Every winter I think back on an extraordinary day in 1998 when I climbed the snowy slopes of Heaval on the island of Barra. At an elevation of 900 feet, 350 feet below the summit, I came to the statue of Our Lady Star of the Sea.
The name Star of the Sea comes from this prayer attributed to St Bernard: If the winds of temptation arise, look to the star. If you are tossed upon the waves, look to the star; call on Mary. Intercession for help while being tossed upon the waves was very important for island communities, whose livelihood depended on the sea, and where drowning deaths were common. The statue, carved by Hew Lorimer, depicts the child Jesus sitting on Mary’s shoulder, his left hand holding aloft the Star of the Sea. This will be the 65th Christmas the two of them have held a beacon of hope over the Barra Isles.
Merry Christmas!
Hi Marc - great, atmospheric (and seasonal !) photos for your Christmas blog. Hope you and Shawna have a happy Christmas and look forward to seeing you again in 2020 ! Nigel & Clare
ReplyDeleteNigel, Happy Christmas to you and Clare. Hard to believe the cruise is only four months away.
DeleteThanks for another very interesting year, Marc. Best wishes
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome.
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