¹ Here Begins the Life of the Most Holy Brendan, Abbot of Clonfert.

² There was a man of venerable life named Brendan, who, like the glowing dawn, drove away the darkness of sin from the hearts of many; and to those wandering on the sea of vices he provided an unfailing guide to the harbor of salvation. He traced his origin to the people of Kerry. His father was a faithful and prudent man named Finnlog, and his mother was called Cara; both lived chastely according to the precepts handed on to them by the holy bishop Erc. Now Cara, his mother, before she gave birth to the son of blessing, saw a dream: namely, that her womb was full of refined gold, and that her breasts shone with an immense light. When this wondrous dream was reported to the holy bishop Erc, he said to her husband, by revelation of the Spirit: “Your wife will bear you a son, great in power indeed, and illuminating the world with the splendor of holiness.” The woman conceived and in due time gave birth to the promised son.

³ At that time it happened that a certain prophet, named Beccmac, was lodging in the neighboring house of a powerful man. When the prophet was questioned by his host about future events, he answered confidently: “On this very night a child will be born toward the sea, who will become your lord; and he will rule not only over you, but also over many others.” Hearing of a future lord, the rich man, at the break of dawn the next day, carefully sought out where the child had been born. Finding the precious pearl, he humbly took him into his arms, like another righteous Simeon [Luke 2:25–28]; and offering a sacrifice to so great a lord, he gave thirty cows, which that same night bore the same number of calves, and he said: “I acknowledge,” he said, “that you are my foster son and my future lord.”

⁴ To the holiness of this newly born infant there was soon added a marvelous vision, which the holy bishop Erc saw on the night of his birth. For he saw the entire region in which the child was born shining with immense light, and angels in white garments circling through the air. Rising in the morning, he came to the place where the child had been born; taking him into his hands, he lifted him up and said: “Man of God, receive me as a monk, though I am your parent. Man of God, let the hearts of men rejoice and exult at your coming, and especially my own.” And bending his knee, he poured forth tears and prayed to God. Rising from prayer, the man of God baptized the infant and called him Brendan, because on the day of his baptism there was much dew. But that temporal dew also signified the spiritual dew with which the soul of the holy child was being bathed, and by which he delighted in the sweetness of heavenly gifts.

⁵ After the blessed infant had completed the year of his weaning in his parents’ house, Bishop Erc brought him with him and entrusted him to the care of a holy virgin named Ita. For this virgin nourished many of the saints of Ireland from infancy. One day, when the child had reached the age at which he could laugh and express speech, the holy nurse, observing the boy’s face suffused with joy, said: “O holy child, what thus moves you to laughter?” And he replied: “Because I see you always speaking to me, and others like you, who are many in number, and who delight me, holding me in their hands.”

⁶ When he had been nurtured for five years with the virgin and formed in good morals, the bishop brought him back to himself and taught him letters. The boy grew, was strengthened by the Lord, and showed examples of holiness in good conduct. For the heavenly teacher who instructed him inwardly subdued even the wildness of untamed creatures to his will. Thus, when the boy was still small and, according to the manner of childhood, desired milk, and could not obtain the liquid he longed for elsewhere because the holy bishop Erc owned no cows, he placed his trust in him “who gives food to the young ravens when they call upon him” [Psalm 147:9], and prayed to God to assist him in his need. And because “the prayer of a righteous man pierces the clouds” [Sirach 35:21], look, a single deer with her fawn came daily from a nearby mountain and, becoming gentle like a tame sheep, provided an abundance of milk for his necessities.

⁷ He also had a virgin sister named Briga, whom he loved deeply; for although the bond of blood made her dear to him by nature, the radiance of grace made her even dearer. For when this grace illumined the inner eyes of the boy, he sometimes saw his sister’s face like the shining appearance of the moon, and the face of his teacher, namely the holy bishop Erc, he saw as if it were a globe of the sun.

⁸ When the boy was ten years old, one day he again accompanied the holy bishop as he went to teach the people entrusted to him, and they came to the place of preaching. When the man of God descended from the chariot in order to sow the word of life in the hearts of the listeners, he entrusted the chariot with the other belongings to the care of his disciple. While the boy was devoutly singing psalms to his God, the envious enemy, begrudging his good works, once ensnared a noble girl and stirred her up to play with him. Approaching the chariot, the royal maiden humbly asked the boy Brendan to allow her to climb into the chariot and play with him. The true lover of chastity recoiled from this, lest the wicked conversation of a woman should corrupt his soul, and immediately ordered her to depart. When she did not yield to his warnings, he rebuked her with stern words, saying: “Why have you come here, accursed among women? Return to your own people, and deign to play with those of your own age.” And when she still refused to go back, he took a whip and struck her. And because “distress gives understanding” [Isaiah 28:19], though sorrowful she returned to her people, thus chastened. When the sermon was finished and the bishop returned to the chariot, he rebuked the boy, saying: “Why,” he said, “did you strike a virgin who did not know evil? Do penance, therefore, for such rashness and fault.” And the true disciple of humility replied, saying: “I am ready, father, to carry out whatever you say. Speak, therefore, what you wish, and I will fulfill it.” When the compassionate father heard his son’s readiness for obedience, he postponed for a time the command to impose penance. As they returned to their own place and came near a certain cave along the way, the elder said to his disciple: “Remain,” he said, “in this cave until the morning of the next day.” Brendan immediately entered the cave, and until the time set for him by his father he remained there, becoming a watcher of heavenly things, persevering in prayer and psalmody. Meanwhile, the teacher, unknown to the disciple, sat nearby in contemplation and saw angels descending and ascending between the cave and heaven throughout the entire night, like another Jacob [Genesis 28:12]. From that time onward God so illumined the face of Saint Brendan with brightness that no one, except Saint Finnian surnamed Cam, who obtained a similar grace, was able to look steadily upon his face, as if he were another Moses [Exodus 34:29–35].

⁹ This too should not be passed over: how, on another occasion, when he was accompanying his teacher on a journey, he freed a certain lay traveler from attacking enemies by prayer. As they were walking together on the road, look, the enemies of that man suddenly met them. When he saw them, fleeing to the protection of the saints, he said: “Under the shadow of your wings protect me; for look, my enemies are drawing near, who desire to kill me” [Psalm 17:8; 36:8]. To him the boy Brendan, firm in faith like Mount Zion, said: “Go,” he said, “man, to that stone standing near the road, and do not fear the face of your enemies; for God is able, if he so wills, to make children of men from stones” [cf. Matthew 3:9]. When the man reached the stone and entrusted himself to Christ the living stone as to an impregnable shield [cf. 1 Peter 2:4], and placed his confidence in the prayers of the saints, he awaited the outcome. Why say more? Saint Brendan, like another Moses set upon the mountain of contemplation, lifted up pure hands in prayer against those Amalekites, and weakened their strength [Exodus 17:8–13]. For when the man of God gave his blessing over both the man and the stone, the stone appeared to the pursuers as a man, and the man as a stone. Thus the eyes of the persecutors were deceived: they thought they were killing their mortal enemy, but in truth they were striking the stone beside him. Yet the man of God did this by the power of him who turned Lot’s wife into a pillar of stone [Genesis 19:26], at a place called Luacair. The stone, struck in this way by the enemies of that man, remains there to this very day, like a body without a head, set forth as a wonder for many. When the compassionate shepherd Erc saw the blindness of their hearts and eyes, moved by mercy and rebuking the hardness of their hearts, he said: “O men, do penance, and see that you have struck a stone and are carrying part of it as the head of your enemy. He himself has departed.” Then those men, seven in number, did penance and remained until the day of their death under the rule of the holy bishop Erc in the service of God.

¹⁰ At another time, when the holy men were sitting together on a certain mountain called Luacra, and the elder was nearly overcome by thirst in the heat of summer, the disciple, grievously distressed by his teacher’s weakness, though the ground was extremely dry because of the intense heat, by the power of him who had abundantly brought forth water from the hardest rock [Exodus 17:6; Numbers 20:11], commanded that it should produce sweet water. And immediately at his word the earth brought forth a spring, and to this day it flows with living waters as a testimony to the holiness of Brendan [cf. John 4:10; 7:38].

¹¹ After these events, the boy Brendan, of excellent disposition, burning with love for the sacred Scriptures and eager to see the examples of various saints, having obtained the permission of his teacher, first resolved to visit the holy bishop Erlathaeus, and afterward other saints of the land. But before he reached Saint Erlathaeus, he went to his holy nurse Ita, that he might receive her blessing as an inheritance. She said to him: “Go,” she said, “and learn the rules of the saints who fulfilled them in practice. Do not learn from virgins, lest you incur scandal from men.” Thus Saint Ita, by revelation of the Holy Spirit, forewarned her foster son that a certain layman would meet him, who was to be counted among the saints of God. As Brendan continued on his way, look, just as his holy nurse had foretold, he met a man on the road who was called Colman, son of Lenine. To him Saint Brendan said: “Do penance, man, for God calls you to salvation, and you will be as an innocent dove in the sight of God” [cf. Matthew 10:16]; and for this reason he called him Colman, that is, “dove’s hand,” on account of the innocence of his deeds. For this Colman, son of Lenine, was outstanding among the saints in life and teaching. He founded the church of Clonmacnoise, which today is a cathedral church and famous in the regions of Munster.

¹² After this Saint Brendan came to Saint Iarlath, then dwelling in Connacht. Remaining with this holy man for a time, he stayed on, thirstily drinking the draughts of saving doctrine. He himself also began, among the other gifts of God, to be endowed with the spirit of prophecy. For on one occasion, by revelation of the Spirit, he foretold to the holy bishop Iarlath the place of his burial, saying thus: “Not here,” he said, “will you rise, father, but elsewhere will be your resurrection.” The elder said to him: “O holy child, why do you hide so many of the mysteries of God within yourself? For I know that you have the Holy Spirit, and that much power lies hidden in you. You came to me to learn, and now from this time you will be my teacher. Receive me, therefore, as a monk and disciple from now on. Tell me, then, the place of my resurrection.” Brendan said to him: “Set out toward the east, and where the wheels of your chariot are broken, there build an oratory and remain. There also many will rise with you to glory” [cf. 1 Corinthians 15:43]. The holy bishop mounted his chariot, and when he set out on his journey, not far from his cell two wheels of the chariot were broken; and there a monastery was built, which is called Tuam da Gualann.

¹³ After this, the holy Brendan, like a discerning bee, gathering the flowers of virtues from the diverse examples of the saints, stored within his heart—as though in a honey-bearing hive—the honey of charity and the wax of humility. Departing also from the holy bishop Iarlatheus, he came to the plain of Ae, where the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said: “Take a sheet and write for yourself a rule for living according to the will of God.” There Brendan wrote, with the angel dictating, an ecclesiastical rule necessary for the observance of the religious life, which remains to this day in certain places.

¹⁴ At the same time, the Lord, wishing to show the virtue of Saint Brendan before many people, look, a young man was being carried out dead to the grave, while his parents and relatives mourned him bitterly. Moved with compassion by their lamentations, the man full of piety said: “Do not weep, but rather trust in Christ, that just as he formerly gave the breath of life, so now he may deign to raise the dead.” And approaching the place, he prayed; and immediately the one who had been dead rose again. All who were present marveled, and their mourning was turned into joy; all who were there, and especially the parents of the young man, rejoiced exceedingly.

¹⁵ After this, the man of God came to the king of that land, and was honorably received by him, who offered him whatever place he might choose in his territory to dwell in. But as a true despiser of the world, not desiring to be exalted by the favors of this life, he refused this offer; instead, returning a blessing in exchange for the gift proposed, he went on to the western region of the Connacht people, as one who wished to hide the renown of his virtues. After spending some time there, he converted many to Christ by word and example, and with many disciples he returned to the holy bishop Erc. The mentor rejoiced at the arrival of his pupil, and all his relatives and acquaintances were filled with inexpressible joy. Finally, by the holy bishop, the disciple—already advanced by Christ the High Priest through the gifts of virtues—was raised to the rank of the priesthood.

¹⁶ Indeed, mindful of the command that was spoken to Abraham, “Go out from your land from your kindred” [Genesis 12:1], he was not forgetful, but longed with burning desire to set out on pilgrimage. The Lord, looking down from on high upon his humility, gave him this response in a dream: “Brendan, your petition has been heard; may it be done for you according to the desire of your heart” [Psalm 20:4]. Rejoicing in this oracle, he left his companions aside and went up a mountain situated far from the sea; and directing his gaze toward the waters, he saw a most delightful island, well prepared for the servants of Christ, and greatly pleasing to him. There also he fasted for three days, to gain certainty about what he had seen. And again, while he slept, a voice from heaven resounded to him, saying: “Just as I promised a land to the people of Israel and was present as their helper so that they might reach it, so I promise to you the island that you have seen, and I will bring it to fulfillment.”

¹⁷ Giving thanks to God for the promise of so great a gift, he shed tears for a very long time and then, comforted by the Holy Spirit, returned to his companions, saying: “My most beloved brothers and fellow soldiers, I seek counsel from you, for my heart is firmly set on this: that I should diligently seek the land of promise shown to me from heaven. For this is the land of the saints of which Saint Barinthus spoke to us.” In order, however, to make the truth of what Saint Barinthus said about this land more certain, it should be noted here that this same Barinthus, prompted by the Holy Spirit, once came to visit Saint Brendan at the place called the Forest of the Virtues of Brendan, and spoke as follows. For while they were delighting in mutual conversation, Saint Barinthus cast himself upon the ground, watered his face abundantly with tears, and prayed for a long time. Saint Brendan, however, raising him from the ground, said: “Holy father, why do you show sadness in the presence of your brothers? Have you not come for our consolation? You ought, therefore, to rejoice rather than be sorrowful in the sight of your own. Refresh our souls, then, and tell us of the various miracles of God that you have seen and heard.”

