A visitor who kissed the stone cross at Skellig Michael was most likely acting for which of the following reasons?

• A. To fulfill a qualification for sainthood
• B. To atone for wrongs committed
• C. To be spared by Viking marauders
• D. To be accepted into the monastery

Answer: (B)

The act of kissing the stone cross at Skellig Michael is most closely associated with atonement, particularly in the context of medieval practices where physical actions were often seen as manifestations of repentance or seeking forgiveness. During the time when the monastery was active, individuals may have come to Skellig Michael seeking spiritual solace or to express remorse for their sins, which aligns with the notion of atoning for wrongs committed.

The other choices suggest motivations that are less consistent with the historical context of the cross. Fulfilling a qualification for sainthood typically involves a more complex set of criteria and actions that are not solely represented by a single act like kissing a cross. Likewise, the idea of being spared by Viking marauders does not fit the religious significance of the location, and being accepted into the monastery would likely require a deeper commitment than merely performing an action at the cross. Thus, the most plausible explanation for the visitor's action is that they were engaging in an act of contrition, making atonement for past actions.