Ames Celtic Spirituality Workshop at St. Timothy's, Roxborough

The Quiet Land of Erin:

Exploring the Mysteries of Celtic Spirituality Through Prayer, Meditation, & Irish Harp

Sunday, June 8 | 1:00 – 2:15 PM | Attendance cap of 17 | $15 per ticket | St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Roxborough 

When is the last time you allowed yourself to relax deeply into the presence of God? When is the last time you heard God whisper to you in the silence? 

Our lives today are so noisy and crowded that we lose touch with our ability to experience the divine all around us. Immerse yourself in the worlds of Celtic harp, prayer, and meditation, to find sacred space amid our busy lives. 

This 75-minute workshop combines contemplative solo performances on Celtic harp with guided readings, prayers, and meditations to introduce participants to the rich heritage of Celtic spirituality. After a brief introduction to the history of Christianity in Ireland and the distinctive practices of Celtic piety, participants will engage in readings, prayer, and guided meditations inspired by texts in the Irish Liber Hymnorum, an eleventh-century manuscript collection of prayers and hymns held at Trinity College Dublin. Pieces to be performed on harp include “Be Thou My Vision,” “The Hymn of St. Patrick,” and “Separation of the Body and Soul.” Participants will receive take-home materials to continue their studies. Candles and incense will be used during the workshop. A light reception for attendees will follow in the parish hall. 

Registration for this workshop is capped at 17 people, on a first come, first served basis, with a suggested donation to St. Timothy’s of $15 per ticket. Reservations are required. To inquire as to space availability, please email sttimothyrox@gmail.com. 

Photo by Tracie Van Auken. 

About the Workshop Facilitator

Dr. Alexander Lawrence Ames is a curator, author, harpist, and historian of religion and spirituality who lives in Philadelphia. Author of The Word in the Wilderness: Popular Piety & the Manuscript Arts in Early Pennsylvania (Penn State Press, 2020) and host of Cloister Talk: The Pennsylvania German Material Texts Podcast, Ames specializes in the study of popular spiritual practices and their connections to larger religious and cultural traditions. He studies harp with André Tarantiles of New Hope and works as Director of Outreach & Engagement at the Rosenbach Museum & Library. In March and April 2025, Ames served as the Celtic Harpist in Residence at the William L. Clements Library of the University of Michigan. He is a member of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Roxborough (Philadelphia).