"On the night before my departure from Iona, a special service of leaving-taking was held in the Abbey church for all the volunteers, permanent staff, and guests of the Iona Community. With prayer, song, and the reading of scripture, we gave thanks for all we had shared with one another and for the path before us. At the close of the service, we repeated a litany, a powerful and poignant reminder that we are all pilgrims on the way, whether we stay or go. The journey of return is one that all pilgrims share. We are challenged in our returning, not only to sustain new insights for our own well-being but to bear witness to the transformational power of pilgrimage, taking ' . . . into our daily life signs of hope and healing', for our wider world.
Leader: As Columba laid down his books
and the security of the monastery,
ALL: SO WE LAY DOWN WHAT IS PAST AND
LOOK TO THE FUTURE.
Leader: As Brigid, with a cross of rushes,
comforted strangers,
ALL: SO WE TAKE INTO DAILY LIFE SIGNS
OF HOPE AND HEALING
Leader: As Patrick traveled ever on,
as Margaret built community,
ALL: SO WE REACH BEYOND OURSELVES,
TO SHARE THE LIVES OF OTHERS
AND TOUCH A WIDER WORLD.
Leader, with those staying:
The Maker's blessings be yours
on your road
on your journey
guiding you, cherishing you.
Those leaving:
The Son's blessing be yours
wine and water
bread and stories
feeding you, challenging you.
Leader, with those staying:
The Spirit's blessing be yours
wind and fire
joy and wisdom
comforting you, disturbing you.
Those leaving:
The Angels' blessing be yours
on your house
on your living
guarding you, encouraging you.
ALL: GOD'S BLESSING BE OURS:
THE BLESSINGS OF PILGRIMS
ALL THE NIGHTS AND DAYS
OF OUR JOURNEY HOME.
— Iona Abbey Worship Book
