Posted in Irish church history

St. Lawrence O’Toole; the man with a difficult mission – 14th November

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Image source Lawrence O’Toole | Rhode Island Catholic

Material source taken from Catholicireland.net

St. Lawrence was Archbishop of Dublin during the incursion of Ireland by King Henry II. The Irish saint is highly honoured in Normandy, France, where he died in exile…

Laurence O’Toole was born in 1128 at Castle-Dermot, Co. Kildare. His father Maurice O’Toole, was King of Hy Murray. He lent his ten-year-old son and princes, as a token of security to the King of Leinster, Dermot McMurrough. This Leinster king treated poor Lawrence badly. He put the young prince in chains in a place of isolation, with cold comforts. Prince Lawrence found himself an oppressed pauper which lasted two years. The young hostage prince was eventually released after two years by the cruel Leinster King. Soon enough though, the same cruel Dermot McMurrough, gave King Henry II a foothold on Ireland.

For now, Lawrence found himself safe in waiting at St. Kevin’s monastery of Glendalough, with a view to be collected by his father and King Maurice. While still waiting at Glendalough, the young prince soon fell in love with the monastic life and developed a life of prayer. His two-year previous experience as a hostage, helped him to see that wealth and power were not the end all and be all. Lawrence felt a closeness to the benevolent God at Glendalough. So, he requested his father’s permission to remain there, to become a monk, and King Maurice O’Toole consented. Lawrence progressed well in religious life and by the age of twenty-five, he became the Abbot of Glendalough. As superior, he encouraged the monks in deeper learning. Charity for the poor was to be their breastplate. During a local famine for example, Laurence sold some treasures to provide relief for the hungry.

Appointment as Archbishop of Dublin.

Soon after the synod of Kells of 1152, Laurence was appointed in 1162 as the Archbishop of Dublin. One of his first task was to encourage the laity in the practice of the faith, and to become true disciples of Jesus. He brought in monks to Dublin from France, and they lived in the Holy Trinity Church, which was later renamed Christchurch Cathedral after it fell into protestant hands. This missionary effort by the most rev. Lawrence, helped many people to come back to the Sacraments. He continued in his care for the poor, as well as homeless children. He took them into his house, and they shared meals at his table. The most rev. Lawrence was a man of prayer, and when he got an opportunity, he loved to go to Glendalough and retreat at a lakeside hermitage which could be reached only by boat.

The Archbishop of Dublin, participated at the Third Lateran Council in Rome in 1179, with some other Irish bishops. The Pope, Alexander III, was aware that Ireland had been undergoing political upheaval with destabilizing effects. He was aware that the quality of the practice of the Catholic faith had deteriorated. The pope therefore gave Laurence the task of reforming and improving the Church in Ireland.

Suing for peace

The Normans landed in Ireland in 1169, thanks in no small part to the cruel King Dermot McMurrough. By 1170, King Henry II’s under lord, Strongbow besieged Dublin. Laurence became a peace envy, and he met Strongbow looking to establish a settlement. During the peace talks however, the Normans continued their besiege of the city. There was looting and killing of citizens. Thanks to Laurence’s efforts the lives of many were saved.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket was already murdered under the reign of Henry II in 1170. As archbishop, St. Lawrence would visit England in his endeavour to promote peace. In 1175 he became one of the signatories of the Treaty of Windsor, between England’s King Henry II and Ireland’s High King, Roderic O’Connor. But a few years after Windsor, another dispute erupted between the Henry II and the Irish Kings. In the spring of 1180, Laurence took the mantle of peace envoy again, returning to England. King, Henry II, had by now little time for bishops. Henry II wanted rid of the Irish archbishop and ordered him in exile to Britany, France.

Death in exile of an Irish archbishop

In the same year, Laurence became gravely ill and on 14th November 1180, at the age of 52, he died at Eu in Normandy at a monastery there. Laurence was later formerly canonized a saint in 1225. He is remembered in the liturgical calendar in Ireland on the 14th November.

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Posted in Irish church history

The Ascetic noble and saint – Colman of Kilmacduagh – October 29th

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Image source from https://www.santodelgiorno.it/san-colman-di-kilmacduagh/

The material below has been distilled from

Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae

The Martyrology of Donegal, refers to Bishop Colman Mac Duagh of the diocese of Cill Mic Duach in Connaught. Colman was of the Fiachra race, and the son of Eochaid Muidhmheadoin. Our Fiachra saint was a man of immense virtues and miracles.

His story is like a drama which unfolds, beholds, and must be told.

In the 6th century, a woman called Rhinagh was at an advanced stage of pregnancy. A king of Connaught developed a jealous hatred of Rhinagh after hearing a prophecy of authority, about her soon to be born son, the St. Colman to be. According to a prophecy, Rhinagh’s son was destined to surpass in greatness, all within the Fiachra clan dynasty. This king also called Colman, was father of prince Guaire, and relative of the child to be born. The King wished the child to be done away with… Now fearing the hostile jealous king, Rhinagh fled in a panic in an attempt save her unborn child. The jealous king pursued her, and his minions took her, and put a heavy stone tied around her neck. They then cast her into the deep depths of the river Kiltartan… However, the mother to be, was preserved from drowning, by some miracle.

Rhinagh gave birth to her son in secret at a place called Corker near Gort, in County Galway. Her boy was born with a thousand blessings which time has brought to ripeness. The concerned mother placed her baby under a shelter of an ash tree, and waited irritably for someone who might baptise her new born child. It happened that two aged pilgrim religious men past by, seeing the anxious mother. One was blind, the other was lame. They both could not procure any water to administer baptism, so they called out for Divine assistance. Suddenly a fountain spring gushed forth from beneath the shelter of the ash tree. The two religious were able to baptise the child and name him Colman at Corker, at the Holy Well which now bears his name. Then having washed themselves in the well spring waters of the two religious men were cured of blindness and infirmity. These indebted monks, recognising the greatness of the child, intreated the mother to commend Colman to their care, for his protection and education. Under the distressing circumstances of being a fugitive, Rhinagh was only too happy to entrust her son into their care. She recognised that Colman would be kept from harm from a hostile and jealous king. The child lived a life largely unknown for many years from this point. We can see that it somewhat reflects that of the child Jesus who fled to Egypt, and later lived in Nazareth a private life until his public ministry began.

