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Jarlath, disciple of Benignus, disciple of Patrick

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St. Jarlath of Tuam (Iarlaithe mac Loga)

Jarleth was the son Loga, son of Dana, of the Conmaicne clan. Jarlath’s mother was Mongfinn daughter of Ciardubán of the Cenél Chinnenn clann. These parents Recognized Jarlath’s spiritual potential, sending him to be educated under St. Enda of Arran about 495 A.D. Jarlath grew in holiness and understanding and later went to study under Benignus, a disciple of St. Patrick, in Kilbannon. Benignus was also baptized by St. Patrick, and grew up to became coadjutor in the See of Armagh.

Jarlath Moved out from Kilbannon and founded a monastery at Cluain Fois (Cloonfush), (meadow of the respite), near Tuam. This monastery attracted scholars from all parts of Ireland. Two notable pupils were, St. Brendan of Ardfert, and St. Colman of Cloyne. The “Felire” of Aengus says that Jarath was a man of ascetics, noted for his fasting, watching, and mortification. Three hundred times by day and three hundred times by night did this saint bend the knee in prayer. St. Patrick prayerful influence continued through St. Jarlath, who was also endowed with the gift of prophecy.

An aging Jarlath received a spiritual prompting, not to remain in Cloonfush. It was recommended that Jarlath “sit in his wagon” and the location where the wagon wheels break will “mark the spot of his resurrection…”. And so, in the 6th century Jarlath travelled a short distance and arrived at a place, where the wheel fell off the wagon. He interpreted this to be a divine sign, and he established a monastery there on that spot. This place became known as ‘’Tuaim dá Gualann’’ which means tomb of the two shoulders. There Jarlath died, ‘full of days,’ on 26 December.

Since around Jarlath’s time, the broken wheel has been the emblem of St. Jarlath in Tuam. His feast is kept on 6th June, being the date of the translation of his relics to a church built in his honour. Its now a ruin that adjoins the cathedral of Tuam. His remains were, encased in a silver shrine inside the 13th century built church called Teampall an scrín, (temple of the shrine).

We shall conclude with a short prayer associated with our Tuam Saint. ‘’St. Jarlath of Cloonfush and Tuam, we pray to you for inspiration and enthusiasm, for a sense of adventure and mission, to spread the Gospel and live the faith. When the spokes close to the hub needs repairs, when the chariot wheel falls off, keep us on track, on the right road, as we continue our pilgrim journey, through your intercession and prayer’’. NB* – Prayer taken from a short video created in 2022, on St. Jarlath given by bishop Fintan Monaghan of Killaloe diocese.

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Comely Kevin of Glendalough… What?!

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Kevin is the first person in history to carry such a name. He was also the fulfilment of the prophecy of St. Patrick. For Kevin was foretold by Patrick to come to evangelize the region south of Dublin. He was canonised informally by Cultus confirmation in the beginning of the twentieth century.

Now Kevin was born around 498 of good looking parents judging by their names. So to draw a parallel, Jesus and His parents Joseph & Mary were known as the Holy family, while Kevin and his parents were in a phrase, ”the comely family”. How do we come to such conclusion??? Is this all made up? No! Here is how we can demonstrate it, using tradition, in which we can know many things about St. Kevin. We take our sources from a transcription by Michael O’Çlery from the original Latin text which we still have today. The Codex Kilkenniensis contains three Latin Lives, and they are accounts written in the medieval period based on tradition.

The name Kevin is the anglicised version of Caoimhín, which is modern Irish derived from Coemgen which is two words like a double barrel name meaning comely generated; pulcher-genitus; or the fair-begotten. So lets deduce coem as comely and gen as generated. Tradition tells us that an angel appeared before the child was baptised and gave him the name Coemgen. Now Kevin’s father was already called Coemlug, and Kevin’s mother was called Coemell. So without known the full meaning of their names we get a glimpse that putting the three names together, they were ”a comely family”. This is an opinion, based on deduction from a foundation that offers a reasonable degree of certainty.

Tradition confirms that Kevin was considered handsome, as it regales a story about him in formation to be a priest. At the monastery of Kilmanagh, Kevin unconsciously won the heart of a certain comely Kathleen! So the story goes that comely Kathleen saw the handsome Kevin in a field with his fellow monks working away. She was instantly infatuated by him and followed him into the woods, when he was alone. She desired his heart and yearned for his embrace. Kevin was tempted, but he threw himself into a bed of nettles. This did not deter comely Kathleen from making advances on him, so he had to resort to draconian tactics. He lit a fire from dried leaves, and flung it at her to dispel her advances. Kevin acted like an impassioned man fighting fire with fire. In the end comely Kathleen got the message and better than a perfect romance novel, she became a nun and gave her heart totally for Christ.

