A portrait of St. Ita
St. Ita
c. 480 – 570
Feast
January 15 · VI c.
Patron of
Ireland · Foster mothers · Nursery workers · Irish nuns
Order
Abbess / Foundress
Irish abbess (c. 480-570), of royal Déisi descent, foundress of the convent of Killeedy in County Limerick; called "foster-mother of the saints of Ireland" for the great number of future saints (including, by tradition, St. Brendan the Navigator) educated at her school. Pre-Congregation.
Life & Times
Born: c. 480 · Died: 570 · From: Ireland.
Patronage
St. Ita is invoked as the patron of ireland, foster mothers, nursery workers, irish nuns. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
Shop St. Ita Products
Devotional items honoring St. Ita, from our Sancta Lumina collection and beyond.
About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. Ita, are Christians whom the Catholic Church has formally recognized as having lived lifes of heroic holiness and who now dwell with God in heaven, offering an example of faith for those still on their earthly journey. Catholics don't worship saints, but ask them to pray to God with us and for us — much as one might ask a trusted friend to pray for them — trusting that those closest to God can join their voices to ours before Him. Discover more saints in the Catholic Shop Saints section.