¹⁸ When Brendan had finished these exhortations, Saint Barinthus began to tell of a certain island in the ocean, saying: “My brother Ternocus, fleeing the burdensome cares of labor, went to a solitary place. There he found a certain island in the sea, very suitable for contemplation of heavenly things, and chose it as a dwelling. After a long time, many monks began to gather to him from all directions. And when he had gained many brothers in Christ there, and God had shown many miracles through him, at last I hastened there to visit them. When I was still three days’ journey away from their place, he himself, with his brothers, hurried to meet me, the Spirit revealing it to him, and greeted me with a holy kiss. And when we had come to their hermitage, monks from the various cells ran out to meet us and greeted us with sincere charity. And although there were many dwellings there, their way of life was of one mind in faith, hope, and charity; there was one church and one refectory. Nothing else was served there for food or drink except roots of herbs and fruits of trees, and water to quench thirst.

¹⁹ After the brothers had taken the refreshment granted by God and had said Compline, according to their custom they returned to their cells, awaiting the crowing of the roosters. And while the others thus gave themselves either to sleep or to contemplation, my brother Ternocus and I, walking about the island, came to the seashore on the western side. When we arrived there, we found a small boat prepared. Then Ternocus said to me: ‘Father, let us board the boat and sail toward the western region to the island that is called the Land of the Promise of the Saints, which God will give to our successors at the end of time.’

²⁰ So when we had boarded the boat and were sailing, mists covered us on every side, so that we could scarcely see either the prow or the stern of the boat. After about the space of one hour, a great light shone around us, and a vast land appeared, rich in grasses, flowers, and fruits. When we disembarked, we began to walk through the island, and even after laboring in this way for fifteen days we were unable to find its boundary. We saw no herb there without flowers, nor any tree without fruit. All the stones of the island, moreover, were precious. On the fifteenth day we found a river flowing from east to west. As we considered all these things, we were uncertain what we should do or where we should go. While we deliberated together for a time, it seemed good to us to cross the river; but fearing to begin anything without the will of the Most High, we awaited a divine response.

²¹ And because we awaited divine counsel, look, suddenly a man of great splendor appeared before us, who greeted us, calling us by our own names, and said: ‘Well done, good brothers! The Lord has revealed to you this land, which he will give to his saints at the end of time. This river marks the middle of the island. You are not permitted to go beyond it. Therefore return to the place from which you came.’ When he had said this, I asked him where he was from, or by what name he was called. He replied: ‘Why do you ask where I am from, or what my name is? Why do you not ask about this island that you see? For just as you see it now, so it has remained from the beginning of the world. In this island there is always one year and one day: a day without the darkness of night, because our Lord Jesus Christ is its light’ [John 8:12; Revelation 21:23].

²² After he had said all these things, we immediately returned together by the way we had come, and that man went with us as far as the seashore, where our boat was. When we boarded the boat, the man disappeared from our sight. After this, passing again through the same darkness, we came to a delightful island where the brothers were awaiting us. When they saw us, they rejoiced greatly at our presence, though before they had wept over our absence, saying: ‘Why, fathers, have you left your sheep wandering on this island without a shepherd?’ For we know that our abbot often departs from us, but we do not know where he goes. Sometimes he is absent for a month, sometimes for two weeks, sometimes for one.’

²³ When I heard these things, I began to comfort them, saying: ‘Do not think, brothers, that anything but good comes from this delay, for truly your way of life is before the gate of paradise. Near it lies an island called the Land of the Promise of the Saints, where night does not fall and day does not end. There your abbot Ternocus sometimes goes. The angels of the Lord guard that land. Do you not recognize, from the fragrance of our garments, that we have been in the paradise of God?’ Then the brothers replied: ‘Abbot, we know that you have been in the paradise of God, but we do not know where it is. For often we have noticed the fragrance of our abbot’s garments; indeed, for as long as forty days his clothes retained a most sweet odor.’

²⁴ Then I said to the brothers: ‘There I was with my brother Ternocus for all that time without food or drink. We were so filled with spiritual grace that the brothers thought we were refreshed or drenched with new wine’ [Acts 2:13–15]. ‘I also remained there with the brothers for forty days. Afterward, having received the blessing of the abbot and the community, I returned with my companions to my cell, to which I shall go tomorrow, the Lord protecting me.’

²⁵ When these words were heard, Saint Brendan, together with the whole congregation of brothers, prostrated himself on the ground, glorifying God and saying: “The Lord is just in all his ways, and holy in all his works” [Psalm 145:17], “who has revealed such great wonders to his servants. Blessed be God in his gifts, who today has refreshed us with such spiritual nourishment.” After this Saint Brendan said: “Let us go to the refreshment of the body and to the new commandment, that is, of charity” [John 13:34]. When that night had passed, in the morning Saint Barinthus returned to his cell with the blessing of the brothers.

²⁶ Then Brendan said to his companions: “What do you think? What counsel do you wish to give? For I have resolved in my heart to seek the Land of Promise of the saints, about which Saint Barrind spoke to us.” When they learned their father’s will, all spoke as if with one voice: “Abba, Father, your will is ours as well [Rom 8:15]. Did we not leave our parents for your sake and for God, despise our inheritances, and place our own wills and bodies into your hands? Therefore we are ready, whether for life or for death, to go with you. Only this one thing we ask: that we seek the will of God.” They therefore unanimously agreed that they should complete a period of forty days in fasting and prayer, and thus, protected by spiritual arms, seek the Land of Promise. When the forty days had passed, after taking leave of the brothers and commending to them the prior of the monastery, who later became his successor in that same place, the man of God set out toward the western region with fourteen brothers, to an island called Aru, where Saint Enda was then living with his brethren. The man of God Brendan stayed with them for three days and three nights.

²⁷ After this, having received the blessing of Saint Enda and his monks, Brendan departed with his companions for the region of Kerry, where his parents were living—not, however, to greet them out of natural affection, but in order to prepare a ship there more conveniently. He therefore landed at the foot of a mountain, in a place now called Brendan’s Seat, where he pitched a tent and lived for a time. Then Saint Brendan and his companions, having prepared their tools, made a very light boat, ribbed and framed from pine wood, as is the custom in those regions. They covered it with tanned oxhides, sealed all the seams of the skins on the outside, loaded provisions for forty days, and the other equipment necessary for the needs of the vessel. When the ship was thus prepared and the sail set, Saint Brendan said to the brothers: “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, enter the ship” [Matt 28:19]. When the brothers confidently boarded the ship, and Brendan alone stood on the shore blessing the harbor, look, three brothers from the monastery suddenly arrived after them. They immediately fell prostrate at the feet of the man of God, saying: “Revered Father, grant that we may go with you; otherwise we shall die here of hunger and thirst.” When the man of God saw the distress of their hearts, he told them to enter the ship. And since he had foreknowledge of what was to come, he spoke prophetically to them, saying: “I know, brothers, how you came here. This brother has done a good work in coming, and therefore God has prepared for him a very high place. Another will obtain forgiveness, although he has gravely offended God. But the third, because of his obstinacy, will be condemned.”

²⁸ Then Brendan boarded the ship, and with the sails spread they began to sail toward the summer solstice. They had a favorable wind and needed only to tend the sails. After fifteen days, however, the wind ceased, and then the brothers began to row until their strength failed. When the man of God saw them laboring greatly in this way, he began to encourage them, saying: “Brothers, do not exhaust yourselves with such labor. For the Lord is our helper and the helmsman of our ship. Therefore put the oars and rudder inside, and only leave the sails spread, and let the Lord do with his servants and with the ship what he wills. Fear the Lord, for the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him” [Ps 147:11]. When the disciples carried out their father’s commands, they refreshed themselves toward evening, for it was their custom always to take food at the hour of evening. When they ceased from the labor of rowing, at times they had a wind, but they did not know to which direction it was carrying them, or from what quarter it came.

²⁹ When, therefore, forty days had thus been completed, and their provisions consumed, and when they hoped for nothing other than the help of God, a certain island appeared to them on the northern side, very rocky and high. As they approached the shore, they saw a cliff of great height like a wall, and various streams flowing down from the summit of the island into the sea. Since, because of the height of the cliff, the brothers could not find a harbor where they might land conveniently, then, afflicted by hunger and thirst, they took their vessels in order to draw water from the flowing streams to relieve their thirst. When Saint Brendan saw this, he forbade them the water, saying: “What you are doing is foolish, brothers. For since our God does not wish to show us a harbor by which to enter the island, therefore do not take its water as though by plundering what belongs to another. Have patience, then, for our Lord Jesus Christ, who does not fail those who hope in him, will after three days show his servants a harbor and a place suitable for staying awhile, so that our bodies may be refreshed.” When they had circled the island for three days, on the third day about the ninth hour [Acts 3:1] they found a harbor where there was an entrance for a single ship. Seeing that the harbor had been granted to them, the holy man rose and blessed the entrance. For there was a rock cut on either side to a marvelous height, like a wall. When the brothers disembarked from the ship onto the land, the kindly shepherd warned them not to take anything from the ship’s equipment with them.

³⁰ As they were walking along the seashore, a certain dog met them, and coming to the feet of Saint Brendan, showed by movement and gesture the signs that dogs are accustomed to show at the arrival of their masters. Seeing this, the man of God, like another Tobias [Tobit 5:16], said to his companions: “Has not our God given us good news? Let us therefore follow him.” They followed the dog, who went before them as far as a certain settlement that was on the island. When they entered the settlement, they saw a large and spacious hall, furnished with couches and seats, and water prepared for washing feet. When they had sat down, the man of God commanded the brothers not to take or claim anything from the furnishings of the house. And he said: “Take care, brothers, lest Satan lead you into temptation” [Matt 26:41]. “For I see that he is urging one of the three who came after us from the monastery to commit a most grievous theft. Pray, therefore, for his soul, for the flesh has been handed over to the power of Satan” [1 Cor 5:5]. Now the house in which they were staying was arranged as though set into the surrounding walls with vessels of various kinds of metal hanging there, bridles, and horns encircled with silver.

³¹ Then Brendan said to the attendant who was accustomed to set bread before him: “Bring the meal that God has sent us, truly merciful, truly good.” When the brother rose to serve, he found a table set, a cloth spread over it, and loaves of marvelous whiteness according to the needs of the hungry, and fish likewise. When everything was prepared, the holy father blessed the meal sent from heaven, saying: “Give thanks to the God of heaven, who gives food to all flesh” [Ps 136:25]. The brothers then sat down and ate their bread with fear and love of God, and likewise drank what was needed. When the meal was finished with thanksgiving and divine praises, the kindly shepherd said to the brothers: “Rest now, for look, single beds well made are prepared for each of you. You need to let your limbs recover after such great labors.” When the brothers had fallen asleep, Saint Brendan saw Satan in the form of a black Ethiopian, carrying a bridle in his hand calling the aforementioned brother to take it; and he did so, for he seized the bridle and gave place to the one who urged him toward temptation. When the man of God perceived this, he rose from his bed and prolonged his prayer until the following day. When morning came, and they had completed the work of God in praises, they hastened to the ship. Look, the table appeared, as on the first day, prepared in every respect; and thus for three days and three nights God prepared meals for his servants.

³² After this, Saint Brendan began with his companions to make their way back toward the ship. And he said to them: “See to it that none of you takes anything of the substance of this island with him.” But they all said: “Far be it, Father, that anything taken by theft should defile our journey.” Then Saint Brendan added: “Look, our brother, whom I foretold to you yesterday, has a silver bridle hidden in his bosom, which during this neart, through the suggestion of the devil, he rashly stole.” When that brother heard this, he threw the bridle from his bosom and cast himself down at the feet of the man of God, saying: “Father, I have sinned; forgive me, and pray for my soul, lest it perish.” Seeing this, the brothers at once prostrated themselves on the ground, praying for his soul. And as the kindly shepherd raised them from the ground, look, they saw a small Ethiopian leap out of the bosom of that brother, who cried with a loud and mournful voice: “Why do you drive me out of my dwelling, man of God, in which I lived for seven years, and now make me a stranger to my inheritance?” Hearing this voice, Brendan, the herald of truth, said: “I command you, in the name of Christ, whom I serve, that you harm no human being until the day of judgment” [Matt 12:36]. And after this he turned to the aforementioned brother and said: “Receive the body and blood of the Lord [Matt 26:26–28], for your soul will now depart from your body, and here you have the place of your burial. For because of your contrition and the earnestness of our prayers, your iniquity has been forgiven. But your companion, who came with you from our monastery, has a place of burial in hell.” And so, having received the Eucharist as a sure provision for the journey, the soul of the brother departed from his body and was received by the angels of light [2 Cor 11:14], as the brothers saw. His body, however, was given burial there by the brothers.

³³ After this they came to the place where they had left their ship. As they boarded the ship, a certain young man met them, carrying a basket full of loaves and a jar of fresh water. He said to them: “Receive a blessing from the hand of your servant, for there still remains for you a long journey, until you find consolation. From this day until Easter, this supply of bread and water will not fail.” Having therefore received the blessing of this good news, they sailed upon the ocean, where God willed them to be led. Thereafter, every two days they took their refreshment.

³⁴ And while they were thus being led through various regions of the ocean, one day they saw an island not far distant from them. When they began to labor at the oars in order to reach the island, God sent them a favorable wind, so that they did not need to toil in this way. When they had landed safely in the harbor of the island, the man of God ordered the brothers to disembark, and he himself followed after them. As they began to walk around the island, they saw abundant waters flowing from various springs, full of fish. Then Brendan said to the brothers: “Let us perform here the work of God, sacrificing to God an unblemished lamb, for today is the Lord’s Supper” [Exod 12:5; 1 Cor 11:20]. When they had done this, they remained there until Holy Saturday. As they walked about that island, they saw various flocks of sheep of white color in such great number that, because of the density of the flocks, they could scarcely see the ground. Then Brendan said to the brothers: “Take from these flocks what is necessary for the feast day. For the earth is the Lord’s, and all that fills it” [Ps 24:1]. Carrying out his command, they took one sheep from the flock, and when it was tied by the horns, it followed them like a tame sheep until they came to the place where the man of God was. Again the kindly shepherd ordered one of the brothers to go to the flock and bring back an unblemished lamb. The brother hurried to carry out the command, leading with him an unblemished lamb.