From the Monastery of Kilmanagh, Kevin while in formation, skived off off for a while. He loved the nature and a holy angel guided him to Glendalough and straight to a cave which was to become known as St. Kevin’s bed. He was found out later, after a straying cow came nearby and began to give quantities of milk in a miraculous way. The owner of the cow brought Kevin’s whereabouts to light and Kevin’s professors from Kilmanagh came to retrieve the lad from his solitude. His three professors were St. Eonaghan, St. Petroc of Cornwall who moved to Ireland in 492 and Kevin’s uncle, St. Eugenius.

A story from his period of formation at Kilnamanagh shows kevin as an extraordinary monk. One day Kevin forgot to prepare small fire from another large fire, in view of lighting the candles for Mass. He was told to ‘run quickly to the [source] fire to get those candles burning’. Kevin was hesitant and asked, ‘How will I carry it? You’ll carry it ‘in your bosom,’ was the reply. So Kevin went and collected the fire in a garment waist around him. Miraculously, neither his clothes nor his flesh was burned. The older monk, recognising this, full of remorse, remarked, ‘O holy youth, I see that you are full of the Holy Spirit.’

Kevin was ordained by Bishop Lugidus and following his ordination, he established his initial monastery, now lost in time & space. A most interesting tradition regarding Kevin’s next foundation is about a pet goose which belonged to King O’Toole of Glendalough. Both the king and the goose were becoming frail with time, and the goose was by now unable to fly. The King heard of Kevin’s sanctity and power, and sent for him, seeking a miracle. He wished his beloved goose to be young and agile. Kevin gave his price, namely; whatever land the goose would fly over was to be granted to Kevin. King O’Toole thought little of the price, not believing his goose would fly at all. When Kevin healed the bird, it grew firm, and flew over the entire valley of Glendalough. With such extensive lands, Kevin founded the monastery of Glendalough.

In Glendalough, Kevin initially lived an ascetical life in solitude. He lived near the upper lake, in that narrow cave called ‘St Kevin’s Bed’. In the solitude  “the branches and leaves of the trees sometimes sang sweet songs to him, and heavenly music alleviated the severity of his life.”

His ascetical life was severe… He wore wild animal skins and ate whatever food growing on the surrounding trees and plants. He slept on a stone slab with a smaller stone for a pillow. For further penance he recited the psalms standing in cold waters, which is a common penitential practice for Irish monks. One time Kevin dropped his psalm book in the lake, but it was retrieved undamaged and dry by an otter.

Kevin established a hermitage near his cave at the upper lake at Templenaskellig, and divided his time between his hermitage and a growing community of followers below at the lower lake. As an abbot he founded a monastic centre. So numerous were his disciples, that Glendalough became a veritable city. Glendalough became an episcopal see, but was later incorporated with Dublin diocese. In all seven Churches of Glendalough have for established within the monastic city. The monastery enjoys pilgrim status with plenary indulgence, and several trips to Glendalough is equivalent to one trip to Rome.

Another good story is about Kevin working in Kevin’s kitchen to help pilgrims who were hungry. He told his attendants to fill the ale jars with water and gather together the bare meat bones. Praying over the water and bones, he changed the elements to ale and meat, to everyone’s satisfaction.

St. Kevin had a special love for birds and animals. The “Acta Sanctorum” is based on an ancient manuscript contains a number of traditions. The afore mentioned otter was to be a great help mate to Kevin, bringing him fish each day. Such was the effect Kevin had on nature. For the animals were without fear in his presence. The otter only fled much later on in life, as the community grew and one of the newer monks considered it good for game.

Before his death, Kevin remained permanently at his hermitage near the upper lough. His monks were requested not to bring him food, nor help, nor disturbance in any way. For Kevin enjoyed the company of the wild animals. One day, a wild boar, being hunted for game, cowered its way towards Kevin, in the woods. The hunting dogs and their masters where in hot pursuit. The hounds lay down on seeing St. Kevin, and ceased to go after the boar. The hunters willed to kill the boar, but for a flock of birds settling in the tree above the praying saint. They took this as a sign from God, and left saint and beast alone.

St. Kevin died in his hermitage soon after. The Annals of Ulster mention the year of his death as 618. That’s 120 years of life granted to the Irish Saint.

