Brendan of Birr

Saint Brendan of Birr (died c. 573) was one of the early Irish monastic saints. He was a monk and later an abbot, of the 6th century. He was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland.^[1]

[edit] Early life

In early Christian Ireland the druid tradition collapsed with the spread of the new faith. Study of Latin learning and Christian theology in monasteries flourished. Brendan became a pupil at the monastic school at Clonard. During the sixth century, some of the most significant names in the history of Irish Christianity studied at the Clonard monastery. It is said that the average number of scholars under instruction at Clonard was 3,000.^[2] Twelve students who studied under St. Finian became known as the Twelve Apostles of Ireland, Brendan of Birr was one of these. It was at Clonard that Brendan became a friend and companion of Brendan of Clonfert.^[3]

He founded the monastery at Birr in central Ireland in about 540, serving as its abbot.^[3] An adviser of Saint Columba said Columba saw a vision of Brendan's soul being carried away by angels after his death.^[4]

[edit] References

1. ^ The Twelve Apostles of Erin
2. ^ Gratton-Flood, W.H. (March 1, 1907), The Twelve Apostles of Erin, I, New York: Robert Appleton Company, http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01632a.htm, retrieved on 9 February 2008 
3. ^ ^{a b} Jones, Terry. "Brendan of Birr". Patron Saints Index. Retrieved on 2007-12-30.
4. ^ "St. Brendan of Birr". Saints and Angels. Catholic Online. Retrieved on 2007-12-30.

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