³⁵ And when they had prepared all these things for the work of the following day, look, the man mentioned before appeared to them, holding in his hands a basket full of ash-baked loaves and the other things that were necessary. When he had set these before the man of God, he fell face down on the ground three times, saying: “Why is this granted to me, O pearl of God, that you should keep the Pasch in these holy days from the labor of my hands?” Saint Brendan raised him from the ground, gave him a kiss, and said: “Son, tell us where our Lord Jesus Christ wishes us to celebrate his holy resurrection.” The man replied: “Father, you will celebrate this holy Sabbath here; but tomorrow you must celebrate your vigils and your Masses on that island which you see. For thus wills the Lord, who orders all things gently” [Wis 8:1]. When he had said this, he humbly began to serve the servants of God and to prepare everything necessary for the following day.

³⁶ When everything had been prepared and brought to the ship, that faithful steward said to Saint Brendan: “Your little ship cannot carry any more now; but after eight days I will send you what will be necessary until Pentecost.” Then Saint Brendan said: “How do you know where we will be staying after eight days?” And he replied: “This neart you will be on that nearby island which you see, and you will remain there tomorrow until the sixth hour; afterward you will sail to an island not far from there toward the west, which is called the Paradise of Birds, where you will stay until the octave of Pentecost.” Saint Brendan then asked him again about the sheep they had seen on the island, how they could be so large, for they were as big as cattle. He answered: “No one milks the sheep on this island, nor does winter weather trouble them; they always remain in the pastures day and night, and therefore they are larger than in your regions.” After this mutual conversation, and having received his blessing, they went to the ship and began to sail toward the island that had been shown to them.

³⁷ When they came to it, the ship came to a standstill before they could reach the harbor. Then Brendan ordered the brothers to go down into the sea and, with ropes, draw the ship to the desired harbor. This was done. That place, however, was very bristly, without any grass, and along its shore no sand was found. While the brothers spent the night on the island in prayer and vigils, Brendan alone remained in the ship, for he knew what the place was and of what kind it was. For in truth it was not an island; rather, almighty God, to whose command every creature is obedient, caused a great whale to raise its back above the sea, so that it might be a place fit for his servants to dwell on the night of his resurrection. Therefore the man of God did not wish to reveal to the brothers what sort of place it was where they had remained that night, lest, being frightened, they should waver in faith.

³⁸ When morning came, the kindly shepherd ordered all the priests that each should sing Mass, which they did. When the venerable father had celebrated Mass in the ship itself, meanwhile the brothers began to carry outside the ship the meat and fish they had brought with them from the other island, so that they might season them with salt and partly cook them. When they had done this, they set a cauldron upon the fire; and when the cauldron began to boil over the fire, that “island” began to move. Perceiving the movement, the brothers ran toward the ship, calling upon the help of their patron. The man of God took each one by the hand pulled him inside; and so, leaving behind everything they had prepared on the island, they began to sail away. That “island” was carried off into the ocean, and they were able to see the fire burning in the sea for two miles. Then the holy man revealed his secret to them and explained what that island was, saying: “Brothers, do you wonder that this island did such a thing, namely, that it moved in this way through the sea?” And the brothers said: “Indeed we greatly wonder, and a great fear has come upon us because of its movement.” And he said to them: “Little children, do not be afraid. For on this neart God revealed to me in a vision the mystery of this matter. For it was not an island on which you stayed, but the greatest of all swimming fish, which always seeks to join its tail to its head, but because of its great length cannot do so. Its name is Jasconius.”

³⁹ After this they discovered a certain island, very delightful, full of grasses, flowers, and fruit-bearing trees. When they looked for a harbor by which to enter, they found on the southern side of the island a stream of fresh water flowing down into the sea, and there they brought the ship to land. When they had disembarked from the ship, Saint Brendan ordered the brothers to haul the ship by ropes against the force of the water as far as they were able. Now that river was as wide as the length of one ship. The brothers therefore did as their father had commanded them, hauling the ship up to the living spring from which the river descended. Then Brendan said to the brothers: “Look, our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a place to dwell in his holy Resurrection: truly good, truly merciful. My brothers, even if we had nothing else to refresh us bodily, this spring alone would be enough for us for both food and drink.”

⁴⁰ Now above that spring there was a tree of marvelous height, covered with the purest white birds, which so completely covered the tree that it could scarcely be seen fully by human eyes. When the man of God saw this, he began to ponder within himself what cause there might be for so great a multitude of birds to be gathered together in one tree. His reflection so troubled him that he even shed tears, asking for the revelation of his doubt, and saying: “O God, who search the hearts and minds, and who reveal hidden things [Ps 7:9], you know the distress of my heart. I therefore beg your majesty that you would deign, through your great mercy, to reveal to me your secret that is hidden from me concerning these birds. I do not,” he said, “trust in my own worthiness or merit in this matter, but I entrust the explanation of this doubt to your mercy alone.” While the man, filled with heavenly desire, was saying these things within himself, look, one of those birds flew down from the tree, and its wings resounded against the ship like little bells. Sitting on the very tip of the ship’s prow, it began to spread its wings as a sign of inward joy and to gaze calmly upon the man of God. At once the man of God understood that the Lord had remembered his prayers, and he said to the bird: “Since you are a servant and messenger of God, tell us where you have come from, and by whom that very great multitude of birds has been gathered together there.” And the bird said to him: “We belong,” it said, “to that great fall of the ancient enemy, though we did not fully consent to him. And because we consented in part to his sin, our own fall also came about. For God is just and true and merciful [cf. Deut 32:4; Rev 15:3]. Therefore, by his judgment he sent us into this place, where we suffer no other punishment except that we cannot see the presence of God. Only this has been taken from us: the company of the others who stood firm. On solemn feast days and on Sundays we receive bodies of the kind you see, and we dwell here, praising our Creator. And just as the other spirits who are sent through the various regions of the air and the earth, so we too are able to move about. But you, with your brothers, have completed one year of your journey. Six years still remain. Where today you have celebrated Easter, there each year of your pilgrimage you will celebrate it in the same way [cf. Exod 12; Matt 26:17–19], and afterward you will find what you have set in your heart, namely, the land of the promise of the saints [cf. Heb 11:16].” When the bird had said these things, it lifted itself from the prow and began to fly back to the others.

⁴¹ When the hour of evening approached, all the birds that were in the tree began to sing, as if with one voice, striking their sides with their wings and saying: “To you praise is due in Zion, and to you a vow shall be fulfilled in Jerusalem” [Ps 65:1]. They continually repeated this verse for the space of about one hour. It also seemed to the brothers that this melody and the sound of the wings were like a kind of lament mingled with sweetness. Then Saint Brendan said to the brothers: “Refresh your bodies, for today your souls have been satisfied with divine refreshment.” When supper was finished, the brothers began to carry out the work of God, and afterward they rested until the third watch of the night. When the man of God awoke, he began to rouse the brothers for the holy night watches. And when he himself began the verse, “O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise” [Ps 51:15], then the birds together resounded with wings and voice, saying: “Praise the Lord, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts” [Ps 148:2]. In the same way they sang at vespers for the space of an hour. When dawn brought an end to the night, they all began to sing: “Let the splendor of the Lord our God be upon us” [Ps 90:17], with equal melody and the same length of psalmody as at morning praise. At the third hour they sang this verse: “Sing praises to our God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises wisely” [Ps 47:6–7]. At the sixth hour they sang: “Let your face shine upon us, O Lord, and have mercy” [cf. Ps 67:1]. At the ninth hour they said: “See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity” [Ps 133:1]. Thus the birds offered praises to God day and night. There they remained through the octave of the feast, persevering in the praise of God.

⁴² When the Easter celebration had been completed, Saint Brendan said to his companions: “Take some of the water of this spring with you.” When the brothers had done this, look, the aforementioned man with whom they had stayed for three days before Easter arrived, bringing with him in his little boat sufficient food and drink for them. When everything had been brought from the boat, he spoke before the man of God and said to them: “My brothers, you have here enough until the holy day of Pentecost. And do not drink from this spring, for it is strong to drink. I will tell you its nature: whoever drinks from it will immediately fall into sleep and will not awaken until twenty-four hours are completed. For while it flows from the spring, it has the taste and nature of water.” When he had said these things, having received the blessing of the holy father, he returned to his own place. There they remained until the feast of Pentecost, for the sweet song of the birds was a delight and refreshment to them. On the holy day of Pentecost the same steward came to them, bringing with him what was necessary for the feast day. And when they reclined together at the meal, that steward spoke, saying: “Since a great journey still remains for you, take some of this water in your vessels, and take also as much of the bread as you are able to preserve.” “In another year,” he said, “God willing, I will visit you.” And when he had said this, having received the blessing from the holy man, he returned to his place. When the octave of the feast had ended, the holy man ordered his companions to prepare the ship and to fill their vessels from the spring. When everything that the steward had instructed was ready, the aforementioned bird came swiftly in flight and settled again upon the prow of the ship, and said, as if strengthening them against the dangers of the sea: “Know that where you were last year on the night of the Lord’s Supper, there you will likewise be on that same night this year [cf. Matt 26:20–30]. And just as on the night of the Lord’s Easter you were upon the back of Jasconius, so on that night this year you will be again. You will also find, after eight months, an island called the Island of the Family of Helvetius, on which you will celebrate the Nativity of the Lord” [cf. Luke 2:1–14]. And when the bird had foretold these things, it returned to its place.

⁴³ Then the brothers began to spread their sails and to sail on. The aforementioned birds also sang, as if with one voice, saying: “Hear us, O God our Savior, you who are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of those far off at sea” [Ps 65:5]. And so they were borne across the breadth of the great sea for three months, and they could see nothing except sky and sea. One day, however, an island appeared not far from them; and when they had approached the shore, the force of the wind drew them away from the harbor, and so for forty days they sailed around the island were unable to find a port. When the brothers were nearly exhausted of strength, they began to beg the Lord with tears that the mercy of his compassion would come to their aid. And when they had remained in prayer and fasting for three days in this way, there appeared to them a narrow harbor, where there was space as if for a single ship. There also appeared two springs, one of which was muddy and the other clear. The brothers hurried with their vessels to draw water, but when the pious shepherd Brendan saw this, he said to them: “My little sons, do not do such a thing here without the permission of the elders who dwell on this island. For the waters that you wish to take without the consent of the elders you will be able to obtain with their permission.” And so, at the command of their father, the brothers refrained from taking the water they desired.

⁴⁴ When they had gone out of the ship, there came to meet them an old man of remarkable dignity, whose face was of great radiance and whose hair was white as snow. He prostrated himself on the ground three times before he kissed the man of God. Saint Brendan then raised him from the ground. And after they had exchanged the kiss, the old man took Saint Brendan by the hand, and thus, walking together, they went toward the monastery. When they were standing before the gate of the monastery, Saint Brendan stood with his companions and said to the old man: “Whose monastery is this, and who presides over it? And from where are those who dwell here?” Though he questioned the old man with various words, he obtained no answer from him; rather, he only indicated silence with his hand. When the man of God recognized the mystery of this silence through signs, he warned the brothers, saying: “Guard your mouths from breaking silence, lest these men be troubled in any way by your many words.” And when he had said these things, look, eleven brothers from the monastery came out to meet them with crosses and hymns, saying: “Rise up, holy ones, from your dwellings, and go forth to meet the truth. Sanctify the place, bless the people, that the Lord may deign to keep us, your servants, in peace.” When the verse was finished, they greeted one another with the kiss of peace. Then the brothers of the monastery led them to the place of prayer, so that first of all they might seek the kingdom of God there [cf. Matt 6:33]. After this, the abbot of the monastery with his monks began to wash the feet of the guests, singing: “A new commandment I give to you” [John 13:34], and so forth.

⁴⁵ When these things were finished, the guests were led to the refectory, where, in the bowels of charity, with great restraint and silence, they were refreshed with bread of wondrous whiteness and with certain roots of incredible flavor. For between every two a single whole loaf was placed by the servant who ministered at table, and likewise drink from the water of the spring. Then the abbot of the monastery also said with great restraint: “From this spring you may now drink freely and with good will, though before you wished to draw from it without permission. From the other spring, namely the muddy one that you saw, the feet of the brothers are washed whenever there is need; moreover, it is warm at all times. As for the breads that you see on our table, it is unknown to us where they are made or who brings them to our storehouse. Yet it is certain to us that, from the abundance of God’s goodness, they are provided for us through some creature subject to him. We ourselves, who dwell here—twenty-four brothers of the community—each day receive twelve loaves like those you see, so that between every two one loaf is always sufficient for refreshment. On great feast days and on Sundays the ration of bread is doubled, so that each may also be able to eat supper from what remains. Now also, at your arrival, the bread ration has been doubled. And in this way God has nourished us for eighty years, from the time of Patrick and of Saint Albeus, our father, until now. No signs of old age or the weakness of sickness trouble us; rather, as you see, without any hindrance we serve God day and night. On this island in which we dwell, we have no need of fire to prepare our food or to warm ourselves, for neither cold nor heat afflicts us here. And when the time for the morning vigils comes, our lamps, which we brought with us from our homeland, are kindled by divine breath, and nothing is diminished until daylight.”

⁴⁶ After this truly sweet collation they drank three times, and the abbot struck the signal; and the brothers, rising from the table with silence and dignity, hastened to the church with divine praise. After them, moreover, the two holy men walked. When they had entered the church, look, twelve other brothers came out of the church to meet them, bending their knees before the holy fathers. Then Saint Brendan said to the abbot of the monastery: “Abba, father, why were these not refreshed together with us?” And the abbot replied: “They were not refreshed with us because our table could not receive us all together at once. Now, however, they will be refreshed, and nothing will be lacking to them. We, on the other hand, will enter the church and say Vespers, so that our brothers after us may likewise be able to sing.”

