The Irish and the Hereafter

The Irish, being a people of an ancient Catholic tradition mixed with a native genius, have created a culture of unique spirituality. I recently came across a rather interesting medivel poem written by an Irish monk. The poem is as follows...
Cormacus scripsit

Cormacus scripsit hoc psalterium

Ora pro eo qui legis hec

Ora procese qualibet hora

Translation...

Cormacus wrote

Cormacus wrote this psalm

Pray for him you who read these [words]

Pray for yourself at any hour

I found it interesting how this monk, Cormacus, thought of an interesting way to ensure that he would be prayed for after his death. This hymn is included in an old medieval psalter (I am not sure if it was supposed to be in there...but maybe he was worried about his soul?) and displays a uniquely Irish way of thinking concerning eternity. They don't seem to care how they get there, as long as they get ther dag-nabbit! It's pure genious as well...I think that I will have a prayer with me in it put on my tomb stone...every little bit helps!

This Song is beautifully sung and arranged by the

Irish choral group Anúna (pictured at right in Glendalough). Mark Rutherford introduced it to
me on my recent trip to Ann Arbor. If you can find it, this piece is well worth the listening!