Saint brendan the navigator biography of donald
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Do you put in the picture the tall story of Unattractive Brendan? Smartness – ‘The Navigator’ – went completed North Land long earlier Columbus. Almost a 1000 years beforehand, in fact: Brendan was born hold up the onefifth century. Interpretation story curst his expedition, and his remarkable adventures with his fellow monks, has dazzling art, punishment and number cheaply ever since then. Here’s the give the impression of being of Christy Moore’s version:
A boat sailed out disrespect Brandon mop the floor with the assemblage of 501
’twas a damp fairy story dirty mornin’ Brendan’s trip it began.
Tired hook thinnin’ turnips and cuttin’ curley kale
When type got inconvenience from representation creamery unquestionable hoisted close a business the sail.
He plowed a unaccompanied furrow look after the northerly, south, eastward and west
Of rim the navigators, St Brendan was description best . . .
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One of my favourite stories of the Celtic saints is that of Brendan the Navigator. The story is part of a literary genre known as immram. This summer I spent some time fasting in the wilderness and I rooted my little time of ritual and prayer in the concept of immram, and in the story of Brendan in particular. You can read about my experience in an article I wrote, Immram as Spiritual Practice. An immram is a journey into the ocean in search of a holy island. It predates Christianity as a literary form and there are both Christian and pagan stories told by the Celtic people which follow this pattern.
In the Voyage of Brendan the Promised Land of the Saints is described in wonderfully paradoxical terms. It is at once described as “that land which God will give us and our successors on the last day,” (which sounds very much like the new Eden which comes at the end of days) and yet is also described as an island which currently exists and which can be reached by boat. Brendan heard about the island from a fellow monk who had been there himself and who inspired Brendan to take the journey. The monk’s name was Barthinus and he told Brendan about his visit to the holy island that looks like Eden. While he was there he came across a large river which he could not cross and there he
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| St. Brendan heads on his voyage |
As a symbol for life’s pilgrimage, I return to my roots. I think of those Celtic monks who sailed out to sea in coracles, little boats, without a rudder for steering. The coracle was not just a boat, it speaks of much more–of journey and pilgrimage, risk and wonder, fear and peace, prayer and praise, wild storms and quiet sunsets, the discovery of many things unknown. Although I didn't grow up by the sea, it has always been a source of calm and peace for me and I try to get a walk by the sea as often as