⁴⁷ When they had finished the office of Vespers, Saint Brendan began to consider how that church was built. For it was square, and of such length as of breadth, having seven lamps: that is, three before the altar which was in the middle, and two before each of the other two altars. The altars themselves were of crystal, and their vessels likewise—namely patens and chalices, and cruets, and the other vessels that pertained to divine worship; and there were likewise twenty-four seats arranged around the circuit. The place where the abbot sat was between the two choirs, and he himself always began the holy office. In that monastery, moreover, no voice or noise was heard, nor did anyone presume to attempt anything without the consent of a senior. But if any of the brothers had some necessary work to be done, he would humbly bend his knee before the abbot, expressing the intentions of his heart by suitable signs; and then the abbot, taking a tablet and stylus, would write his will thereon and hand it to the requesting brother to read. When Saint Brendan had carefully considered all these things, the abbot said to him: “My father, now it is time that we return to the refectory, so that everything may be done with light.” And so they did, returning to the refectory. When all the things that were necessary there for the refreshment of their bodies had been finished, all hastened with great composure to Compline. And when the abbot had begun the versicle, “O God, come to my assistance” [Ps 70:2], and all had likewise given honor to the ever-blessed Trinity, and had sung the whole office of Compline with fervor of spirit, all the brothers went out to their cells, reverently leading with them the guests, in whom they believed that they were welcoming Christ himself.

⁴⁸ The abbot of the monastery, however, remained in the church with Saint Brendan, awaiting the coming of the light. Saint Brendan then questioned the abbot about the silence and way of life of the brothers—namely, how they maintained silence so strictly and, while living in human flesh, kept so austere a manner of life. The abbot replied with great humility and reverence: “My father, before my Christ I confess that it is eighty years since we came to this island, and we have heard no human voice, except when we sing praises to our God. Among us no voice is raised, but only by a sign of the finger or the eyes is what is necessary expressed, and this is done only by those advanced in years. None of us, moreover, has suffered any bodily or spiritual infirmity since we came to this place.” Hearing such a manner of life among men, Saint Brendan burst forth with heartfelt devotion into these words, saying: “My father, is it permitted for us to dwell here with you?” And the abbot replied: “It is not permitted, because it is not the will of God.” And he added, saying: “And why, Father Brendan, do you ask me about this? Did not God reveal to you, before you came here, what you ought to do? For you must return to your homeland with fourteen of your brothers, because there in your monastery God has prepared the place of your burial. But of the other two who remain, one will wander on the island of the hermits; the other will be condemned by a most shameful death among the infernal regions.”

⁴⁹ While they were speaking these things together, look, as they watched, something like a fiery arrow was sent through the window, which illuminated all the lamps of the church. And when those lamps were lit, the said arrow immediately returned by the same way. Again Saint Brendan asked by whom those lamps were extinguished in the morning. And the abbot said to him: “Come, and see the mystery of this matter about which you ask. Look, you see the candles burning in the midst of their vessels. Yet nothing is consumed from them, nor diminished, nor will any spark of fire remain in the morning, because it is a spiritual light.” Then Saint Brendan said: “How,” he said, “can a spiritual or incorporeal light burn upon material earth?” The elder replied: “Have you not seen the bush burning on Mount Sinai? And yet the bush remained unharmed by the fire” [Exod 3:2–3].

⁵⁰ As the saints kept watch thus throughout the whole night until morning, Saint Brendan asked leave to depart. And the elder said to him: “My father Brendan, you ought to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord with us, and remain until the octave of the Epiphany.” Then Brendan consented to the supplicant’s request, and remained until the time appointed by the father. When, therefore, the appointed feasts had passed, blessed Brendan with his companions, having received provisions from the monastery and the blessing of those holy men, entrusted himself and his journey to God as his guide and went aboard his little ship. And thus he was borne through the trackless ways of the ocean until the beginning of Lent.

⁵¹ Now on a certain day they saw an island not far distant from them. When the brothers saw it, they began to row vigorously, for they were already nearly exhausted from hunger and thirst, since three days earlier their food and drink had been completely consumed. When they reached the island, Saint Brendan blessed the harbor, so that they might enter the island more safely. Passing through the island, they found a very clear spring, from which fish of various kinds ran out into the sea. Then the holy shepherd said to the brothers: “Observe, my sons, and understand how our Comforter, God, has given us consolation here after great labors, and a place of rest. Take therefore from the fish as much as is sufficient for our supper, and gather from the herbs and roots by the spring what the Lord has prepared for his servants.” When the disciples had carried out everything according to their master’s command, he said to them again: “Beware, brothers, that you do not use this water beyond measure, lest your bodies be afflicted more severely.” But when the brothers did not heed the force of their father’s command in drinking the water, and some of them drank single cups, others two, and some three, immediately a sleep of three days fell upon those who drank three cups, of two days upon those who drank two, and of one day and night upon those who drank one. Saint Brendan, however, prayed to God without ceasing for the brothers, because through ignorance they had fallen into such danger.

⁵² When these three days had passed, the father said to his sons: “Let us flee, dearest ones, from this death, lest something worse befall us. For God gave food for our necessities, and you have brought harm upon yourselves from it. Let us therefore leave this island, taking from the fish only what is necessary for three days until the Lord’s Supper, and likewise from the roots only what suffices for these three days, and no more.” Loading the ship with everything as Father Brendan had commanded them, they began to sail upon the ocean toward the northern quarter. After three days and nights, when the wind had ceased, the sea became, through great calm, as if congealed. Then Brendan ordered his companions to cease rowing and to allow God to steer the ship. When the brothers did this, the ship was carried through various regions of the ocean for about twenty days, and they were refreshed regularly every three days.

⁵³ Now on a certain day there appeared to them an island very far off, so that it seemed to them like a kind of cloud. And Brendan said to his companions: “Little sons, do you recognize that island?” But they said: “We do not recognize it, father.” Then he said: “I recognize it. For it is that island where, in a previous year, we were on the Lord’s Supper, where the good steward dwells.” When the brothers heard this, they began to row more strenuously, so that they might reach the place of rest more quickly. When the holy father saw this, he said: “Do not, brothers, afflict your limbs with disordered labors, but allow God, our helmsman, to direct the ship. Leave the ship to him to govern, for he never abandons unless he is first abandoned, and he never fails unless a man first fails by ceasing to serve him.” When the brothers obeyed these admonitions and were drawing near to the shore of the island, that same steward met them in a small boat and led them to the harbor where, in the previous year, they had disembarked from the ship. Glorifying God, he kissed the feet of each one, beginning with Saint Brendan and going to the last, saying: “Wonderful is God in his saints, the God of Israel; he himself will give power and strength to his people; blessed be God” [Ps 67(68):36]. When the versicle was finished and the brothers’ belongings had been taken from the ship, he set up a tent and prepared a bath, for it was the Lord’s Supper. After this he clothed all the brothers with new garments and rendered service to them for three days. The brothers there celebrated the Passion of the Lord with great devotion, remaining there until Holy Saturday.

⁵⁴ When the offices of Saturday had been completed, and the saving offerings had been offered to God, and the meal finished, that same steward said to them: “Go and board your ship, so that you may celebrate the Sunday of the Resurrection where you celebrated it in the previous year; remain there until the sixth hour, and afterward you will come to the island that is called the Paradise of Birds, where at this same time last year you stayed until the octave of Pentecost. Take with you also everything that is necessary for food and drink in the meantime. For I, with God’s help, will visit you on the next Sunday.” He himself loaded the ship with food and drink, as much as it was able to carry. After this, mutual blessings having been given, they boarded the ship and began to sail toward the other island. When they drew near to the place where they were to land, the cauldron appeared to them, which they had left there the year before. Then Saint Brendan, going down from the ship with his companions, began to sing the hymn of the Three Young Men to the end [Dan 3:52–90]. When the hymn was finished, the man of God exhorted the brothers, saying: “O my little sons, watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation” [Matt 26:41]. “Consider how God subdues beneath us this most monstrous beast without any hindrance.” And when, through the words of their father, the sons were strengthened in faith, so that they did not fear the movement of so great a beast, they continued that night until Matins in the praises of God, praying throughout the island. In the morning also, when the brothers had come together, each of the priests offered the saving sacrifice to God until the third hour. Then the man of God, Brendan, offered an unblemished lamb to God, saying: “In the previous year I celebrated here the Resurrection of the Lord; so also this year I intend to celebrate it.” After all the things that pertained to the reverent celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection had been completed there, they set out for the Island of Birds, just as they had done in the other year.

⁵⁵ As they were drawing near to the harbor of the island, all the birds of the island, crying out together with human voices, said: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb” [Rev 7:10]. And again: “The Lord God has shone upon us; establish a solemn feast with branches, even to the horns of the altar” [Ps 118:27]. These words they repeated for about half an hour, until the holy man with his companions had taken their rest in their tent. When they had celebrated the Paschal feasts there until the octave of Easter, look, the same steward arrived on Sunday in white garments, as he had promised, bringing with him what was necessary for the use of the poor of Christ.

⁵⁶ And when they had sat down at table, the same bird perched on the prow of the little ship, making a sound with its outspread wings like the sound of a great organ. Then the man of God recognized that it wished to signify something to him. And while the brothers attentively inclined their ears to the voice of the bird, he said to them: “God has appointed for you four seasons, until the seven years of your pilgrimage are completed. For every year at the Lord’s Supper you must be with your steward who is present here; on the back of the beast you shall celebrate Easter; but on this island you must remain with us until the octave of Pentecost. With the household of Saint Helbey you shall celebrate the Nativity of the Lord. When the seven years of your pilgrimage have been completed, many dangers having gone before, you will find the Promised Land of the saints, which you seek so diligently; and there you will dwell for forty days; and afterward God will lead you back to the land of your birth.” When Saint Brendan heard these things, he fell prostrate upon the ground, giving thanks to his Savior. When these things were finished, the bird returned to its place.

⁵⁷ Moreover, when the procurator had finished the brothers’ meal, he said to them: “With God granting and helping, I will return to you on the day of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles [Acts 2:1–4], bringing provisions for your necessary needs.” Having therefore received the blessing of the holy father Brendan and of the other brothers, the same procurator returned to his own place. They, however, remained there until the time appointed for them by him. When the feast days were completed, the man of God ordered his companions to prepare themselves for the journey and to fill their vessels from the spring. And while they were making ready all that was necessary for sailing, look, the same procurator came to them with his ship, laden with food and drink. After loading what he had brought into their ship and kissing each of the brothers, he returned to his island. After this, sailing through the uncertain regions of the ocean for forty days, they passed their lives amid hardships.

⁵⁸ One day, as they were thus sailing, look, there appeared behind them a sea monster of astonishing size, spewing waves from its nostrils and stirring the sea like a raging storm, which hastened toward them at the swiftest speed to devour them. And when, at the sight of this terrifying upheaval of the sea, the brothers were thrown into confusion, Saint Brendan, always trusting in his Lord, said: “Do not be afraid, you of little faith. Did not the apostle Peter walk upon the waves as long as he did not doubt? But as soon as he wavered in faith, he began to sink [Matthew 14:29–31]. Therefore God, who is always our defender, will himself deliver us from the jaws of this beast. And he will not only defend us from the attack of this monster, but from all the dangers of this sea.” And when the beast drew near to them, mighty waves of great height surged ahead of it toward the ship, so that from this the brothers had even greater cause for fear. Then the venerable old man, stretching out his hands to heaven, said: “Lord, deliver us, as you delivered David from the hand of Goliath the giant [1 Samuel 17]. Lord, deliver us, as you delivered Daniel from the jaws of the lions in the pit [Daniel 6]. Lord, deliver us, as you delivered the prophet Jonah from the belly of the great whale, when he was there for three days and three nights [Jonah 1:17].” When the prayer was finished, look, another beast came from the west, vomiting fire from its mouth, and entered into a most fierce battle against the first. Then Saint Brendan said to the brothers: “See, sons, the mighty works of almighty God, and observe the obedience that the creature renders to the Creator. Now, beloved, await the end of this battle, which the beast is fighting for us against the beast, and it will do us no harm, but will even provide matter for the praise of our God.” And when he had said these things, the pursuing beast was torn into three parts before their eyes, and the other, after its victory, returned to the place from which it had come.

⁵⁹ On the next day they saw a certain island, very pleasant and full of trees. As they drew near to it, they saw a part of the slain beast lying on the seashore. Then Saint Brendan said to the brothers: “Look,” he said, “a part of that beast which desired to devour us; now devour it yourselves, and refresh yourselves with its flesh. For you will remain on this island for a long time. Therefore lift our boat onto dry ground and seek a suitable place for your tent.” When the brothers had completed all these things, the merciful father said to them: “Take now, beloved, from the flesh of this beast as much as will suffice for you for three months. For this neart the corpse of this beast will be devoured by other beasts.” When all was done, the disciples said to Brendan: “Abba, father, how can we live here without water?” To whom he said: “Is it more difficult for God to give us water than food? For he who gave food will also give drink.” And again he said to them: “Go now toward the southern side of the island, and you will find there a spring of living water and many herbs; and take from all these with moderation.” And when the brothers went, they found everything just as the man of God had foretold to them.

⁶⁰ They therefore remained on that island for three months, because a great storm lay upon the sea for so long a time. And just as the man of God had foretold to them, they found nothing of the beast’s flesh on the morning of the following day. When the brothers returned to Brendan, they said to him: “Abba, father, just as you foretold to us concerning that beast, so it has come to pass.” Again the merciful father said to them: “I will tell you yet another sign: a fish that escaped from the fishermen’s net this neart will be brought here tomorrow, and from it you will be refreshed.” And so it happened. For on the following day, when the brothers went out to the shore of the island, they found there a great fish, just as Saint Brendan had foretold. They therefore took from its flesh with them as much as they believed would suffice for their nourishment. And the man of God said to them: “Carefully preserve this flesh with salt, for its use will be necessary to you at a fitting time. For the Lord will make the weather calm tomorrow, and the storm will cease, and we shall be able to sail from this place.” He also ordered them to fill their vessels with water from the spring on account of future contingencies, and he commanded them to gather herbs and roots for their use, because the holy man, after he had fulfilled the office of priest, ate nothing in which the spirit of life remained. And so, when the ship had been loaded with those things which the man of God commanded, they set out toward the southern region.

