Understanding The History and Origin of Ancient Irish Christianity
St. Patrick’s presence and mission in the fourth century brought Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century, if not earlier. It is believed that Bishop Palladius, who was sent by Pope Celestine in 431 AD to serve the Irish residents who were already Christians, arrived before him. Due to a lack of urban infrastructure, the diocesan appears to have created using episcopal bases modelled on those in late Roman Britain towns. The Vikings established towns in the ninth century, four centuries after the diocesan was established. A number of monasteries emerged that acknowledged the Roman Pontiff as the head of the Church but were primarily Independent both of Him and one another. Some of these monasteries banded together in “family” groupings. 1
The Early Churches: Abbeys and Monasteries
An Abbey is a more preferable term, as these places of retreat and study welcomed other churchgoers more openly than monasteries. These organisations spread quickly throughout Ireland’s lush fields, evolving into theological and spiritual centres that served the sacramental and practical needs of the rural populace. Over time, they became hubs for biblical studies (as academics could learn Latin), creators of Latin manuscripts, preservers of history and lore, and teachers of metal and stone handicrafts. Finian of Clonard, one of the first Irish monastic saints, founded Clonard Abbey in what is now County Meath. 1
Journeying Through Time: Saint Finian’s Influence at the Clonard School
During Saint Finian’s lifetime in the 6th Century, the Clonard School experienced growth, with reportedly as many as 3000 students at one point. People from all over Ireland and beyond came to hear the saint’s sermons and lectures. Among these disciples were twelve men who would later be known as the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. These men are renowned for performing miracles and founding monasteries and churches. One of these men, Brendan of Clontarf, was instrumental in guiding Jarlath to the discovery and founding of Tuam. The establishment of the foundation of this independent Christian church was due to the revelation and power of the living word. 2
St Jarlath and the Cloonfush Monastery
In the sixth century, a monk named Jarlath participated in a religious community in Cloonfush, near Kilbannon. According to tradition, Jarlath lived from about 445 to 550 A.D. Brendan of Clonfert, an ancient apostle and visitor, prophesied to Jarlath to leave the community despite his advanced age. Brendan said that Jarlath should “sit in his wagon” and that the location where the wagon’s wheel broke would “mark the spot of his resurrection and the resurrection of many others on the last day.” This prophecy ultimately led Jarlath to embark on a new journey and leave his community. Jarlath studied under St Enda at Aran Isles and under Benen (Benignus), a disciple of St Patrick. According to the Féilire of Aengus,he was well-known for his fasting and prayer. He established his first monastery foundation in Cloonfush, several miles east of Tuam. His disciples included Brendan of Clonfert and Colman of Cloyne.2
The Broken Wheel and the Birth Of Tuam
While moving from Cloonfush to the west, the chariot’s wheel broke. A prophecy attributed to Saint Brendan of Clonfert foretold that Jarlath would meet his demise near the location where the chariot’s wheel breaks. In response, Jarlath decided to establish another monastery at this location. This tragedy led to the chariot wheel becoming a symbol of Tuam. The diocese was founded at the synods of Rathbreasail and Kells in the twelfth century and later expanded into an archdiocese by incorporating Annaghdown and Mayo, two additional medieval dioceses. Jarlath passed away in 550. 2
Where Does The Word “Tuam” Come From?
The School of Tuam, a monastery, was founded by Jarlath when his wheel broke at Tuam. Early settlements in Ireland typically resulted from creating sacred places, and Tuam, surrounded by the monastery, retains the broken chariot wheel as its heraldic emblem. The name TUAM originates from Latin term ‘tumulus’ meaning “burial ground” which is a cognate with the name ‘Tuam’. The ancient name was ‘Tuaim Da Ghulann’, which translates to the burial mound of two shoulders. In the 11th and 12th centuries, Tuam played a crucial role in Ireland’s political and religious spheres. The theme of predestination and resurrection concerning the origin of Tuam can be seen in Ephesian 1:4-5 of the New American Standard Bible.2
The Mind of Christ: A Journey of Transformation
The call of the gospel urges unbelievers to repent of their sin, embrace Christ, and believe in the message of eternal salvation by faith. The Greek word for “repentance” signifies a change of mind. Repentance is an active decision to turn away from sin and turn towards Christ, accepting His offer of eternal life. It requires a deliberate choice to change one’s thoughts, attitudes, and actions in alignment with God’s will. Repentance is not merely a passive acknowledgment of wrongdoing, but a proactive transformation of the heart towards righteousness.
