¹ Here begins the life of Saint Enda, abbot of Aran

² Wonderful is God almighty in his saints [Ps 67:36], who sent this most holy man, namely Abbot Enda, like a brightly shining star into this dark world, so that he might put to flight the darkness of vices from the minds of sinners and pour the light of grace into them. Therefore, wishing to set forth the merits and virtues of this most holy man, let us first take care to make known the nobility of his lineage and the uprightness of his conduct. For he was the son of Conall, a chieftain, drawing his origin from the noblest of the Ergalnians. His mother indeed, named Brig, that is, vigorous or virtuous, was the daughter of Duke Anmerinus of Arda Kyannacth. Born therefore in his parents’ house, like a rose growing among thorns [Song 2:2], he showed to others in full measure the fragrance of good conduct and the redness of natural integrity. But after, according to bodily maturity, he grew into youth, he practiced carnal soldiery, like another Martin, according to the custom of his parents.

³ After these things his father Conall, surnamed Derc, that is, Red, died. With his father deceased, Enda his son was created chieftain of that people. And although he was placed in youthful age and raised to the exalted honor of popular rule, nevertheless the mercy of God wholly guarded him from carnal ways, by which the human race is accustomed to be ensnared and defiled. At a certain time, however, when he was urged by his fellow soldiers to hasten together with them to avenge himself upon their enemies, he, as one inexperienced in injuries and wickedness, gave them his consent. And when there they had killed a certain one of their enemies, returning to their own places and drawing near to the hermitage where the holy virgin Faenche dwelt, they sang a certain song proclaiming victory over their foes. When the virgin of Christ heard their voices, she said to her sisters: “Know, my sisters in Christ, that this terrible shouting is not with the grace of Christ.” And recognizing in spirit the voice of Duke Enda, she said prophetically to the other sisters: “He whose voice this is, is a son of the heavenly kingdom.” For the holy virgin Faenche herself, with another holy virgin, went out to meet him, and standing at the gate of the monastery, holy Faenche said to him: “Do not come nearer, for you are stained with the blood of a man who has been killed.” Enda replied: “I am innocent of the blood of this slain man [Matt 27:24], and not only from the sin of homicide, but I am still free from other carnal vices.” And again the virgin said to him: “Why, wretched man, do you thus provoke the Lord God to anger? And why do you plunge your soul into the depths of evils by diverse crimes?” Enda answered: “I hold my father’s inheritance, and therefore I must fight against my enemies.” Then his sister said to him: “Your father is in hell, whose inheritance is his sins and crimes; and the punishment for these is hellish.”

⁴ And Enda, dissembling the words of the holy virgin, said: “Give me that royal maiden whom you are rearing as a wife, and I will do what you urge.” The holy virgin replied: “I will quickly give you an answer to your request.” And immediately she came to the place where the same maiden was, and said to her: “A choice is now given to you, whether you wish to love the bridegroom whom I love, or a carnal bridegroom.” And the maiden answered: “The bridegroom whom you love, I will love him.” And the holy virgin said to her: “Come with me into this chamber, that there you may rest a little.” And the maiden came, and placing herself there upon the bed, she breathed out, and gave her soul to God, the bridegroom whom she had chosen. And then the holy virgin covered the face of the dead maiden with cloths; and returning to Enda, she said to him: “Young man, do you wish to see the maiden whom you desire?” Then Enda entered with the virgin into the chamber where the maiden lay dead; and the holy virgin, uncovering the face of the dead maiden, said to him: “See now the face of her whom you desired.” And Enda said: “She is now misshapen and exceedingly pale.” “So also will your face be,” said the holy virgin to him. Then holy Faenche preached to him about the infernal punishments and the heavenly joys, until the young man wept. O admirable mercy of God in the conversion of this man to the right faith! For just as from the proud Saul he made the humble Paul, so from this worldly chieftain he made a spiritual and devout leader and shepherd of his people. From where that young man was fittingly called Enda, that is, “look, God appears,” in his sudden conversion, so that from a perverse man he became a zealous one. Therefore, having heard the sermons of the holy virgin and having spurned the vanities of the world, he received the habit of a monk and the tonsure; and he fulfilled in deed the thing signified by the tonsure.