⁶¹ And as they thus passed through the uncertain paths of the sea, they saw an island lying far off from them. Then the man of God said to his companions: “There are three peoples on that island: one of boys, another of young men, and the third of old men.” And he added, saying: “One of our brothers will also dwell with them.” Then the disciples asked him which of them would remain with them. And when they persisted in asking who it might be that would live there, the man of God answered: “This one,” he said, “is the one who will remain with them.” And he was one of those three brothers who had followed the man of God from the monastery when he was ready to enter the ship. After this they came ashore on the coast of that very pleasant island. For the island was of such great flatness that it seemed level on the surface like the sea. And there were there three groups of men, just as Saint Brendan had foretold, namely of boys, of young men, and of old men. And just as they seemed to be distinguished by age, so they were also separated from one another by place. For there was, as it were, a stone’s throw between one group and another. And when one group stood, another sat. And those who stood chanted this verse, namely: “The saints shall go from strength to strength; the God of gods shall be seen in Zion” [Psalm 84:7 (83:8)]. And when one group, standing, chanted this verse, another, rising, began the same. And thus, without interruption, they always alternated in this way.

⁶² The first group, namely that of the boys, was clothed in white garments; the second group in hyacinth-colored vestments; and the third in dalmatics of a purplish hue. And it was the fourth hour of the day when they reached the shore of the island. When the sixth hour came, the three groups began together to chant these psalms, namely: “May God have mercy on us” [Psalm 67:1 (66:2)], and “O God, come to my assistance” [Psalm 70:1 (69:2)], and “I believed, therefore I spoke” [Psalm 116:10 (115:1)], and one prayer after the psalms. Likewise, at the ninth hour they said three psalms, namely: “Out of the depths I cry to you” [Psalm 130:1 (129:1)], and “See how good and pleasant it is” [Psalm 133:1 (132:1)], and “Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem” [Psalm 147:12 (147:12)]. At Vespers, however, they sang: “To you belongs praise” [Psalm 65:1 (64:1)], and “Bless the Lord, O my soul” [Psalm 103:1 (102:1)], and “Praise the Lord, you children” [Psalm 113:1 (112:1)]. And after these psalms, while seated, they recited the fifteen gradual psalms [Psalms 120–134 (119–133)]. And after all these things, look, a white cloud overshadowed the island, and because of its density they could not see either the island or those dwelling on it. They heard, however, the voices of those singing and praising God until the morning watches, and then they began the psalm: “Praise the Lord from the heavens” [Psalm 148], to the end. And after all these things they sang the first twelve psalms in order from the Psalter [Psalms 1–12]. When daylight dawned, the island was uncovered from the cloud; and then they sang six other psalms, namely: “Have mercy on me, O God” [Psalm 51 (50)], and “O God, my God, at dawn I seek you” [Psalm 63:1 (62:2)], and “Lord, you have been our refuge” [Psalm 90:1 (89:1)], and “All nations” [Psalm 117:1 (116:1)], and “O God, in your name” [Psalm 54:1 (53:3)], and “I have loved” [Psalm 116:1 (114:1)].

⁶³ And after all these things they offered an unblemished lamb to almighty God; and all received communion, saying: “Take for yourselves the holy Body of the Lord and our Savior, and his Blood, to eternal life” [cf. Matthew 26:26–28; John 6:54].

⁶⁴ And when all had been completed, look, two men from the group of the young men came, carrying a basket full of fruits unknown to them, purple in color and exceedingly sweet in taste, saying to them: “Take from the fruits of the island of the strong men, and return to us our brother, and go in peace.” Then Saint Brendan called to himself the same brother and said to him: “Kiss your brothers, beloved, and go with those who invite you. I tell you, brother, that your mother bore you at a good hour, when you were found worthy to dwell with such a fellowship.” And when he had kissed the brothers one by one, Saint Brendan said to him: “Son, remember how many benefits God has granted you in this world; go now with these men, and pray for us.” And bidding farewell to the brothers, he followed those two young men to the schools of those saints. Then, at his arrival, they chanted this verse of the psalm, saying: “See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity” [Psalm 133:1 (132:1)]. And after this they sang loudly, “We praise you, O God” [Te Deum; cf. early Christian hymn], and, kissing him, he was joined to the fellowship of those men.

⁶⁵ After all these things they departed from the island, sailing through various winding routes. And when the hour of the midday meal arrived, the merciful father ordered that the brothers be given some of those fruits for their nourishment. He himself, taking one cluster from the fruits and marveling at its size, said: “I tell you, brothers, that I do not remember ever having seen or read of any fruit with clusters of such great size.” For the fruits were as large as great balls. Then the man of God ordered a vessel to be brought to him; and pressing the juice from a single berry, he produced a full pound. Dividing it into twelve ounces, he gave one ounce to each. And thus the brothers were sustained for twelve days, having after the consumption of this fruit a taste of honey in their mouths. After they had finished this wondrous provision, Saint Brendan ordered the brothers to fast for three days.

⁶⁶ When they had completed this, look, a bird of astonishing size flew to them, carrying in its beak a branch of a tree unknown to them, and placed it before the man of God in the ship. The branch, moreover, bore at its tip a large reddish cluster. And the bird, having left the branch there, departed. Then the man of God said to the brothers: “Take, beloved, the midday meal which God has sent to us through the ministry of this bird.” For the grapes on that branch were as large as wild apples. The man of God divided these grapes among the brothers for twelve days, and thus they were nourished from them for that many days. When these things were finished, Saint Brendan again imposed a three-day fast upon his companions.

⁶⁷ On the third day after this they saw another island covered with very dense trees, bearing fruit of the same grapes in incredible abundance, so that the branches of the trees bent downward. There was no tree there without fruit, and all the trees were of the same kind. And when they landed there, the man of God, descending from the ship, began to walk around the island. For the fragrance of the place was like the scent of pomegranates. The brothers, however, were still waiting in the ship until the servant of God, Brendan, returned. Meanwhile, a breeze blew toward them, carrying the sweetest fragrance from the trees, by which they were greatly refreshed. On this island the merciful father Brendan found six flowing springs, abounding in green herbs. And returning to the brothers, he carried with him some of the fruits of the island said to them: “Come ashore from the ship and pitch your tents, and take from the fruits of this island, for it is necessary that we be refreshed by them.” And they were sustained by these fruits for forty days, during which they remained on the island. After this they boarded the ship, carrying with them as much of the island’s fruit as their vessel was able to bear.

⁶⁸ After they had departed from that island, a certain beast appeared to them, which is called a griffin. When the brothers saw it flying toward them, they were greatly afraid, because it was large and terrifying. And they said to Father Brendan: “Help us, father, for this beast is hastening to devour us.” To them he said: “Do not be afraid of it, for our Lord will defend us from its assault.” And when the beast stretched out its claws to seize the servants of God, look, suddenly there came against it the bird that had previously brought them the branch with fruit; and engaging the griffin in battle, it first tore out its eyes and then killed it. For the beast was as large as an ox, yet it had claws and wings like an eagle. And its body fell into the sea before the brothers, for they had fought above in the air. After this the bird withdrew in victory to the place from which it had come. And they, having been delivered from so great a danger, gave thanks to God, who had so wonderfully defended them from so dreadful a beast. After this they came to the island of the monks of Helvetia, where, celebrating the Nativity of the Lord, they remained for a time. Having therefore received the blessing of the abbot of that monastery and of his monks, they sailed around the sea, seeing the wondrous works of God in the depths of the sea [Psalm 107:24 (106:24)].

⁶⁹ At a certain time, when they were devoutly celebrating the feast of Saint Peter the Apostle, look, the sea appeared to them so clear that they could plainly see everything that was in the depths of the sea, just as clearly as what was above it. For they saw there various kinds of beasts, like flocks of sheep in pastures. And when the brothers were greatly terrified by the dreadful appearance of so many beasts, they begged the father to celebrate Mass quietly, lest by the sound of his voice the beasts might be provoked to rush upon them. But the merciful father replied, saying: “I marvel at your lack of understanding, that you now fear these beasts.” And he added: “Why did you not fear the devourer of all beasts, upon whose back you frequently sat and sang psalms, and on which you even cooked flesh? And if you were not afraid then, why are you fearful now? Is not our Lord Jesus Christ the God of all, who is able to subdue the nature of every beast?” And when he had said this, he began to celebrate Mass in as loud a manner as he could. And when the beasts heard the sound of his voice, they rose above the sea and swam around the ship, yet at a distance from it. So great, moreover, was the multitude of beasts that they could not see the sea beyond them. And they moved about here and there around the ship in such a way that they seemed to show reverence to the Body of their Creator. When the holy man had finished celebrating Mass, the beasts scattered and sped away through various paths of the sea. After this, with a favorable wind carrying them, they scarcely were able to cross that clear sea within eight days.

⁷⁰ On a certain day, while they were celebrating Mass on the ship, there appeared to them a column of astonishing height, which they could not reach for three days. And when they approached it, they could not see its top because of its great height. This column was covered from top to bottom with a canopy so finely worked that a ship could pass through the openings of that canopy. And when they considered the subtlety of the workmanship in that canopy, they could not determine from what material it was made. The canopy had the color of silver and seemed harder than marble. The column itself was of the purest crystal. Then Saint Brendan said to the brothers: “Now cease from the labor of rowing, and hold fast to the folds or fastenings of the canopy, and this will suffice for you.” For the canopy extended a great distance beyond the column into the sea, for nearly a mile, and it hung from the summit of the column down to the depths of the sea. Then Brendan said to the brothers: “Guide the ship through one of the openings of the canopy, and let us carefully see the wondrous works of our God.” And when they had done this, the sea appeared to them like a single sheet of very clear glass, so that they could see the depths of the sea. But they could not see the base of the column or its fringes. And the splendor shone no less below than above. Then the holy man measured one opening of the canopy, and it was four cubits on every side. And as they sailed throughout the whole day along one side of the column, and in its shadow, they could not feel the heat of the sun. The man of God measured the side of the column as one thousand four hundred cubits, and the same measurement applied to all four sides of the column. And he measured in this way for four days. On the fourth day, however, they found a chalice made of the same material as the canopy, and a paten of the color of the column, set in a window on the southern side of the column. When the man of God took these up, he said: “Our Lord Jesus Christ shows us these wonders, so that, seeing them, we may magnify the power of God.” Then he told the brothers to perform the divine office, and afterward to refresh their bodies. After all these things, departing from there, they sailed toward the northern region; and with favorable winds blowing, they were borne across the sea for about eight days.

⁷¹ When the course of days had thus passed, they saw a very terrifying island, without grass or trees, filled with smithies. Then Saint Brendan said to his companions: “Truly, brothers, I am greatly distressed by this island. For I do not wish to enter it or even to approach it; yet the wind is driving us toward it.” And as they were passing the island at about a stone’s throw, they heard the blast of bellows sounding like great thunder, and the blows of hammers striking anvils. When he heard these things, the holy man armed himself over his whole body with the Lord’s protection, saying: “Lord Jesus Christ, deliver us from this wicked island.” And when the prayer was finished, look, one of the inhabitants of the island came out, as if to perform some task, exceedingly horrible and bristly. And when he saw the servants of God passing by the island, he hurried back to the place from which he had come and cried out: “Alas, alas, alas! How badly it has gone for us!” Then the man of God again fortified himself with the banner of the Lord’s cross and said to the brothers: “Little children, set the sail for the open sea, and row together with it, so that you may depart more quickly from this island.”

⁷² After this, one of those smiths came out to the shore, carrying tongs in his hands and holding in them a mass of glowing metal of astonishing size, which he immediately hurled at the servants of Christ. But God almighty protected his own, and the attempt could do them no harm. The mass passed by them for the distance of a stadium and fell into the sea; and the sea began to boil as if with burning coals, and smoke rose from the sea as from a blazing furnace [cf. Genesis 19:28]. And when they had gone on from the place where the mass had fallen for about the distance of a mile, then those infernal smiths hurried to the shore, each carrying a single glowing mass. Some of them hurled their masses after the servants of God; others threw them upon their own companions. The sons of darkness lamented that the servants of God had escaped from their hands. They therefore returned to their workshops and set them on fire; and then the whole island appeared like a single burning globe of fire. The sea, moreover, boiled like a cauldron seething over a fire. And throughout that whole day they heard wailing and loud cries from the island, and an unbearable stench came to their nostrils. Then the man of God, strengthening the brothers, said: “Soldiers of Christ, be strong in sincere faith, for, to speak the truth, we are now near the mouth of the infernal pit [cf. Revelation 9:1–2]. Watch therefore, and act like men” [1 Corinthians 16:13].

⁷³ After this there appeared to them a high mountain in the ocean toward the northern region, whose summit was dark with clouds and smoke. Their ship, however, against their will, was driven by the swift force of the wind to the shore of that mountain. And that island was of such height that they could scarcely look upon its summit. For the mountain stood upright like a wall, rising high, and at its summit it was entirely aflame. Then one of the three brothers who had followed the man of God from their monastery, and who alone still remained, went out from the ship onto the land began to cry out, saying: “Woe is me, for I am being taken from you, and I cannot return to you.” They left him there, hastening to pull the ship away from the shore. For they were greatly afraid for themselves and were saying: “Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy, for we are in danger” [Psalm 123:3 (122:3)]. And when, like frightened men, they looked back, they saw their companion being dragged by demons to torments and how he was burned among them with infernal fire. And seeing these things, the brothers said among themselves: “Woe to you, miserable man, for you have deserved such a punishment in your life” [cf. Luke 16:25]. After this, with favorable winds blowing, they were carried away from that pestilential mountain and came to the southern region of the sea. And when they again looked back toward the island, they saw the mountain stripped of its smoke, sending forth flames up to the heavens, and again drawing toward itself, so that the whole mountain appeared down to the sea like a blazing pyre [cf. Revelation 8:8].