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The United States of St. Brendan the navigator; forerunner to Columbus – 16th May

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St. Brendan of Ardfert and Clonfert, is also dubbed Brendan the Voyager. He was born in Ciarraighe Luachra, near Tralee, in the south west of Ireland, in 484. His parents were Finnlug and Cara. He was baptized at Tobar na Molt holy well, near Ardfert, by Bishop Erc of Slane. He was catechised by St. Ita of Killeedy in Limerick, who ran a boarding school for future clerics. After this, Brendan studied under Bishop Erc, mastering the scriptures. St. Brendan was also disciple of St. Enda of Inishmore. He was further tutored by an angel who gave him the rule of St. Brendan. It was around this time he became ordained a priest in 512 by bishop Erc. Brendan developled an ascetic hermitage style of life. Between the years 512 and 530 he built monastic cells at Ardfert, and at Shanakeel or Baalynevinoorach, at the foot of Brandon Hill.

At Brandon Hill, Brendan first lived the life of hermit by the coast, but soon a religious community formed around him, living under his rule. They would be a band of brothers becoming familiar with the sea, its weather patterns, and became accustomed to the frequent sun sets. From contemplating these patterns, Brendan decided to build a boat, in the Irish fashion of that time. It was a coracle with wooden frame and animal skin stretched over it. Tradition tells us he set sail with many monks. There is a Latin version of his sea voyage that speaks of one boat and eighteen monks. The oldest account of Brendan’s voyage is found in Latin, “Navigatio Sancti Brendani”. He set sail in search of Paradise with a company of monks. Additionally, the old Irish Calendars assigned a special feast for the “Egressio familiae S. Brendani”, on 22 March. We also learn from the book of Lismore that Brendan set sail with others on the 22nd of March. This has been translated into French, English, German and Dutch. From the Latin version, “Navigatio Sancti Brendani”, Christopher Columbus was encouraged that there might just be something out there worth investigating.

These accounts recount the adventures. For example; during the seven year sea voyage, the monks witnessed the sea at its best as well as times when it might threaten to swallow them up. They would witness the many large sea creatures showing their presence. It was a strange & frightful world for the monks to witness. The monks were also tested along their ocean voyage. One particular test was a time, they landed on this strange island somewhere in the Atlantic, but St. Brendan remained on the boat. He had an inkling there was something not quite right. The monks got out of the boat looking to lit a fire to cook food on the island. They lit a small fire and then they felt a sudden earth quake. It turned out they landed on the top of Jessconius the largest of the ocean fish. When Jessconius suddenly began submerging, the monks found themselves swimming back quickly to the boat. Brendan remained calm as his monks made it back to safety. It was there he was able to explain what exactly happened when they lit the fire.

Whenever the monks were afraid, Brendan would encourage them with spiritual advice. He told them not to be afraid of the large sea creatures, as our life span is in the hands of God. Brendan would celebrate Mass on the boat, and the sea creatures would circle the boat as if to participate in some way at the Mass. In this way Brendan demonstrated the power of God over His creatures.

After a long voyage that lasted seven years they reached the “Terra Repromissionis”, or the promised land, a most beautiful land with luxuriant vegetation. Through St. Brendan’s ocean voyage, many scholars claim for the Irish the glory of discovering America; namely, MacCarthy, Rafn, Beamish, O’Hanlon, Beauvois, Gafarel, etc. They rest there claim on the account of the Northmen who found a region south of Vinland and the Chesapeake Bay called “Hvitramamaland” (Land of the White Men) or “Irland ed mikla” (Greater Ireland), and on the tradition of the Shawano (Shawnee) Indians that in earlier times Florida was inhabited by a white tribe which had iron implements.

In the 70s, Tim Severin and a team of explorers built themselves a replica of the Irish currach, and sailed across the Atlantic to Newfoundland from the Irish coast, making several stops en route. They proved the plausibility that St. Brendan could have done the same! Additionally, during their voyage Severin’s crew identified some “mystical” objects described in the accounts in Brendan’s voyage; such as “the island of sheep”, “the crystal towers” (glaciers and icebergs on the northern islands), “the mountains that hurled rocks” (volcanoes in Iceland), “sea monsters” (whales, porpoises and probably walruses).

The moral of the story… Today we celebrate the Stars & Strips of St. Brendan!

Brendan died at Enachduin, (Annaghdown) in 577. St. Brendan was interred in Clonfert, and his feast is kept on 16 May.

