Íte of Killeedy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint Íte |
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Stained glass window of Ita in St. Kieran's Church, Ballylooby
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| Born | c. 480 County Waterford, Ireland |
| Died | 15 January 570 |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church Orthodox Church |
| Feast | 15 January |
| Patronage | Roman Catholic Diocese of Limerick, Ireland, Killeedy, Ireland |
Saint Íte (pronounced EE-ta), also known as Íde, Ita, Ida, or Ides, was an important early Irish nun. She is a special patron saint of Killeedy in Ireland. People called her the "foster mother of the saints of Erin" (an old name for Ireland). The name "Ita" means "thirst for holiness," and she got this name because she was so saintly. Her feast day, when she is remembered, is on January 15.
Her Life Story
Ita, sometimes called the "Brigid of Munster" (a province in Ireland), was born around the year 480. She was born in what is now County Waterford, Ireland. Her father was Cennfoelad and her mother was Necta.
Ita was baptized as Deirdre. She grew up near a place called Drum in County Waterford. People said that Ita had six special qualities of Irish women. These included wisdom, purity, beauty, musical talent, kind speech, and good needle skills.
When she was sixteen, Ita decided to become a nun. She moved to Cluain Credhail, which is now known as Killeedy in County Limerick. Killeedy means "Church of St. Ita." There, she started a small group of nuns and lived there for the rest of her life. Bishop Declan of Ardmore helped her become a nun.
Legend says that three heavenly lights guided Ita to Killeedy. The first light was on the Galtee mountains, the second on the Mullaghareirk mountains, and the third at Cluain Creadhail (Killeedy). Her sister, Fiona, also joined her at Killeedy and became part of the community.
Ita was a very strong and unique person. When she decided to live in Killeedy, a local leader offered her a lot of land for her convent. But Ita only accepted four acres. She worked hard to grow things on this small piece of land.
Her community also had a school for young boys. They taught the boys important lessons like "Faith in God with purity of heart" and "generosity with love." One of her most famous students was Saint Brendan, who later became known as "the Navigator." Bishop Erc gave Brendan to Ita to raise when he was just one year old, and she cared for him until he was six.
Saint Brendan often visited Ita between his long sea voyages. He always listened to her advice. It is said that Brendan once asked her what three things God loved the most. Ita replied, "True faith in God and a pure heart, a simple life with a religious spirit, and open-handedness inspired by charity." She also told him the three things God disliked the most: a scowling face, being stubborn in doing wrong, and trusting too much in money.
Ita spent her life in prayer, fasting, and living simply. She also had a special gift for understanding spiritual things and could even see into the future. Many other saints, both men and women, respected her greatly. Ita was known for guiding people to live holy lives, and many sought her advice. In the early Celtic Church, women leaders were often encouraged, and it is thought that Ita might have been the head of a monastery for both men and women.
Stories about her life emphasize how strict she was with herself. Many miracles are also recorded about her. She is also believed to have created an Irish lullaby for the baby Jesus. Ita likely died from an illness, around the year 570. Before she died, she blessed the people and clergy of the Killeedy area.
Honoring Saint Ita
Saint Ita's grave is in the ruins of Cill Ide, a Romanesque church in Killeedy. This is where her monastery once stood. Viking invaders destroyed the original monastery in the ninth century. Later, a Romanesque church was built there, but it also fell into ruin. Even today, people visit this site as a place of pilgrimage.
Near her grave, there is a holy well. For centuries, this well was known for helping to cure smallpox in children and other illnesses. The well has two names: St. Bernard's Well on maps, but locals call it Tobar Bhaile Ui MhÈidÌn, which means "My Little Ita's Well."
Saint Ita was not only a saint herself, but she also helped raise many other saints. These include Saint Brendan and Saint Pulcherius (Mochoemog). In 1849, Pope Pius IX allowed a special Mass and prayers for Saint Ita's feast day, which is on January 15. Although she is not on the main Roman calendar of saints, her feast day is celebrated in Ireland. The Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrates her on January 15.
Who She Protects (Patronage)
Saint Ita is the patron saint of Killeedy, Ireland. She is also a co-patron of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Limerick, along with Saint Munchin. People believe she is a good saint to pray to for help with pregnancy and eye problems.
There is a local football club in Killeedy called St. Ita's AFC. The saint's image appears on the club's badge.
Another village in County Limerick, Kilmeedy, also has ties to Saint Ita. Its name, "Cill m'Ide," means "church of my Ita." She is thought to have first set up a church in Kilmeedy before the one in Killeedy.
Images for kids
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A robot image from the Kiddle encyclopedia.
