Vita sanctae Ite (Life of Ita)
translated by Dorothy Africa
1. We wish to relate briefly some commemoration of the life and miracles
of the most blessed virgin Ite. For many things concerning
her miracles were
concealed from us, since she herself always hid them.
And if they happened to her alone, she spoke of it to no one. Indeed,
some others
which we are
aware of, we leave out here for the sake of brevity.
The
most holy virgin Ita undoubtedly (siquidem) was born to a most
noble Irish family,
that is
from the stock of Feidhlimid Reachtmair, by whom, all
Ireland was ruled for many years from his royal seat at Tara (Temoria)
in
greatest
authority (potestate).
Now, this king had three sons, namely, Fiacha, Conn and
Eochaid. Fiacha, also having three sons, died without ruling. But Conn
ruled all Ireland after
his father ably in the greatest fecundity (fertilitate).
But he, alas, was killed in a battle at the field of Cobha, which
was brought
about by the
king of the men of Ulster (Ultorum), called Tybraide
Tireach.
However, his brother Fiacha's three sons came to the land
of Munster (Mumenensium) with many hosts and a mighty army; and
there
they nobly and forcefully
seized with swords a very large region. This people (gens)
is today called na Deisi.
From this most noble people the distinguished virgin,
that is Ita, originated. Who was full of the Holy Spirit from
the baptismal
font.
For all were amazed
at the moderation and conduct of her infancy. And, when
she was able to walk and talk, she proved prudent in word and
deed, sweet
in speech,
and of steadfast
mind, proffering always most modest language from her
mouth, (she was) gentle to all, especially liberal, fearing and
loving God,
always
hindering the
bad and coaxing the good; so she lived in the home of
her parents in her girlhood.
2. One day the blessed girl Ita was
asleep alone in her
chamber (cubiculum); and that whole chamber appeared to people
to be burning. But when
the men approached it to help her, that room was not burned;
and all marveled greatly
at this, it was said to them from above, what grace of God
burned around that comrade of Christ, who was asleep there. And when
holy Ita had arisen
from sleep, her entire form appeared as if it were angelic.
For then she had beauty such as she had neither before or after.
So also her
aspect appeared
then so that her friends could scarcely look at her. And
then all recognized what grace of God burned around her. And after
a short
interval the virgin
of God was restored to her own appearance, which was certainly
pretty enough.
3. On another day when the blessed Ita slept, she saw an angel
of the Lord coming toward her, and giving her three very precious
stones.
And when the
handmaiden of Christ had arisen from sleep, she did not know what this
vision signified. And the blessed (girl) had a question in her heart
about this.
Then an angel of the Lord came down to her, saying "What are you searching
for concerning this vision? Those three very precious stones which you saw
given to you, signify the holy trinity that came to you and visited you;
that is a visitation of the Father, Christ his Son, and the Holy Spirit.
And always in sleep and in vigils, the angels of God and holy visions will
come to you. For you are the temple of the Deity, body and soul." And
speaking these things, he departed from her.
4. On another day the most blessed virgin Ita came to her mother, and declared
to her the divine precepts taught by the Holy Ghost. And she asked her that
she might speak to her father on her behalf, so that the blessed Ita could
be dedicated to Christ with the permission of her father. But he did not
wish to give this permission by any means; for a powerful and noble youth
was asking him for her. And this was most displeasing to her mother. And
with others having approached, that they might ask him, he himself refused
this with an oath. Then the holy Ita, filled with the spirit of prophecy,
said to them all: "Leave my father for a time. My father forbids me
now to be dedicated to Christ; next time (iterum) he will be convinced and
brought around. For he shall be compelled by my Lord, Jesus Christ, so that
he may allow me to go where ever I may wish, in order to serve God." And
so it happened. Though in what manner it happened shall be told later.
5. Not long afterward, the blessed virgin Ita fasted for three days and three
nights. But in those days and nights through sleeping and vigils the devil
openly (evidenter) fought against the virgin of God in many battles. And
the most blessed virgin most wisely opposed him in all, as much sleeping
as waking. On the second (posteriori) night, then, the devil appeared sad
and wailing, and at day break, he departed from the familiar of God, saying
in a grieving tone, "Alas, Ita, not only will you free yourself from
me, but many others to boot."