⁵ But when the companions of Enda heard that their chieftain had been changed into another man, they tried to draw him back by force from his resolve. But while holy Faenche was praying and imprinting the sign of the cross against their assault, immediately their feet adhered to the ground, as if they were immovable stones. For it was just and fitting that those who desired earthly things should unwillingly cleave to the pavement of the earth. But since affliction often gives understanding, returning to their senses and promising repentance, released from their punishments, they freely went their way. Hence in this apostolic woman was fulfilled what the Lord said to the apostles when they were sent to preach: “Whatever you shall bind upon earth shall be bound also in heaven, and whatever you shall loose upon earth shall be loosed also in heaven” [Matt 16:19; 18:18].

⁶ Therefore the new athlete of Christ began to fulfill in deed what he had conceived in mind. For by digging the ground with his own hands, he made deep ditches around the monastery, rooted out harmful weeds and thorns, and, as if he were a gardener, applied himself to such works. When therefore the necessary things for that place had been completed, the soldier of Christ turned himself to building a new place for the household of God; and this place was called Kell Ayne. In this monastery also Enda himself was steward, an administrator over the craftsmen in building the houses, supplying them with the things that were necessary.

⁷ At the same time there also came certain robbers from the region of the Crimthanni, who were enemies of the people of Enda; and desiring plunder, they passed near the monastery which he had built there. And when the people of the land pursued the enemies and engaged in battle near the cell of Enda, he, led by human impulse, seizing a rod from the timbers intended for building structures, attempted to come to the aid of his people. And when the holy virgin Faenche saw this, she said to him: “O Enda, touch your head with your hand, and recall that you have taken upon yourself the crown of Christ.” Therefore Enda, touching his head, remembered that he had the tonsure of a monk upon his head; and withdrawing his hand from the attempt of his own will, he sat in peace in his cell. For he ought to have considered that no one putting his hand to the plough of God and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God [Luke 9:62]. Then his sister said to him: “Go out from your land from your kindred [Gen 12:1], lest you chance to look back from the yoke of the service of God to the vanities of the world; and go into Britain to the monastery of Rosnat, and be the humble disciple of Maucenus, the master of that monastery.” Hearing these things, Enda said to his sister: “For how long must I remain there?” The virgin replied: “Until your good reputation comes to us.”

⁸ Then Enda, wishing to fulfill the commands of the holy virgin, crossing over the sea, came to the same Maucenus and remained in the said monastery under his discipleship. And after his life and doctrine there flourished sufficiently, passing over the sea he came to Rome. There also, drawing abundantly upon the examples of the holy fathers and disposing himself in all things for the order of the priesthood, at last ordained a priest, he pleased the Most High God. Therefore, because he was made a priest, seeing that from this he ought to provide a path to heaven for others, he gathered disciples together into one and built a monastery which is called Latium. And indeed that monastery is fittingly called Latium, where the broad commandment of charity toward God and toward one’s neighbor is observed without blemish [Matt 22:37–39].

⁹ But after a space of time certain pilgrims came from Rome to Ireland. And when they came to the hermitage of the holy Faenche, the virgin inquired of them about the reputation of the saints dwelling in various lands. And the pilgrims said that “one from Ireland, named Enda, presides there over a certain monastery which is called Latium, who is of wondrous holiness before God and of great renown among men.” Hearing these words, the holy virgin prepared herself to visit her brother with three other maidens. To these maidens also she distinctly commanded that they should carry no household goods with them. But one of the maidens, not reckoning it a transgression of the command, took with her a certain bronze vessel suitable for washing the hands of the virgins of Christ. And when they came to the sea and had no ship for crossing, holy Faenche spread her cloak upon the sea; and trusting confidently in Christ, who walked upon the waves with dry feet [Matt 14:25], believing, she sat securely with her companions upon the same cloak. And when, with the wind blowing according to their will, they were borne over the sea, suddenly the hem of the cloak on which they were carried was submerged beneath the waves. Then holy Faenche said to her companions: “O my most beloved sisters, give glory to God and confess your sins [Ps 106:8; 1 John 1:9], for because of the sin which one of you has committed, our cloak is partly submerged.” Then she who had taken the bronze vessel with her from the monastery confessed that she had transgressed the command of the elder by carrying that little vessel against the precept. And she herself, taking the vessel from the hand of the maiden, threw it into the sea. When this was done, the edge of the cloak rose above the waves, and thus with a favorable course they reached the desired harbor of Britain.

