Irish monk had long travels

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

	St. Finnbarr When: died c.633 Where: Ireland What: Monk and bishop Feast: Sept. 25 Patron: Cork, Ireland

We often say that we live in a highly mobile age. Cars and an extensive system of freeways and other roads allow us to move with ease around our country. Jets take us to the major cities of the world in hours. Communications systems let us roam with cell phones that keep us in constant contact with others and GPS systems that tell us our exact location.

Pity the poor folk of an earlier time who didn't dare wander far from their villages because of limited means of transportation and the dangers of getting lost.

How did they ever manage? While it's true that many people didn't travel far, others were amazingly mobile, going on long pilgrimages to Rome or the Holy Land.

St. Finbar or Finnbarr, for example, made at least two trips to Rome. Not bad for someone who lived back in the 7th century, when travel would have meant a long sea voyage or a long hike.

It is believed that Finnbarr was born in Connaught, Ireland, the illegitimate son of a woman of royal birth and a blacksmith. He was baptized at Lochan, then trained by the monks at Kilmacahil, Kilkenny, who called him Fionnbharr (white head). He is also known as Bairre and Barr.

Eventually, he and a group of the monks made a pilgrimage to Rome. On their way back they visited St. David Abbey in Wales.

On another pilgrimage to Rome, as the legend goes, the pope wanted to consecrate Finnbarr as a bishop, but was stopped by a vision. Instead, the story goes, Finnbarr was consecrated in heaven and delivered back to Ireland. (Even in this modern age, that's the sort of trip we can't arrange on our own.)

Finnbarr is thought to have preached in Scotland. It is certain that he preached in southern Ireland, where he was a hermit on a small island in Lough Eiroe and then on the River Lee.

Eventually, Finnbarr founded a monastery in southwestern Ireland in what became the city of Cork. The abbey was among the best known in southern Ireland and attracted many monks. Finnbarr was the city's first bishop.

Finnbarr is said to have performed many miracles and legend says that for two weeks after his death at Cloyne the sun did not set.

In the nearly 1,500 years since the death of Finnbarr there have been many advances in transportation and communication. But there have been constants too: The primary journey Christians are on is a pilgrimage to God, best done through the sacraments, in the company of others, with good spiritual direction and constant communication with God through prayer.