Colman reappears later in the maturity of life on ”Inis Mór”, also known as the island of the Saints – “Ara-na-Naomh.” St. Enda was the abbot there and his foundation had a reputation for piety that rivalled St. Colmcille’s foundation at Iona. Two churches on the island are ascribed to St. Colman, both by “history and tradition according to Dr. Kelly. The austere and solitude life on Aranmore, practiced by the holy disciples of St Enda, was not sufficient for the generous soul of Colman. So by the end of the sixth century, he left the island, to spearhead a new religious foundation of greater solitude and austerity.

We must appreciate that Ireland was very much a forested country in this era, and St. Colman Mac Duagh pursued isolation to be found in the Burren forests. The global weather was much more Mediterranean like in what can only be described as another world. At the Burren forests, Colman found the perfect seclusion to be alone with God. Here he lived the desert life like that of John the Baptist. He was resolved to practice penance and contemplation in complete solitude and retirement of his hermitage.

A historian Colgan narrates that St Colman retired to Burren forests, accompanied by a religious attendant, while king Colman was still at large.  It was therefore a grave matter to conceal the place of his hermitage. Colman constructed a small oratory at the foot of the cliff of Ceanaille. Tradition tells of a cave used for his hermitage with a fountain of water that provided him with drink. Colman ate wild herbs of the forest, and he wore skins of the wild deer as raiment. His fasts, prayers and vigils, were frequent.

In the solitude, Colman was often absorbed in ecstasy of the most abundant spiritual consolations. He also suffered moments of aridity though, when God seemed to have forsaken him. The historian Keating narrated that Colman settled into the desert wilderness for the sake of increased devotion. His only creature comforts were the religious company of his attendant, a rooster, a mouse, and a fly. The Rooster gave him notice of the time of night prayer by his crowing. The mouse, kept him from sleeping above five hours a day; for any relaxing or dosing off on his ascetic life, that mouse would come along and scratch Colman’s ear until he was perfectly re-awakened. The fly was like his reading attendant, having the sense to crawl along the lines of his spiritual readings; and if the Saint had tired eyes, the fly would stop awhile, marking the first letter of the following  sentence, directing Colman back to where he finished reading.

Colman lived in his Burren hermitage for seven years in  complete isolation and unknown… The time came however when he would leave the solitude, as he was made a bishop of his people. Prince Guaire succeeded the throne of Connaught, as King Colman and Guaire’s older brother passed away. Guaire of the Hy Fiachra clan proved to be a good Godly King, and a great friend to Colman; for they were kinsmen. There family friendship proved to be a powerful combination.

King Guaire, with patient effort and divine help, discovered the Burren hermitage. The sanctity of the place, made a big impression on him. It was King Guaire would soon urge Colman to accept the episcopal charge of the territory of Aidhne. Colgan, narrates this episode, taking details from the Menology of Aengus, thus paraphrased:

It happened that St. Colman, on Easter morning, recited his prayers and celebrated the Holy Mass. Expecting a feast, he asked his attendant if there was anything special to eat for the great feast of the Risen Lord. The attendant had only been able to procure some small wild fowl and some herbs. Colman saw his attend pining for something worthy of a feast. So the saint left this famished attendant in the hands of God. Colman prayed that if it be the divine will, God would send heaven’s servants to supply a feast and strengthen his attendant’s faith.

King Guaire meanwhile was hosting a royal banquet at his palace some great distance away at Durlus. When all the notable people present were ready to partake, something mysterious happened. Before sitting down to the feast, King Guaire gave an impressive speech. “Oh, would it pleased Heaven that this banquet were set before some true servants of God who require it; as for us, we might easily be provided with another.” Well no sooner had he uttered such words, the dishes were raised from the tables and removed, as if by invisible hands. The banquet guests and attendants were dumb struck. The king marvelled, ordering his guards, to follow the dishes, to determine if possible their new destination. All the King’s men followed the dishes in hot pursuit. They were then followed by a crowd of passing witnesses. The dishes finally arrived at Colman’s Burren hermitage, and were arranged in the open space in the woodland. Colman and his attendant exclaimed, ” O father, behold the reward of thy patience! Let us thankfully partake of the food sent us by our good God.” Colman, first investigated where such dishes had come from, and an angel recounted that the feast was sent in answer to his prayers, and through the generosity of the king. Suddenly His Majesty, King Guaire with his subjects and the gathered crowd of witnesses arrived on the scene.

All were in astonishment at discovering the secluded hermitage and the banquet laid before Colman and his attendant, who were on the point of feasting on the bountiful  providence of the Lord. Before the crowds could join them, Colman desired that his starving attendant could enjoy the delights set before him there and then without any further waiting. The king’s men and the crowd were momentarily unable to advance to their place at the banquet. The limestone ledges bear, to this day, the footprints of the crowds whose feet sank and anchored into the stone ground. Colgan, narrates this phenomenon in folklore which happened at a place called ” Bohir na Maes,” which is Irish for the road of the Dishes.

The holy character of the Burren hermitage won for Colman, much public acclaim among his clansmen. His fame for austerity and miracles became well known among the Fiachra race. What is more Colman was one of their own, from the noblest of the tribes of Hy Fiachrach. King Guaire, urgently requested St. Colman to found a monastery, and be accept an episcopal charge of the territory of his kinsman. With the monastery built, the abbot was elected by an apostolic mandate to the dignity of bishop. Colman exercised episcopal jurisdiction, coextensive with the territory of his race. It extended over the territory of Aidhne, the patrimony of the southern Hy Fiachrach, becoming the boundaries of the diocese of Kilmacduagh. The site of Colman’s monastery and cathedral was miraculously pointed out to him.