6. On that self same night the angel of God came to the father of the holy
Ita, saying to him: "Why do your forbid your daughter to take the veil
of virginity in the name of Christ? For she herself will be a great and proven
virgin before God and his saints, and the patroness (matrona) of many on
the day of judgment. Not only will you grant it to her to accept the mark
(signum) of virginity, but you will allow her, where ever she will have wished
to go, to serve Christ. Now she will serve God in the (territory) of another
people, and she herself will be the patroness of that people." So the
father of the girl went to her without delay, and told her the whole story.
And, just as the virgin had foretold was likely concerning him before, not
only did he give the desired permission, he urged her as well, to take the
veil of virginity that very day, and that she might go wherever she wished.
So on that day, having completed the three day fast, the virgin of the Lord
set off toward the local church of God to take the veil of virginity.
7. And while the blessed Ita was on her way, behold, many demons came against
her along the road, and began to contend (litigare) cruelly against her.
Then angels of God from above arrived, and fought very hard with the demons
for the bride of Christ. And when the demons had been conquered by the angels
of God, they fled away through the byways, crying out and saying: "Alas
for us, for from this day we will not be able to contend against this virgin.
And we wished today to put our claim on her for our injuries; and the angels
of God have freed her from us. For she will root up our habitation from many
places and will snatch many from us in this world and from the nether regions." But
the virgin of the Lord, with the consolation of the angels of God, meanwhile
advanced to the church; and in it was consecrated by the churchmen at angelic
order on the spot, and took the veil of virginity.
8. Then the blessed virgin Ita prayed to the Lord, that he might show to her
the place in which she might be of service to him. And, behold, an angel
of the Lord came to her, saying: "Leave your native region and go to
that region which is called Ui Conaill (Hy Conayll), and you will bide in
the western part of that region, near the foot of Luachra mountain. And there
an angel of the Lord will come to you,, and show you the spot in which your
community is to be, in which you will pass to Christ. For you will be the
patroness of the people of Ua Conaill (Hua Conaill); a folk given to you
and to the blessed Senan [Scattery Island, fl. 540] by God." Having
heard these words from the angel, the holy Ita with her companions set out
toward that region, and stayed at the foot of Luachra mountain, just as the
angel told her. And at once an angel of the Lord came to her, and designated
to her the place in which she was to serve God. And from that spot [Killeedy]
report of the most holy virgin was spread throughout the whole area. And
many virgins came from here and there to the holy Ita, to serve God under
her care; and she took in them all with a pious and cheerful mind.
9. Having heard of the very great holiness of the most blessed virgin Ita,
The people of Ua Conaill came to her with their leader, and they desired
to bestow the entire field which was around the holy Ita's cell to
her and to God in eternity. But the familiar of God, unwilling to take an
interest in secular affairs, accepted nothing from them but four plough lengths
(iugera) for use as a garden. Now this was most displeasing to the leader
and his retinue; and they said "What you do not wish to receive now,
will be given to you when you pass on to the realm of God." And even
so it was done. Then the whole people of Ua Conaill took the holy Ita as
their patroness now and in future, just as the angel foretold. Blessed Ita
placed her blessing on this same people and their land with many benefactions,
which are always fulfilled. And they all returned to their places with great
rejoicing; and they always brought great gifts and alms and donations to
that cell for the use (ussum) of the holy virgins who were there in honor
of the blessed Ita.
10. The most blessed Ita made great efforts to keep two and three day fasts,
and frequently four days. But the angel of the Lord, on a day when she was
exhausted by fasting, came to her, and said to her "You afflict your
body without measure by these fasts, and you ought not to do so." But
the bride of Christ (was) unwilling to ease her burden, (so) the angel said
to her "God has given such grace to you, that from this day until your
death you shall have the refreshment of celestial food. And you will not
have the power not to eat at whatever hour the angel of the lord will come
to you, bringing you food." Then the blessed Ita prostrated herself
and gave thanks to God, and from that bounty (prandium) the holy Ita gave
to others to whom she knew it was worthy to be given. And without any doubt
she lived thus until her death on the heavenly allotment administered by
the angel.
11. One day a certain holy devout virgin came to the holy Ita, and spoke with
her about divine precepts. And while they were conversing, that virgin said
to the holy Ita: "Tell us in God's name, why you are held in
higher esteem by God than the other virgins whom we know to be in the world.
For to you sustenance from heaven is given by God; you cure all the feeble
with your prayer; you speak of past and future events; everywhere you drive
out the demonic, daily God's angels speak with you; you carry on in
meditation on and prayer to the holy Trinity without hindrance." Then
the holy Ita said to her: "You answered your own question by saying ‘Without
hindrance you carry on in prayer to and meditation on the holy Trinity.' For
who ever shall have done so, will always have God with him, and if I was
such a one from infancy, all these things, as you have said, properly pertain
to me." That holy virgin, having heard this speech from the blessed
Ita about prayer and meditation on God, departed rejoicing for her cell.