¹⁰ At that time, when the holy virgin Darerca, who was called by another name Monynni, was dwelling in her monastery, which is called Cell Slebi, and was going to adore the cross near the church, she saw that vessel which had been cast into the sea by the blessed Faenkea lying on the ground near the cross. And Darerca said: “Lord God, this way is too narrow, that you did not allow the holy virgin Faenkea this small vessel in which she might wash her hands.” Then she herself bound that vessel to a similar vessel in which she herself drank water, asking the mercy of God that both might come to the holy Faenkea. And so it was done. Therefore the holy Faenkea, recognizing both gifts, gave thanks to God and to the holy Darerca who sent them; and sending back her own little vessel to her, she kept the other with herself. And when the holy Darerca received her own little vessel, sent to her by an angel, she gave immeasurable thanks to her Creator and to his angels.

¹¹ And he who reveals secrets to his friends showed to the holy Endaeus that holy nuns were going to come to him from the island of Ireland. And the man of God said to his brothers that they should prepare necessities for the pilgrims who were to come. And while the brothers were preparing what the man of God had said, look, the holy virgins arrived at the gate of the monastery. And the holy Faenkea, desiring the presence of her brother, sought that he might deign to be present. But she received an answer from him that she should choose for herself one of two things, namely, either she should have a greeting without his visitation, or else a visitation without greeting. But she, like a discerning bee, chose what was more useful for her, namely, a greeting without the sight of her brother. Therefore the man of God stretched out a tent on the ground of the monastery, and began to speak to his sister with a veil between them in this way. And among other conversations the holy virgin said to Endaeus that he should share with the people of the land of his birth the talents given to him by God, and should double the divine gifts. To her the holy Endaeus said: “After a year from your entrance into Ireland, God granting it, I hope to come to you.” And she added to Endaeus: “When you have come to Ireland, do not first enter the land of your birth, but seek a certain island whose name is Arann in the western sea of Ireland, and there you shall faithfully serve your God.” This island is called Arann, that is, ren in Latin, because it has the likeness of a kidney in an animal; for it is narrow in the middle and broad at the ends.

¹² After these words, having received the blessing of the holy man, the virgin hastened with her companions to accomplish her journey, as before, upon a cloak over the sea; and thus with angelic ministry they deserved to arrive at the island of Ireland. Therefore the most blessed virgin, perceiving that divine help was present with her, obtained from God that with the same angelic spirits her soul should ascend to heaven, and that she should obtain there the little crown of virginal integrity. And so it was done. Therefore the maidens, not a little desolate at her death, having been carried across with her holy body in her cloak, as before, arrived by a prosperous voyage in Ireland, where two peoples, namely of the Laigin and of the Mide, were gathered together into one. Therefore when these peoples saw the unusual miracle, namely that with a cloak spread over the sea, as if with a very safe ship, so many people were being carried, having turned to dissension, each of the peoples claimed for itself a right in the body of the virgin. But divine mercy calmed their savagery in this manner. For a certain vehicle drawn by a pair of oxen was seen by them, upon which the body of the holy virgin was placed. But then a wondrous and exceedingly astonishing thing happened. For to the people of the Laigin it seemed that the oxen with the holy body went before them as far as the cell called Barrig by name, and that there they buried the holy pledge, in the plain which in Irish is called Mag Liphi. But the men of Mide, in truth carrying the sacred body with themselves, saw the oxen going before them with the three same maidens, and thus they arrived as far as the monastery which in the common speech is called Cella Ayne. For this monastery the same Endaeus, once a neophyte (that is, new in the faith), began to build for this sister of his. There also the oxen, after the weariness of so great a journey, again drew up their urine from the ground; and therefore that place is called in Irish Cell Aine. There also afterwards two springs of living waters burst forth from the earth. In that monastery also the body of the holy virgin was given over to burial, awaiting the resurrection of the sons and daughters of God into eternal life. After the space of a year, however, as the holy Endaeus had promised, from his monastery, namely that called Latio, with one hundred and fifty monks he arrived in Ireland by a prosperous voyage. And he landed also on the coasts of the men of Mide in the port which is called Colptha. There also Saint Patrick, as it is reported, is said to have landed before him. Therefore when the holy Endaeus came to the land, there on both sides of the river which is called the Boyne he founded many churches.