⁷⁴ While they were sailing after this toward the southern region, a small island appeared to them. And when the brothers sailed more vigorously toward it, Brendan said to them: “My brothers, do not afflict your bodies beyond measure. For it will be seven years until the coming Easter, since you departed from your own land.” And again he said: “Now you will see a hermit on this island, named Paul, who has lived for thirty years without any bodily food; for during the thirty years before that he received nourishment through the service of a certain beast.” And when he had said these things to the brothers, they came to the shore but could find no way of entering the island. For the island was rocky and high and round. At its summit there was no soil, but bare rock. And the whole island was about a stadium in length and breadth. At the end of it they scarcely—though with effort—found a narrow entrance, which the prow of the ship was able to enter only with difficulty. Then Brendan said to the brothers: “Wait here, brothers, for it is not permitted for us to enter the island without the permission of the man of God. I alone will enter, and I will return to you with permission.” And when he had climbed to the summit of the island, he saw two caves set opposite one another, and a spring placed near them, from which the man of God drew water. The spring, however, as it rose from the rock, was immediately swallowed up again by the same rock. And when Brendan approached the entrance of one cave, the old man came out from the other to meet him, saying: “Look, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity” [Ps 133:1]. And when he had said this, he asked Brendan to call the brothers from the ship.

⁷⁵ When Brendan had done this, the old man kissed them, calling each of them by his own name. And the brothers marveled, not only at the spirit of prophetic knowledge, but also at the manner in which he was clothed. For he was entirely covered with the hair of his head and with the other hair of his body, down to his feet. And all his hair was white, like snow. He had no other garment except the hair of his own body. And when Saint Brendan saw him clothed in this way, he said: “Woe is me, a sinner, who wear the habit of a monk and do not perform deeds worthy of the habit, when I see a man of angelic state living on earth without any habit.” To him the old man Paul said: “O venerable father, to whom God has shown such great and wondrous things as he has shown to scarcely any of the saints, and yet you say that you are not worthy to wear the habit of a monk. I tell you, father, that you are greater than a monk. For a monk is fed and clothed by the labor of his own hands; but the Lord has fed and clothed you and your disciples from hidden provisions for seven years. As for me, wretched man, I sit here on this rock naked except for the hair of my body, with which I am clothed, as a bird is clothed with its feathers.”

⁷⁶ When Saint Brendan inquired about his coming to that island—from where he had come, and how long he had endured such a life—the old man replied: “I was in the monastery of Saint Patrick, nourished there for fifty years, keeping watch over the brothers’ cemetery. One day, when the dean of the monastery assigned me a place of burial so that I might bury a certain man there, a venerable old man appeared to me, saying: ‘Brother, do not dig a grave there, for it is the burial place of another.’ And I said to him: ‘Who are you, my lord and father?’ But he said: ‘Why do you not recognize me? Am I not your abbot?’ I replied: ‘Saint Patrick is my abbot.’ And he said: ‘I am he. Look, I departed from this world yesterday, and this is the place of my burial.’ And pointing out another place to me, he said: ‘Here you shall dig a grave for that one; and tell no one what I say to you. Tomorrow, however, set out for the seashore, and there you will find a small boat prepared, which will bring you to the place of your own burial; and there you shall await the day of your death.’

⁷⁷ “When morning came, I reached the shore that had been assigned to me; and climbing into the small boat that I found prepared there, I began to row. And when at last my strength failed, I entrusted it to the heavenly helmsman to guide. On the seventh day this island appeared to me. When I entered it, I cast the boat back into the sea; and it sped swiftly over the waves, returning to its former place. I myself then remained here, as you see. On the first day when I entered this place, a sea otter brought me one fish and a small bundle of grasses, and I prepared food for the refreshment of my body. And thus for thirty years, every third day, the same beast brought me such food. And through all those years I suffered neither hunger nor want of water. On Sundays, however, a small amount of water would always drip from this rock, from which I filled my little vessel as my bodily need required.

⁷⁸ “After those thirty years, I discovered these two caves and this spring, from which for thirty years I have lived without any bodily nourishment, by the grace of God. For I have been on this island for sixty years: thirty nourished by the fish, and thirty more living from the water of this spring. I was fifty years old when I departed from my own land. All my years up to now are one hundred and ten; and, as was promised to me by my God, I must await here in my flesh the day of the common resurrection of all. Go, therefore, back to your homeland, and take with you some of the water of this spring. You will need it, for you still have a long time until Easter. You will celebrate the holy Easter where you have been accustomed to celebrate it for the past six years; and afterward, having received the blessing of your steward, you will go to the holiest land of all lands, and there you will remain for forty days. Then your God will bring you back unharmed to the land of your birth.”

⁷⁹ And having received the blessing of the man of God, they began to sail toward the southern region throughout the whole season of Lent. Their food was the water that they had received from the island of the man of God, refreshing themselves with it every third day; and they were thus strengthened, as though they were taking the most delicate foods. Then, just as the man of God had foretold, they came to the island of the steward on Holy Saturday. And when they arrived, the blessed steward ran to meet them at the harbor, joyfully lifting each one from the ship with his own hands. And when they had completed the office of Holy Saturday, he set a meal before them. When evening came, they boarded their little boat, with the steward together with them, and they came to the island where they were accustomed to be at that season, namely upon the back of the great whale; and there they remained that whole night in the praises of God. In the morning they celebrated Mass, as was their custom. And when the final Mass was finished, look, the beast moved itself in the sea. When the brothers perceived this, they cried out to the Lord, saying: “Hear us, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of those far off upon the sea” [Ps 65:5]. But Saint Brendan encouraged the brothers, saying: “Do not be afraid, my brothers; for this movement of the beast will do you no harm, but rather will assist your journey.” And so it truly happened. For the beast went by a straight course until it reached the shore of the Island of Birds. There the men of God also remained until the octave of Pentecost.

⁸⁰ When that time had passed, the steward said to Saint Brendan and his companions: “Go aboard your little boat and fill your skins from this spring; for I will be your guide on this occasion. Without me you will not be able to find the Land of the Promise of the Saints.” And as they boarded the ship, all the birds of the island, as with one voice, said: “May the God of our salvation grant you a prosperous journey.” After this they sailed to the island of the steward, he himself being with them; and there they took provisions for forty days’ travel. For their voyage toward the eastern region was so long, as they went toward the same land. The steward, however, always went before them in his little boat, guiding them across the sea by a straight course. And when forty days had passed and evening was approaching, a great darkness began to surround them, so that scarcely could one see another. Then the steward said to Brendan: “Do you know what this darkness is?” And he said again: “This darkness surrounds the island that you seek for seven years.” But after the space of about one hour, a great light shone around them, and immediately the ship stood still at the shore.

⁸¹ Then, as they went up from the ship, they saw a beautiful land, full of fruit-bearing trees, as is usually seen in the autumn season. And when they had gone around that land, no night came upon them. They took from the fruits of the trees and from the springs as much as they wished. And thus they lived for forty days, exploring that land. But one day, as they were exploring it in this way, they found a great river dividing the island through the middle. Then Brendan said to the brothers: “We cannot cross this river, and we do not know the size of this island.” And while they were pondering these things among themselves, a certain young man came to meet them, kissing each one and calling them by their own names. And he said to them: “Blessed are those who dwell in your house, O Lord; they will praise you forever and ever” [Ps 84:4]. And when he had said this, he spoke to Saint Brendan: “See the land that you have sought for a long time. And therefore you could not find it at once, because God wished to show you his mysteries in the great sea. Return, therefore, to the land of your birth, carrying with you some of the fruits of this island of its gems, as much as your little boat can hold. For the day of your pilgrimage draws near, when you shall sleep with your fathers. But after many years have passed, this land will be revealed to your successors, when a great persecution comes upon Christians. For this reason the river that you see divides this island. And just as it now appears to you ripe with fruits, so it is at all times, and will remain forever. Nor does any night darken it, because its light is Christ” [Rev 21:23].

⁸² Afterward, having taken from the land as many fruits and gems as they wished, and having taken leave of their blessed steward and of the good young messenger, Saint Brendan and his companions boarded their little boat and returned by the same route as before. And when they had passed through the darkness, they came to the island that was called Delightful, or the Island of Delights; and staying there with the brothers for three days, and having received their blessing, he returned to his own place. But the brothers rejoiced greatly at the return of their father, glorifying God, who had sent back to them their patron and consoler. Then the man of God, rejoicing in their charity, told them for their consolation the great works of God that he had seen upon the sea.

⁸³ Among other things, he also told them this. One day Satan appeared to us in a form well suited to his will, and he stood upon the sail of the ship. And Brendan said to him: “Why have you come to us before the appointed time?” And he replied: “We ask you, in the name of the Most High Christ whom you worship, that you grant us, who endure eternal punishments, some benefit from your coming. For in the dark places of the sea we have the most miserable dwellings.” And Brendan asked where that place of punishment was. The demon replied: “No human being can see it and then live.” And the demon pointed out to them the gate of that place of punishment. But the brothers did not see with whom the man of God was speaking. And they said: “Father, tell us whom you are addressing in this way.” And he explained to them in order what he had heard from Satan. Then one of the brothers said to Brendan: “Permit me, father, to see those punishments.” And he allowed him to see them. And when he had seen the punishments and the faces of those who endured them, he immediately died, saying: “Woe to all who will come to that place of torments.” Saint Brendan raised him from death, though not without great effort. After this, the man of God said to the demon: “The Lord, a just judge, mighty and patient, will see what is true concerning the things you ask” [Ps 7:12].

⁸⁴ Not far from there, as they went on, they saw a great shore, where they found a certain maiden lying dead, whom they saw wounded between the shoulders. She was of astonishing size, namely one hundred feet in length. Then the holy father earnestly prayed to God for her, and his prayer was heard, for she was restored to life and baptized. And when she was questioned by him as to what land or people she belonged to, she replied: “I am of the dwellers of the sea, and we hope for the common resurrection.” Then Brendan said to her: “Choose now one of the two, whether you wish to go to your own people or to heaven.” And she replied in an unknown tongue, understood only by the elder: “I wish to live with my King, and to see him daily, and to dwell with the angelic spirits who praise him without ceasing.” And immediately, after she had chosen the better part of Mary [Lk 10:42], she rested in peace without labor or pain, and was buried in that same place.

⁸⁵ After this, sailing on from there, they found a certain island that was very steep; but they found no suitable harbor by which to enter. And although they labored for fifteen days to gain access, in the end they failed in their desire. They heard the sound of human voices praising God, but they could not see those who were singing. And because of the sweetness of the spiritual melody, they fell into sleep. Then from that cliff a wooden tablet was thrown down to them, on which was written: “Do not labor to enter the island; yet you will find what your soul desires. But return to your own land, for your people long to see you. For this land is not promised to you. Search the Scriptures, in which it is written that with God there are many dwelling places” [Jn 14:2]. They therefore turned back from the island, carrying with them the tablet that had been sent to them, as a sign of the joy of that unseen people. And every day that tablet was read among them, as though sent by God.

⁸⁶ One day, when they were suffering from severe thirst almost to death, they saw a rock nearby, from which clear streams were flowing. Then the brothers said: “Shall we drink these waters flowing from the rock?” But the man of God said to them: “First sing hymns, to consecrate the waters that have been shown.” And when they blessed those waters, singing alleluia, the streams disappeared; instead they saw the devil pouring out foul liquids, so that he might kill those who drank. Then the temptation of thirst departed from them, and they blessed the Lord, who had delivered them from death.

⁸⁷ After five years, the man of God returned to his own region. And when neighbors and relatives heard of his arrival, they gathered to him, questioning him about his great labors. And hearing his teaching, many, abandoning the vanities of the world, followed Christ. And he worked many wonders and healings there; among these deeds, he converted his own father to Christ. After this he visited Saint Bishop Erc, and then Saint Ita, his nurse. Saint Ita received him with his disciples as though Christ with the apostles. And she said to him: “My son, why did you wish to attempt that arduous work without my counsel? For you will not find the land shown to you by the Lord in skins of dead animals, because it is a very holy land, in which human blood has not been shed. Therefore, employ craftsmen who know how to make for you a wooden vessel. Perhaps in this way you will explore that land.” Entrusting himself to her counsel, Brendan went to the region of the Connachta, because he believed that there wood more suitable for this work could be found there. There he also prepared, with the skill of craftsmen, a ship sufficiently safe against the dangers of the sea. And when the craftsmen and builders asked this reward for their labors from the man of God—that he would permit them to go with him—he granted this to them as their payment. And when all were ready to board the ship, a certain man came who held the office of a herald among the people; kneeling, he humbly begged that the man of God would allow him to go along. Then the holy father, moved by the supplicant’s prayers, admitted him together with the others. And the man of God tonsured him, so that he might bear on his head the sign of religious life. And sailing in the name of the Lord, they first came to the island of Aran, where they found the saints Enda, Puppeus, and Nochat; and with them they remained for one month in sincere charity.

⁸⁸ After this, sailing on across the sea, they saw a very high island, on which they saw mice shaped like cats; and when these came down to the shore, they desired to devour human flesh. When the brothers saw them, they said among themselves: “What are these beasts looking at?” Brendan replied: “They desire to devour us all.” Then again the man of God said to the herald: “Rise, and receive the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, and offer yourself as a sacrifice to your Lord, who offered himself to the Father as a sacrifice for you; so that for the brief labor of patience you may receive the reward of eternal glory. For I have heard,” he said, “the choirs of angels in their dwelling places calling you.” And when the herald heard that heavenly things were being promised to him in place of earthly ones, preparing himself for martyrdom, he said: “O holy Brendan of God, by what labor have I deserved to see God today?” And having received the viaticum of salvation, obedient to his father even to death, he went toward the beasts. And just as hungry flies rush upon flesh, the mice rushed upon him and at once devoured his flesh down to the bones. And there, awaiting the end of the contest, they buried his bones.

⁸⁹ Without delay they sailed on from there, and look, a mortal illness fell upon the craftsman, and he was drawing near to his end. Brendan said to him: “Why do you delay, brother, in going into the hands of your God? For what you sought throughout your whole life, today you have found. If you wish to remain longer in this present life, we will pray to the Lord for you.” But the craftsman said: “I hear the Lord Jesus Christ calling me by my name.” And receiving the Body of the Lord as the faithful guide of his journey, he fell asleep in peace. Then the brothers wondered where they should commit the body of the holy man to burial. To them Father Brendan replied: “Bury him in the waters of the sea, since you have no land nearby. For he who created all things from nothing is able to make the waters of the sea firm, so that they may stand still for his burial.” And they buried him there amid the waves of the sea; and his body stood fixed in one place, so that it neither sank to the bottom nor was lifted upward by the force of the waters, but lay as though placed in a tomb on land, awaiting the final resurrection of the dead, and there it still remains.

⁹⁰ And when after this they had sailed through the trackless sea, look, a small island appeared to them. As they approached it, suddenly a multitude of demons appeared to them in forms like pygmies. Then Brendan said to his companions: “Cast anchor here into the sea. For no one sets foot on this land except one who wages human wars and sheds blood.” And in that place, having cast their anchor into the sea, they remained for seven days. But when, after this time had passed, they tried to depart, they were unable to draw the anchor back to themselves, for it was held fast among the rocks of the sea. Then the brothers, almost despairing of themselves, said: “Look, our craftsman is dead, and we have no one like him who can make an anchor for us.” Then Saint Brendan, trusting in the supreme Craftsman, said to the priest who served him: “You, brother, perform for us the work of a craftsman, and carry out all that is necessary until the end of the month.” And Brendan blessed his hands, that he might understand an art he did not know. And the priest rose, took up the tools of the craft, and at once made an excellent anchor.

⁹¹ From there they sailed to another island, very pleasant but small, on which there appeared from ancient times a pool for catching fish. When the sea receded, sea creatures were left there behind. And when they had crossed the island, they found a stone church, and in it a venerable old man praying. And why do I say “old man”? Rather, they saw what seemed almost living bones. And the same elder said to them: “Holy people of God, flee from this island quickly. For here there is a certain ancient monster, very crafty in its devices, which has grown large by devouring many fish.” Then they hurried back to the ship, leaving the island behind. And look, behind them they saw that beast swimming through the sea, with eyes so large that they were like glass vessels. Then, as all gave themselves to prayer, Brendan said: “Lord Jesus Christ, restrain your beast.” And immediately another beast rose from the depths of the sea, and approaching it, entered into battle with it; and both descended into the depths of the sea and were seen no more. Then they gave thanks to God, and returned to the elder, asking him about his condition and from where he had come. And he said to them: “We were twelve men in number from the island of Ireland who came to this place, seeking the place of our resurrection. Eleven, therefore, have died; I alone remain, awaiting the sacrifice from your hands, O holy man of God. We brought with us in our boat a cat very dear to us, which grew greatly by devouring fish, as has been said; but our Lord Jesus Christ did not allow it to harm us.” And then he showed them the way to the land that they were seeking; and having received the sacrifice from the hands of Brendan, he fell asleep joyfully in the Lord, and was buried there among his companions.

⁹² After setting out from there, they arrived at a land exceedingly desirable. As they drew near to it and were seeking a harbor suitable for entering, they heard the voice of an elderly man from the island saying: “O you laboring pilgrims, who await heavenly rewards, O you who are weary with toil, wait a little while.” When they had waited a short time, he again said to them: “My brothers in Christ, look, you see a land very good and holy, unstained by any human blood, nor ever furrowed for the burial of any man. Therefore leave all your possessions in the ship, except your clothing and the necessary books, and then come here.” And then, having kissed each of them in turn, weeping for joy, he said: “Sit down and see the meadows of Christ, and the paradise amid the waves of the sea.” They, seeing the mighty works of God, glorified the Lord [Acts 2:11]. The elder, however, wore no garments, but was covered with his own hair like the birds; and he spoke to them as if with the speech of angels. And when, at the third hour, they had celebrated the office with minds fixed on Christ, they dared to ask him nothing, waiting for him to speak first. And he said to them: “Let each of you pray separately, without exchanging greetings. For this land is very holy, and in much speaking sin will not be lacking [Proverbs 10:19]. Indeed, even from ancient tales foolish joy is born not without sorrow.” And they answered him: “What you say is not contrary to us.” After they had prayed in this way for a time, he approached them and said: “We must celebrate the sixth hour.” And when they had celebrated it, Brendan said to him: “If God wills, my dwelling will be here.” To whom the elder replied: “He resists the will of God who seeks his own will. Look, I have remained here sixty years, living on the food of angels; and when I came to this place, almost all my allotted time had already run out. Then Christ my Lord spoke to me, saying that you would come to this holy island; and therefore I remained for thirty years more in my life, still frail. For today it is fitting that I enter into life. But you, after the ninth hour, go to the land of your birth. And you are to preach to your Irish people what pertains to the salvation of souls. For the crimes of the nations will be cut away through you. For my God said to me at this hour that after the end of times your remains will be brought to this island with your community, and with that anchor wondrously made by unlearned hands; and this will be seven years before the day of the last judgment.” When, therefore, the ninth hour had been celebrated after these things, a certain bird came to them and placed half a loaf of bread before each of them, and a portion of fish. And they ate of these, giving thanks together to the generous giver. After this, that holy elder, having received the viaticum of salvation, died, and was buried there in peace.

⁹³ They indeed, after two years, returned to the same island of Ayrne Airthir; and there they were received with great joy into hospitality by the brothers, and they related in order what they had seen. When these things were heard, they wept for joy and begged Saint Brendan, saying: “Remain with us; for look, this land is in your hand.” To them he replied: “My resurrection is not here.” And when they had remained there one month, leaving there their marvelous vessel and their anchor, they came to Ireland, landing on an island called Druma, near the city of Lymbric; and there, fasting for seven days without human food, seven of them died, and were buried there.

⁹⁴ At a certain time Saint Brendan sent two of his disciples to the fishermen of the river called Forgus, so that they might give fish for the needs of the brothers. But when those men refused to give them any, by the just judgment of God it came to pass that the river remained barren. And this same miracle, for the same reason, occurred in many waters.

⁹⁵ At another time he came to a land called Clyach, and there that night he stayed in a place called Bry Oss. And the inhabitants of that place came to him and said: “This place is under a great affliction, for it produces fleas in multitude, like the sand of the sea.” Then the man of God, having compassion on them, prayed, saying: “Lord, free them from this affliction, since they have received us in your name” [Matthew 10:40]. And so it was done.

⁹⁶ Fifty royal towns were emptied at his word and remain without inhabitants, because their people offended the holy man.

⁹⁷ When he had entrusted his ship, near the island called Druma, to a certain boy for safekeeping, and as the tide of the sea was returning, the boy’s brother, murmuring, feared that the boy might perish with the ship, Brendan replied: “If you wish to have more pity on him than I do, go and take his place and guard the ship.” And when that man went off to help his brother, as the sea came in from all sides, he was drowned in the violent waters. But for the boy the sea was like a wall on the right and on the left, just as it once was for Moses and his people in the Red Sea [Exodus 14:22].

⁹⁸ Brendan, however, incurred a scruple of conscience over the death of the drowned young man, and after consulting all the saints of Ireland, he asked from them a word of penance from the Scriptures. And when he came to his foster mother, the holy virgin Ita, and announced to her the death of the young man, the virgin of Christ said to him: “You must visit a foreign land, so that you may teach others and win souls for Christ.”

⁹⁹ Then he, obeying the word of his foster mother, set out for Britain. For hearing of the fame of the most holy Gildas, a man of great virtue, he took religious men with him and hastened to visit him. And when they came to Britain, the Holy Spirit revealed their arrival to Saint Gildas, who said: “Prepare supper, for a holy and laborious people of God is coming to us. For they are near, and you will see, as it were, the Apostle Peter renewed in the flesh, and a very great father, exceedingly laborious.” Now it was winter. And when they had reached the gate of the city where the man of God was, the saint, wishing to test the perseverance of their steadfastness, told his gatekeeper to secure the city gate with seven iron bolts. And so that night, remaining outdoors in the praises of God, although deep snow covered the whole land, it did not touch them at all. Then the gatekeeper, rising in the morning, addressed them from the city wall, saying: “Come to the gate, and let your merits open it for you.” Then Saint Brendan ordered his attendant, named Chamatho, to open the gate. He immediately fulfilled the command, approached the gate, and stretched out his hand to the door; and the seven iron seals that had been set there fell away and appeared no more. After this they came to the church that was in the city, which was closed with three bolts. And since they had no keys to open it, Saint Brendan placed his hands on the doors of the church and said: “Mother Church of Christ, open your doors to us.” And when this was said, those bolts were never seen again.

¹⁰⁰ Then the minister of the church, at the command of Saint Gildas, said to Brendan: “Holy Brendan of God, offer the body of our Lord Jesus.” Now the altar was prepared, having a book written in Greek letters. Opening the book, therefore, Brendan said: “May your letters, O Christ, be opened to us. For all things are possible to one who believes in you” [Mark 9:23]. And immediately those Greek letters were opened to him as if they were Latin. When the Mass had been completed, Gildas was summoned with the people to receive the sacrament. And when Gildas approached to receive the body of the Lord, he saw a human finger on the paten and blood in the chalice. And fearing the vengeance of God upon himself, Gildas said: “What have I deserved, that the judgment of God should come upon me?” To him Brendan said: “My hand will protect your head from vengeance, for you have tested pilgrims. Now it is time for you to be dismissed.” Then Brendan, blessing the altar again, the body of the Lord appeared on the paten, and wine with water in the chalice; and while all looked upon the body of the Lord, it remained there for three days and nights.

¹⁰¹ And when Saint Brendan explained to him the cause of his journey, namely that he wished to receive saving penance for the man who had been drowned, Gildas replied: “I am not a suitable judge for your fault; nevertheless, I say to you on behalf of our Lord Jesus Christ that you should go into that nearby wilderness where a lion and a lioness dwell, who daily attack our people.” Hearing the word of saving penance, Saint Brendan joyfully accepted obedience, and with his attendant Calmacho went into the wilderness. And when at midday they came to the places of the beasts, they found the lioness sleeping. Then Brendan said to his disciple: “Rouse this beast from sleep.” When he had done so, the lioness, awakened in an unusual way from her lair, gave a great roar. And then the lion at once hastened at her roar. And the man of God commanded the lions to hurry with him to the city. O wondrous power of the omnipotence of God, who made fierce lions so obedient to the voice of a man that they followed him to the city, just as domestic dogs are accustomed to follow their masters. And when the citizens expected their death rather than their life, look, they saw them return unharmed, with the lions following their footsteps in order. Then the citizens, mounting horses and chariots, fled to safer places, fearing—as had often happened to them—the ferocity of the lions. But the man of God commanded the lions not to harm the citizens, but rather to defend them as best they could. And the lions did so: for they were fed among them like domestic dogs, and like shepherds they guarded their flocks. Seeing this, Saint Gildas, in awe of Saint Brendan, said: “Man of God, take me as your disciple and obedient monk forever. Let your judgment be in the hand of God; nevertheless, I give counsel and ask that it may please you. Remain here, take the governance of this people upon yourself, and guard this place.” To him Brendan said: “What have I to do with the present world?” And not consenting to receive what was offered, he departed from there with his companions, with the blessing of the man of God, although all were weeping; for all loved him as a father.

¹⁰² After this he came to a certain island of Britain called Auerech, and there he founded a church, intending to remain there until the end. But one day, when he was praying alone near the sea on a lofty rock, he saw two beasts rising from the depths of the ocean and engaging in a fierce battle with one another. And when one of them turned to flight, the beast that was fleeing said with a human voice to the one pursuing it: “I adjure you in the name of Brigid, the virgin of Ireland, that you let me go.” And as soon as this was said, the pursuing beast ceased to pursue the other. When he had heard these words of the beasts, the man of God returned to the brothers, saying: “Let us rise quickly and return to Ireland, that we may greet Saint Brigid.” When they had come to Ireland, he reported to Brigid what he had heard from the beasts, saying: “O Brigid, by what labor did you merit, while absent in body, that a sea monster should implore your merit? For I was present in body and was passed over.” And she replied: “Father, I will tell you the true cause of this matter. For from the day on which I once gave myself into the hands of my Christ, I have never turned my mind to worldly things. But you are often placed in temptations, and the world follows after you.”

¹⁰³ Saint Brendan then set out again for Britain and founded there a church called Bledach, in the region called Heth, where he performed many mighty works. He also saw there a marvelous vision, which he did not reveal to the brothers, except that Britain would hold a very great heresy before the last judgment.

¹⁰⁴ After he had seen that vision, he quickly set out and came to Ireland. Entering the land of the Connacht people, he dwelt on a certain island called the island of Maccu Chuind, on which two horses of the king of that land were grazing; and Saint Brendan made use of them for the needs of the brothers. When the proud king, namely Edus mac Eathach, heard this, he was indignant and said: “I will go and kill that man who makes my horses labor so servilely.” And what he said with a proud mouth he wished to carry out with a wicked deed. Rising up, as if in a frenzy, he came to the harbor of the island to enter it. But a violent wind hindered him for three days and as many nights. And as the angry king waited for fair weather, the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying: “Take care that you do no harm to a Christian man; otherwise you shall die the death.” Then, terrified by the dreadful vision, he gave the island with the horses to the man of God.

¹⁰⁵ At the same time Brendan sent five of his own to the island of Drumma, that they might serve God there. While they were dwelling there, it happened that one struck another on the head with an axe and killed him. And immediately, when he had been killed, the brothers sent messengers to Saint Brendan to inform him of the death of the brother. And Brendan said to them: “Return, and say to the slain man: ‘Rise quickly and awake; Brendan calls you.’” When the brothers carried this out, the one who had been dead immediately rose and came with them to Connacht, carrying the axe in his head. And when he came to the man of God, Brendan said to him: “Choose now one of the two: whether you wish to live here longer, or to go now to heaven.” And he, joyful at the choice, chose heaven and despised the fleeting world. And he died on the island of Maccu Chuind; and for this reason his tomb there is called to this day Tolcend.