12. God even bestowed upon the holy Ita such great grace in prophecy that
she knew whether the sick would survive their illness or die.
13. The holy abbot Comhgan [identification uncertain] when he knew the time
of his reward was approaching summoned to him the holy Ita so that she went
to him. And the holy Comhgan said to her; " See here, I will die from
this illness soon, and I ask you in the name of Christ, that you place your
hands over my lips and close my mouth in the hour of my death (dormicionis).
For I have it from an angel of God, that whomever you shall have placed your
hands upon at death, that the angels of God will lead his soul thence into
the kingdom of God." The holy virgin said to him: "Oh, holy father,
what are you saying to me? It would be meet for a sinful man to say so. Great
is your worth before God, and you will be glorious among the blest of God.
What mean favor of mine do you seek?" The holy Comhgan said: "I
speak truly, because of this I have asked, no demon will dare to venture
near our path, or to reproach us in any manner." Shortly thereafter,
the holy man Comhgan departed from this world among a crowd of holy angels;
and what he had asked, the holy Ita carried out.
14. Then the most glorious virgin of God returned to her cell. And when the
familiar of God was nearing her community, she heard from nearby a great
and immense wailing. For three dead nobles were there, who had died on that
day; and their friends were wailing and mourning for them. And they, knowing
that holy Ita was passing by, came down,and asked the familiar of God in
a doleful tone that she might come and pray for their souls at least. Holy
Ita then said to them: "That thing more that you wish beyond prayer
for their souls, in the name of Christ may it happen for you." They
did not know what to make of this speech at that point. The blessed Ita made
the statement because she knew, being full of the spirit of prophecy, that
it (or she?) in the name of God would revive them from death. Then the holy
one went with them to where the dead were, and while praying she marked the
prone bodies with the sign of the holy cross; and they arose living at her
command. And the bride of Christ asserted (assignavit) that they lived before
everyone.
15. In that place there was then a certain paralyzed man in the clutches of
a very great illness, and his friends, having beheld the revival of the dead,
took him up and brought him to the holy Ita, that she might cure him. For
they had no doubt that one who could revive dead men could cure a sick one.
Then the familiar of God, observing the great misery of that man, looked
to heaven, and said to him: "May God pity you". And as she spoke,
the made the sign of the holy cross on him. Most marvelous to say; when the
familiar of God marked the hitherto paralyzed man, he stood up whole and
unharmed on the spot before all, as if he had never been seized by paralysis.
Then the shout of the whole people was lifted to heaven, praising God, and
giving thanks tohim, and glorifying his familiar with deserved honor. Afterward,
the familiar of God went on with her companions to her cell.
16. A certain sister (sanctimonialis), who was in the care of the holy Ita
secretly committed fornication; and on the following day the blessed Ita
summoned that one to her and said to her: "Sister, why did you not
take care to guard your virginity?" And when that one was denying what
she had done, holy Ita said to her "Did you not fornicate yesterday
in that place, and thus it happened to you?" And at once, knowing the
blessed Ita to be a prophetess concerning past and future events, that woman
confessed the truth of the business. And she was restored, having done penance
according to the order of blessed Ita.
17. And another virgin, who was distant from the holy Ita, namely in the province
of Connacht, was defiled (adulterabatur) by a certain man in secret. But
the holy Ita, full of the spirit of prophecy, and aware of this, ordered
the holy Brendan (Clonfert d. 577 or 583; Birr d. 565/73) that he conduct
the woman to her. Indeed holy Brendan compelled her (fecit venire) to go
to holy Ita. Then the bride of Christ told her, among other things, in what
manner she had conceived and borne a daughter. Indeed, the woman had borne
a daughter to that man. But she, hearing her guilt from the mouth of the
familiar of God, made a suitable penance. And her soul was returned to eternal
health, afterwards dwelling in sanctity. Moreover, the whole community of
the blessed Ita, and others who knew about her prophetic knowledge, were
wary of her, as much absent as present.
18. Once a good artisan (artifex), who was an honorable man from the province
of Connacht, came as an exile into Munster. And the Blessed Ita, hearing
the reputation of his skill, asked him to construct some buildings for her.
