St Kevin lived in Ireland. He lived for many years as a hermit. What is a hermit?
The place where Kevin lived is called 'Glendalough'. It means "glen with two lakes". What is a glen?
Why is St Kevin often pictured holding a blackbird in his hand?
The name, Kevin, means 'gentle'. How does Saint Kevin show us how to be gentle and care for nature?
The place where Kevin lived is called 'Glendalough'. It means "glen with two lakes". What is a glen?
Why is St Kevin often pictured holding a blackbird in his hand?
The name, Kevin, means 'gentle'. How does Saint Kevin show us how to be gentle and care for nature?
The Legend of St Kevin
Although his name means "gentle one", Kevin was anything but gentle as a young child. The other children ran away when Kevin came near them because he was such a bully.
When he was seven his parents sent him to live with the monks in a monastery. When he was a teenager, the monks sent him into the forest to be alone during Lent. During his long time alone, Kevin developed a deep connection with nature and animals.
While Kevin was praying on his own with his hands outstretched, a blackbird landed on his palm. Kevin decided to stay very still so the blackbird did not get frightened and fly away.
The blackbird brought twigs and built a nest in Kevin's palm. He dared not move his hand and prayed the Jesus Prayer continuously. "Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy upon me a sinner." The blackbird laid her eggs in the nest and for 40 days and nights Saint Kevin kept his arm outstretched cradling the nest and eggs. In thanks, the blackbird brought blackberries to Saint Kevin and placed them in his mouth. When the last egg hatched (blackbirds' eggs hatch about 40 days after they've been laid), Saint Kevin finally put his arm down and said, "Amen".
Kevin returned to the monastery just in time for the Easter Service and saw all the monks in a new light. It is said that from that time forward he was the "gentle one". Later, he built a monastery in the valley where he cradled the blackbird's nest so many, many years before.
The gravestone marking Saint Kevin's grave has long since eroded to the point where it's not readable anymore and no one knows exactly where he is buried at the monastery in Glendalough. But...in the evening, when everyone has gone home, blackbirds gather on just one stone in the graveyard.
Although his name means "gentle one", Kevin was anything but gentle as a young child. The other children ran away when Kevin came near them because he was such a bully.
When he was seven his parents sent him to live with the monks in a monastery. When he was a teenager, the monks sent him into the forest to be alone during Lent. During his long time alone, Kevin developed a deep connection with nature and animals.
While Kevin was praying on his own with his hands outstretched, a blackbird landed on his palm. Kevin decided to stay very still so the blackbird did not get frightened and fly away.
The blackbird brought twigs and built a nest in Kevin's palm. He dared not move his hand and prayed the Jesus Prayer continuously. "Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy upon me a sinner." The blackbird laid her eggs in the nest and for 40 days and nights Saint Kevin kept his arm outstretched cradling the nest and eggs. In thanks, the blackbird brought blackberries to Saint Kevin and placed them in his mouth. When the last egg hatched (blackbirds' eggs hatch about 40 days after they've been laid), Saint Kevin finally put his arm down and said, "Amen".
Kevin returned to the monastery just in time for the Easter Service and saw all the monks in a new light. It is said that from that time forward he was the "gentle one". Later, he built a monastery in the valley where he cradled the blackbird's nest so many, many years before.
The gravestone marking Saint Kevin's grave has long since eroded to the point where it's not readable anymore and no one knows exactly where he is buried at the monastery in Glendalough. But...in the evening, when everyone has gone home, blackbirds gather on just one stone in the graveyard.