Image source Oct 29 – St Colman of Kilmacduagh (560-632) – Catholicireland.netCatholicireland.net

Colgan narrates; “his cincture fell on a certain place, not far from his former cell, and there he built his monastery, which, from his name, is commonly called Kilmacduagh.” The location had the qualities of solitude and was dangerous for the public to reach. It became a refuge to many desperately fleeing from one problem or other. The date of the foundations of this monastery at Kilmacduagh is given as A.D. 610.

Bishop Colman would often reminisce over the solitude he once enjoyed, and wished to have it all back to be able to enjoy the divine communion which he often had with God. He found himself as bishop, despising the praises and admiration of all. Bishop Colman lived out the remainder of his days in the secluded little valley of Oughtmama in the Burren. The rugged mountains rise steeply round this valley, completely hiding it from the public access.

Colman gave up his soul to his Maker on the 29th of October A.D. 632, in the pontificate of Honorius I. The festival of St. Colman Mac Duagh has been observed in the diocese of Kilmacduagh from time immemorial on the 29th of October.

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St. Ciaran of Clonmacnoise – The influential cowboy Saint – 9th September

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Much of the information is taken from

The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Latin & Irish Lives Of Ciaran by R.A. Stewart-Macalister

We also gleaned information from Omni Sanctorum Hiberniae indicated by [… ]

[Ciarán of Clonmacnoise is listed as one of the 12 Apostles of Ireland. He is monastic founder of Clonmacnoise of the sixth century] He was baptised and catechised by deacon Diarmiad, and received formation by St. Finnian, before he was ordained priest at the monastery of St. Enda. [Ciarán went on to establish some monasteries in Ireland, and his Clonmacnoise foundation of great centre for Christian learning in the Celtic world, second only to the famed Iona foundation in Scotland.]

Ciaran of Clonmacnoise was founder of an outstanding influential monastery; the monastic university of Clonmacnoise along the river Shannon, near Athlone. We have much to glean from ‘’The Lives of the Saints’’ which is a series of homilies composed for the festivals of our holy men and women. The aim of the sermons was to edify the congregations by presenting the virtues of their subjects, and, of their thaumaturgic powers. The ‘’Lives of the Saints’’ consists of disconnected anecdotes, describing events that gave occasion for a miraculous display.

The holy abbot St. Ciarán descended from the people of the Latronens, from old kingdom of Midhe, (meath & Westmeath). His father Beonnadus, was a wood worker, making carts for animals to draw forward. Ciarán’s mother Derercha, begat five sons, of whom all were ordained to the presbytery. She had three daughters, two of whom were holy virgins and one became a holy widow. Beonnadus travelled from the coasts of the kingdom of Midhe, into the territories of the Conactha (Connaught. There in the plain of Aei in the stronghold called Raith Crimthain, Beonnadus begot Ciarán. A Wizard of the king Crimthan (Griffen) of Aei, prophesied about the child saying: “The son who is in the womb of the wife of [Beonnadus] shall be [held] in honour before God and before men; as the sun shineth in heaven so shall he himself by his holiness shine in Ireland.” Ciarán was baptized and was reared by his parents in the plains of Aei, and the grace of God was manifest in him.

One day as a very young boy, Ciarán’s mother gave out to him, explaining that the other boys bring honey to their parents every day, from the fields where honey is found, while Ciarán returns with no honey at all. The holy boy Ciarán, went quickly to a spring close by, and filled a vessel with water, then he blessed it, and honey of the best was found in that vessel, which he gave to his mother. The holy deacon Diarmaid  upon learning of this, he gave thanks to Christ, and prayed for the boy.

Young Ciarán was a shepherd and often read the Psalms with Diarmaid, though the were a long distance from each other. Ciarán was shepherding in the southern region of Aei, while Diarmaid was teaching from his cell in the northern region of Aei. His words were heard far across the plain, while the boy would read, sitting upon a rock in the field. This same rock is reverenced to day, as the Cross of Christ, that is now placed upon the rock. Their communications from such great distance was a miracle, because no one else heard their discourse, though they could hear themselves clearly.

One day sa small band of thieves came by, and found Ciarán shepherding alone, while reading.  The brigands considered to kill him and to plunder his flock. But they were suddenly smitten with blindness, and paralysed, to the point of repentance. They then begged Ciarán to deliver their sight. Ciarán upon seeing their repentant hearts, prayed over them, and their sight returned.  The reformed robbers were grateful and proclaimed their story to many.

Another time a pauper came begging for a cow from Ciarán, and begged of him.  Ciarán then asked of his mother permission to give a cow to the pauper. But his mother would not have any of it. Ciarán hatched a plan, and on the QT, he gave the pauper a good cow with her calf. But the calf itself was cared for by two cows, so Ciarán gave the pauper the second cow to add to the bargain. The folk seeing Ciarán’s generosity to the poor man, in turn gave Ciarán four cows in alms giving. His mother was scolding him, when Ciarán placated her with the gift of four cows, to which she fell in awe of her son.  

One day Ciarán’s father brought home a treasured royal vessel from the court of King Furbithus, for safe keeping. However, Ciarán gave the treasured vessel to a pauper who begged in Christ’s name, as he was destitute. Upon learning of this, the king’s ire was inflamed, and Ciarán would have to serve time for justice’ sake. He was held a slave servant in captivity, at the King’s court. Ciarán’s job was to turn the millstone every day to make flour. But Ciarán was a book worm and would sit by and read, while the millstone, rotated swiftly without human aid to grind corn. For God sent his angels to do the grind work for Ciarán. At around the same time, and by further Divine intervention, a Déise man called Hiernanus of the province of Mumenia (Munster), came to Ciarán and gifted two most excellent vessels, both on a par with the former treasured royal vessel of the king. With the miracle of the millstone and the Déise gifts, the King accepted the ransom and freed Ciarán from servitude. Ciarán then blessed Hiernanus and the Déise tribe for helping him be free again.