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The Irish St Carthage (or Mochuda) – 15th May

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Carthage (affectionately known as Mochuda) was born near Castlemaine 564. He was Kerryman and a swineherd. He was herding his father’s pigs in the fields, and by providence he saw passing a religious procession, with a bishop and clergy chanting psalms.  Carthage was so moved at the sight that he ran to tell his father of the wonderful spectacle. Now his father had plans that Carthage become a warrior, but with time, and after some opposition, his father relented. His son became a monk instead in a nearby monastery.

The young Carthage became a disciple of St. Carthage the Elder. The lad earned his knick name, Mochuda and did his religious profession at age twenty, in 584; he was ordained priest and founded the monastery of Kiltullagh in Kerry around 590-592. Mochuda was very handsome, and young women were swooning at the sight of him. But the clever chap used his charms, persuading them to devote themselves to God as virgins. He built them cells around his monastery.  

Mochuda eventually had to leave Kiltullagh, and visited other monasteries, staying with St. Comgall at Bangor for a year. He also visited Colman Elo at Lynally in Offaly, on whose advice in 590 he established his second monastery at Rahan near Lynally. The Rahan enterprise was a great challenge for Mochuda even though it thrived for forty years. His austerity was so severe, that his disciples felt unable to match his virtues, instead they sought to rid themselves of their master. Mochuda’s enterprise came to an end at the order of the High King Blathmac, based in Tara.

The Irish Abbot lived by the Roman Easter calendar as opposed to the more common Celtic calendar of that era in Ireland. At around Easter time in 635, Mochuda and his community were constrained to move on by the high king’s soldiers. But their expulsion from Rahan, led to a newer foundation at Lismore. You see… they Journeyed by Saighir, Roscrea, Cashel, and Ardfinnan. Finally Mochuda arrived at the banks of the River Blackwater. He obtained permission to build a monastery from the king of the Déisí at Lismore (Lios-mór) in Co. Waterford. The name Lismore means the “Big Ring-Fort. Mochuda died a short time later on his arrive to Lismore, dying on the 14th May 637.

St. Mochuda’s legacy is that of a very austere & ascetic life. The Saint refused at first to acquire even an ox or plough. The tillage had to be done by hand & shovel strength. His monastery was to become a famous abbey and later became a diocese. At Lismore, besides establishing a thriving abbey, Mochuda had a scriptorium that produced three important manuscripts of works on scripture, asceticism and morals. Lismore monastery had a school of metalwork, where artefacts like the famous Lismore Crozier were artificed. The Crozier and the Book of Lismore were found concealed in the walls of the Lismore Castle in the nineteenth century. The present day castle replaced the monastic buildings.

A biography on the life of St Mochuda is still extant and there are many fragments of a Rule of St Carthage. This large diocese was joined with the smaller Waterford city diocese in 1363. Mochuda is remembered by the church on the 15th May.

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St. Comgall; founder of the Bangor monastery, Co. Down – 10th May

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Comgall was born between 510 and 520 A.D in Ireland’s Dal Riada district along the north-east of Co. Antrim. He was the son of Sedna, a soldier and Comgall followed his father’s footsteps for a while. He soon changed direction, embracing the Christian life, and trained as a monk with St. Fintan at Clonenagh in Co Laois. Comgall received training from other spiritual gurus as well. For example, he studied with St. Finian at Clonard, and with St.  Ciarán at Clonmacnois, who died in 549. He was also influenced by St, Brendan, and St. Finnian of Moville. Finally, Comgall was ordained a priest by an influential Bishop Lugidius of Clonmacnois. From there he went from strength to strength…

St. Comgall began living an austere life on an island in Lough Erne, with a band of brothers. In 552 he founded the famous monastery with his band on brothers at Bangor, Co Down. The monastic life was rigorous and demanding, fostering strong bonds of brotherhood.  Bangor became the largest monastic centre in Ireland a population of 3,000 or more. Comgall had many notable students and visitors. For example, he taught St. Lua and St. Columban. His close disciple, St. Columban, went on to become a senior lecturer at Bangor monastery, before setting out with his twelve disciples from Bangor on ‘’peregrinatio pro Christo’’. Comgall was also afforded visits from royalty. According to historian Alfred Webb, the King Cormac of Hy Kinsellagh, retired to the monastery at Bangor in his old age.

Comgall combined the austerity of St. Fintan with the academic focus of St. Finian. Comgall’s ascetic Rule for his monks; “Love Christ and hate wealth” was the essence of their practice. Comgall lived by this rule, eating just one meal a day. Another element to Comgall’s teaching was his council to have an ‘’anamchara’’ or spiritual director.