¹³ All these things having been accomplished, with the Holy Spirit revealing it to him, he went to the king of the Mumonians, who was called Óengus mac Nadfraich, who then dwelt at Cashel, so that he might obtain from him permission to dwell on the island which is called Arann. Moreover, the wife of that king was the sister of Saint Endaeus, namely a daughter of Conall Deyrc. The queen, however, was called Darina. The reason why the king had taken her as wife is this. For hearing of the fame of the beauty of the holy virgin Faenkea, namely the daughter of Conall Deyrc, he went into the region of the Airgialla, wishing to take her as wife. But the holy Faenkea, loving Christ more than an earthly spouse, refused to have the worldly king as her bridegroom. Yet wishing to satisfy the king’s request, she asked her sister, named Darina, that she should consent to the king. Which indeed she did; for she was betrothed to King Óengus. And for this reason King Óengus himself listened favorably to the saint in his petitions. From this Darina also a son was born, who founded a famous monastery, namely Daire.

¹⁴ Therefore when Saint Endaeus asked from King Óengus the same island which is called Arann, he answered him: “Saint Patrick laid this charge upon me, that I should offer to the Lord my God only good and fertile lands and those nearer to me. I therefore grant you to choose a place to build a monastery near my royal city, namely Cashel; and I will give you the surrounding lands for your monastery.” Endaeus replied: “Grant me the same island, and it is enough; for it has been granted to me by the Lord as an hereditary portion in the lands. For in it will be my resurrection.” And the king answered: “How can I offer an island which I have not seen?” Endaeus replied: “Follow me to the southern part from your town.” When the king had done this, they stood in a place which is called Ysel. And Endaeus said to the king: “Bend your knees, O king, and place your face upon the soles of my feet.” The king thought, however, that Saint Endaeus wished to rebaptize him, since Saint Patrick had baptized him before. But Saint Endaeus did not intend this. Therefore the king, as the saint had commanded, placed his face upon the feet of Saint Endaeus, bowing himself upon his knees. Then a wondrous thing happened, and exceedingly astonishing. For the ground rose up on high beneath both of them, even to the nearest surface of the firmament; and then they easily saw the often-mentioned island which is called Arann. And the king said: “Good is that land which I look.” And Saint Endaeus said: “Offer it therefore in sacrifice to God and to me.” Then the king offered the island to God and to Saint Endaeus.

¹⁵ After this the king returned to his town, having sought and obtained the blessing of Saint Endaeus. But the saint, returning to his sacred community, led them with him as far as a suitable port where they could more conveniently enter the island. Then the saint ordered eight men of the brothers to carry a great stone, which was on the shore, down to the sea, because they had no other ship for entering the island. What more? In the power of him who walked with dry feet upon the waves of the sea [Matthew 14:25], he mounted upon that stone, and immediately Christ brought forth a favorable wind from his treasures; and thus with all prosperity he led his saint to the island. O how great is the power of our God, to whom the winds and the sea and even stones so obey, that, leaving their own nature, they offer wondrous service to his saints [Matthew 8:27]. Therefore with a prosperous course he arrived at the island, and made harbor on the northern part of the island, in a place which is called Lemhchaill. There also he offered the first sacrifice to God on the island.

¹⁶ There were, however, at that time certain pagans of the race of the Corcu Ruad. These immediately fled from the island, like darkness at the presence of light. For there can be no fellowship of light with darkness, nor of unbelievers with the worshipers of Christ [2 Corinthians 6:14]. Therefore, when those Egyptians were fleeing, only their leader, who was called Corbanus, remained. This man, like another Pharaoh, hardened in malice [Exodus 7:13], prepared ambushes in that place which is called Lemchaill. For thinking him to be a magician, because he had seen him come prosperously to the harbor upon a great stone, he feared lest through him he might lose the land of his inheritance. When the pagan man saw the man of God shut himself into a cleft of a certain rock, he said within himself: “This magician is not a bodily man, but has an airy body.” Then the saint said to him: “Grant me this island, that I may dwell in it.” And Corbanus answered: “I permit you to remain it for forty days.” And under this agreement he left the island came into his own region which is called Corcu Ruad.

