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Honorario
Philopono [Caspar Plautius, Abbot of Setenstetten]
Nova
Typis Transacta Navigatio
[New Type of Navigation Accomplished]
N.p.,
1621
NYPL,
Rare Books Division
Of
Irish origin, the legend of the voyage of Saint Brendan has
been called a Christian Aeneid, mixing pagan and Christian,
Celtic, and Classical elements. It tells of an Irish abbot who
journeys with fourteen brother monks for seven years among the
magical islands near Ireland in a quest for the Promised Land
of the Saints. Divine guidance leads them to wondrous islands,
including one populated by sheep, one replete with white birds,
a crystal pillar in the sea, and an island with three choirs.
Each year they are led back to the same place for the celebration
of Easter. Their Easter vigil is always held on the back of
a great fish named Jasconius (sometimes referred to as a whale).
At the end of their seven-year spiritual and nautical quest,
Brendan and his monks arrive in a fog-encircled island of light
and fruit and precious stones, the Promised Land of the Saints.
After forty days, a young boy tells them to leave and promises
Brendan that he will return to the island paradise upon his
death.
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