The Voyage of Saint Brendan, In a Modern English Version by Simon Webb Quotes

“The holy virgin replied with a question: ‘How often do you fix your attention on God?’ Brendan answered, ‘At every seventh step I take, or sooner, I have God in my thoughts, but sometimes I think of God alone for a long space of time.’ Then Brigid said, ‘So sometimes you think about worldly things, and at other times you think about God. For my part, since I first applied my mind to God, I have never for a moment thought of anything but Him. The more constantly you fix the attention of your mind and the love of your heart on God, the more the animals will be afraid of you.’ Brendan was deeply affected by Brigid’s words, and having received her blessing, and giving his blessing in return, he went on his way.”
― Simon Webb, The Voyage of Saint Brendan, In a Modern English Version by Simon Webb

“When St Brendan asked whether this land would ever be made known to men, the young man replied, ‘When the Most High Creator rules all the nations, this land will be made known to His chosen people.”
― Simon Webb, The Voyage of Saint Brendan, In a Modern English Version by Simon Webb

“After many years this land will be made known to those who come after you, when days of trouble may come upon the people of Christ. ‘The great river you see here divides this land into two parts, and this land is always just as you see it now, teeming with ripe fruits, without any blight or shadow whatever, but always in bright sunlight.”
― Simon Webb, The Voyage of Saint Brendan, In a Modern English Version by Simon Webb

“Then the monks celebrated Good Friday; and when Holy Saturday was over, their provider said, ‘Go back to your boat, so that you can celebrate the vigil of Easter where you celebrated it last year.”
― Simon Webb, The Voyage of Saint Brendan, In a Modern English Version by Simon Webb

“There their boat, which they did not attempt to sail or row, drifted about in various directions, until the beginning of Lent.”
― Simon Webb, The Voyage of Saint Brendan, In a Modern English Version by Simon Webb

“The abbot replied, ‘No, O man of God, you must celebrate Christmas with us, and delight us with your company until eight days after Epiphany.’ And so the holy father and his monks remained on the Island of St Ailbe until that time.”
― Simon Webb, The Voyage of Saint Brendan, In a Modern English Version by Simon Webb

“We don’t know where the loaves of bread which you now see before you actually come from. All we know is that some obedient creature of God brings them to our cellar, and leaves them there out of charity. For us, this proves the divine truth that “Those who fear God want for nothing.” ‘There are twenty-four of us here, and each day twelve loaves appear, one loaf for two brothers. On Sundays and great festivals the Lord allows us a full loaf each, so that we can make a supper with the leftovers. Because you are here, we have a double supply. This has been going on for eighty years, since the days of St Patrick and St Ailbe, our patriarchs.”
― Simon Webb, The Voyage of Saint Brendan, In a Modern English Version by Simon Webb

“into the monastery, where their feet were washed in the traditional way.”
― Simon Webb, The Voyage of Saint Brendan, In a Modern English Version by Simon Webb

“When everyone had given and received the kiss of peace, Brendan and his brothers were led”
― Simon Webb, The Voyage of Saint Brendan, In a Modern English Version by Simon Webb

“Don’t take anything from this island without permission from the venerable fathers who live here.”
― Simon Webb, The Voyage of Saint Brendan, In a Modern English Version by Simon Webb

“And after eight months you will find the island of St Ailbe, where you will celebrate Christmas.”
― Simon Webb, The Voyage of Saint Brendan, In a Modern English Version by Simon Webb

“You have celebrated Easter with us this year; you will also celebrate it with us next year, and next year you will celebrate Maundy Thursday at the same place where you celebrated it this year. In the same way, you will celebrate the festival of the Lord’s Passover as you did before, on the back of the great fish Jasconius.”
― Simon Webb, The Voyage of Saint Brendan, In a Modern English Version by Simon Webb

“shapes you see, and come here, and sing the praises of our Creator. You and your brothers have now been on your voyage for one year, and you will journey for another six years. Every year, you will celebrate Easter where you celebrated it this year, until you find what your hearts long for, the Land of the Promise of the Saints.”
― Simon Webb, The Voyage of Saint Brendan, In a Modern English Version by Simon Webb

“The bird answered, ‘We are victims of the ancient enemy. Through no fault of our own, we fell from heaven with Lucifer and his followers. But God, who always dispenses justice, sent us to this place, where we suffer no pain, and where we can see a little of the divine presence. But we must be kept apart from the angels who remained faithful to God. ‘We wander the world, in the air, and earth, and sky, like the other spirits on their missions; but on festival days we take the”
― Simon Webb, The Voyage of Saint Brendan, In a Modern English Version by Simon Webb

“Oh God, you know everything, and you reveal everything that is hidden. You can see how distressed I am: please, reveal the secret of what I see here before me. I know I don’t deserve to know this: please tell me out pity.”
― Simon Webb, The Voyage of Saint Brendan, In a Modern English Version by Simon Webb

“When morning dawned, he ordered the priests to celebrate Mass, and after they had done so, and he himself had said Mass in the boat,”
― Simon Webb, The Voyage of Saint Brendan, In a Modern English Version by Simon Webb

“One day they spotted another island, not far off, and a favourable wind pushed them towards it. When the boat reached a landing-place, Brendan ordered everyone to get out before he did. They walked all round the island, and saw great streams of water flowing from many fountains, full of all kinds of fish. Brendan said ‘Let us celebrate the Mass here, for this day is the festival of the Lord’s Supper.’ [Maundy Thursday.] They remained on this island until Easter Saturday.”
― Simon Webb, The Voyage of Saint Brendan, In a Modern English Version by Simon Webb

“I command you,’ Brendan replied, ‘in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you hurt nobody else until the Day of Judgement”
― Simon Webb, The Voyage of Saint Brendan, In a Modern English Version by Simon Webb