Earlier this summer when driving the coast line of Wexford, I stopped at the Hook Head Lighthouse – it is a place of childhood memories having been frequent visitors on holidays in the area. This year when I stopped by I took more notice of the history of the lighthouse to discover it was once a monastery! The monks of nearby Rinn Dubhan received an annual assignment to act as guardians of the lighthouse, a task I learnt they carried out for several centuries – the monks living in the tower that served as both monastery and lighthouse.
This discovery set me thinking about the “job” of the lighthouse – to act as guide for those at sea, to warn of impending danger to the traveller, to offer a safe place, to offer light in the darkness. And what of the “job” of the monks – to offer guidance, to offer a welcome and hospitality to the traveller, to offer a place of safety to one in danger, and to bring the light of Christ into the darkness. So perhaps it is not so unusual to have monks as the keepers of the lighthouse!
My second thoughts turned to another lighthouse – the lighthouse in Desenzano, on the shores of Lake Garda, the birthplace of Angela Merici. Angela too was a woman who brought the light of Christ into the darkness of her world, a woman who offered hospitality and welcome to all people she encountered. She too offered the safe place for those in danger, a listening ear to those in need, guidance to those who were searching for answers to life’s questions.
Perhaps today as we travel the coast line or the shores of the lakes and see the lighthouse we will think again about how we keep the light shining for those who are searching, keep a welcome for the traveller, offer safety to those in danger, and guidance to those who seek answers…
Karen OSU