The Apostles of Ireland

The Community of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland

The Community of the 12 Apostles of Ireland is a lay community and brotherhood of the Crane Abbey for men and women within the Ancient Celtic Church, whose members live in their own homes, pursue their professions and are married, partnered or live alone.
We are open to members from other churches and non-denominational members, and honor the so-called 12 Apostles of Ireland and those who preceded and inspired them and those who followed them.
This happens through prayer and the celebration of their specific memorial days, artistic work, among other things, based on the model of the bard, and according to the individual inclinations and ideas of the individual member. Another option is to maintain the St Brighid's flame.

We walk the path of the Céili Dé and mix, like many of the early Celtic Christians, Druidism and early Christianity. Following the example of the crane abbey, we orientate ourselves on the rule of Saint Columcille and the spirituality of the Ancient Celtic Church.
The following principles are particularly emphasized here:

• We seek contact with the divine in nature and respect and honor all of creation. Especially in so-called thin places, we become aware of the proximity to the other world.
• We cultivate friendship along the lines of Anam Cara, the soul mate, whom we consider to be a spiritual friend and spiritual companion.
• We express our faith in poetry, music and art and thus carry its beauty into life.
• We are regularly looking for times of silence and meditation.

Following the Celtic roots of our faith, we celebrate the eight Celtic annual festivals in addition to the Christian annual circle.

We meet regularly for prayers and meditations on specific topics. Here we don't have to be spatially together, but start at the same time. We also receive prayer requests.

The 12 Apostles of Ireland (Dhá Aspal Déag na hÉireann) and their holidays

• Saint Ninnidh of Lough Erne (January 18)
• Saint Ciarán of Saighir (March 5th)
• Saint Senan of Iniscathay (Senán mac Geircinn, March 8th)
• Saint Ruadhán of Lorrha (April 5th)
• Saint Brendan of Clonfert (Brendan the Traveler, May 16)
• Saint Columba of Iona (Columcille, June 9th)
• Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise (September 9th)
• Saint Laisrén mac Nad Froích (Mon Laisse, September 12)
• Saint Canice of Aghaboe (Cainneach, October 11)
• Saint Mobhí of Glassnevin (Mobhí Clárainech, October 12)
• Saint Brendan of Birr (November 29)
• Saint Columba of Terryglass (Colum, December 12th)

In addition to these 12 apostles, after whom our community is named, we remember the other Celtic saints.

The eight Celtic annual festivals

• Samhain (on or around October 31)
• Winter Solstice (December 21st or 22nd)
• Imbolc (February 1st / 2nd)
• Spring equinox (March 19, 20 or 21)
• Beltane (on or around May 1st)
• Summer solstice (June 20/21 or June 22)
• Lughnasadh (on or around August 1st)
• Autumn Equinox (September 22, 23 or 24)

We celebrate the festivities in groups or alone or with our families.