The Celtic Soul Friend: A Trusted Guide for Today [Paperback]

Edward Cletus Sellner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2002

"Anyone without a soul friend is like a body without a head," St. Brigit once said. What was true for Brigit in fifth century Ireland is all the more true for us in the complex and increasingly cynical world of the twenty-first century

To be a soul friend, Edward Sellner reminds us, "is to provide a place of sanctuary to another where, through our acceptance, love, and hospitality, he or she can grow in wisdom, and both of us in depth." With deep personal conviction and with lively scholarship, Sellner describes the history of the anamchara or soul friend and the early Celtic Church out of which it arose. He leads us on a lively exploration of the ancient Druids and the early desert monks of Egypt, whose traditions and practices were the foundation of soul friendship. He shares with us the unique qualities of soul friendship in the lives of great saints like Ita and Brendan, Brigit and Patrick, and Ciaran and Kevin. And he offers a profound portrait of the Celtic spirituality out of which the anamchara emerged, a spirituality with a deep appreciation of nature, a respect for women's gifts and leadership, and a holistic perspective on the relationship of the mind and the body. The Celtic Soul Friend will be lively and informative reading for anyone interested in the rich tradition of spiritual direction and companionship, as well as the roots of mentoring and support groups. Sellner's description of Celtic spirituality offers a vision of Christianity that cuts across denominational and ethnic boundaries and speaks to the hearts of contemporary Christians of all backgrounds.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Edward C. Sellner, Ph.D. is professor of pastoral theology and spirituality at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is the author of numerous articles and books, including Wisdom of the Celtic Saints (Ave Maria Press). A popular speaker on Celtic spirituality, he has given workshops, retreats, and lectures at local, national, and international conferences.

Product Details

• Paperback: 254 pages
• Publisher: Ave Maria Press (February 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877939675
• ISBN-13: 978-0877939672
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #655,380 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Warm reflection on Celtic Faith and Spiritual Formation, May 27, 2003

By 

A. Doug Floyd "pilgrim" (Louisville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Celtic Soul Friend: A Trusted Guide for Today (Paperback)

Sellner provides an overview of the Celtic Christian world and Soul Friends in particular. Even though the title is "The Celtic Soul Friend," the topic of soul friends only recieves focused in attention in the last chapter. The rest of the book is primarily an introduction to Celtic Spirituality from Sellner's point of view. Sellner's approach is between academic and devotional but he leans toward the devotional. Thus the book avoids addressing many of the critical arguments surrounding the historicity of Celtic Spirituality. In spite of the sparse treatment of soul friends, the book still has merit, presenting a vision of soul friends that is beyond simply glorified mentors to a dynamic of relationship that flows in both directions.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Introduction to the Anamchara or "Soul Friend", October 28, 2006

By 

Timothy Kearney (Haverhill, MA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Celtic Soul Friend: A Trusted Guide for Today (Paperback)

In Gerald O'Donovan's novel FR. RALPH, the young Ralph is talking with his father about his desire to be a priest. The father is somewhat skeptical of the vocation and begins discussing his own belief in God with the young boy. The father's faith is free and natural, a refreshingly different approach from the unbending approach of his mother who though she prays, sees faith as something rigid and if anything, instills a sense of fear in the young Ralph. I recall when I read the book I saw it as a difference between religion and faith, and thought if anything it was a literary devise used by the author as a support for the adult Ralph's decision to leave the priesthood with a belief that God can be found without the church.. Since O'Donovan was a priest who later changed vocations, moved to London, and made a living as a writer, this could very well be the case. And certainly the rigidness of faith was all too true for Ireland for much of the past two hundred or so years, but in the past twenty or so years, there has been a renaissance in Ireland regarding its history and contributions to the world, and this has led to an increased rediscovery of the free and rich components that comprise Celtic spirituality.

In THE CELTIC SOUL FRIEND Edward Sellner looks at the concept of the "anamchara" or soul friend, a key component in Celtic spirituality. Readers familiar with Sellner's MENTORING: THE MINISTRY OF SPIRITUAL FRIENDSHIP may recall his mentioning this idea in the earlier book. This was a practice in Celtic (Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the Isle of Man) religion dating back to pre-Christian days and became an integral part of Christianity as well. The anamchara is a role model figure who journeys with another in life. For the Celts, they were largely religious figures. After the onset of Christianity, this practice remained in place with the religious figures becoming monks and nuns. People would turn to these figures for all kinds of spiritual guidance, and while it was clearly mentoring, it had the characteristics of friendship. Sellner examines the writings of many well known and lesser known Celtic saints to support his claim. He also looks at the similarities of the anamchara and the mentoring relationship of the Desert fathers and mothers and their disciples, the development of sacramental Confession and the influence of the anamchara on the practice of spiritual direction today. While the book focuses on the anamchara/soul friend, Sellner provides wonderful information about Celtic Christianity and the Celtic Church, its beauty and richness, and what it offers us today. It also includes a helpful appendix with a time frame of developments in Celtic Christianity which includes the prehistory as well.

I knew I'd enjoy this book as soon as I purchased it. I'd read other works by Sellner, Sellner is a gifted writer who is able to weave theology, pastoral concerns, and history into an enjoyable, interesting and spiritually fulfilling text. For me, the book was a rediscovery of my heritage and I enjoyed finding new ways my own spirituality is not all that different from my Irish ancestors. While the book will be appreciated by pastoral ministers and those involved in spiritual direction, my guess is that could also make a good selection for a book club. Not only does it touch on a number of great topics for discussion, it invites us to remember the soul friends in our own lives and how we can be such a friend to others.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Condition, as Advertised, December 22, 2010

By 

Ruth D. Weston (Tulsa, OK USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Celtic Soul Friend: A Trusted Guide for Today (Paperback)

This book came quickly and was in very good condition, as advertised. It did not have a mark on it, and the binding was clean and sound. The text includes more of the history of Celts and Celtic spirituality than I expected.