¹⁷ But the man of God, passing through the island, saw the horses of that Corbanus at pasture in a place which is called Ard na Croch, and he drove them into the sea; and swimming, they prosperously reached the middle island. From where the place where they landed is called Trácht na n-Ech even to this day. And from the island which is called the middle one, they swam as far as the third island, which is called the eastern one. And so the shore where they landed there is still called Trácht na n-Ech even today.

¹⁸ But in the place where the man of God first offered sacrifice to God on the island, he afterwards built a monastery. Corbanus, however, ordered a great cask to be made, which he filled with seed of wheat, and said: “If the God whom Endaeus preaches wills that he himself possess that island, let him send this cask full of wheat to him dwelling on the island.” Wonderful to tell is what I relate. For when the cask was placed on the shore of the sea, look, angels came; and, just as by their ministry it was done that the prophet Habakkuk was sent from Judea to Babylon with food for the refreshment of Daniel [Daniel 14:33–39], so for the consolation of this Endaeus God sent this gift of wheat through angelic ministry. And, as skilled men relate, from this kind of wheat seed is possessed on the island even to the present time. Moreover, they still assert that the trace of that cask appears in the sea when the sea is calm, so that the sea does not wave in the path by which the cask passed, but calmness always remains there. The place, however, where it was wondrously brought to the island is called Portus Doli even to the present day. But Corbanus, seeing so great a miracle, coming himself to the man of God, gave the island to him and to God forever.

¹⁹ After the island had been granted to him, bringing into it the community of his disciples, he divided the island into ten parts among them. And on it he built ten monasteries, and in each he always appointed one elder as a kind of father, and another as a second to him in authority. For he had so ordained that these should preside in each monastery, that when the elder died, the other ought to preside. He also commanded that the elders be buried with relics; but the other prelates who should succeed them he ordered to be buried in their own cemeteries. But the holy man himself built for himself a monastery on the eastern part of the island, which today is called the cell of Saint Endaeus.

²⁰ And just as once among the disciples of Christ a dispute arose as to which of them was the greater [Luke 22:24], so likewise among the disciples of Endaeus there arose a dispute about the division of the island. For Saint Endaeus wished to assign half of the island to his own monastery; but the fathers of the other eight monasteries and their disciples opposed this, alleging that there was not equity of justice in this division. Therefore they fasted twice a three-day fast, that God might show them what they ought to do in this matter. And the prayer of the saints was heard. For, when the fast was completed, an angel of the Lord appeared to Saint Endaeus, bringing him two gifts sent to him by God, namely a book of the four Gospels, and a chasuble for priestly ministries. By these two precious gifts it was given to be understood that he before the others was worthy of double honor, namely in teaching through the Gospel, and in presiding through the priestly chasuble [1 Timothy 5:17]. That Gospel book is held with great reverence in the church of Saint Endaeus; likewise also the chasuble, adorned with gold and silver, was once held among the ecclesiastical treasures; but now it is clothed only with bronze metal. Nevertheless it is still held with great honor. Therefore Saint Endaeus gave to his monastery half of that island, and to the other monasteries the other half of the same. And thus this division remains on the island even to the present day.

²¹ Others, however, tell this story differently. For they say that three holy men from Ireland went into Britain, so that under the rule of Saint Monenn, master of the monastery of Rosnat, they might dwell for a time. But after they had stayed for a time in that same monastery, having received the blessing of that Saint Monenn, they went to Rome. And when the Lord deigned to show many miracles through them there, their fame came to the ears of many. But at the time when these things were done, the supreme pontiff, who was then called the Roman abbot, had already died. And because at that time there had grown up in the city of Rome the custom that, when the Roman pontiff had died, the people and clergy should come together into one place, namely to the church of Saint Peter the Apostle, and there await the will of God, who used to appear in the form of a dove of shining color [Matthew 3:16], and when according to their custom they had come together to the same church, look, a dove of wondrous whiteness, flying down from on high, sat in a lofty place, perceiving that he who ought to be chosen to so great a dignity was not present. Therefore, when all the people and clergy had been called together into one, see Saint Pupeus came; and immediately when he came, the dove settled upon him before all. And then all the clergy and the people chose him as Roman pontiff, and bending their knees before him, called him pope. But the true despiser of worldly honor did not acquiesce, fearing lest the summit of so great an honor should be for him an occasion of error and sorrow [Proverbs 16:18]. Therefore, after he had spurned worldly honor, the Romans chose another as shepherd, namely Saint Hilary, a man indeed worthy in life and doctrine [1 Timothy 3:2].

