On a recent family trip to Ireland, top of my to-do list was a visit to the semi-ruined Muckross Abbey, a Franciscan friary renowned for the magnificent yew tree that stands in the centre of the building, spreading her maternal branches caressingly over the cloisters.
The tree is reckoned to be about 400 years old, although some estimate its origin to be as far back as the founding of the Abbey itself, around 1340.
Even going by conservative estimates, the yew is universally recognised and revered as one of Ireland’s oldest trees.
I love the theory that the Abbey might actually have been built around the already-growing tree.
Whichever came first – the Abbey or the yew – the deliberate placement of the tree at the heart of monastic life is a perfect expression of Franciscan spirituality, which integrates faith in God with a close connection to nature, following not only the way of St Francis but also that of Jesus.
I wondered what part the tree might have played in the monks’ spiritual life. No doubt a tangible sign of God’s immanent presence in Creation. Perhaps also a reminder of the tree (cross) on which their Saviour died.
How amazing it would be to have trees growing in the centre of our churches today (if it didn’t threaten the buildings’ foundations and void insurance policies!) – or to find other ways of keeping connections with nature at the heart of our faith communities.
Muckross Abbey sits within Killarney National Park, an outstandingly picturesque, expansive and wild mountainous area – again, no doubt an intentional move to immerse a life of faith into the life of Nature on the edges of civilisation.
Above and below are some of the photos I took of other areas of the National Park, which I think give some sense of the wild beauty of the area.
Our visit to Muckross Abbey turned out to be briefer than we’d hoped. Nevertheless, to witness this icon of Franciscan spirituality fulfilled my expectations of inspiration and aesthetic brilliance.
Spirit of Nature 