When is the last time you allowed yourself to relax deeply into the presence of the spirit? Our lives today are so noisy and crowded that we lose touch with our ability to experience the divine all around us. As we celebrate the Feast of St. Patrick, immerse yourself in the worlds of Celtic harp, prayer, and meditation, to find sacred space amid our busy lives.

This interactive, 75-minute workshop combines contemplative solo performances on Celtic harp with guided readings, prayers, and meditations to introduce participants to the rich heritage of Celtic spirituality. After a brief introduction to the history of Christianity in Ireland and the distinctive practices of Celtic piety, participants will engage in readings, prayer, and guided meditations inspired by texts in the Irish Liber Hymnorum, an eleventh-century manuscript collection of prayers and hymns held at Trinity College Dublin. Pieces to be performed on harp include “Be Thou My Vision,” “The Hymn of St. Patrick,” and “Separation of Soul and Body.” Participants will receive take-home materials to continue their studies.

Click here to register or call 215-679-3103.

About the Workshop Facilitator
Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames is a curator, author, harpist, and historian of religion and spirituality who lives in Philadelphia. Author of The Word in the Wilderness: Popular Piety & the Manuscript Arts in Early Pennsylvania (Penn State Press, 2020) and host of Cloister Talk: The Pennsylvania German Material Texts Podcast, Ames specializes in the study of popular spiritual practices and their connections to larger religious and cultural traditions. He studies harp with André Tarantiles of New Hope and works as Senior Director of Collections Engagement at the Rosenbach Museum & Library. 

Photo credit: Tracie Van Auken