Samthann was the abbess of Clonbroney in Ireland and was renowned for her prayer and her wisdom. When a monk asked her what position prayer should be made in – lying down, sitting or standing – she replied, ‘In every position, a person should pray!’ To someone who spoke of pilgrimage, but was really only anxious to travel and was dressing this with excuses, she said, ‘God is near to all who call on Him, and the Kingdom of Heaven can be reached from every land.’
Teach us, Lord, what prayer really is, and what is the value of pilgrimage; school us in honesty in heart and motive; and give us the wisdom of Your Spirit. Amen.