On the other end of the water purity spectrum, Edward Abbey warns the desert hiker to avoid drinking water from a spring if there isn’t a fair amount of green slime on the surface…very clear water in a relatively stagnant pool means micro biology can’t live there, which isn’t good either…
'Healing tokens' are a basic part of life. Placebo works, even when we know it's placebo. Other social mammals and birds also use tokens.
We seem to have a built-iin receptor sense for an object offered with the intention to heal or soothe. It's unfortunate that the Church tries to reject such natural tendencies in order to strengthen its own alternative.
I believe in Acts talks about Peter and Paul touching rags or clothe and it then having healing power, even their shadow falling on someone could heal. Very interesting.
These are so interesting to see! And learn about new(to me) saints too.
I don't see this as too far removed from the use of relics which can be found in many Catholic churches, there is splinter of bone of St Anne in Quebec at the Cathedral there...
If I remember correctly a recent relic was traveling to be touched and seen by the members of a Catholic church in my area... maybe from the recent death of a nun in the midwest whose body after being exhumed was found uncorrupted? This was reported in the Catholic press but not by the MSM.
Which tends to ignore these stories or make fun of them..Which makes me think of the work of Ian Mcgilchrist 'The master and his Emissary'... left brained vs right brain functioning. The left is so concrete and logical and has no concept of the mystical. And we are culturally so left brained.
Sub atomic particles that were once together continue to influence each other even when separated by space and time... Its unknown how this happens. I'm the daughter of a Catholic (world renowned within his field) quantum physicist.
Can we really KNOW how/why healing comes about ? Doctors... do not heal us. Jesus says that our faith heals us, doesn't he ? Jesus didn't even say that HE did the healing. I think that that was wise. This may sound like splitting hairs, but I don't think so. If Jesus didn't make any claims on healing, our doctors certainly shouldn't.
We are animals who like explanations, and there is some good in explanations. When I am in contact with a doctor, a dentist, I like hearing explanations before the people start touching me. But there are limits to what the explanations can explain, after all.
The Church(es) are mistrustful of magic, but sometimes I think for good reason, not just because it is associated with the irrational, perceived to be synonymous with evil. Much of institutional mistrust of magic involves the perception that trying to divine the future is dangerous, and ill advised. Maybe we should collectively start thinking about this more, given how addicted we have become to prediction ?
how limited the western church..... thank you dear paul for the depth of your postings. though succinct.... depth, breadth and beauty. alas, my tent grows larger.
It would be lovely to know the stories behind each piece of rag, each object, the prayers that accompany them and the answers (if received). Great read, thank you Paul.
Superb piece. I'll suggest again that you consider a book on holy wells, pocket sized, based on these columns and with maps, etc. I'd love to do a holy well journey through Ireland some day.....
I'm really enjoying these posts! Thank you so much for your travels and your thoughts. I doubt I will get to Ireland in this lifetime, but I have a connection to St. Brigit since she is my patroness. Saints of Ireland, pray for us!
That St Ita had it pretty much spot on, I'd suggest 😉
Paul, how many times have you met local people at one of these wells? What, if anything, have they said about their visits?
On the other end of the water purity spectrum, Edward Abbey warns the desert hiker to avoid drinking water from a spring if there isn’t a fair amount of green slime on the surface…very clear water in a relatively stagnant pool means micro biology can’t live there, which isn’t good either…
'Healing tokens' are a basic part of life. Placebo works, even when we know it's placebo. Other social mammals and birds also use tokens.
We seem to have a built-iin receptor sense for an object offered with the intention to heal or soothe. It's unfortunate that the Church tries to reject such natural tendencies in order to strengthen its own alternative.
I believe in Acts talks about Peter and Paul touching rags or clothe and it then having healing power, even their shadow falling on someone could heal. Very interesting.
These are so interesting to see! And learn about new(to me) saints too.
I don't see this as too far removed from the use of relics which can be found in many Catholic churches, there is splinter of bone of St Anne in Quebec at the Cathedral there...
If I remember correctly a recent relic was traveling to be touched and seen by the members of a Catholic church in my area... maybe from the recent death of a nun in the midwest whose body after being exhumed was found uncorrupted? This was reported in the Catholic press but not by the MSM.
Which tends to ignore these stories or make fun of them..Which makes me think of the work of Ian Mcgilchrist 'The master and his Emissary'... left brained vs right brain functioning. The left is so concrete and logical and has no concept of the mystical. And we are culturally so left brained.
Sub atomic particles that were once together continue to influence each other even when separated by space and time... Its unknown how this happens. I'm the daughter of a Catholic (world renowned within his field) quantum physicist.
Amen
Can we really KNOW how/why healing comes about ? Doctors... do not heal us. Jesus says that our faith heals us, doesn't he ? Jesus didn't even say that HE did the healing. I think that that was wise. This may sound like splitting hairs, but I don't think so. If Jesus didn't make any claims on healing, our doctors certainly shouldn't.
We are animals who like explanations, and there is some good in explanations. When I am in contact with a doctor, a dentist, I like hearing explanations before the people start touching me. But there are limits to what the explanations can explain, after all.
The Church(es) are mistrustful of magic, but sometimes I think for good reason, not just because it is associated with the irrational, perceived to be synonymous with evil. Much of institutional mistrust of magic involves the perception that trying to divine the future is dangerous, and ill advised. Maybe we should collectively start thinking about this more, given how addicted we have become to prediction ?
how limited the western church..... thank you dear paul for the depth of your postings. though succinct.... depth, breadth and beauty. alas, my tent grows larger.
It would be lovely to know the stories behind each piece of rag, each object, the prayers that accompany them and the answers (if received). Great read, thank you Paul.
Superb piece. I'll suggest again that you consider a book on holy wells, pocket sized, based on these columns and with maps, etc. I'd love to do a holy well journey through Ireland some day.....
Paul. Any idea for the purpose of that pipe emerging from the water to the right?
i do do enjoy the journey you are sharing
I'm really enjoying these posts! Thank you so much for your travels and your thoughts. I doubt I will get to Ireland in this lifetime, but I have a connection to St. Brigit since she is my patroness. Saints of Ireland, pray for us!