St Siriol, Penman, Anglesey, Wales

St Siriel’s Holy well and prayer oratory, Penman, Anglesey

It is very rare for me to actually come across the remains of a Celtic prayer oratory. The only two I can remember are the ones on Saint Helens in the Isles of Scilly and another  at St Levan’s in Cornwall. But here at St Siriol’s the circular stone foundations are clearly visible.

What is lovely about this site, is that from the establishment of the prayer monastery in the 500s AD by St Siriol it was in continual use up until the desolation of the monasteries in the 1530s AD- 1000years. An Augustine in monastery took over from the Celtic site in the 13th century but until then it remained a Celtic Christian site,  marking one of the longest periods of Celtic Christianity anywhere in the country, before the English church system  took over.

It’s incredible to think that this land was prayed on by Christians for hundreds of years and continues to still be a place of pilgrimage. We are a small part of that long tradition, coming here to pray and spend time out with God.

I settle to pray; sitting on the grass within the original prayer cell. The sun has come out and bird song fills the air, I often notice this in unpolluted spiritual places the birds are happy and sing. As I wait I’m aware of layers upon layers of birdsong. My Merlin app records 14 different species singing and the air around me is just full of song.

There is a beautiful sense of peace here and a sense of relief. God is in this place. I know He is omnipresent, everywhere, but this is one of those ‘thin places’ where it is easier to be aware of Him.

So, I am sitting in the place where one of my Christian brothers set his life apart to pray 1500 years ago. The holy well continues to flow on the same site. That’s just incredible and I’m excited to see what God reveals today. It’s certainly a place to linger as the enclosure today is hidden behind stone walls and trees, sheltered from the wind and even the distraction of the beautiful views across the water of Snowdonia.  Behind me one end of the prayer oratory is a cliff face. The circular cell is built directly against into it.

I find myself wondering how these hermits sustained their prayer lives. What did they pray about? How did they commune with God? How did they spend a whole life of devotion without getting bored or restless or angry or irritated or frustrated? I’m challenged by the thought. I’m challenged by the knowledge of their closeness with God, their willingness to sacrifice comforts to be with him, living lives of obedience, holiness and humility.

It’s taking me a while to settle as my body is in pain and distracting. Yet it is very peaceful here. The birds have no trouble releasing their songs at full volume.

Yet me, today

I’m tired and in pain

Wondering how to approach you

In my human frailty

Faith and frailty fighting for the upper-hand

Pain warring for attention

Prayer stepping back to commiserate

Yet I pull my focus back

Remembering I can come

In my brokeness, in my weakness

You won’t turn me away

Your love reaches out to enfold me

I know this is truth

I just need to catch up with it

And truly know

I am enough as I am

I can’t earn any more favour than you have already extended me

So why do I hold back

As if I am not welcome in your presence?

This faith walk is a mystery to me

I can have times of intense closeness with your holy presence

Then…barrenness for months on end

A sense of nothingness but holding on regardless

I find it makes my heart cry for more

There has to be more

Meet with me God in this ancient holy place

As I stand by faith and not sight

Still…..I stand…..believing…..waiting…..for you

In his graciousness God begins to speak comfort to my heart. I am sure his words will minister to others who read this too. For they are the truth of his nature..love and kindness.

Kathy, do you know? I love you. Do you know I love you, deep in your heart? Do you know that there’s nothing you can do to earn my love more?  Lay down the anxieties, lay down the burden. You do not have to perform or strive, just come as you are. Come with the questions. Come with the doubts. Come with the disappointment and let me minister to your heart.  Let me restore your hope and your joy.  Let me restore your faith.

You have done nothing wrong!  You have not deserted me or turned your back on me. You have walked faithfully through a desert season where there has been little water and little refreshment. You have been found faithful. Though you haven’t understood the season, you remain lifting your heart towards me in worship and turning your face to me. For this I commend you.

Come now into my rest and allow my presence to refresh and refill you.