The John Main Seminar 2025 was held at Balally Parish in Dublin, Ireland, from 6 to 9 November, under the theme The Vision of Celtic Christianity for the Crisis of the 21st Century. It was a rich opportunity for the WCCM community to be inspired by Celtic spirituality and by the work that Fr Jim Caffrey, Cinzia Angius, and the parishioners of Balally have been carrying out to make Balally a model of a contemplative parish. The event gathered hundreds of participants both in person and online.
The first day took the form of a retreat, featuring a reflection on silence by Abbot Columba McCann OSB (Glenstal Abbey) and a session on “Meditation and Healing Practice” with Dr Barry White. Abbot Columba also led a session of Lectio Divina.
Fr Laurence Freeman delivered the opening talk on Thursday evening, introducing the main theme, Integral Christianity: The Vision of Celtic Christianity for the Crisis of the 21st Century.
Subsequent presentations included:
The Book of Kells and the Myth of a Monastic Golden Age – Br Colmán N. Ó Clabaigh OSB
The Interplay Between Power and Mission in the Celtic Tradition – Professor Jane Williams
Celtic Monastic Poetry, Entanglement, and the Cosmic Christ – John F. Deane
Synodal Gathering: The World Will Be Saved by Consciousness
The Voice of Balally Contemplative Parish – Fr Jim Caffrey P.P., Cinzia Angius, and parishioners
Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin Paul Dempsey offered a reflection on Saturday evening, followed by a blessing of icons. On Sunday morning, Fr Laurence Freeman celebrated the concluding Mass, during which four final oblations were made, including those of Fr Jim and Cinzia.
If you missed the John Main Seminar 2025, you can still register after the event to receive access to all the recordings.
See some images from the JMS 2025:
