Ita was born around 475 in Decies, Waterford, Ireland, of royal lineage. After receiving permission from her father, she became a nun. She moved to Cluain Credhail in County Limerick, now known as Killeedy, or “Church of St. Ita.” There she founded a community of women like herself — virgins consecrated to God.
Later, she also founded a school for boys and one of her pupils was St. Brendan. She was blessed with the gift of prophecy and was held in great esteem even by contemporary saints. Through her, the Lord performed numerous miracles. When she was near death, she summoned her community of nuns and prayed for God’s blessings on those present and all the clergy and laity in the entire area of Killeedy. She is known as “Brigid of Munster” in Ireland and to this day she is widely venerated there.
Lessons
St. Ita became much like a foster mother to many other saints including St. Brendan the Voyager, St. Cummian Fada and St. Pulcherius. At the request of Bishop Butler of Limerick, Pope Pius IX granted a special Office and Mass for the feast of St. Ita, which is celebrated on January 15.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we are grateful for holy women like Saint Ita who can be such an inspiration to young women today. Through her pious life and teachings, many others were influenced to live holy lives and also become saints. May we all strive to lead lives that inspire others to holiness. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Other Saints We Remember Today
St. Paul the First Hermit (342)
St. Maurus (580), Abbot, first disciple of St. Benedict
Our Lady Of Prompt Succor
image: Andreas F. Borchert / Wikimedia Commons