As Ciarán grew older, he desired to leave home and go to the school of St. Finnian. Ciarán wished to learn from the Scriptures, with other students there. Ciarán asked his father and mother for the use of a cow to take with him for daily sustenance of milk. His mother was alarmed and denied him, reasoning, “Others who are in that school have no kine.” Not withstanding, Ciarán received the blessing to take leave for the school and the boy set out on his way. Passing by his parent’s cattle, Ciarán blessed a cow, and in Jesus name, he commanded such cow to follow him. The cow duly followed him and her calf followed her.  Ciarán and the kine marched to Cluayn Irayrd (Clonard), in the region bordering the Laginenses and Ui Neill.

Ciarán ensured by use of his rod so that the calf would not drink away the store of milk in the cow’s udder. That cow, later called Odar Ciarán, “Ciaran’s Dun” became famous, for the great quantity of milk which could hardly be believed. The large quantity was sufficient for the school. The cow’s hide became venerated in the monastic city of Clonmacnoise; for through it, many miracles were produced. It was so venerated and it was revealed by divine inspiration, that any man who passes away lying upon this hide, shall possess eternal life with Christ.

While at St. finnian’s school, when Ciarán was by himself in his cell, he came to table to take food. He began with a blessing, saying, “Benedicite.” But no one answered “Dominus,” so he got up from the table, without tasting anything that day. He did the same thing the next day, and again no one answered so he rose from the table without food. After fasting for three days, he came to table and prayed, “Benedicite”; and a whispered voice fell from Heaven saying, “The Lord bless thee, weary Ciarán; now is thy prayer matured, since a lone blessing is sufficient to eat. Ciarán gave thanks, ate his bread on the third day.

Ciarán read the gospel of Matthew with Fr. Finnian, in the presence of other students. And coming to the text where is written “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, so do ye unto them,” Ciarán stopped reading and said to Finnian, “Father, enough for me is this half of this book which I have read;.. verily this one sentence is enough for me to learn.” In this way he was nick named, ‘Leth-Matha’ (Half-Matthew) by the students.” Fr. Finnian added to his new name, as ‘Leth n-Eirenn’ (Half-Ireland). This was a prophecy on the size of his parish, extending through the middle of Ireland.” His school mates were envious of Ciarán over this prophecy.

From St. Finnian’s school, Ciarán went to island of Ara (Inis Mór of the Aran islands), in the west of Ireland. There he rendered service to Abbot Enda. At that time Ciarán saw a marvellous vision of a great and fruitful tree along the river Synna (Shannon) in the middle of Ireland. The tree’s shadow protected Ireland on each side; and its branches flowed into the estuary and beyond. The next day Ciarán related the vision to St. Enda, who forthwith interpreted… paraphrased thus: ”Such fruitful tree witnessed by you, I have also seen too. You are that tree, and you shall be great before God and man. You will be honoured in Ireland, and your shadow of duty and grace shall protect Ireland from demons, plagues, and perils. Your fruit shall be for a profit to many far and wide”. Later Ciarán was consecrated priest and afterwards, at the command of St. Enda, Ciarán returned to the mainland.

[Ciarán lead the life of a perfect priest. He practised the rule of a priest’s life received from his formation at Aran. A contemporary student, St. Carthage, narrated: “the patience, humility, prayer, fast, and (Ciarán’s) cheerful abstinence’’]

One day Ciarán while travelling, he met a pauper along the way. The poor man begged of Ciarán something in alms. The beggar received his only cloak, thus depriving  his body of necessary cover. Ciarán journeyed to the island of Cathi (Scattery Island) around the estuary to the Atlantic ocean, at Luimnech (Limerick) between the regions of Kiarraighe and Corco Baiscind. On this island lived St. Senan. While Ciarán approached  that Scattery island, Senan sensed interiorly that Ciarán was without comfort in clothing. Senan sent a boat to collect Ciarán, to carry him to the island, with the view of giving Ciarán a new coat in person.  It was a welcome act of charity, and Ciarán remained for some days with St. Senan, before he continued his journey.

Ciarán then set out to his visit his brethren Luchenn and Odran, who lived in a cell  called Yseal, (the lowest place). Luchenn, the elder, was the abbot, and Odran was  prior. One time while there Ciarán was reading in a field on a sunny day, He saw some weary guests entering their guest-house and he went to show hospitality, while forgetting his book, leaving it outdoors, exposed to the elements. His diligence to the weary guest, made him completely forget the book and that night, there was a downpour of rain, but by Divine favour, the opened book remained perfectly dry, even though the ground around was wet. Ciarán and his brethren praised Jesus for the miracle when they found it again.

Ciarán upon departing his brethren, gave a blessing, and taking his books on his shoulders, he went on his way. Ciarán had gone a little distance from the place, when he stumbled upon a gentle stag waiting for him. Ciarán placed his book-satchels on the stag, and followed him. [the stag held his books in it’s antlers while Ciarán read] The stag arrived at Loch Rii (Lough Ree – King’s lake) in east Connaught, and he stopped near Inis Angin, an island in that lake. Ciarán understood by this sign of the stag stopping, that the Lord wanted him to go to that island, and so it happened. The stag went on his merry way.

While at Inis Angin, a community grew. One day it happened that The gospel-book of Ciarán fell into the lake by the careless hand of one of the monks. It was certain that the gospel was lost for good. But one summer’s day, a small number of cows  entered the lake looking to refresh themselves from the heat. Afterwards the cows  returned to the land, but the binding of a leather book-satchel got tangles in the  cow’s hoof, and so the gospel-book inside book-satchel was dragged back to dry land. This gospel-book was found in perfect condition, without dampness nor any moisture. It was well preserved and Ciarán and his followers rejoiced over this miracle.

