September 6, 2026
“Navigating: Three Sisters” Photo by LKV Walsh
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I have spent the week thinking about St. Brendan. Again and again this week, I have been over the creek he set off from, across from the hill his monks climbed, in love with the story his bravery offers, and in awe of his shear madness to boot. My favorite part of the week with Brendan has been telling others the story of Tim Severin – a man who replicated Brendan’s exploits in the 197os so that we could know the stories were true….are indeed true.
And so in honor of all that, I offer a blessing for all who try… and then try… and then try again. Because the voyage is never ended. And because we must get back in the boat.
Blessing Us Back into the Boat
A Blessing for Arriving at the Same Place Yet Again
(for which St. Brendan consults)
When once again you find yourself
where you ardently tried to never be again,
Take note.
“There is scant room for despair.
There is room only
for more pilgrimage.”
And so back into the tiny, rudderless boat
is the next step on the way.
And so back go you, with St. Brendan and God,
back into the mischievous sea.
For while every pilgrim knows that
death is part of the stakes,
some fates feel more grim.
Innumerable pilgrims survive!
So many return to some version of home…
back (again) in the selfsame spot …
feeling (anyway) so very, very changed.
So when once again you have laid bare your soul
and yet find the coracle beached on the same barren shore,
Take note.
~
Refuse to harden your heart.
Make tinker and tailor from sinker and sailor.
Call whales to the service of walking on water;
Call saints to the witness of suffering in stutters.
And speak blessings on being bidden back…
back into the boat.
Amen.
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