We associate the Celtic Cross with St. Patrick, St. Columba and others who led missionaries bringing the Christian faith to Ireland, Scotland and northeast England in the 5th through 10th centuries. It was done peacefully, with Love, not force.

For this reason, the Celtic Cross stands as a symbol for World Peace in today's war-torn, violent world. Those lands adopted Christianity voluntarily through persuasion and the missionaries' example of courage and conviction. Although often facing entrenched Druid priests who controlled the people through pagan religion, or hostile local chieftains who could have murdered them at any moment, missionaries showed no fear be-cause of deep faith that God would protect them.

Their message about one God who loved all living things and wanted people to achieve the fullest measure of their lives ultimately appealed more than continued bloodshed. Jesus' parables and commandment to "Love your neighbor as yourself" resonated in the rural culture of small villages and clan loyalty.

As monks helped the poor, people saw God's Love in action through faith and service. The Celtic world became the center of stability and learning at the same time Western Europe was in the "Dark Ages," when violence destroyed Western civilization. Newly empowered lower classes, living in a safer and less oppressive environment, were welcomed into the monasteries of Ireland, Iona and Lindesfarne where the Celtic love of language, poetry and art blossomed.

Even though monasteries were destroyed in the 9th century by plundering Vikings, their legacy of Love influenced descendents of the attackers who eventually became Christian. Monks were able to save enough writing and religious art, such as the Book of Kells, to help modern scholars discover the timeless message of Love over violence from his advanced period in history that was largely overlooked until recent times.