Later, there came a man called Donnan from the tribe of Corco Baiscind from Mumonia (Munster). He came to Ciarán looking for a place wherein to sojourn, as a servant of  Christ. Ciarán permitted Donnan to stay at Inis Angin, as Ciarán felt called to found a new monastery elsewhere. Ciarán left Inis Angin, and settled at Typrait, now called Cluain meic Nois (Clonmacnoise – Meadow of the Sons of Nós). Here Ciarán proclaimed: “Here will I live: for many souls shall go forth in this place to the kingdom of God, and in this place shall be my resurrection.”

The great monastery of Clonmacnoise was founded, and Ciarán’s parish was extensive. Thus St. Finnian’s prophecy and St. Edna’s interpretation of the vision came to pass. The noble river of the Shannon flowed along the verdant plains, and by it’s banks, there was that stately tree laden with leaves and fruits, and covering the land with it’s shade. The monastic site was home to that lush tree with its branches shading Ireland. St. Ciarán as founder became renowned over Ireland. [He became the perfect Abbot.]

At clonmacnois, Ciarán was gifted with an excellent cloak. He was mindful to send it to St. Senan, on the island of Cathi on the Shannon estuary. It was a difficult task to send, as the sea was rough, and the political climate required a lot of pragmatic communications. So from the banks of the Shannon river, at Clonmacnoise, in the centre of Ireland, Ciarán placed the cloak on the river, and it floated along as far as the island of Cathi. The cloak remained dry for the entire duration, arriving safely into the hands of St. Senan who filled with the gift of prophecy sensed its coming. He was filled with thanksgiving as his monks delivered the cloak. It was held in honour, as though it were a sacred diadem.

Ciarán lived only one year at his new monastic site of Clonmacnoise. He recognised his life was slipping away. Now when his final hour approached, Ciarán commanded to be carried outside of the house. He gazed up to heaven, and raising his hand and he blessed his brethren and flock. Ciarán received the Lord’s Sacrifice, and at age thirty three, he gave up his soul. He is buried in Clonmacnoise awaiting his resurrection of his body on the last day. Within the monastic grounds, Kings from the O’Neill tribe were also buried along with St. Ciarán and the monks.

[St. Ciarán died in September in the 540s] He is remember on the 9th September by the Irish Church

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St. Macnessius – 4th September

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Much of the information below has been gleened from Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae: Saint Mac Nissi of Connor, September 3

St. Macnessius was known as Oengus. The ancient Irish ”Leabhar Breac” narrate that the saint’s mother was Cnes, a daughter to Conchaid of Dal Cethern. It was common enough among the Irish to derive a surname from the mother in those times. So we have Oengus Mac Cnes toda known as St. Mac Nissi or Macnessius… Oengus was baptised by St. Patrick, at a fountain of water that suddenly sprung from the ground. As a fostered child, Oengus became known as Mac Cnes Patraic.

St. Patrick placed Mac Cnes under the care and formation of his disciple Abbot Bolcan. Mac Cnes was a docile pupil, and progressed through his elementary studies. When St. Patrick was later on a journey through Dalaradia, having met Bolcan with Mac Cnes, he prophesied that the Apostlic mission of Bolcan would be handed over to Mac Cnes. The docile student proved himself perfect in every good work, and was later again raised to the episcopal dignity of Abbot by St. Patrick. The holy Abbott was founder of a monastery that was to become the see of Down and Connor. Mac Cnes was thus also a Bishop.

Mac Cnes undertook a pilgrimage to Rome and to Jerusalem. The Bollandists narrate that Mac Cnes was a prayerful pilgrim, and that returned to Ireland with several relics from the Holy Land. He took a stone relic from our Lord’s Sepulchre, a portion of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s hair, a bone of the Apostle St. Thomas, and pieces from the garments of the Apostle’s vestments. Mac Cnes returned to Ireland via Rome, and lodged in the Apostolic curia for a few days. He was treated with marked distinction by the curia. Certain Roman magnates, bestowed on Mac Cnes many valuable gifts, along with several gold, silver, and brazen vessels. After visiting the shrines of various saints, Mac Cnes received the Sovereign Pontiff’s benediction and prayers. Mac Cnes returned to Ireland laden with remarkable relics. The native Irish went forth to meet him, from the towns, villages, churches and even from the woods and mountains. They received him with most reverend joy.

Mac Cnes did many miracles through his prayers. For example he healed a blind man, and a leper companion. They presented themselves to Mac Cnes full of confidence of being healed. At his request, they washed themselves in a fountain of clear water. The blind man then received his gift and the leper was cleansed from his leprosy. In a document on Mac Cnes, contained in the Salamancan Manuscript, we read, that he miraculously changed the current of a river in Ireland named Curi. He changed the flow, to mitigate the murmuring of the waters so as not disturb the infirm at a place called ”Dysart” which means hermitage. The Bollandists relate that through the effect of his prayers, Mac Cnes obtained the birth of a saint for a woman. We are told, that a certain man called Setna was with his wife Brig while travelling in their chariot. Upon seeing St, Macnessius travelling on foot, Setna said to his wife: “O woman, descend that the Bishop may take a place in this chariot.” But, Macnessius called out: “Do not disturb her, for she shall give birth to a king, who will rule over many.” It was his prophecy of St. Comgall of Bangor who would rule his people as spiritual King in the name of the Lord.

St. Macnessius reached old age, and the time of death approached. He departed this life, on the 3rd day of September, in the very early 500s. The church in Ireland celebrates St. Macnessius on September 4th.

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St. Aidan of Lindisfarne; Apostle of Northern England – 31st August

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Saint Aidan, also known as Aidan of Lindisfarne and the Apostle of Northumbria, was an Irish saint, who lived from about 590 until 31 August 651. He first became a monk who had studied under St. Senan, at Iniscathay at the Shannon River estuary on the Clare coast. Aidan then became a monk at the monastery that St. Colum Cille had founded on the island of Iona. Aidan would later establish his own monastery on the North Sea tidal island of Lindisfarne, known as Lindisfarne Priory. In time the Abbot became known as the apostle of Northumbria.

