>Interim Saints - March 21st
>
>ENDA, abbot of Aran-More (about A.D. 540)
>
>S. Enda, whose name in Irish is written Einne and Ende, and in Latin,
>Endeus an Anna, was born in Louth about the middle of the fifth
>century, and was the only son of Conall, king of Oriel . . . S. Cuimin
>of Connor tells us that:-
>
> Enda love glorious mortification
> In Aran - triumphant virtue!
> A narrow dungeon of flinty stone,
> To bring the people to heaven.
>
Enna might have been an only son, but were it not for his sister
Fainche, he might never have been a saint. He came to her seeking
one of her vowed virgins as a bride (much like Béoán did to Íte, but
he got his wish and hence his son became a saint, not him), but just
after he made his request his chosen virgin went to her true Spouse,
dying on the spot. Fainche then preached to her brother about the
pains of hell and the joys of heaven until she made him cry. He
joined the religious life at once, thanks to the preaching and
prayers of his sister.
Maeve
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