Jean Lawson rscj, province of Ireland-Scotland

Jean Lawson rscj

The Sound of Iona looking towards the House of Prayer

Celebration of Baptism in Iona

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you”

I was born in Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland on 18th march 1939 to Catholic parents, both of whom attended non-catholic schools.   Their religious education was parish based. Both grew up with remarkably strong faith which resulted in both children of the marriage having religious vocations. My brother, Monsignor Alistair Lawson is now parish priest of our home town and the parish celebrated 150 years in existence on June 1st 2008.

My early education was in the local primary school, St Mary’s, and my secondary education was at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Craiglockhart in Edinburgh.

Having to leave school at 15 years of age to look after my mother who was ill and who died several months later, I continued to run the family home and with help the business – petrol station, confectioners, show and tea room for a further eight years, until I finally answered the call to religious life in 1962

The last forty six years have been very happy ones in the Society and I have had a great deal of experience both in Ireland and Scotland, ministering mainly as bursar or treasurer in both countries over the years. I had always wanted to be a nurse and the Society gave me the great opportunity of training in the Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda in Ireland, but the Lord had other plans as I fell ill and had immediate surgery afterwards being told that I would have to give up nursing training as I was not strong enough.  Disappointed but not crushed, I always kept the idea of working in a hospital at the back of my mind and years later my dream was fulfilled as I was asked if I would like to do hospital chaplaincy.   What a bonus and I ministered in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for fourteen years and loved every minute of it.   

Another dream I had was to run a house of prayer and hospitality  as I feel I am at my best offering hospitality to people and now six years later I came to Iona and it seems as if I have been here all my life the time has passed so quickly. The experience has been enriching and fulfilling and I am so grateful to the Province and the Society for allowing me to accept the challenge of living and working on such a special island. There is a great feeling of peace and tranquility in every comer of the place three miles long and one mile wide. St Columba certainly found a 'thin place' when he left Ireland - the next step to heaven. Being surrounded by natural beauty certainly helps the spirit to grow and become less attached to material things. The saying 'to have less is to have more' is fast becoming a reality for me.  This situation bring me close to the gospel the ways in which Jesus lived his life  He was frequently with people and enjoyed hospitality from all different kinds of people and was very much at home in the company of rich and poor saints and sinners.

The House of Prayer is beautifully situated and one has only to sit and look out the window at the sea, blues, aquamarine and green with every movement of the sun, the sheep, the healthy cattle, the mountains of the Ross of Mull and beyond, is to be lost in wonder at what God has created.

The people who come to the island are so varied that it makes looking back like a jewel filled box with precious gems. Easter was a wonderful experience this year. Mary Roe rscj came along with a priest friend from her Uganda days, and we celebrated the Triduum together with other pilgrims who come to the island at this time. On Easter Sunday there was Mass in the Abbey at mid-day attended by the group of Southern Cross Pilgrims who spend Holy Week carrying a cross all the way from Glasgow to lona. 

These are busy months now and I have various groups of pilgrims who spend four or five days here in June we have had a group of Mennonite’s from America Canada and Australia a very committed Christian people,  then another group from an Episcopal parish in London. In July there is an Ignatian Retreat for eight days organized by the Ignatian Centre in Glasgow. These months we have been fortunate with visiting priests as there are no resident priests either on the neighboring Isle of Mull or Iona.

There are about 120 permanent residents on the Island and during the summer months there are many activities like school fete, life-boat auction, coffee mornings for various charities and most of the local people support there functions. Often there are concerts in Iona Abbey and visiting Choirs from all parts of the world so there is no lack of culture. During the year a small group of Ecumenically minded islanders meet in the house for half-an-hour’s quiet prayer for Island intentions.

Later in the year we have a food festival on the Island where everyone dines in the village hall on local produce – lamb, venison, sea-food, fruits and vegetables a miracle how natives and pilgrims seem to have plenty to eat.

In winter time the changing of the seasons is very evident here, timetables change and there are fewer ferries and buses, in a sense the Island closes down and goes to sleep. Hotels and Restaurants close down, many of the Islanders take a holiday – but there is still a vibrant community life going on. The Ladies of the island meet once a week and we take it turn to host the group a time for all kinds of craft making and exchanging ideas. Christmas I spend with the community to which I am attached Garden Cottage, Kilgrasto,n which is also a haven of Peace.

From Columba’s Island I will end with his prayer:

Kindle in our hearts, O God The flame of love that never ceases,
That it may burn in us, giving light to others. 
May we shine forever in your temple, set on fire with your eternal light,
Even your Son Jesus Christ Our Saviour and our Redeemer.  Amen

The lone wild bird in lofty flight, is still with thee nor leaves thy sight 
And I am thine, I rest in thee,
Great Spirit come and rest in me.
The ends of earth are in your hands, the Sea’s dark deep and far off lands 
And I am thine I rest in thee.
Great Spirit come and rest in me.

Jean Lawson rscj
Province of Ireland-Scotlan