MAY 16, 2017
8:45 AM ORDINARY FORM MASS (4TH GRADE)
Today is the feast day of St. Brendan, an Irish saint. He was born in 484 AD, in Ireland, County Kerry, in the town of Tralee. He was ordained a priest in 510 AD, and about two years later began traveling to spread the Gospel.
We know that he travelled to Wales, Scotland, and England. But it is also thought that he may have travelled to Iceland, Greenland, Canada, the Azores, and the Canary Islands. Much of his travels are the stuff of legend, and it's difficult to sift the facts.
He sailed in a ship made of wood and leather, and in 1976, an Irish explorer made a replica ship out of ox hides and set sail. His adventure is told in the book The Brendan Voyage.
St. Brendan built monasteries and churches where he went, and that is how we know for sure some of his journeys. He set out with twelve companions, and evangelized the British Isles (and possibly more places than that!)
He died in 577 AD, and is the patron saint of boatmen; divers; mariners; sailors; travellers; whales; the Diocese of Clonfert, Ireland; and the Diocese of Kerry, Ireland.
He is known as Brendan the Navigator, Brendan the Voyager, Brendan the Anchorite (a hermit), and Brendan the Bold.
The Brendan Voyage (Part I) The 1976 recreation of the voyages of St. Brendan.
The Brendan Voyage (Part II) The 1976 recreation of the voyages of St. Brendan.