¹⁰⁶ At another time the man of God went to the field near that island, where a certain man met him and, weeping, fell at his feet, saying: “Have mercy on me, man of God, for I serve this king under a most grievous burden of bondage.” Then the compassionate father, taking pity on the man, dug the ground with his staff and lifted from the trench a weight of gold; and giving it to the poor man, he said: “Tell no one from whom you received this gold, but go to the king and give it to him for your freedom and that of your family.” The poor man, giving thanks for so great a gift, departed and handed it over to the king for his ransom. But since the lamp of the Lord could not be placed under a bushel [Matthew 5:15], the poor man could not hide the gift of God, but disclosed to the king from whom he had received the talent. When the king heard of the miracle worked in the finding of the gold, he said: “The gold of Christ is not for me to keep, but for his servants. I will therefore grant you freedom freely; go where you wish.” And the man, freed from slavery, lest he be ungrateful to his liberator, returned to Saint Brendan, acknowledging the benefit he had received.

¹⁰⁷ When the man of God was seventy-seven years old, he founded a church at Ciuayn Ferta, saying: “Here I will dwell forever.” And while he was staying there for a time, a boy named Senanus, whom he had brought with him from Britain, died. Then Brendan, grieving over the death of his disciple, said to a certain British bishop who was named Moneu, who had likewise come with him from Britain: “Place my staff,” he said, “upon the boy.” And when he carried out the command, the boy, who had been dead for three days, rose up sound and unharmed.

¹⁰⁸ In those days Saint Ita, grieving over the absence of her foster child, namely Saint Brendan, said: “Oh, if only I might see with my own eyes Saint Brendan, my beloved foster child, hear his voice with my own ears, and receive from his hands the Body of my Lord Jesus Christ on this very night of the Nativity of my Lord!” And her prayer was heard. For on the longed-for night, like the prophet Habakkuk of old, she was lifted up by an angel and borne through the air, and about the first watch of the night she was wondrously brought to Cluain Ferta [cf. Daniel 14:33–36]. Saint Brendan, perceiving this in the spirit, rose quickly and went out to meet his nurse. Where the feet of the virgin stood, a stone was set as a sign of the miracle. And Brendan said: “Here shall be the burial place of lepers,” and so it came to pass. Then she, having received the Body of the Lord from Brendan’s hand, was lifted up by an angel and borne back through the air in the same manner, accomplishing a journey of seven days in the blink of an eye.

¹⁰⁹ At another time, as he was traveling through Munster, he came to the land called Muscraige Tíre, where a wondrous fire burst forth from the earth itself, sending up to the heavens a sulphurous flame, horribly foul-smelling. Then the man of God said to the people: “See, people, the fire of hell.” Such was its heat that for three years the entire population, even with much water, could not extinguish it. “Fast,” said the saint to them, “for three days, and pray to God that he may put out the fire.” And while they were fasting, he added again: “Go, all of you, to your holy woman Cera, that she may pray for you, for to her the Lord will give the power to extinguish this fire.” When they all went to her and humbly begged her to pray for the removal of so great an evil, at that very hour, as she prayed, the fire was taken away and appeared no more. For because that most holy virgin had subdued within herself the fire of carnal desire, she was therefore worthy before God to extinguish the burning of that fire raging against a fleshly people.

¹¹⁰ After this, Saint Brendan came to visit another Brendan as far as the city of Birr, where the man of God was abiding in contemplation of heavenly things. The time when he arrived there with his companions was during Lent, and specifically on Good Friday. When the man of God was troubled at the arrival of the guests because he had no food to set before them except meat, love compelling him, he took what he had—namely salted pork—and set it before them to eat. The guests, however, keeping to the evangelical rule, ate what was set before them, asking no questions for conscience’ sake. And while all, in fear and love of God, partook of the food brought before them with thanksgiving, one convert—indeed, one who had turned away from the law of brotherhood—rejected the fat and ate only bread in front of everyone.

¹¹¹ But on the next day, the leftovers of the brothers from the meat appeared as loaves of pure wheat bread, whereas the remainder of the convert’s own bread appeared as raw flesh crawling with worms. To him Brendan said: “This year you will eat in the forests the roasted flesh of a suckling beast of burden, and at that same hour you will be slaughtered by enemies.” And so it was fulfilled, just as the man of God had said.

¹¹² When Diarmait son of Cerball was reigning in Ireland, Saint Brendan set out into the northern regions of the land, desiring to visit the saints who dwelt there. At that time King Diarmait saw a dream: namely, two angels lifting a golden chain from his neck and handing it to a mature man standing among many elders. On the following day Saint Brendan came to greet the king. When the king saw him, he said: “Truly this is the man of whom I spoke to you yesterday, to whom I saw in my dream that the golden torque was given from my neck.” Then the king’s wise men said to him: “Your kingdom, O King, is at an end, and it will be given to holy men of the Church. And this truly is the one to whom your kingdom has been granted by God and his angels.” The dream was reported to blessed Brendan, along with how the wise men had explained its meaning to the king, and he said: “This saying is true, for to those who love God all things work together for good” [Romans 8:28]. “Seek first the kingdom of God,” says the Savior, “and all these things shall be added to you” [Matthew 6:33].

¹¹³ When the man of God was staying with his companions for a time in the house of a certain head of a household, it happened that one of the brothers forgot something; yet on their return the brothers praised God that they found all things intact and without any loss. Then Brendan said to the brothers: “O brothers, praise the Lord, and what I am about to tell you, tell to no one as long as I remain this life. For our elder, Bishop Erc, once gave me a bronze vessel from which he used to drink, commanding me to keep it carefully. This vessel we left on the back of a sea creature at the first Easter, when, as the beast moved, the brothers fled back to the ship, leaving their utensils behind. I grieved over the loss of this vessel, fearing that I had transgressed the command of my elder. But at the following Easter, when we came again to the same place, we found our vessel unharmed exactly where we had left it. I brought it with me and returned it to Bishop Erc.” When that holy father heard of the loss of the vessel and of its marvelous recovery, he said with tears: “O bronze vessel, in which you were found worthy that a great miracle be done through you! From now on you shall be most cherished, so that you may remain for those who come after as an example.” And so it was.

¹¹⁴ On a certain winter day, as the man of God was walking with the brothers, a storm of snow and hail fell upon them so that they could scarcely go forward, and the snow covered the ground. Then the brothers, reasoning in a merely human way, said to one another: “Is any punishment of hell greater than this cold?” Hearing this, Brendan said: “Listen, brothers, to what I shall tell you. On one of my voyages we once heard on the open sea great weeping and lamentation, so that the spirit of each of us shuddered. We sailed toward the place, wishing to know the cause of the crying. And look, we saw the mouth of the sea opened, and in it we saw a single rock, upon which was that mournful and wretched voice. For the sea was rising up against the rock on every side, and from the east it sent forth fiery waves, and from the west icy waves of unbearable cold. And thus the word of Job was fulfilled, that in punishments they pass from snowy waters to excessive heat” [cf. Job 24:19]. And when we asked who it was that uttered such a lamentable cry, the one who was suffering answered: “I am Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Christ, and here I await the resurrection until the day of the great judgment” [cf. Matthew 26:25; 27:3–5]. And then we all wept, sharing in his misery. After telling this, he added, saying: “Is not that misery of Judas greater, brothers, than this punishment of cold which we suffer today?”

¹¹⁵ At another time, when the man of God was standing with his companions in a place very pleasant and beautiful, the brothers said to him: “No one can leave so beautiful a land for the sake of Christ.” He replied to them: “Listen to this account. There was a very wealthy man in the region of Corcu Mruad who had two wives, according to the law of that time. This man walked in the commandments of God, giving gifts and tithes in his honor. And the wives said to him: ‘How long shall we live together like this?’ He answered: ‘Until you fall into discord with one another. For the Lord Jesus Christ is driven away from people through discord, and then demons draw near to them.’ After a little while, when he heard them quarreling with one another, he rose, being guided by the Spirit, and went alone to the sea called Ath Lagen near Aran. There he found a boat prepared by God, entered it, and was carried to an island very remote from human habitation. There he remained until he preached to us and received the Eucharist from my hand. He was clothed, like a bird, with the hair of his own body. Blessed, therefore, is the one who leaves this world, as that man did.”

¹¹⁶ On another day, when Saint Brendan was walking with his companions in the wilderness of Gaul, and a very strong wind was blowing, one of the brothers said: “We are afraid that these great trees will fall on us and kill us.” Hearing this, Brendan said: “Listen to me, brothers. One night, when we were at sea and the others were sleeping, I alone was keeping watch. And as I was praying, look, I saw a certain island in the sea, supported high aloft by four pillars, and ships passed beneath them. For there were three ships there, bound together with ropes, and the wind was driving them about. See then that God, who supports an island upon four pillars, is able today to deliver us from the falling of these trees.”

¹¹⁷ At another time, one of the brothers said to another in the presence of the man of God: “Can the sins of the dead be redeemed by their living friends?” Then the compassionate father, hearing this question, said: “Listen to me, brothers. Once, when we were on the great sea one night, and all of us except one had given our bodies the rest of sleep, our watchman saw from the far western regions a very dreadful and dark cloud drawing near. Struck at once with fear and terror, he hurried to wake me, saying: ‘Awake, father, and see this wondrous cloud, and hear a mournful voice. For look, in the midst of it appears the form of a man, very black, like coal or a raven.’ When it drew near the ship, it made a great lament, saying to me: ‘I beg you, in the name of Jesus Christ, that today, and tomorrow, and on the Lord’s Day after tomorrow, you pray to the Lord for me, for I am the spirit of a certain sinner.’ And having said these things, it departed. Then we all arose and prayed to the Lord for him.

¹¹⁸ After three days he came again, appearing as if with a body like a hyacinth, showing his sorrow with a gentler lament. Then again he earnestly begged that we should pray to the Lord for him once more for three other days. And when he had said this, he departed at once. As we again implored divine mercy for him, at the end of the week he appeared in a pale cloud and in a body shining like the sun; and in that pale cloud we heard as it were seven other voices like his own. Then he said to us: ‘I give thanks to my God and to you, because through your prayers he has shown mercy to me; and now he calls me to the heavenly dwelling.’ Then I said to him: ‘What is your name?’ And he said: ‘Colmán the monk, who was very irascible and a disturber of the brothers.’ And when he had blessed the brothers, he hastened to heaven. In this, brothers, it is clear that the prayer of the living greatly benefits the dead.”

¹¹⁹ At another time, the kings of Munster came in great numbers and strength to devastate the land of Connacht. Then Saint Brendan, at the request of the people of Connacht, went out to meet those kings, in order to hinder their attempt. But the prayers of the man of God were not heard, for they refused to understand, so that they might do good [Psalm 36:3]. Yet what human restraint could not stop, divine mercy did restrain. For as the man of God prayed, and like the holy prophet Elisha raised himself in prayer against the proud Assyrians [cf. 2 Kings 6:18], look, those sinners were unable to move from the place where they stood. Instead, seized by a dizzying affliction, they wandered in circles, continually walking around the same spot. And because affliction sometimes brings understanding and self-recognition, they turned back from the wickedness of their intention and said to one another: “What we are attempting is foolish. For who can resist or oppose the will of the living God? Let us return,” they said, “to our own land, and let us leave Connacht alone this time.” And they returned to their own country, frustrated in their desire. Thus the man of God returned to his own people, giving thanks to almighty God, who so resisted the wickedness of kings.

¹²⁰ And as he was walking along the road, a certain man who had been mute from his mother’s womb was brought to him. And when he blessed his tongue in the name of the Lord, the mute man immediately spoke, and those who stood by were amazed.

¹²¹ After this, the compassionate father came to visit his sister Briga, who lived in the place called Enach Duyn. While he was there, on a certain Sunday after the solemn celebration of Mass, he said to the brothers: “Today my Lord calls me into eternal life. But after my death, carry my body from here to my city of Cluainfert. For there it will be, forever, an instrument of the mercy of God. One of you must carry my body in a cart, so that the people may not see the lamentation of the crowd. But there will meet the one who carries my body a certain one-eyed layman, named Currenus mac Setny, who will say to the brother: ‘What are you carrying so secretly in the cart?’ And drawing near, he will perceive that my body is in the cart, and he will speak with a harsh word: ‘Leave the holy man of God here, for here shall be your resurrection, O holy man of God.’ Then the driver, stretching out his hand to the nearby soil, will find there a weight of gold, and will say to him: ‘Take this gold, and allow us to go on our desired way.’ And he will say: ‘I will not allow it, nor will I take your gold.’ Then the brother will say to him again: ‘You shall hold the kingship of your people, and your descendants after you through the ages.’ And still further the brother will tell him a sure sign, which that man had thought of that very day concerning how he would hold power among his brothers. Then he will allow him to go in peace. And from that time the brother shall bless him.”

¹²² And when he had said all these things, the true knower of future events—for in the mirror of divinity all things to come were present to him—he said farewell to the brothers and to his sister, who was called Briga, that is, “the virtuous one.” And as he attempted to enter the house, he fell upon the threshold, saying: “Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth” [Psalm 31:5; Luke 23:46]. And then, having spoken these words, in the hands of his holy disciples, having completed ninety-three years, being a perfect imitator of Christ, while the angels—whose discipline he had followed on earth—rejoiced, he passed over to heaven.

¹²³ But this should not be passed over, for it is read in the Life of Saint Columba the abbot. Just as Christ announced to the apostles the falling asleep of Lazarus, so Saint Columba foretold in the spirit to his disciples the death of Saint Brendan. For he saw Brendan’s soul being carried among the choirs of angels to the heavenly realms; and therefore he commanded that the sacred solemnities of the Mass be celebrated in his honor [cf. John 11:11–14].

¹²⁴ 123, On the following day, as he himself had previously ordained, his blessed body was placed in a cart, with only the driver accompanying it on the journey, lest it be detained by the inhabitants of the land. And just as the man of God had foretold, look, a certain layman named Currenus met them on the way. He fulfilled all the things that Saint Brendan had predicted, and at last came to this conclusion: he granted permission for the body to be carried as far as Cluain Ferta. Thus the driver, being allowed by him, conveyed the holy pledge with him without any hindrance to the same place. There it was buried with due honor on the seventeenth day before the Kalends of June, in the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

¹²⁵ Here ends the Life of Saint Brendan.