Nov 29 Brendan, abbot of Birr d. 573

Thommy and John,
Good morning
I love you


St. Brendan of Birr
November 29 d. 573

Thommy had a classmate at Overbrook named Brendan. We reach into many places for the names of our children. As much as our names connect with the saints, especially with our heritage, of course with our families, I’m always curious about how a name is chosen…. For our children, our pets, our homes, our companies…. The Brendan, Thommy’s classmate, was a very talented athlete – physically talented. He had a zealous desire to succeed – which is different that a drive to win. He wanted to be the best and never tolerated being bested. Unfortunately, that boy had a mean streak. Not only did he play soccer on the dirty side of the line, when playing fair to the fullest extent of his significant talents was not enough, he did so without qualm. I attribute his playing that way as a ten year old to his parents’ not doing their job – and then Overbrook’s coaches not doing theirs. A parent’s sins of omissions shows up in the child’s faults as well as his deficits…

We have several Brendan saints.

As with most of the sixth century Irish saints, they knew one another, were friends, in a patrimony system, they taught and mentored one another though the religious generations. Brendan, a monk a Clonard, was a friend of Brendan the voyager. Not only did Brendan belong to one of Ireland’s best monasteries, he was friend to one of our bravest saints, a Brendan who in his life literally showed us how to seek beyond what we can possibly see.

Brendan became Abbot of Birr, a monastery in county Offaly, in ancient times known as King’s county. Rory O’Commor, the last High King of Ireland is buried in Clonmacnoise.

Brendan is said to have advised Columba. Advisor of one of the cornerstones of the faith in Ireland – to whom are you an advisor? Who advises you? It does matter with whom you are connected, and why. Columba reports a vision of Brendon’s soul being carried into heaven by angels. What better tribute to your advisor than to see him as a saint in the hands of God?!

I love you
dad