Saint Brendan the Navigator
Saint Brendan was born around 484 in Tralee, County Kerry, in the province of Munster (southwestern Ireland). He was born among the Altraige, an Irish clan originally centred around Tralee Bay, to parents named Finnlug and Cara. Tradition says that he was born in the Kilfenora-Fenit region on the north side of the bay. He was baptized at Tubrid, near Ardfert.
As a child he was placed in the care of Saint Ita of Killeedy (January 15), who taught him three things that God really loves: "the true faith of a pure heart; the simple religious life; and bountifulness inspired by Christian charity." She might have added that the three things God hates are "a scowling face; obstinate wrongdoing; and too much confidence in money." When he was six years old he was sent to Saint Jarlath's monastery school at Tuam to further his education.
Saint Brendan's first voyage was to the Aran Islands, where he founded a monastery. Like his master Saint Jarlath (June 6), he established churches in Brittany on the northern coast of France, and in Wales. He also founded other schools and monasteries in Ireland. By establishing so many monasteries, he became known as the Apostle of Ireland. Between 512 and 530 Saint Brendan built monastic cells at Ardfert, and Shanakeel (Seana Cill, the "Old Church"), at the foot of Mount Brandon. Saint Brendan also visited Hinba (Argyll), an island off the coast of Scotland, where he met Saint Columba of Iona (June 9).
At the age of twenty-six he was ordained as a priest by a Bishop named Erc (May 12), who was from Munster, and also a monk at Tullylease, County Down. Later, Brendan founded a number of monasteries. Traveling to Wales, he lived for some time under the discipline of Saint Gildas (January 29). He also spent several years in the abbey of Llan-carven, in Glamorganshire. In Britain he established the monastery of Ailech, and another church in a territory called Heth.
Although Saint Brendan was a real person, there are some fabulous stories are told how he searched for seven years on his voyage to seek the Isle of the Blessed, a remnant of ancient Celtic folklore.
On the Kerry coast, with some chosen monks, he built a coracle of wattle, covering it with hides, and rigged a mast and a sail. After praying on the shore, he went forth to extend the Kingdom of God on earth. Sailing with sixty1 companions he set sail with a month's provisions. Aboard the ship, all the Rules of monastic life were strictly observed. After his many strange wanderings, including celebrating Mass on the back of a whale, he returned to Ireland to establish Clonfert.
Saint Brendan founded the famous monastery of Clonfert on the River Shannon in 561, whose ruins still may be seen. He was the Abbot of this monastery with 3,000 monks, and a Rule which was dictated to him by an Angel.
Saint Brendan is regarded as one of the "Twelve Apostles of Ireland," who are believed to have been taught by Saint Finnian of Clonard (December 12). He reposed on May 16, 578, at the age of ninety-four.
Saint Brendan may have reposed while visiting his sister Briga, the Abbess of a convent at Enach Duin (Annaghdown). The account includes his dying conversation with his sister. When he asked her to ease his death by her prayers, she asked him why he was so afraid of dying. He resplied, "I am afraid of loneliness on this dark journey to the unknown land. I fear the presence of the King and the sentence of the Judge."
Realizing that there might be some rivalry for his body, Saint Brendan requested that his death be kept secret when his relics were returned to Clonfert by cart, disguised as luggage being sent ahead for his own return.
1 The number of monks might have been anywhere from fourteen to sixty.