Renew Your Mind, Renew Your Life
The Living Word reveals the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God for our lives. Two crucial words, “Transform” and “Renew,” hold much significance in unlocking the spiritual instruction found in this scripture. The Greek word “metamorpho” translates to “Transform”, signifying the process of something becoming new. In the active voice, we actively engage in the transformation process, allowing God to work in us to renew our minds and hearts. Through this active transformation, we align ourselves with God’s will and experience the fullness of His purpose for our lives, Romans 12:2, NASB.
The Greek word anakainōsis is usually translated as “renewal, renovation.” This noun only appears twice in the New Testament, but we can also consider the matching verb anakainoō, which means “to make new, renew.”3 The Christian forefathers were mobilized by it in their independence and isolation, being led by the Holy Spirit to tap into hidden resources. Their perspective shifted from being natural to eternal. From this living place of spiritual revelation, the town of Tuam was birthed from a monastery, a place that involved the preaching and teaching of the Living Word of God, Hebrews 4:12, NKJV.
The Spirit of Grace, The Spirit of Truth, and Our Helper
The Holy Spirit embodies the spirit of grace, truth, and our Helper. Jesus exemplified both grace and truth, and God’s gift of grace saves us through faith. In Romans 5:20 NIV, it is understood that as sin increases, grace increases even more. We must actively listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Grace is a favor given to sinners undeservingly, a gift from the heart of God. When a person is saved through Jesus Christ, righteousness becomes a spiritual force, fueled by grace and faith. The Hebrew word “Tzadik” means “upright.” We need to adopt new expectations and expand our vision to align with God’s vision, as stated in Ephesians 3:20 NIV. God’s perspective will always differ from our natural perspective, as Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV highlights, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.”
The Metamorphic Impact of the Holy Spirit’s Work in our Hearts
Our heart needs to change. Being aware of the Holy Spirit’s work within our heart is very important. (Psalm 51:10-12 NIV) We must desire the heart that God the Father wants to create within us and let go of the heart we have allowed to form through our natural life experiences. A pure heart will lead to the evolution of a renewed, steadfast spirit. Similar to the mental and emotional strongholds that have formed over the years of our lives, they can be rooted deeply in our being. Renewing the mind means meditating on the word.
We must make a conscious decision to declare God’s promises over our lives and the lives of others. Through the complete surrendering of the spirit, mind, and body, we, as the Father’s Children, become transformed through His living and eternal word (Romans 12:1 NIV). This transformation leads to a total personal transformation in relation to the will of God (Romans 12:2 NIV and Ephesians 4:23-24, NASB).
As stated in Ephesians 4:23-24, NASB we are to be renewed in the spirit of our minds and put on the new self, which has been created in the likeness of God in righteousness and holiness of the truth. The spirit of our minds is the area that is renewed through the Living Word. The heart, or “lev or levav” in Hebrew, is the centre of human intellect and spiritual existence. While we often associate the word “heart” with our feelings, in Hebrew, it also refers to the mind and thoughts.
Our new self is created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. The natural mind belongs to the natural body and will always be in opposition to the spiritual being. We are waiting for our final redemption from passive voice to active voice. To elaborate further on this transformation and renewal of the mind through the Living Word, we must continue to seek God’s will and align our thoughts with His truth. Let us not be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds in accordance with God’s will for us.
Conclusion
The point that the town was birthed from a church, a place that involved the preaching and teaching of the Living Word of God. These spiritual elements form the foundation of this town… The emphasis that the spiritual mind is different to the physical being and scripture to affirm this:
- The establishment of early Irish Christianity by St. Patrick and Bishop Palladius led to the creation of monasteries and abbeys that served as centers for theological study and spiritual growth.
- The influence of Saint Finian and Saint Jarlath in founding monasteries and schools contributed to the spread of Christianity in Ireland, with Tuam being established as a significant location.
- The theme of predestination and resurrection, as seen in the broken wheel prophecy, played a crucial role in the foundation of Tuam and the growth of Irish Christianity.
- The active work of grace within the church and the renewal of the spiritual mind, is essential for spiritual growth and community engagement, emphasizing the importance of leadership, care, and biblical wisdom.
Scott Sheridan
References
1. Simpson, Ray, 27 July 2015, Celtic Christianity: Deep Roots for a Modern Faith Kindle Edition, Faith Media
2. Rev Monsignor D’ Alton, P.P., LL.D., M.R.I.A., Member Governing Body University College, Galway, Ex-Senator National University of Ireland, History of the Archdiocese of Tuam, Volume 1. , 1928
3. Vine W. E, Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, 1997