The Poetry of Pilgrimage: Reflections on Celtic Pilgrimage sites in Ireland and Britain

Drawing from his experience of co-leading pilgrimages in Britain and Ireland, Michael Mitton captures the essence of 23 significant pilgrimage sites for anyone from experienced pilgrims to armchair pilgrims. Each chapter outlines the story of the Celtic saint who founded the site, together with information about the location, a poem inspired by the author’s experience of that place, a reflective question, a suggested Bible reading and a photo of the site.

‘Michael’s poems bring us fresh but timeless riches for our spiritual journeys,
wherever they may be. Drink deeply from this holy well of divine grace.’
Graham Booth, former Guardian of the Community of Aidan and Hilda.

‘Michael Mitton has left an indelible mark on my life; he was a voice of courage
as I embarked on my own missionary journey to Cornwall. His book brings to
life the characters whose faith shaped the British Isles; they are much needed
companions for the church, to rekindle faith and stir courage.’
The Revd Anna Mason-Hyde, church leader of St Gregory’s in Cornwall

‘As one of many on pilgrimage with Michael, who is both bard and spiritual director,
I have beheld the wild Spirit of God ignite our pilgrim band at these sites and
birth fresh encounters with the Presence of the living God. May you find such
portals leading deep into God’s heart through Michael’s visionary poetry and
your own reflections.’
The Revd Dr Sandi Kerner, canon for prayer and healing, Cathedral Church of
St Luke and St Paul and for the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina

‘This is a book whose simple and heartfelt words will gather you – you with your
fear and failings, joys and dreams – and lift you to fly with the Wild Goose who
seeks you.’
Penny Warren, members’ Guardian of the Community of Aidan and Hilda

‘[The poems] are beautifully crafted… they are soulful, spiritual and carry a depth
and a yearning. They bring to life in a wonderful way the lives of Celtic saints
and their mystical longings. They reverberate like prayers. I am drawn back to
them again and again.’
Jonny Baker, Britain hub mission director for Church Mission Society

‘Michael Mitton brings us face to face with spiritual yet human Celtic characters
and transports us to places made holy by their lives. He relates recent spiritual
encounters in these thin places and gives us poems and thought-provoking
questions to extend our dwelling there. It’s a book to treasure and read slowly –
a saint at a time.’
George Lings retired researcher and author of Seven Sacred Spaces and Reproducing
Churches

‘I have admired Michael Mitton’s poetry ever since I first heard him read one of
his works during a pilgrimage in Ireland. His words resonated with us, capturing
and amplifying the encounters with the Holy Spirit that we were experiencing.
Reading The Poetry of Pilgrimage reignites that same sense of wonder and abandon,
inspiring me to follow Jesus more fervently. These poems offer readers
encouragement and strength to persevere through the wild and unknown of
their own spiritual journeys.’
The Rt Revd Ron Dent Kuykendall PhD, rector of St Andrew’s Gainesville,
Florida, and executive chaplain to the national director and chaplain to the
board for the International Order of St Luke the Physician

‘The poetry and prose that you will find in these pages will transport you into
the lives of many Celtic saints in their places, and you will be drawn into the
Divine Spirit that they each embodied through Michael’s directed reflection and
scripture readings. The pictures and stories he adds to the poems complete this
beautiful piece of literature which adds to the centuries old Celtic tradition of
sharing poem and story and song.’
David Cassian Cole, author of Celtic Saints, The Celtic Year and The Art of Peace:
Life lessons from Christian mystics

From Jonny Baker's blog

Michael Mitton has a new book out - The Poetry of Pilgrimage. Together with Russ Parker he has led pilgrimages around the British Isles to sites of Celtic saints. I had the pleasure to go with a group of pioneers on one to Ireland many years back which was wonderful. The book is a square format, and for each of the 23 Celtic saints has a photograph, story, description of location, a poem and some questions for reflection. When I went on the pilgrimage to Ireland Michael wrote and read a couple of the poems. It's obviously a great book if you are visiting any of those sites but equally is a lovely book for reflection anyway. The Celtic stories are always inspiring and resonate with pioneers in my experience.

Reviewed by Jonny Baker

From Methodist Recorder 01.11.24. Review by David Gleed

Michael Mitton’s The Poetry of Pilgrimage is a lovely book of some 23 short chapters and while poetry is the focus, the well written location narrative that opens each new chapter provides a perfect setting for the verse that follows.

I have visited a number of the places included in the book and found myself instantly transported back to those windswept coastlines and distant islands, where the Celtic saints of old eked out a living and founded communities that lived the Gospel message and carried it far and wide.

The author is very much a story-teller in verse. His poems create a picture and tell the story in an accessible, page-turning manner that holds the attention and fires the imagination.

Taking in a selection of Celtic Christian pilgrimage sites across Ireland and Britain, the book has an easy-to-follow format, with chapters divided into a common sequence; information about the saint and the location, poem with prayer, reflection with Bible reading. A photograph concludes the chapter — there’s something about black and white photographs that add another layer of intrigue, I find. It happens here.

Poetry resonates with many of those who travel The Way: prayer, reflection and poetry provide a rhythm around which to journey. Michael’s book captures this mood and the rhythm. It will prove a ready companion for both the armchair pilgrim and pilgrim on the road.

Through narrative and verse the scene magically unfolds before you. Whether it’s a first time visit or a return journey, through the author’s pen and lens, you will know the place and perhaps, almost certainly sense a renewal of spirit.

The backstory to this book is also of interest. Michael co-led pilgrimages with colleague Russ Parker for years (and still does), writing poetry as he walked and then reading the day’s composition to the assembled group in the evening.

Many encouraged him to publish. Enjoy the read … I have a feeling you will!

Review by David Gleed