ČISTILIŠTE SVETOG PATRIKA U LOUGH DERGU

• Main Author: Galić Kakkonen, Gordana; Faculty of Philosophy, University of Split
• Format: Text
• Language: Croatian
• Published: Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Split; [e-mail] 2008
• Subjects: Sv. Patrik; Čistilište sv. Patrika; srednji vijek; hodočašće; irski koncept hodočašća; St. Patrick; St. Patrick’s Purgatory; Middle Ages; Pilgrimage; Irish Pilgrimage Concept; Islanda
• Online Access: http://hrcak.srce.hr/24856; http://hrcak.srce.hr/file/39187

U radu pod naslovom “Čistilište sv. Patrika u Lough Dergu” raspravlja se o legendarnim korijenima Čistilišta sv. Patrika, poznate hodočasničke destinacije u Irskoj pokrajini Donegalu. Koncept hodočašća bio je vrlo prisutan u srednjovjekovnoj, osobito ranosrednjovjekovnoj Irskoj, u razdoblju misionara, isposnika i osnivača samostana. Često se ideal hodočasništva povezivao upravo s Ircima. Irski koncept ujedinjuje, kao što je vidljivo iz života sv. Patrika, askezu i apostolsku misiju. Hodočasnička svetišta često su povezana s prirodnim pojavama pa je tako Čistilište sv. Patrika osnovano na temelju povezanosti sa spiljom. Prema legendi, na svom je putovanju sv. Patrik došao do Station Islanda u Lough Dergu i ondje, uz Božju pomoć, osnovao Čistilište na zemlji. Riječ je bila o jami/spilji koja je nosila to ime. U čitavom je kršćanskom svijetu to vjerojatno bila najneobičnija hodočasnička destinacija. U srednjem vijeku (od 12. stoljeća) Čistilište je privlačilo putnike, ozloglašene grešnike iz svih krajeva Europe, dok ga danas uglavnom posjećuju Irci i slabo je poznato izvan Irske. O tome kako je točno Lough Derg postao hodočasničkim mjestom, ne znamo mnogo. Sve do konca 12. stoljeća, kada doživljava nagli procvat, njegova nam je povijest gotovo potpuno nepoznata. Ono što je poznato, jest legenda koja govori o njegovu osnutku. No, zaključuje se na koncu, u dokumentima se ne spominje ništa što bi ukazivalo na stvaranje Spilje čija bi funkcija bila uvjeriti nevjernike da se obrate na kršćanstvo. Odnosno, ne postoje dokazi da je sv. Patrik ikada došao do Lough Derga na svojim putovanjima. Stvaranje Spilje opisali su poslije njegovi biografi. To se, dakle, kao i neki drugi detalji iz života sv. Patrika mora, još uvijek, smatrati legendom. In the article entitled Saint Patrick’s Purgatory in Lough Derg the author discusses the legendary origines of this famous pilgrimage site located in co. Donegal, Ireland. In the Middle Ages, especially in the early Middle Ages, pilgrimage was very appriciated and present concept in Ireland; that was the era of hermits, early monastry founders and askets. Often, the concept of ideal pilgrimage was connected to the Irish people. The Irish concept of pilgrimage unifies the apostolic mission and ascetism. Furthermore, the connection between pilgrimage sites and natural features has been discussed in this article. Therefore, St. Patrick’s Purgatory was founded in relation with a cave. According to a legend St. Patrick visited Lough Derg along his travellings and spent some time there. During that time he also founded, with God’s help, a cave which represented a purgatory on earth. All that happened to allow him to convince pagan Irish disbelievers. This was probably the most peculiar pilgrimage destination on the face of the earth. In the Middle Ages, lots of sinners were visiting the place and entering the cave in order to purify their sins. Today, hardly anyone outside Ireland has heard of it. It is not known how this place actually became poplar. Until the 12th century its history is almost unknown. We only know the legend about the creation of the purgatorial cave, described by later biographers of St. Patrick. Unfortunatelly, there is no evidence on this event in the documents. Therefore, St. Patrick’s visit to Lough Derg has to be considered as a legend.