²² For many years after these things those holy men, Helveus and Pubeus and Endaeus, remained at Rome; and making a confraternity among themselves in Christ Jesus, they lived in great holiness. And God also, seeing that their will was in all things conformed to himself, admonished them in a vision that they should hasten to Ireland sow the seed of spiritual life in the hearts of men. Therefore, desiring to fulfill the divine command, they humbly approached the supreme pontiff, that they might obtain a blessing as a gift of consolation. And as they departed with the blessing, the same supreme pontiff gave them priestly vestments, so that in them they might more conveniently celebrate the divine sacrifice on the journey. This supreme pontiff was Hilary, who succeeded Saint Pubeus, who had refused the papacy. And as they were setting out on their way, look, a messenger came after them from the pope, saying: “Those vestments which the supreme pontiff the pope bestowed upon you, you ought to carry back to him, that they may be shared with pilgrims who have lately arrived.” This also he said, wishing to test their patience concerning the recalling of a gift that had been given. For when they had begun to make their journey, they sent the messenger back to him, wishing to know which of them should be prince in the place to which they were to come. Therefore Pubeus, answering the messenger sent by the pope, said: “Why were these vestments given to us, and so quickly recalled?” But Saint Endaeus answered: “Let us give thanks to God while they were granted to us, and likewise we ought to return thanks when they are recalled.” Therefore when the messenger reported these words to the supreme pontiff, he said: “Endaeus shall be the prince of those three, because in his patience he has possessed his soul” [Luke 21:19]. And hearing the word of the supreme pontiff as reported by the messenger, they held Endaeus as prince and leader on the journey.

²³ Therefore when these three saints came to the sea which is between Britain and Ireland, and entered different boats according to the necessity of the journey, a fierce storm arose on the sea, which drove the ship in which Helveus and Pubeus were into a certain harbor in the region of the Laigin; but Saint Endaeus into a harbor which is called Imber Boynni, on the borders of Mide. Therefore, taking with him his holy disciples, he came to the island granted to him from heaven, namely that called Aran, and landed at the harbor which is called Lemhchaill. And while they were fasting in that same place for three days, God sent them a fish of wondrous size into the spring which is called the spring of Lemhchaill. From this fish the Almighty fed the one hundred and fifty who were with Saint Endaeus. At that time God sent a marvelous cow in aid of his poor, which was red in body and white in head. This one, sent by God, was milked three times a day, and its milk supplied abundance to all the disciples of Saint Endaeus. And when on one of the days it heard the lowing of another cow on the island, which was given to Saint Endaeus by a certain faithful man, turning itself three times in a circle, as if paying honor to the divine Trinity, it immediately submerged itself in a pool of fresh water which is on the island, and appeared nowhere thereafter. From the name of that cow the pool was called Loch na Genanny.

²⁴ After these things, when all the saints of the island had come together into one, they took counsel in the name of the Lord as to which of them should be prince and greater on that island. For Saint Endaeus wished that Pubeus should be the principal one, both because he was older in age and also because he was more worthy in authority. But Saint Pubeus refused the principate over the others, saying that he was weak and old, and that he had entered the island as a pilgrim; and also that he had abandoned the apostolic see, and therefore ought not to be placed at the summit of governance. Alleging all these things, he further added: “I shall make myself foolish if I hold worldly rule, since I have despised the principate of the whole catholic Church.” Let us therefore use this counsel, that we send messengers to the Roman pontiff and conform ourselves in all things to his will. Therefore, by the unanimous consent of all the saints of the island, three men worthy of trust were sent, namely Finnian the younger, and one named Mac Crichi, and Erlatheus, to the Roman court, that they might report the papal will to them. And when they reported the words of the elders to the supreme pontiff, he sent them back with his response, saying: “Go to your island gather an assembly; and to whomever among those gathered God shall give a sign of principate or authority over the others, obey him as prince.” And so it was done as the supreme pontiff commanded. For when the messengers returned and recounted the papal will to the saints of God on the island, then all came together into one place; and look, a great and unusual sign appeared before their eyes. For they saw three white birds flying from the east to the island, one of which carried the Gospel of Christ, while the other two bore a chasuble of precious kind. And they placed the Gospel in the bosom of Saint Endaeus, and set the chasuble around him. And when they had completed all these things, flying three times around the island as far as the cemetery of the saints, they returned again. Therefore all the saints of the island, seeing this wondrous sign, showing due reverence to Saint Endaeus and giving thanks to God, held him as abbot.