Then the artisan sought from the blessed Ita a wife for himself, and a field
for his habitation. And the most blessed Ita gave him her own sister and
a field in which he remained. And he built structures with all devotion in
the community of the holy Ita. But it so happened, that two leaders waged
war against each other one day. And that artisan went out to war with one
of them; for he was himself experienced in warfare. But the leader with whom
the artisan was, was put to flight, and all his men were killed; among whom
the artisan was killed and decapitated; moreover his head was taken far from
him. And when this was told to the blessed Ita, it was most displeasing to
her. For she had promised the artisan in the name of Christ, that he would
have a son after him. And he then had no child; for his wife was sterile
heretofore. And holy Ita came with her companions to where the truncated
body of Beonus the artisan was. For this artisan was called Beonus. And as
his head was still not found, holy Ita prayed to God, so that the head might
be shown to her. And the head by divine power flew through the air, and stood
by its body before the familiar of God. And God, pitying his familiar, stuck
the head to its body as soundly as if it had never been severed but only
a trace of the wound remained. And at the prayer of the one holy to God,
and taking place in the span of an hour, he arose a living man, greeting
the familiar of God and giving thanks to God. And arising the holy familiar
of God went to her community; and he who had been revived went to his company/retinue
(commitatu). Then the artisan Beoanus slept with his sterile wife, and she
conceived, and bore a son, just as the holy Ita promised. Holy Ita raised
that son, who was called Mochoemog (Leamakevogue/Leighmore, d..646), and
he is himself a very holy abbot, in whose honor the community (civitas) Liath
was built.
19. There was a certain wise man who by some chance lost his speech and became
mute; and he came to holy Ita with his pupils seeking a cure. And the holy
servant of God prayed to the Lord for him; and immediately as she was still
praying, speech was restored to him, and he spoke clearly. And praying in
his turn to God, he returned to his place with joy.
20. On a certain holy day the holy Ita asked God, that on that day she might
receive the body and blood of Christ from the hand of a worthy priest. Moreover
with the grace of God he lead his servant through a long space of lands secretly
to the community of Clonmacnois; and she received the body and blood of Christ
from the hand of a worthy priest, just as she herself wished. But no one
saw her coming there, or taking (communion), or leaving. And at the very
same time on that same day she was found in her own place. And, as the priests
were ignorant of what had become of the body and blood of the Lord, every
cleric fasted and the people with them on that day, so that God would reveal
the explanation (eventus) of this mystery to them. Afterwards, an angel of
the Lord came to a certain holy elder among them, and told him all that had
taken place. Moreover, that priest who had offered (immolavit) the Host which
holy Ita took, came with the other clerics the long distance to her, that
the servant of God might bless them. And while they were on the way, one
of them by some chance was rendered blind. Comforting him in turn, they said: "The
blessed Ita, the bride of Christ, when we reach her, will restore the light
of eyes to our brother by the grace of God." And the blessed virgin,
foretold their arrival prophetically to her people And when they arrived
there, the servant of God received them happily, and at once supplied to
their blind brother his eye sight (lumen suum) by the grace of God. And the
holy Ita instructed that priest from whom she secretly took Sunday communion
(communionem dominicam) at Clonmacnois, that he should sing mass before her.
And the blessed virgin instructed her nuns (filiabus), to give that holy
one the vestments (missalia indumenta) in which he had then offered sacrifice.
But he refused, saying : "We are not able to take anything with us
now, for our abbot Oengus instructed us that we should accept nothing from
you, excepting only your prayer." The holy prophetess Ita said : "It
will not displease your holy abbot, Oengus, to receive this from me; for
I will give you a sign for him. On a certain day he himself went to the community
of the holy virgin Chinreche Dercain; and the most blessed virgin asked him
if she could wash his feet. And he allowed it. Then the most holy virgin
Chinrecha washed the holy feet of Oengus, and dried (*see below*) with a
linen cloth. I definitely have, with God as witness, the main portion (capud)
of the cloth, (*his dried feet with a hide*). [This is either a scribal error,
or a problem with the exemplar] When your abbot will have heard this, he
will rejoice, and accept my gift as a happy man." Afterwards those
disciples, receiving and marveling about these things, and having accepted
a holy blessing, made their trip back. And so it all turned out, just as
the holy Ita had said.
