Well the name Elvis is an anglicised version of the name Irish name Ailbe, which was then name given to an Irish Saint who is the patron saint of the diocese of Cashel and Emily. Saint Ailbe heralds from Munster and is the patron of wolves.
St. Ailbe was Abbot and preacher and became a disciple of St. Patrick, according to St. Patrick’s biographer, Tirechan. Ailbe is called Albeus in Latin. The name Ailbe is derived from the Irish words Ail (rock) and beo (alive).
What is known about Ailbe is that he was a missionary in Ireland under King Aengus. He was also the first Abbot of Emily in Munster, Ireland. He is the patron saint of wolves, because in his infancy he was left in the forest to be devoured by the wolves, Ailbe was born to a maidservant in the house of Cronan, Lord of Eliach, in County Tipperary. Cronan, disapproved of Ailbe birth and directed that the new born be exposed to ‘dogs and wild beasts, that he might be devoured’. But, instead, the baby was found hidden under a rock (Ail) and alive (beo), by a she-wolf who reared him among her own cubs. Ailbe would later repay the kindness toward the end of his life when a she-wolf chased by hunters took refuge with him. He ordered that the animal should not be harmed, and gave the wolf and her cubs food in his hall.
Ailbe was noted for his charity and kindness, as well as his eloquent sermons. He is considered the St. Patrick of Munster. “The Acts of St. Ailbe” represent Ailbe as preaching in Ireland before St. Patrick. This is very plausible, as even St. Declan did the same before he met his old friend Patrick in Cashel to settle an important governing ecclesial matter. Declan already knew Patrick from their time in Rome. Ailbe is frequently named as leader among the four “Palladian disciples” all of whom ministered in the south of Ireland before the arrival of St. Patrick. Palladius was the first missionary to Ireland. His four disciples are Ailbe of Emly, Ibar of Begerin, Declan of Ardmore and Ciaran of Saighir. “The Life of Declan” says that himself and Ailbe were great friends, and they both went to Rome for priestly formation. Declan is one of the Déise people, who herald from Wales. Ailbe was also in Wales, where he baptised St. David, patron of Wales.
Ailbe’s tomb, was discovered in Cashel in 580 when St Brendan of Birr came on a visit to inaugurate the new king. The saint’s death is recorded for the year 528 in the Irish annals.
Repose of Ailbe of Imlech Ibuir – The Annals of Ulster 528
St. Ailbe’s monastery known as Imleach Iubhair ‘the lakeside at a yew tree’ went on to become one of the most important ecclesiastical sites in Munster and in later centuries Emly became a Diocesan centre, after the synods of Rath Breasail and the Synod of Kells. The ecclesiastical site was located at the modern Catholic church and graveyard. St Ailbe’s holy well can be found in the north-eastern corner of the graveyard. In 1898 the well supplied the surrounding village. Local memory and historical sources say that in the past the pilgrimage rituals were focused on the holy well and an early medieval cross, known as St Ailbe’s Cross. The cross is located a short distance from the well. The cross was also said to cure back pain. When a person has a pain in his back he would get it cured by putting his back against the stone while praying to St Ailbe.
So there you have it, Elvis is a saint, I bet you did not know that… Are you all shook up?
by 