The voyage of Saint Brendan of Clonfert Ireland Celtic Celt original art newest

This is an original block print, ink on handmade natural Lotka paper, image 8”x8”, paper size 10”x10”. Comes with backing board.

OPTIONS:

- black on handmade Nepal paper - $65
- b/w framed in hand painted reddish-brown - $195*
- painted with watercolor - $125
- Painted/Framed framed in hand painted reddish-brown- $255*

*Available only in USA

ABOUT: THE VOYAGE OF ST. BRENDAN

Have no fear, brothers, for God is our captain and our pilot, so take in the oars, and set the sail, letting him blow us where he wills.”
- Saint Brendan

We all travel different journeys through life toward our final quest, the land of promise.

STORY: THE BACK OF THE WHALE

A few days after this they cited another island. Low lying and supporting neither grass or sand, it seemed an inhospitable place but the companions were glad to go ashore even in that barren spot and at once set about lighting a cooking fire. Brendan, however, stood on the deck of the ship and watched them with a smile, for his angel had told him the true nature of the island.

In a while as the fire grew hotter the whole island began to shake and shiver as if it were about to sink beneath the waves. The companions grew fearful and hastened back to the boat, where Brendan helped them aboard quickly. Then they pulled up their anchor and watched as the island began to move away from them of its own accord! The companions turned to Brendon for understanding and he laughed aloud. “Do you not know the nature of this island?” he asked. They shook their heads. “It is no island at all,” said Brendon, “but a great fish - the greatest that ever sailed the seas. God's angel has told me that its name is Jasconius and that it sails forever in search of a mate.”

The companions marveled greatly at this, and watched as their fire vanished into the dusk of the day, carried on the back of the great creature. Then many gave thanks for the wonders that filled the world, and they sailed on, looking always for the next landfall, which might be the gateway to the Land of Promise.

THE CRYSTAL PILLAR

Next morning the companions espied a pillar rising from the sea...the pillar stretched so far up into the heavens that it seemed to touch the sky...none could be certain from what substance it was made, though it seemed like crystal. As they sailed around it they saw it had four sides, and that each one was carved with intricate patterns, and that here and there windows and ledges were cut into the sides. Some spoke of climbing it, but that Brendan forbade, for his angel told him it was not appropriate for them to do so.

MEDITATION:

Brendan's fantastical voyage is replete with exciting stories and colorful characters. He is the ultimate Peregrini, throwing caution to the wind and placing his fate in the hands of God alone. One can read his voyage as mirroring the monastic life, but this in turn reflects our own spiritual journey.

A SPIRITUAL STORY:

We wish to climb that crystal pillar which ascends to heaven, much like Jacob's ladder. It's beauty compels us as it reaches to the skies. However, this illusion is only reserved for angels, “it's not appropriate to climb” as Brendan warned us.
To attempt to climb this mountain by ourselves can be fatal. Much to our detriment, this slippery slope of works to attain the heights of crystal purity that only God can provide deceives us into thinking we're capable of achieving “the promised land” on our own. And if we're not careful, it can even slide us into the cold and icy waters of our own self righteousness for a spell. It's not wrong to want to live the moral life God has laid out, in fact we're commended to do so, as long as that life doesn't become one of merciless comparison and a means to earn God's unconditional love.

The back of the whale, on the other hand, initially a place of fear due to its enormity, movement, and shifting, eventually becomes a place of comfort where Brendan and his men partake of the Eucharist/communion for seven years in a row - a number representing eternity. This whale symbolizes the resurrected Christ, while the meal symbolizes his provisions and sacrifice. One can look to the sign of the cross seen in the mast of this drawing which supports the sail and moves the ship. The spirit blows where it will and if we are compliant, our journey through the unknown can find guidance. Brendan's men are buoyed, lifted, carried and saved on the back of this strong support system, Jesus, as he longingly and lovingly searches for his mate and bride, the Church. Those of faith who will share in his pilgrimage.

PRAYER:

Help me to journey beyond the familiar
and into the unknown.
Give me the faith to leave old ways
and break fresh ground with You.
Christ of the mysteries, I trust You
to be stronger than each storm within me.
I will trust in the darkness and know
that my times, even now, are in Your hand.
Tune my spirit to the music of heaven,
and somehow, make my obedience count for You.

- Attributed to St. Brendan

BIO:

Saint Brendan is one of the early Irish monastic saints and one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. He is primarily renowned for his legendary quest to the "Isle of the Blessed", also denominated "Saint Brendan's Island". The Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis ("Voyage of Saint Brendan") can be described as an immram, i. e., Irish navigational narrative.

Brendan was born in AD 484 in Tralee, in County Kerry, in the province of Munster, in the south-west of Ireland. He was born among the Altraige, a tribe originally centred around Tralee Bay, to parents called Finnlug and Cara. Tradition has it that he was born in the Kilfenora/Fenit area on the North side of the bay. He was baptised at Tubrid, near Ardfert by Saint Erc, and was originally to be called "Mobhí" but signs and portents attending his birth and baptism led to him being christened 'Broen-finn' or 'fair-drop'. For five years he was educated under Saint Ita, "the Brigid of Munster". When he was six he was sent to Saint Jarlath's monastery school at Tuam to further his education. Brendan is considered one of the newest "Twelve Apostles of Ireland", one of those said to have been tutored by the great teacher, Finnian of Clonard.

At the age of twenty-six, Brendan was ordained a priest by Saint Erc. Afterwards, he founded a number of monasteries. Brendan's first voyage took him to the Aran Islands, where he founded a monastery. He also visited Hinba (Argyll), an island off of Scotland where he is said to have met Columcille (Saint Columba). On the same voyage he traveled to Wales and finally to Brittany, on the northern coast of France. Between AD 512 and 530 Brendan built monastic cells at Ardfert, and Shanakeel (Seana Cill, usually translated as the "Old Church"), at the foot of Mount Brandon. From there he is supposed to have embarked on his famous voyage of 7 years for Paradise.

Note: The Navigatio was known widely in Europe throughout the Middle Ages. Maps of Christopher Columbus' time often included an island denominated Saint Brendan's Isle that was placed in the western Atlantic Ocean. Paul Chapman argues that Christopher Columbus learned from the Navigatio that the currents and winds would favor westbound travel by a southerly route from the Canary Islands, and eastbound on the return trip by a more northerly route, and hence followed this itinerary on all of his voyages.

* Available in USA only