21. A certain secular man, very wealthy and quite eloquent, having a great
gift of silver in alms, came to the holy Ita, and he placed it at he feet
of the most holy virgin. Who put out her hand and touched the silver; and,
scorning it (parvipendens) pushed it away from her feet, unwilling to look
at it with either soul or eyes. Therefore, after the servant of God touched
the aforesaid silver, she said to an attending sister (filie): "Give
me water, so that I can wash the hand which touched the corruptive silver." For
she so hated gold or silver, and all secular wealth, as if she had touched
something unclean. Then he who gave the gift asked the blessed Ita, saying: "To
whom should the gift be given? To the rich and powerful, or the poor and
pilgrims (peregrines)?" The familiar of God answered: "It ought
to be given to both: to the wealthy and powerful for the sake of secular
honor; but to the poor and pilgrims for rewards in the heavens." He
said: "If I am not able to give to both, what shall I do?" The
servant of God replied: "It is in the power of a man to give his substance
for worldly honor, or, to God, by giving himself, for eternal life." He,
enlightened by these words and having accepted a blessing, departed.
22. At one time the holy Brendan (Clonfert) was asking the blessed Ita about
the three works which are fully pleasing to God, and the three which are
fully displeasing, the servant of God replied: " True belief in God
in a pure heart, the simple life with religion, generosity with charity;
these three please God fully. However, a mouth vilifying people (detestans
homines), and a tenacious love of evil in the heart, confidence in wealth;
these three fully displease God. Holy Brendan and all who were there, hearing
such a statement, glorified God in his familiar.
23. A certain holy virgin, wishing to discover in what manner the most holy
Ita was living in her most secret place, in which she was accustomed to be
free for God alone, went out at a certain hour, in order to see her. She,
then reaching there, saw three very bright suns, just as the natural (mundiali)
sun lighting up the whole spot and surrounding area. And she was not able
to enter out of terror, but at once turned back. The mystery of this portent
would be hidden from us, but for the gifts of the holy Trinity, which made
everything from nothing, which the most holy Ita assiduously served in body
and soul.
24. There was a certain virgin in the Liffey plain (campo) named Rychena,
who had a holy foster son (alumpnum) whose name was Columbanus. This Columbanus
, traveling to the island of Iona to the holy Columba, there accepted the
episcopal grade, and returned again to his own country. Coming to his fosterer,
the holy Richena, the holy virgin said to him: "My son, my dear daughter
is beset by a great sickness; and therefore come with me to holy Ita so that
she might bless you, and that she may be of assistance to your associate".
And so the bishop undertook this joyfully. After securing horses (?possitis
equis) and a wagon, the bishop and his nurse took to the road with their
companions. But the devil undertook to lay snares (insidias) for them frequently
along the route. Blessed Ita the prophetess said to her familiars (familie) "Make
ready the baths and refreshments (convivium), for today holy guest will come
to us from the distant land of Leinster." Now on that very day they
arrived there, and at once Ita said: "Let the bishop come to me, and
let him place his hand in blessing on my head." They marveled greatly
that the one blessed by God knew that he was a bishop, without any one telling
her. After blessing each other in turn, just as the bishop wished, the blessed
Ita said, though they had not yet spoken about the ailing virgin: "Your
daughter whom you have brought along, choose whether she is to be healthy
in body, and shall die in sin, or whether she is to be in grief here, and
shall live in eternal life; for so the apostle says: "For virtue is
brought to perfection in infirmity [2 Corinthians xii 9]." They, along
with the girl (filia), opting that here she would be in pain and live in
eternal rest, thus it was done. Blessed Ita spoke to holy Rychena, saying
to her: "Familiar of God, your trip would not be prosperous, if the
bishop were not coming with you, for demons greatly besiege our sex." Then
having remained for several days with holy Ita in true charity, they made
ready to return. Then holy Rychena said to blessed Ita: "There is a
virgin in the southern region of Ireland who is a very dear friend (sodalis)
of mine. What would you advise me, my lady? Ought I to visit her?" The
blessed Ita said to her, "No, rather you will go with your party on
the proper road to your cell, and that virgin will meet you on the border
of Leinster and Munster, wishing to visit you." Thus it happened. For
they, departing with a blessing, met with the aforesaid virgin there. And
they, rejoicing in turn, blessed Ita the prophetess.
25. A certain man killed his brother, and touched by regret, came to
holy Ita, and sought penance according to her order. And the most holy
Ita, seeing his soul to be devout, said to him: "If you adhere
to my words, you will not die a sudden death, but you shall pass to eternal
life." Now it later befell him to go into war together with his
leader, for he was a soldier; and, in intense fighting against themselves
(contra suos), he was killed among the others. Hearing of this, the blessed
Ita said: "I promised that man that he would happily live out the
course of his life, which he was keeping as I instructed him." And
she said to her attendants (ministries): "Go, and in the battlefield
(strage) for me call him to me by his own name (suo vocabulo) in the
name of God, and I believe that he will rise for you." And they
did that, and he arose from the fallen as if he had never been killed.