When the Romans withdrew from Great Britain, the Anglo-Saxons became strong, and paganism returned. The Northumbrian warrior-leader Aethelfrith was killed in battle (616AD) and his children fled into exile to Scotland. Here they met the Irish monks of Iona and accepted the Christian faith. Oswald, the second son of Aethelfrith, grew up in Iona from the age of twelve and he was determined to re-gain the throne of Northumbria and to Christianize his subjects there. In 633 he fought a successful battle and established himself as king of Northumbria at Bamburgh Castle. In 634 he invited Irish monks from Iona to help him convert his subjects to Christianity. The good English king Oswald even learned how to speak in Irish through his contacts with the Irish.

The Christian mission was handed from one religious to another, from Cormán to Aidan, who then chose with the King’s blessing, the island of Lindisfarne for his new monastic base. St. Bede praised the rule of St. Aidan, and of his Irish monks in the ministry. Aidan then set out, with his disciples, to walk the length and breadth of Northumbria. In this way he converted the Northumbrians though personal piety and the power of his example. He bears the title “Beacon of the North.”

King Oswald died in 642, and Aidan then worked closely with Oswald’s successor, Oswine of Deira to continue the apostolic mission. Twelve days before Aidan’s death, the royal Bamburgh Castle had come under incendiary attack. Aidan saw the smoke from the fires from his monastery and knelt in prayer. The wind immediately changed and the smoke miraculously blew back in the faces of the attackers, who withdrew as a result. For this reason, Aidan is known as the patron saint of firefighters.

St. Aidan died at Bamborough, the town of the King’s seat of power. He died there the last day of August, 651, and his remains were borne to Lindisfarne. His memory is celebrated in the Church on the 31st of August.

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Saint Fiacre of Breuil; the hackney herbalist saint – 30th August

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Much of the information here is taken from the website https://www.omniumsanctorumhiberniae.com/

St. Fiacre was born around the year 590. He was from a noble family in Connaught. Charity was a strong characteristic in his life. One day, a poor pauper came by seeking an alms. Fiachra was already exhausted from his precedent alms giving, and having nothing left he bestowed his rich mantle to the poor man. 

Fiacre later decided to live the religious life, placing himself under the care of St. Cuanna, a saint famed for learning and sanctity, at his monastery at Kilcoona, along the shore of Loch Orbsen. Fiacre was ordained priest, and wished to live the contemplative life. He departed from the school of St. Cuanna, and established his first hermitage on the banks of the Nore near Kilkenny, to live an austere life. This hermitage became later known as Kill-Fiachra, or Kilfera. Now Fiacre became an accomplished with the use of herbs, a recognised a healer, and saintly man, who caused followers to flock to him. But he desired greater solitude, so leaving Kilkenny, Fiacre sought refuge in France, at Meaux.

In France, He approached Bishop Faro, of the diocese of Meaux. He expressed his desire to live a life of solitude. St. Faro gave him a site at Breuil, present day Brie which was once upon a time a tract of land called Broilus (Latin for a small wood). This forest land was considered uninhabitable, and infested with ‘sorcerers’ and barbarians. At Breuil, St. Fiacre received as much land as he could furrow in one day. He ploughed the soil using the point of his spade, and with divine help he would uproot trees, briers and weeds. Fiacre went on to render his land arable, creating a lofty sized garden with vegetables, fruit, flowers and medical herbs.

He was a great ascetic, a man of prayer, fasting, and manual labour as a gardener.  His food consisted of roots and wild herbs. As a herbalist, St. Fiacre had a medicine that would become known as “Saint Fiacre’s figs” in the Middle Ages. His medicine had a reputation for healing haemorrhoids. St. Fiacre erected an oratory to venerate the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a hospice to take in strangers, and a private cell to retire in prayer. Fiacre did this with the help of his growing number of disciple, and this apostolic work helped with the maintenance of pilgrims to the monastery. His original preparation work was again initiated with the help of his spade and divine support of uprooting trees. Seeing this miracle of the spade, an busy body woman called ‘La Becnaude’ rushed to the diocese of Meaux, denouncing Fiacre as a sorcerer to bishop Faro. She returned to Breuil with orders from the diocese to stop all operations straight away. This caused Fiacre much grief, as he sank with sadness into the jacked rocks in the trench. These rocks melted forming a comforting chair for Fiacre. The bishop on arrival seeing and understanding such miracle of the stone chair in a trench, took Fiacre’s side. A decree that all women should be banished from the monastic grounds was established by the abbot Fiacre. One noble lady would try her luck and infringe this decree, but she suffered sudden a violent illness. Physicians called her illness ”Fiacre’s Malady”. This decree of prohibition of women lasted until 1760 when it was dissolved. Fiacre died on 18 August, 670 A. D.

Today there is veneration to St. Fiacre’s relics at Meaux Cathedral. Visitors to his shrine included Anne, of Austria, Bossuet, and Vincent de Paul. St. Fiachra is today venerated as patron at Brie, and one of the chief patrons of the diocese of Meaux; He is venerated in France as patron of gardeners and of the Fiacre-drivers, the French hackney cab dubbed since early times for the use of pilgrims travelling to the Brie shrine. 

His memory is celebrated by the church on the 30th of August

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St. Eoghan of Ardstraw, in Co. Tyrone – 23rd August

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St. Éoghan of Ardstraw, is commonly known as Eugene in English, Eugenius in Latin, or sometimes referred to as Tir Eoghain which is the Irish for Tyrone, a county in Ulster. Éoghan was an important figure in Irish Christianity from the 6th century. His life was marked by a series of remarkable events that shaped his future as a monk, as abbot and bishop.

Hagiologist Colgan, wrote the unpublished Acts of St. Eugene. His work called the ‘’Acts of St. Eugenius of Ardsrata’’, are currently found in the Burgundian Library at Bruxelles. Historians have since edited and published from the original draft, such as Carolus de Smedt and Joseph de Backer.

Éoghan is a descendent of Laeghaire Lore, son to Ugaine Mór, whom the Leinster people are also descended. Éoghan’s father was Cainnech of Leinster and his mother was Muindecha, descendent of the region of Mugdarnia, Co. Down. Éoghan was uncle to St. Kevin of Glendalough. As a youth, Éoghan received his education with Tighernach, in a school at Clones.

