Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
The Bishop of Kerry has encouraged people to mark the feast day of St Brendan, the patron saint of the diocese, which will occur on this coming Tuesday, May 16.
Celebrations will take place around the diocese and Bishop Ray Browne is promoting visits to local holy wells or Mass rocks and he has encouraged people to visit a grotto.
He has asked people to pray for vocations to the priesthood and synodality and for the courage of St Brendan to be received by students coping with the tension of upcoming exams at both second and third level.
“Pause for a moment before any stained-glass window, statue or icon to St Brendan in the church and notice the detail,” Bishop Browne asked.
He said St Brendan’s commitment to go forth to share the Gospel and his courage in facing the dangerous unknown of the ocean is a model of Christian mission.
“St Brendan navigated the seas – we tend the home shores,” the bishop said.
St Brendan of Ardfert and Clonfert, known also as Brendan the Navigator or Brendan the Voyager, was born in Ciarraighe Luachra, near Tralee, in 484. He died at Enachduin, now Annaghdown, in 577.
He was baptised at Tubrid, near Ardfert, by Bishop Erc and for five years he was educated by Sr Ita – the Brigid of Munster – before he completed his studies under St Erc, who ordained him to the priesthood in 512.
Between the years 512 and 530 St Brendan built monastic cells in Ardfert and at Shanakeel, at the foot of Mount Brandon. It was from there that he set out on his famous voyage for the Land of Delight, in the company of 60 followers who accompanied him on his quest of the Land of Promise.
Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
The story of the seven-year voyage became legendary and, soon, crowds of pilgrims and students flocked to Ardfert. In a few short years, many religious houses were formed at Gallerus, Brandon Hill, and the Blasket Islands in order to meet the needs of those who came for spiritual guidance.
Having established the See of Ardfert, Brendan proceeded to Thomond and founded a monastery in Killadysert. He then journeyed to Wales and on to Iona and left traces of his apostolic zeal at Kilbrandon and Kilbrennan Sound.
After a three-year of mission in Britain he returned to Irelandnd he founded the Sees of Ardfert and Annaghdown, and established churches in Galway and Mayo. His most celebrated foundation was in Clonfert in 557, over which he appointed St Moinenn as prior.
On his death in 577, St Brendan was interred in Clonfert.
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