And he ran to those seeking him, and came with them to the blessed Ita;
and afterward it happened to him just as the familiar of the Lord promised.
26. At one time a certain wealthy layman came to the blessed Ita, saying: "I
ask you, one blest by God, that my mares (eque mee) in his year shall produce
male foals, each red with a white head (albi capitis et rubei coloris)." The
holy Ita replied to him "It is not for my humbleness [to do] what you
ask; but for God to make from his elements what he wishes." Then he
asked her more sternly (grauius), saying "Petition (Pete) the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit, who is the triune God (Deus trinus), one
who colors the colors of heaven and earth, of the ocean and of men, of clothes
and of flocks, that he himself shall make the colors of the foals, just as
I wish." The servant of God said to him: "Since you believe thus
in God, thus will be your foals in this year, just as you wish." He
departed rejoicing over such a prophecy; and all things turned out for him
just as the servant of God said.
27. At another time in a community of religious (cella sanctimonialium) which
is called Doyre Cusgryd (Daire Chuiscrigh?) a most disturbing question
arose concerning a theft that occurred there. Now every woman of those
there was questioned. And with all of them denying it, the abbess of
the place said to her daughters: "Let us go to the blessed Ita;
and I believe that this dark question will be resolved through her." For
it displeased her, that this whole conjecture (hec tota opinio) came
over one innocent virgin of Christ. Afterward she set out toward the
blessed Ita; and Ita said prophetically to her family: "Prepare
food and a bath, for the servants of Christ are coming to us today." After
that those arriving there entered in order to the most holy Ita, kissing
her. The one on whom there was suspicion, however, did not presume to
approach the familiar of God ‘properly', however innocent
and pure of conscience she was. Then the blessed Ita said to her; "Come,
most innocent virgin of Christ, and give a kiss to me; for it is certain
that you did not carry out the theft which is charged to you." At
once the virgins asked holy Ita in the name of Christ, that she might
point out to them the person who committed the theft. The blessed Ita
said to them; "She who was placed among you in penance for another
sin, she herself was the thief, and she hid it/herself between the timber
of a sail/curtain and its/her meadow (inter lignum veli et pratum suum)." And
she continued, saying; "You will find it unharmed, but the one
who stole it, shall not remain in your community (cella). Rather, as
the prophet said: ‘The face of a prostitute is upon her [Jeremiah
iii 3].'" And so it all happened. For the item was found;
and the unhappy woman, abandoning her habit/situation (habitum), dwelt
in forested places (silvaticos) mired in fornication.
28. At another time a certain man, by the name of Feargus, whose son is still
living, was brought to the holy Ita in very great suffering in his eyes and
body. Indeed, he hardly knew if he was living or dead. Yet he who was ill,
nearly dead, and blind, and despaired of by all, returned to his (own place)
fully hale in body and most keen in sight. And so right up until his death,
he lived sound in his limbs through the prayer and blessing of the most holy
Ita.
29. At one time the uncle (avunculus) of holy Ita died, a man who had eight
sons. They lived in the region of the Desi. So the servant of God sent
for them from the land of Ua Conaill, summoning them. When they had come,
the ‘spouse of Christ' spoke to them, saying: "My uncle,
your father, is dead; alas for us, for he is tormented by infernal punishments
(in penis infernalibus) for his deeds. Moreover, this is revealed to
me divinely, how he is tormented, but let us do something for the good
of his soul, so that he can be rescued. Therefore, do as I tell you;
that is let each one of you throughout this year give bread with the
nourishment of meat or butter daily, and as often lamps (lucernas); and
at the end of the year you will come back to me." These were wealthy
men clearly. So, they did just as the familiar of Christ instructed them,
and after a year they returned to the blessed Ita. The familiar of God
said to them: "Your father is halfway removed from the waves of
hell (inferni) through your gifts and my prayers. Go now, and give equal
gifts for this year, and come again to me." And so they did. When
they came again, the virgin of Christ spoke thus to them: "Your
father is now fully removed from hell (inferno); but now he is bare,
without a garment, for he gave no one clothing in the name of Christ.
Therefore give alms of clothing, so that he may be clad." They
gave alms of clothing throughout that year, and returned to holy Ita.