²⁵ Therefore, while Saint Enda was faithfully serving God in his monastery together with his holy community, it seemed troublesome to his monks that they did not have a level path to the sea. Accordingly the man of God came to the seashore and marked with his staff that very hard rock which was providing an obstacle to ships, so that they could not approach the monastery; and afterward he returned to his dwelling. But on the following night an angel of the Lord, holding a flashing sword in his hand, cut that very hard rock into two parts, making a broad way through the middle, which to this very day provides a level and unobstructed passage for those entering the island. Oh how great a power bestowed by God upon the angels is here proved. For in a moment of time, and as it were in the twinkling of an eye [1 Cor 15:52], this division of the rocks was made.

²⁶ To this man of God also came Saint Ciarán, the son of a carpenter, who remained for seven years faithfully serving in the threshing-floor of the monastery. And in these same seven years he so diligently carried out the office of thresher that in the chaff-house of the threshing-floor not a single grain could be found that made a stalk. Hence even to this day the walls of his threshing-floor remain at Aran.

²⁷ After this Saint Ciarán saw a dream, which he took care to relate to his master. For on a certain night he dreamed that he was beside the bank of a great river which is called the Shannon, and that he had seen a great tree, leafy and fruitful; and this tree overshadowed the whole island of Ireland. Accordingly, when he related the dream to Saint Enda, the latter said: “That fruitful tree is you, because before God and men you will be great; and you will produce the sweetest fruit of good work, and you will be honored throughout all Ireland.” And Enda added: “Now therefore go, and, fulfilling the will of God, build a monastery there.”

²⁸ After this Saint Ciarán, having received the blessing of his abbot Enda, prepared himself to build the monastery of Cluain Mic Nóis. And when he was commending himself to the prayers of the saints, he said before all to Saint Enda: “Receive me, father, together with my parish under your protection, so that all my disciples may also be yours.” And Enda replied: “God has not so ordained concerning you that you should be in this narrow island under my discipline. But on account of your wondrous humility and perfect charity, Christ your Lord will hand over to you one half of Ireland as a portion of inheritance.” And when they had said these things to one another, a cross was erected there as a sign of the mutual brotherhood which they contracted between themselves and between their descendants. And they said: “Whoever after us shall violate the unity of our brotherhood on earth, let him himself be deprived of brotherhood and of our fellowship in heaven.”

²⁹ After this Saint Enda came into the land which is called Medraige, to a certain port which is called the port of Luabann. And there Saint Enda asked Ciarán that he would go to a neighboring place which is called Achad Draignichi, and from that place drive out a beast which had laid waste the whole land around the same place. For one of the disciples of Saint Enda, who was called Gignaeus, dwelt there. Now this man was one of the overseas saints who had come with Enda to Aran and had had there a place of habitation. Therefore, having driven out the beast from the same place, that saint peacefully possessed his hermitage.

³⁰ After this also Saint Enda came to the sea, and seeing fishermen there, he asked fish from them for himself and his brethren. But they, spurning him, said: “Fish come to us from the sea of Aran, and we grant that you may catch and have them near Aran; but you must allow us here to have the fish of our own sea.” Hearing this reply of wicked men, a certain boy, moved by the Spirit of God, said: “I have one fish, which God has provided for me, and I give it to you.” Saint Enda replied: “In this harbor, where you have denied alms to the servants of God, fish shall henceforth not be caught.” And so it came to pass. For even to the present day no fish is caught there. Departing from there, Saint Abbot Enda came to a port which leads to the lake named Orbsen; and he asked God that, for the merits of that boy born there who had given him the fish, there might be an abundance of fish in that place.