Éoghan, Tighernach and another school friend Corpre, were taken hostage to Britain by pirates. By the grace of God, a man called Neunyo, (Mancenus), from the Rosnat monastery (or Candida Casa, in Scotland) procured their liberation from the King of Britain. The three lads received their tutelage under St. Ninian. But later again Éoghan, with companions, found themselves taken hostage and this time they were brought to British Amorica in Brittany. They became slaves under a Gallic King, as mill workers.

They loved reading and would skive from their work duties to read more. One day, the king’s steward caught them on the hop studying, as the milling wheel suspended operations without reason. The steward lorded it over them to resume work at the mill. Finding themselves alone again the three students begged Almighty God, for some respite so they could study. In response, the Angels of God appeared, and these angels worked the mill-wheel, so it revolved, giving the captive slaves time to study. When the miracle was made known to the king, the noble man sent the three captives back to the Rosnat monastery as free men. Restored to his tutor and master, Éoghan studied some more years in the monastery.

After a long period, St. Ninnian felt drawn to sail for Ireland, with Tighernach and Éoghan. There Éoghan went on to establish the monastery of Kilnamanagh (church of the monks) in Co. Wicklow. Éoghan gave his life to sanctity, mortification and prayer. For fifteen years He was Abbot of excellent repute. At Kilnamangh, he influenced the mind of his nephew, Coemghen or Kevin of Glendalough.
Éoghan set out on an evangelical mission to the north of Ireland. His monks at Kilnamanagh were encouraged to excel into their diverse capacities as Abbots, priors, and ministers. Éoghan, later established a monastery at Ardstraw, along the shores of Lough Derg. He built this monastery close to the junction of confluent streams in the Mourne region, near Lifford on the river Foyle… The ancient name Ard-straha means the height by the bank of the river…

In Ardstraw monastery, Éoghan led a saintly life, distinguished by his miracles and a spirit of prophecy. Towards the end of Éoghan’s life, a grave infirmity grew on him day by day. Recognising his time was near, he called his monks around, and he received the last rites, with pious resignation. His monks present, then separated into two choirs, and standing, with alternate chanting of the psalms. During the celebration of the Divine Office, Angels received the soul of Éoghan, who went home to his eternal reward.

The memory St. Éoghan is celebrated by the church in Ireland on the 23rd August.

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The Knock Eucharistic & Marian international Shrine – mid to late August

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Pope Francis recently elevated Knock shrine to international status on 19th March 2021, as attested on the Vatican Website. The shrine focus is on the statues at the parish church gable wall, in Knock, Co. Mayo. These statues reflect a Eucharistic apparition that happened in 1879. We had the Blessed Mother the Ever Virgin Mary appear, with St. Joseph her spouse, together with St. John the Evangelist with his animated preaching appearance, alongside the Lamb of God on the alter glorified.

We recount below one of the central figures behind promoting pilgrims at Knock Shrine; Dame Judy Coyne. We recall to memory, what was written in her book, ”Providence my Guide”. Judy was the youngest of eleven children, born in Claremorris in 1905. She was married in 1924 to Justice Liam Coyne, a judge from Castlebar. In 1929 they both attended a 50th anniversary of the Eucharistic apparition at Knock in Mayo. They were saddened by the fact the shrine did not receive much attention. It seemed like forgotten apparition history, in such a short space of time. The last remaining witnesses where elderly, and it would not be long before no one will be able to recount what they saw.

Judy and Liam, would set out in the 1930s to revive national interest in the shrine. They spent a lifetime working to promote and develop the facilities at Knock. Their initiative was galvanised, after a pilgrimage in Lourdes in 1934. It was at Lourdes, the couple started to consider how they could replicate & elevate the profile of the yet unofficial Knock Shrine. In 1935 they founded Knock Shrine Society, which consisted in handmaid volunteers to help pilgrims during their visit to the sanctuary site. They also promoted literature and helped erect shrine facilities. They ensured any claims of miracles had prior certification of illness from a reputable doctor. Liam & Judy Coyne also considered having the apparition represented by statues at the parish gable wall in Knock. Drawings were drafted according to the clear memory of the chief remaining eye witness to the apparition. From this chief witness, Mary O’Connell, was garnered a post card depiction of the apparition. Mary died in 1937.

Following the untimely death of Judy’s husband in 1953, the project continued under Judy’s guidance. It was not until 1960, before Archbishop Walsh permitted Judy Coyne to plan the erection of statues at the gable wall of the church. With financial support from U.S. Irish emigrants originally from the West, Judy went to Rome to have statues sculpted. The esteemed Roman sculptor, Professor Lorenzi Ferri, was commisioned. He loved the eucharist, and worked hard, showing Mrs. Coyne on two separate occasions, some clay models. But Judy thought them inadequate, and stood her ground. They did not portray Our Lady’s rapt expression during the apparition as described by the late Mrs. O’Connell. The Professor Ferri became a little exasperated, he began to doubt he could finish the job to her satisfaction. He suffered sudden illness and was admitted to hospital and the sculpture work ceased. Judy now wondered how many months would she be in Rome as she was well over her planned time frame visit. She feared that she might be returning home without any progress. This troubled Irish lady was then invited by the Srs she was residing with in Rome, to go on a pilgrim trip, to a known sanctuary, connected with Padre Pio. There, Judy Coyne prayed fervently during Mass that the statues would be completed. Some days later she visited Professor’s Ferri’s studio, and was astonished to find the statues completed in white Carrara marble and that of Our Lady looking exactly as Judy wanted it. Professor Ferri explained how during the time Mrs Coyne was on pilgrimage, he felt this energy, and urge to leave his bed and finish the statues. He achieved the sculpturing in three hours. This was a complete miracle.