She said to them: "Your father now has rest through your gifts
and my pleas, more so through the mercy of God. Therefore guard yourselves
from the temporal failings for which your father suffered." So
they, thanking God and his servant, returned to their places
30. One day a lay man, deeply grieved by the death of his son, came to holy
Ita weeping, and declaring in a rustic fashion, saying: "Be it
known to you, blessed one of God, as a sure thing, that I shall not leave
your dwelling place, and I will not cease to wail (ululare) until you
raise my dead son." The blessed Ita answered him gently: "What
you ask of me, Sir, is not in my power (virtutis), but for one of the
likeness of his apostles." Then that man said: "I grieve
especially for this, that before his death my son's tongue was
hindered, so he could not offer profession to God, nor any words to us.
I request of you, therefore, that you ask the holy Trinity, that my son
may live again at least one day, so that I may be able to hear his words." The
blessed Ita answered to him: "With how much time will you be satisfied,
if a kind Lord (pius Dominus), who raises the dead, should pity you,
and revive your son?" He said: "I am grateful for even the
time of a single day." The servant of Christ said to him: "He
shall live for seven years and seven months and seven days." Afterward,
he who was dead, at once arose, praying to the blessed virgin; and he
lived [a span] neither more or less than just what was foretold to him
through the mouth of the prophetic virgin.
31. At another time the abbots holy Luchtichernus (Tomfinlough) and holy Lasreanus
(Tech Laisrean?) said to each other: "Let us go to visit the familiar
of God, holy Ita." Then a certain young man said foolishly and unwittingly
(insipienter) to them, "What [reason] is there for you, wise and great
men, to go to that ancient old lady?" Scolding him, the holy men said
to him: "You are speaking badly, brother; for even now the prophetess
of God shall know what you have said." Then the holy men set out toward
blessed Ita, bringing with them that young man. Moreover, when they reached
the gate of the community (monasterii), the virgins recognized holy Luchtichernus,
for he used to visit the most blessed Ita frequently; and, going into the
spouse of Christ, brought her word, saying "Today is good to us, for
holy Luchtichernus is visiting you." The holy mother answered them; "No
less is he before God who comes with him, that is the holy Lasreanus son
of Colman, whom you did not welcome, since you did not know him. For through
the Spirit holy Ita knew him by name and worth, whom she had never seen.
And when they came before blessed Ita, she blessed them, and immediately
the familiar of God said to that aforementioned youth: "Why have you
come to an ancient old lady, since you said, what could it profit the holy
men to come to me?" Then he made penance, asking the holy ones for
him. After staying there happily for three days, the holy men returned to
their own places after permission (licentia) and blessing was received from
the most joyous (felicissima) Ita.
32. The [power of] prophecy of holy Ita is revealed in many miracles, just
as you will hear in this miracle. On a certain day the virgin of Christ Ita
said to her family: "What words am I hearing? See who has come to our
place." And they went to their doors, and saw two uterine brothers
well known to them. And returning they said to the servant of God: "These
are the two brothers of his region whom we know well." Then the marvelous
prophetess, blessed Ita, groaning, said "Alas, alas for them, and grief
increases for me about them; for one of them shall suddenly slay the other." Which
event just then was borne out. For one brother killed [the other] brother
with his own hands. Then that evil doer was bound in fetters by the leader
of the region of Ua Conaill, in order to be immediately dragged off to death.
But the virgin of Christ pitied him, saying: "Their unhappy mother
will be sad, for she has lost the first, and if she will have lost this other,
she is deprived of both. For the son of God, whom my soul loves, does not
wish this one to perish in his sins, but to work for (servare) pardon." Afterward
she sent to the aforesaid leader, asking him that the fellow be released
to her. And the man was sent to her, with the messengers saying to her: "Free
him, virgin of God, and receive him in your faith, if that seems good to
you; and what ever evil deed he may do against the realm, shall rest on you.
Therefore take him, let him do penance." Holy Ita answered them: "I
know that he shall not do penance soon, but never the less later (postea)
he will repent well." And so that was done. For as soon as the culprit
was released he was unwilling to do penance, but rather it was just as holy
Ita foretold. The spouse of Christ waited for it (eam, for penitentia?) patiently,
not having been forced now, but [coming] spontaneously, for God leaves everyone
to his own judgment.
