Thornback Wrongfully Maligned in CDN
CDN:
The round ray is the one responsible for stinging unsuspecting waders who step on them... not the thornback. But keep up the good work! I really enjoy the magazine when I read it as a freebie at my local dive shop, while waiting for air.

Brenda Bridgett
via e-mail

We were wrong. Sorry thornbacks.
Editor

St. Brendan At It Again
CDN:
I am very excited about your choice to use and honor the name of St. Brendan. I just read his life story this morning and then went online to find a good snorkeling place here in Palos Verdes where I am visiting and there was your web site — not unlike some of his little miraculous happenings.

Thank you for being there! And for the cool prayer.

Your fellow servant in Christ,
Pendleton Brown
via e-mail

Pendleton,
Thank you for your kind words.
St. Brendan the Navigator was a 6th century Irish priest that voyaged through much of Ireland and the North Atlantic spreading the Gospel. It is even believed, with evidence, that he made landfall on North America (which would have made him the first Christian in the Americas, long before Columbus). His many adventures with his rag-tag following of sailor priest/monks brought him the status of "patron saint of seafarers, sailors and mariners." Since there is no officially designated "patron saint of scuba divers," our company (Saint Brendan Corp., parent company of California Diving News) has unofficially designated him as such and adopted him as our corporate name. His spirit of adventure in exploring the seas and spreading the "Good News" is summed up in this prayer honoring St. Brendan:

"God of sea and land, you endowed your servant Brendan with a bold and adventurous spirit, to occupy himself for your business on the great waters, and revealed to him your wonders in the deep. Make us, who recall with thanksgiving his life and ministry, zealous to be pioneers and pilgrims for the faith of Christ. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen." — author unknown

Editor

We'd like to hear from you! Email us at mail@saintbrendan.com.