''Anam Cara'' is a phrase that refers to the Celtic concept of the "soul friend" in religion and spirituality. The phrase is an anglicization of the Irish word ''anamchara'', ''anam'' meaning "

soul In many religious and philosophical traditions, there is a belief that a soul is "the immaterial aspect or essence of a human being". Etymology The Modern English noun '':wikt:soul, soul'' is derived from Old English ''sāwol, sāwel''. The ea ...

" and ''cara'' meaning "friend". The term was popularized by

Irish author Irish literature comprises writings in the Irish, Latin, English and Scots ( Ulster Scots) languages on the island of Ireland. The earliest recorded Irish writing dates from the 7th century and was produced by monks writing in both Latin an ...

John O'Donohue in his 1997 book ''Anam Ċara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom'' about Celtic spirituality. In the Celtic tradition "soul friends" are considered an essential and integral part of spiritual development. The '' Martyrology of Óengus'' recounts an incident where

Brigid of Kildare Saint Brigid of Kildare or Brigid of Ireland ( ga, Naomh Bríd; la, Brigida; 525) is the patroness saint (or 'mother saint') of Ireland, and one of its three national saints along with Patrick and Columba. According to medieval Irish hagiogr ...

counselled a young

cleric Clergy are formal leaders within established religions. Their roles and functions vary in different religious traditions, but usually involve presiding over specific rituals and teaching their religion's doctrines and practices. Some of the t ...

that "...anyone without a soul friend is like a body without a head." A similar concept is found in the

Welsh Welsh may refer to: Related to Wales * Welsh, referring or related to Wales * Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales * Welsh people People * Welsh (surname) * Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peopl ...

''periglour''. The ''Anam Cara'' involves a

friendship Friendship is a relationship of mutual affection between people. It is a stronger form of interpersonal bond than an "acquaintance" or an "association", such as a classmate, neighbor, coworker, or colleague. In some cultures, the concept of ...

that psychotherapist William P. Ryan describes as "compassionate presence". According to O'Donohue, the word ''anamchara'' originates in Irish monasticism, where it was applied to a monk's teacher, companion, or spiritual guide. However, Edward C. Sellner traces its origin to the early Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers: "This capacity for friendship and ability to read other people's hearts became the basis of the desert elders' effectiveness as spiritual guides." Their teachings were preserved and passed on by the Christian monk

John Cassian John Cassian, also known as John the Ascetic and John Cassian the Roman ( la, Ioannes Eremita Cassianus, ''Ioannus Cassianus'', or ''Ioannes Massiliensis''; – ), was a Christian monk and theologian celebrated in both the Western and Eastern ...

, who explained that the soul friend could be clerical or lay, male or female.

References

External links

Quotes from ''Anam Ċara'' by John O'Donohue

Colman Readings 13th May (pg 1238) links Romans and Celtic differences to confession and Anam Cara ‘anamchara’
Irish words and phrases {{Ireland-stub