two entries and all but three of them (Aebbe of Coldingham, Brigid of Kildare and Non of Dyfed) are men. This imbalance reflects the times about which the author is writing but the fact that they are included reflects the author's obvious awareness that all people and indeed all creatures are precious to the One who created them.

Sensing the ‘dancing and swirling ripples’ on a river as a ‘sign of the Holy Spirit moving over the face of the waters’ (p165) may sound fanciful to readers of a more rational  mindset, but certainly gives the flavour of the book’s approach.

For each sacred site considered, there is a brief story of the saint’s life associated with it followed by a usually slightly longer account of the location and things that have happened there to those on pilgrimages led by the author.

A poem, questions for reflection and an aptly and occasionally artfully (in both senses) chosen Bible passage, complete each chapter together with a photograph.

Though the author is rather self-deprecating about his poetic skills, they were for me the most delightful part of the book and conjured up the sense of place and something of what it might be like to be on such a pilgrimage.

Each poem ends with a prayer that a particular characteristic of the saint concerned would also grow in the reader’s life also. Seven of these poetic prayer-endings mention the name of the saint concerned. I have chosen for brevity two of the shortest.

Dear God, open the vents of heaven
that I may catch my breath at your wonders.
Fill me, that I may breathe upon the dimly burning wicks
and the fragile fires burning in the hearts
of your children in this beloved and yet wounded world
and let the compassion of Brigid
be as a fire in the temple of my soul.


Lord grant to me a Cwyfan heart
that I may build homes of open hearts
on the wild and shifting edges of this world,
and trust in your unfailing love,
sturdy as a rock


If these catch the wind of the Spirit in your sails, you will definitely enjoy the book. 

Even if they don’t but you would like more information about some of the places of pilgrimage in Britain and Ireland, and a feel for how pilgrims have been affected by them, then it’s also worth a look.

I am keeping my review copy for reference on my own travels and feel Lindisfarne beckoning one day….