33. With these things having transpired, a great war caused disruption to
the people of Ua Conaill by many enemies. That aforesaid people, in the presence
of their patroness, the blessed Ita, sought through her the aid of God against
the very large multitude of enemies. Then the blessed Ita, soothing them,
asked God, saying: "Holy Trinity and inseparable Unity, Father and
Son and Holy Spirit, come to assist my few and unhappy people [hominibus],
who have taken me kindly into their land in your name, and received me as
their patroness; for whom there is no human aid against this great multitude
from western Munster." The people of Ua Conaill, confident in the prayers
of the most blessed Ita, boldly advanced against the very great number of
enemies, and fought fiercely. And, battling against each other with very
great wounds, they (illi) were turned from battle into flight with the aid
of God evident through the prayer of holy Ita, and the people of Ua Conaill
made a very great slaughter among them (stragem fecit). And the people of
Ua Conaill returning from battle most victoriously gave thanks to God and
the most blessed Ita, their patroness, for the victory granted to them. The
victors of Christ were a few against many, because the holy Ita prayed for
them. Then the most blessed Ita said to one of her ministers: "Go out
to where the battle was waged and seek there for him who promised me to do
penance, and as yet has not done it; and you will find him lying hidden and
wounded amid the slaughter of battle." For he was a soldier, and and
was wounded in the first rank of battle. And the virgin's envoy found
him, just as she had told it to him. And he returned him to the blessed Ita;
and kindly received by her, he was cured of his wounds. And afterward he
did a worthy penance, according to the order of the most blessed virgin Ita,
and died in the blessed life.
34. On another day the blessed Ita said to her daughters: "In this hour
a soul from among our family has been besmirched. Go, and consider carefully,
how [one] from our flock is taken from us by a lurking wolf." Then
the family of the most blessed virgin investigated the crime commited; and
they were not able to know which person from among them had sinned. And the
whole family was gathered around blessed Ita, and all were denying it one
by one, they said: "I did not commit that sin." The one who had
sinned denying with the others, the blessed Ita, filled by the spirit of
prophecy, said to that denying person: "You have sinned today in fornication." And
that one neither repented nor confessed, but departed with the shame of one
having sinned. One who, having wandered through many places, became a servant
(ancilla) in the region of Connacht, and bore a daughter. Now, after a long
time the holy Ita said to her family: "Our sister, once a free woman,
now is a slave (serva) in the house of a certain magician (magi) in the land
of Connacht, who now is doing penance; and if she were to be free, would
faithfully mend her ways (se emendaret)." Afterward the most blessed
virgin Ita sent envoys to the blessed abbot Brendan (Clonfert ) living in
the region of Connacht, [asking] that he himself might seek the liberty of
the aforesaid woman. And holy Brendan, humble before the instruction of Ita,
the spouse of Christ, went to the king of the Connacht for her, and he made
her a free woman along with her daughter. And she, dispatched by the holy
Brendan, and her daughter with her, came to the blessed Ita, and she was
received by her, rejoicing at her arrival. And she herself, doing worthy
penance, remained with her daughter in the monastery of the most pious patroness
Ita in holiness until her death.
35. One day in venerable old age the most blessed Ita having gathered
her virgins before her, indicating that her death was near, gently said
to them: "Mac Nisse, the abbot of Clonmacnois, sent envoys to me,
that they might take back water blessed by me to abbot Oengus, who is
very ill; for they hope for a cure for him, if it may have happened so,
that he should drink water consecrated by me. Now I am blessing water
for them; the envoys are sad; and tell them that I blessed this very
water. But note that I will be dead, before they arrive here, and before
they return home, blessed Oengus himself will travel on to heaven." And
thus all these events took place, according to the prediction of the
most joyous (felicissime) prophetess Ita.
36. Afterwards the most blessed patroness Ita was broken by illness; and
she undertook to bless and advise her settlement (civitatem), and the
clerics and people of Ua Conaill, who had taken her as their patroness.
And having been visited by many holy persons of both sexes, amid the
choirs of saints, with rejoicing angels in the path of her soul, after
the greatest numbers of virtues, in the sight of the holy Trinity, the
most glorious virgin Ita passed on most happily 18 days before the Kalends
of February. The most blessed body of whom, with many persons having
gathered from all around (per circuitum), with many miracles performed,
which still have not ceased to be displayed there, most gloriously, after
the solemnities of masses, in her monastery which she the very holy Ita,
a second Brigit in her merits and morals, established, from the field,
was taken (traditum est) to the tomb, reigning with our Lord Jesus Christ,
who with God the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, God in
the age of ages. Amen.
}