It took many more years before the statues were erected at the apparition gable wall of the church. This was due to a dockers strike in Dublin, as well as misunderstanding regarding interpretations of some documents on statues from Vatican Council II. Finally, Pope John Paul II blessed the statues at the Apparition Chapel on his visit to Knock Shrine in September 1979. Judy Coyne was honoured by the Vatican with the Dame of the Order of St Sylvester award in 1997.

Dame Judy Coyne passed away in 2002 aged 97. She is a testament that abundant good fruits come with long service, perseverance and endurance. But most of all, her trust in the providence of God. Pope Francis elevation of Knock shrine means that we now celebrated Knock Shrine a little later in August. Our Lady of Knock is still celebrated nationally in Ireland on the 17th August, being a custom held for so long.

Lady of Knock song – International version
Message to patrons of Knock shrine from the Vatican March 19th 2021
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St. Fachtna of Ross, monastic school and pilgrim centre – 13th August

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We have taken material taken from the eighteenth-century writer Mervyn Archdall’s classic text Monasticon Hibernicum which has been updated edition by the Catholic Bishop of Ossory, the Rt. Rev. P.F. Moran c/o the website: Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae.

The genealogy of St. Fachtna according to the ”Sanctilogium Genealogicum” is given thus… Fachtna, the son of Maonaigh, the son of Cairill, the son of Fiachna, descendents from Lughad, son of Ith,”. In the Irish documents, Fachtna receives the title of Mac Mongach, i.e., “the hairy child,” for at birth his head was covered with hair.

St. Fachtna or Lachtna (Fachnan in English), lived in the sixth century. He received lessons from St. Ita and he became a disciple of St. Finbarr at the school of Loch-Eirche. He became an  abbot of the Molana monastery, outside Youghal. As bishop, Fachtna founded his monastery at Ross, believed to be established in the late 500s. In Latin documents Fachtna receives the epithet “Fachtna facundus” (St. Fachtna the eloquent). His school became famous attracting a large body of students and religious. St. Brendan, paid a visit to Ross and gave some lessons to the students. So so many people came to the monastery, it became known as Ross-ailithir (Ross of the pilgrims).

St. Fachtna, lost his sight due to an accident as he was advancing in years. The Life of St. Mochaemog narrates the advice of St. Ita, to St. Fachtna. She told him to go to the parents of Mochaemog, through whose merits his sight will be returned. He received his sight again thanks to St. Mochoemog, who was still in his mother’s womb, and then Fachtna prophesised on the future unborn saint to be.

St. Fachtna habitually retired for silent recollection and private prayer to a secluded place, not far from his monastery. One day, he forgot his scroll of prayers at this secluded place. The rains came throughout the night. Thanks to divine intervention, the angels made a small chapel over the scroll, so the prayers remained dry and intact. This ancient oratory has its remnant traced on the spot today.  

After St. Fachnan twenty-seven successive bishops from his people ruled the See of Ross, as narrated in the Book of Lecan :

” Seven and twenty bishops nobly

Occupied Ross of the truly fertile lands

From Fachtna the melodious, the renowned,

To the well-ordered Episcopate of Dongalach.”

The death of St. Fachtna is considered around 590. His memory is celebrated on the 13th of August.

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St. Attracta, the nun who received a veil from heaven – 12th August

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Traditions associated with Saint Attracta are many. We have accounts of her life taken from Canon O’Hanlon’s Lives of the Irish Saints, Volume 8:

Saint Attracta, lived in the Fifth or Sixth Century. Talan is said to be her father and Her brother was St. Coeman. This family are from the Ulster region. Attracta had a strong spiritual side to her from an early age, living a pious and austere life. From childhood, she was most fervent in prayer, she was consistent with alms giving, and she treated her body harshly.

When Attracta reached the age of puberty, her father was desirous to find her a suitor for marriage. Being very attractive, she was sought in marriage by a handful of possible suitors. But she felt the vocation to pursue a religious life. To escape her parent’s importunities, Attracta left her paternal home. She took with her a maiden, called Mitain, and a male servant called Mochain. They headed towards Gregraighe, in the region of Lugnia, or Leney. They arrived in St. Patrick’s presence, and Attracta expressed her desire to consecrate herself entirely to God.

This reception is recounted by the author of St. Patrick’s Tripartite Life. This book narrates that Attracta, was consecrated by St. Patrick, with a miraculous tale. During the act of consecrating some virgins, the last being Attracta, a veil descended down from Heaven on St. Patrick’s breast. Patrick received this single veil with such devotion, and presented it to Attracta, whom he had just consecrated. However Attracta became reluctant, and resisted saying:

“Since this good and perfect gift has descended from the Father of Light, I do not consider it intended for me, a sinner yet, in my opinion, you who have received should… present this veil to my companion, who is more holy than I am.”

Impressed by Attracta’s humility, St. Patrick placed the veil upon her head, insisting that the consecrated virgin should wear it, until the Lord calls her home to spend eternity with Her heavenly Spouse. Attracta eventually yielded to Patrick’s insistence, and wore that veil, until the day she passed away.

St. Patrick soon founded a convent near the formerly named Lough Techet, presently called Lough Gara in the Co. Sligo region. St. Patrick appointed St. Attracta to govern the convent as Abbess. It is believed that he left at this convent, a chalice for the celebration of Mass by visiting priests. This location where the convent was founded was later given the designation of Kill Athracta (church of Attracta), or Killaraght.

A historian called Colgan says of Attracta, that she took the vow of perpetual chastity, and resolved, on cultivating the virtue of hospitality. Her centre of hospitality would therefore be located near a series of cross roads, in order to facilitate a greater potential numbers of pilgrims who might be passing by. Attracta established a type of hospital, for poor travellers or strangers.

This holy virgin was called to the joys of Heaven, after the performance of numerous miracles and the exercise of many virtues. On the 12th August, the feast of St. Attracta is celebrated as a double of the Minor Rite, in the Diocese of Achonry, by permission of his late Holiness Pius IX., granted on the 28th of July, 1864. Attracta is patroness of Killaraght parish, in Co. of Sligo.

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