Former priest and author gave talk on his spiritual journey on visit home to Carrick-on-Suir

Caption for picture above: Carrick-on-Suir born author Nicholas O’Keeffe, (seated centre), with his book, Inner Compass - One Man’s Spiritual Journey pictured with local people who attended his recent talk at Carrick-on-Suir Library. Photo: Anne Marie Magorrian

Carrick-on-Suir born author Nicholas O’Keeffe gave a brilliant talk in Carrick-on-Suir Library on his life as a priest and hermit, which he has documented in his book, Inner Compass - One Man’s Spiritual Journey.

Nicholas, who now lives in Newfoundland, told those gathered at the recent talk of how he loved being back in his hometown, visiting family.

He recalled his school days in the Presentation Primary School, the Greenschool and the Monastery where he recalled he was a naïve innocent boy with the gift of a strong intuitive side who always trusted his feelings.

He went to university where he said he learned to think for himself and at a young age was ordained a Catholic priest and served in Africa.

In his mid-thirties he travelled to Canada and for the next 12 years worked as a Catholic priest on the west coast of Newfoundland which he discovered was very Irish as many of the people who travelled there to settle, lived in small coves where they keenly preserved their Irish culture, through language, arts, music and tradition.

After his many years as a priest, Nicholas had a strong inner calling to go to a monastery, which he managed to do. Though his lifestyle was basic and simple, it was the right place for him at that time.

“Then my life-long spiritual quest drew me into solitude as a publicly professed hermit in the church. I trained to become a potter to support myself in this lifestyle and went on to live a life of solitude and prayer in a hermitage in the Codroy Valley for 25 years.

“At the age of 64, I chose to leave the Church and subsequently married.

“In my marriage to a soul mate and best friend, I discovered the spiritual at its most universal, in an experience of human love. My life has been a journey from the experience of authority to the authority of experience.”

Nicholas spoke of how after 40 years of service he was out on his own. He looked at his Church, was unhappy with what he saw and that led him to live as a lay person. Nicholas shared his rich and raw experiences and said he was still growing and learning from other people.

He spoke honestly of his journey, his doubts, and the need for change in the church. He also spoke of how he missed not being a father but how happily married he is now to his wonderful wife.

Nicholas answered the many questions from an engrossed audience on the night who raised concerns about the future of the Catholic Church remaining in an archaic position without listening to, addressing and adapting to the greater needs of people today.

Change is necessary in the present environment especially for young people who are the future, and among whom many, sadly ‘don’t believe’.

It was an interesting night prompting a rich and stimulating debate on the legacy of the Catholic Church. Nicholas took time later to chat with local people and sign copies of his book, which is a beautifully written personal account of his spiritual life.