A little while ago, Bishop Chris contacted me to ask if I could provide him with a Cornish Blessing, writes Revd Jane Kneebone.

I soon realised that, in fact, while there are some lovely Celtic blessings from other Celtic areas, I could think of none which are specifically Cornish. Even in the Mediaeval Cornish texts which have survived, there are no blessings as such.

So, I turned to and wrote something which was usable … and it gave Bishop Chris the idea of running a competition to write a Cornish Blessing. From the best of these, we could then produce a book of Cornish Blessings – in both English and Cornish – for anyone to use.

So, the competition is live and open for anyone to enter. There will be two categories – one for children up to and including 11, which will be run through our 44 Church Schools; and one for young people (aged 12 and over) and adults.

The closing date for entries will be 31 December 2013, and judging by a panel will take place in January 2014. The winners will be announced and prizes presented during St Piran-tide in March 2014.

We’re looking for something original which expresses your love of Cornwall and ‘Cornishness’. What makes it special for you? Your blessing may be inspired by the landscape, by the people of Cornwall, by the heritage of the saints, or anything else Cornish – but please remember that we have more here than sea, cliffs and seagulls, wonderful as they are!

The blessing may be a ‘stand-alone’ one, such as these well-known blessings:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields;
and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
 
or
 
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you.

 

Or it may be the first part of the general blessing:

The protection of St Michael of the bright wings surround you;
the merry heart of St Piran of the shining tin gladden you;
the holiness of St Petroc of the white stag inspire you;
and the blessing of the Holy Three in One,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit …

 

If you would like to include a drawing or photograph with your blessing to illustrate it – and which we might be able to use in the book of blessings – that would be brilliant.

 

Entries should be sent via e-mail to janekneebone@gmail.com or by post to 34 Henver Road, Newquay, TR7 3BN. And remember the closing date is 31 December 2013.