Prayer
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The Monasticism of June
Find rest this June. Discover how the steady rhythms of the Book of Common Prayer and Benedictine stabilitas offer sanctuary for the sensory-overwhelmed, weary soul. Continue reading
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The Parallel Path
Choosing life while letting go The rook lifts up its ancient crywhere morning stirs the land;it echoes Patrick’s travelling prayersstill guarding field and strand.The wren sings from the moss‑soft hedge,a spark of Brigid’s flame;its blessing like the Living Breadthat knows me by my name.The blackcap from the ash and thornpours song like holy wine;a draught… Continue reading
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From the Depths to the Dawn: A Reflection on Grief, Landscape, and Psalm 130
New on NeuroDivine: From the Depths to the Dawn — a hymn and reflection shaped by Psalm 130, grief, the landscapes of Antrim, and the slow movement from sorrow toward morning. Continue reading
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The Echolocation of Grace
After dialysis, the bats over the River Barrow became unexpected signs of grace. In this reflection, Br Michael explores the intersections of chronic illness, Benedictine stability, and neurodivergent faith in the quiet, liminal space of twilight exhaustion. Continue reading
AnglicanBenedictine, AutisticFaith, AutisticSpirituality, Benedictine, BenedictineMoments, BenedictineSpirituality, CelticChristianity, CelticSpirituality, ChronicIllness, ChurchOfIreland, Dialysis, IrishSpirituality, NeurodivergentFaith, NeuroDivine, PoetryOfPlace, Prayer, QuietMoments, RuleOfStBenedict, SacredRoutine, SacredSpaces, Spirituality, ThinPlaces -
A new hymn for Trinity Sunday—”O Trinity of earth and light” (DCM)
Celebrate the Three-in-One through the otters and hearth-cats of Kildare. This new Trinity hymn weaves ancient mystery into the sensory rhythms of the Irish landscape. Continue reading
AnglicanTradition, Autism, AutisticFaith, BenedictineSpirituality, CelticChristianity, CelticSpirituality, ChurchOfIreland, ContemplativePrayer, IrishAnglicanVoice, IrishSpirituality, LiturgicalReflection, ModernMonasticism, MonasticWisdom, NeurodivergentFaith, NeuroDivine, PangurBán, PoetryOfPlace, Prayer, QuietMoments, Routine, RuleOfStBenedict, SacredRoutine, SacredSpaces, ScriptureAndStillness, Spirituality, SpiritualJourney, Trinity, TrinitySunday -
Under the One Canopy: St Eimhín’s Sky and Mine
Under the same sky, grief, illness, and grace learn to rest. Continue reading
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As Far as I Could Go
After keeping a final night’s vigil for my father, I travelled south for the medical treatment keeping me alive. A reflection on love’s necessary limits. Continue reading
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The Southward Track: A Liturgy of Woven Threads
I was writing the prayers my heart would need before my eyes even knew the shape of the mountain ahead. Continue reading
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A new Pentecost hymn—”Spirit, flame upon the heather” (87 87 D)
The hymn “Spirit, Flame Upon the Heather” celebrates the Holy Spirit’s presence in nature, emphasizing individuality and community while preparing for Pentecost and expressing authentic faith. Continue reading
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A new hymn for St Matthias—“When saints are called in hidden ways” (CM)
Celebrate the “hidden” call of St Matthias through this neurodivergent lens. A lyrical CM hymn honoring quiet presence, Irish landscapes, and the courage of being seen. Continue reading
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A new hymn for the Ascension Day—”Across the hills where skylarks rise” (LM)
Experience the Ascension through the “bottom-up” beauty of the Irish landscape. This new hymn finds Christ’s “steady grace” in the salmon, the fox, and the hawthorn. Continue reading
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A new Easter hymn for Good Shepherd Sunday—“The Shepherd walks our winding ways” (DCM)
Walk the Barrow’s mist with a Shepherd who never hurries. This new hymn offers a quiet, neurodivergent-friendly refuge for Good Shepherd Sunday’s winding, sacred paths. Continue reading
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A hymn celebrating the Eucharist — “Upon the hill where grasses bend” (DCM)
At the table, heaven draws near: ordinary bread, quiet grace, and Christ present among us—sending us back into the world bearing peace, love, and holy presence. Continue reading
AltarHymn, CelticChristianity, Christianity, ChristInCreation, Contemplation, ContemplativePrayer, Faith, FaithAndHistory, FaithInAction, FaithInTheEveryday, FindingConnection, HeavenOnEarth, HolyStillness, IrishAnglicanVoice, IrishSpirituality, LiturgicalLife, LiturgicalReflection, NeurodivergentFaith, NeuroDivine, Pilgrimage, Prayer, QuietMoments, SacredSpaces, Spirituality, SpiritualReflection, TheEucharist -
A hymn giving thanks for the Mothers Union — “O God who gathers us in love” (CM)
Celebrating 150 years of Mothers’ Union worldwide. A Mothering Sunday hymn of thanksgiving for faithful service, for Ireland’s witness, and for my own mother — and mothers everywhere. Continue reading
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A quiet hour by the Shannon – “By Shannon’s holy, flowing tide (Common Metre)
St Mary’s Cathedral in Limerick is depicted as a sacred space where faith, memory, and community intertwine, inspiring continuous worship. Continue reading
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“At Evening, God Has Spoken”: A Vespers Hymn on Psalm 110 (76 76 D)
110 has long been one of the traditional psalms of Sunday Vespers. My new hymn, At Evening, God Has Spoken, reflects on that ancient text through the quiet landscapes of the Irish midlands—heathered hills, the Barrow’s waters, and the stillness of evening prayer—resting in Christ our High King through the night. Continue reading
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From Desert Paths to Living Water: A Lenten Invitation – “By stony paths in desert lands” (88 88 D)
The congregational hymn reflects on spiritual thirst, Christ’s grace, and our Lenten journey from doubt to faith, inviting renewal and reconciliation. Continue reading
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A Hymn of Soil, Saint, and Sacrament – “Here the fields of Erin whisper” (87 87 D)
This hymn celebrates Christ’s presence in creation, uniting diverse traditions in peace and reconciliation through Eucharistic imagery and Celtic spirituality. Continue reading
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The hum of lines
I wrote a poem this week called The Hum of Lines. It is not a bright poem. It sits in the quiet room. It listens to the machine. It hears the slow, steady movement of blood through borrowed pathways. Dialysis has a soundscape. The hum of the pump. The soft alarms. The rhythm that is… Continue reading
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Singing Psalm 98 in an Irish Key
“Sing to the Lord a new song…” Psalm 98 is not shy. It is tidal. It calls rivers to clap their hands and hills to sing for joy. It insists that creation itself is caught up in praise—not as backdrop, but as choir. In the Anglican tradition, Psalm 98 can be used at Evensong as… Continue reading
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