³¹ After this the man of God, by a favorable voyage, came to a certain island in that lake which is called Ech Inys. He was received into hospitality by a prudent man named Crumthir Caelan, who was the chief of that place. And since he had no other food for the holy guests, he ran to the plough, took an ox from there, and prepared it for the refreshment of the poor of Christ. And while all were taking the food with thanksgiving, a layman who had been in the company of the saints, thinking that he would transgress the commandment of abstinence if he partook of that ox, did not eat. Which the holy man, perceiving by the Spirit revealing it, said: “You, who would not take the food ministered in charity together with the other brethren, shall eat of the flesh of a horse which you will steal, and while eating you shall be slain.” All of which happened to him just as the holy man foretold. But on the next day the ploughmen, coming to the field where they were ploughing, found one ox similar to the former, and put it under the yoke; but from where that ox had come, they did not know.

³² But Saint Enda, after this returning to the island of Aran, remained there until decrepit old age. And what we have passed over concerning Saint Ciarán, let us add here. For when, with the permission of Saint Abbot Enda, he had gone out from the island, Enda saw in the spirit all the angels who were ministering the nourishment of spiritual life to the saints of Aran departing together with Saint Ciarán. From this vision Saint Enda was made sad, thinking that the heavenly spirits would not return again. And when he had given himself beyond his strength to fasting and prayer, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, saying: “Why are you sad, man of God, and why do you afflict yourself excessively?” Enda said: “The cause of my sadness is that all the angels have left us and have gone with Ciarán.” The angel replied: “Because Saint Ciarán is most dear to God, therefore He has sent His angels in his company. Do not therefore afflict yourself too much, for they will return to you again. Therefore break your fast in the name of the Lord.” Then Enda said: “I will not break my fast until I obtain three petitions from my God. For I ask that everyone who shall be contrite for his sins and shall choose burial with me, hell shall not close its mouth over him. Moreover I ask that whoever shall invoke me in his distress may be helped by the Lord Jesus Christ. And thirdly I request that I myself may sit at the right hand of God together with the other saints.” And the angel of the Lord said to him: “As you have asked, so it has been granted to you by your God.”

³³ At another time also the same Ciarán, returning again to the island, so that he himself might there make the profession of a monk and there await the end of his life. There were also at that time on the same island abbots of most holy life and founders of churches, namely Saint Enda and Saint Finnian the elder. But at the time when he had come to the island, Saint Enda saw a dream worthy of interpretation. For he had seen a certain tree growing upward in the middle of the island, which with its outstretched branches reached as far as the sea. Then he had seen many men approaching the tree, who dug it up by the roots; and lifting it up together into the air, they carried it as far as the bank of a great river called the Shannon, and there planted it again. He had also seen the same tree there growing to a marvelous height, so that its branches reached even to the sea. Relating this marvelous vision before Saint Finnian the elder and others worthy of trust, Saint Enda said: “This vision which you have just heard, beloved, pertains to our brother Ciarán, who will be the father of many monasteries. Therefore, with our blessing he ought to hasten to the place shown from heaven, and near the bank of the same river to found a monastery, from which many other monasteries will spring forth like branches of a fruitful tree.” When these words also of Father Enda had been heard, those who were present poured forth tears abundantly; likewise also Ciarán himself, who was present, wept bitterly.

³⁴ And when a ship was being prepared for him for his journey, the holy abbots, namely Enda and Finnian, together with a multitude of monks, accompanied him as far as the port. And when he went up into the ship with the blessing of the elders, and all the clergy of the island returned to their own places, Saint Enda, withdrawing a little from the shore, burst again into tears, saying: “Not without cause, my brothers, do I now pour forth tears; because, as it has been revealed to me, today the rigor of discipline and the vigor of religion have begun to depart from this island.” When this was heard, the brothers who were present likewise wept. Then, going forward a little, he wept again; and when he was asked by the brothers why he was weeping so much, he answered, saying: “For this reason I now weep, because, as my God has revealed to me, days will come when in these neighboring islands not religious monks will dwell, but laymen and irreligious men, serving carnal desires.” And when these words of the true prophet were heard, the disciples of the man of God were greatly saddened. After this the saint, coming to another place, suddenly inspired with joy, said: “We ought to give thanks to our God, for before the consummation of the world, when iniquity shall abound and the charity of many shall grow cold [Matt 24:12], very many will come to these islands by fleeing, lest they themselves also perish together with the unbelievers.” After he had prophesied these and similar things concerning the end of the world, returning to his monastery, and commending his soul into the hands of Almighty God, he breathed forth his spirit.

³⁵ Here ends the Life of Saint Abbot Enda.