After about eight years from the establishment of the Bangor monastery, Comgall went to Scotland and visited the Pictish King Bruide of Inverness with Colmcille and Canice. Comgall founded a monastery on the island of Tiree in Scotland, which suffered attack by the Picts in 564.

With St. Comgall, you would have either a blessing or a curse. For example, when some thieves stole the monastery’s vegetables, and they became blind. But with one repentant thief, he healed his blindness. Comgall is also said to have spat into a beggar’s pocket, where a gold ring suddenly appeared. Then there was the case of the stingy farmer who snubbed the monks plea to have some grain, and this denied grain was later devoured by mice.

Towards the end of his life, after intense suffering Comgall received the Eucharist from St. Fiacra and expired in the monastery at Bangor. Comgall’s death occurred in 602 according to the “Annals of Tighernach” and “Chronicon Scotorum”. His relics remained in Bangor until 822, when they were scattered by Viking raiders. His memory is celebrated by the church on the 10th of May.

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St. Conleth the patron of Kildare – 4th May

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St. Conleth and St. Brigid are the patron saints of Kildare. The irish name “Cill Dara”, means the cell of the oak. Now Saint Conleth in his earlier religious days was a hermit living in Old Connell on the River Liffey near Newbridge, and he became a skilful artificer in gold and silver. He was a metalworker and made religious objects. Conleth made a crozier for example which belonged to St. Finnbharr of Termon Barry in Connaught.

Conleth visited St. Brigid and her nuns in nearby Kildare, and they worked together in the Lord, attracting many followers. Shortly after this visit, St. Brigid requested the appointment of a bishop and great deference was paid to her wishes. She had recommended St. Conleth, to be consecrated the first Bishop of Kildare about 490.

Now we have Saint Patrick who early disciple St. Laserian became the abbot – bishop of Leighlin, and we have St. Brigid who was baptised by St. Patrick, and because of her fame, she was able to influence the ordination to ecclesiastical authority, St. Conleth as Abbot – bishop of Kildare. Today the two diocese are merged as one, namely the Kildare and Leighlin diocese. Both places have strong monastic traditions, established or maintained by Irish Saints.

As a bishop, Conleth made a journey to Rome, and returned with vestments for his church at Kildare.  He later died tragically in the woods, being attacked by wolves, on 3 May, 519. Conleth is buried in Kildare Cathedral along with St. Brigid. His feast day is celebrated on the 4th May.

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St. Asicus, Bishop of the Bright Rock diocese, Elphin – April 27th

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St. Asicus, also called Ascicus as well as Tassach, is the patron saint of the Diocese of Elphin. He is also the patron saint of coppersmiths. Asicus was one of the earliest of St. Patrick’s disciples. St. Patrick came to Elphin in 435 where he founded the monastery on lands given by the noble druid Ona (or Ono) in County Roscommon. Later, on Patrick’s missionary tour of Connacht, circa. 450 AD, he appointed Asicus as the first bishop of a newly created Elphin diocese.

In the “Tripartite Life of St Patrick” (ed. Whitley Stokes) we read:

“Bishop St. Assicus was Patrick's coppersmith, and made altars and square bookcases. Besides, he made our saint's patens in honour of Bishop Patrick…”

St. Asicus is described in the Book of Armagh as a wright which signifies a maker or builder. Other than altars, patens, and metal book-covers, he also made chalices for the newly founded churches. St. Asicus is always portrayed as both a craftsman and a bishop. He preached the word of God through his craft.

He was later made Abbot of Ireland. St. Asicus was a humble man and often troubled by thoughts unworthy of his office. He left Roscommon and travelled to Rathlin O’Birne Island in Donegal Bay where he resigned his office and became a hermit, living for a while at the top of Sliabh Liag along the area called The Pilgrim’s Way. 

He remained there for seven years until he was found by the monks of Elphin who persuaded him to return to the diocese with them.  However, he was not in good health and died on the journey back to Elphin (circa. 490 AD).  He is buried where he died – near the village of Ballintra between Ballyshannon and Donegal Town.

Nb*

Elphin itself is an anglicisation of two Irish words “Aill Fion” meaning “Bright Rock”.

In 1111 AD the synod of Rath Breasail re-established the structures of the Irish Church to conform with the diocesan structure of the Church in Europe. Elphin was re-designated diocesan status lost after the viking and Danish invasions. The first Cathedral of Elphin was dedicated to Beatae Mariae Virgini (Blessed Mary the Virgin), hinting at a heritage of Marian devotion dating back from the time of St. Patrick.

The presence diocese’s cathedral, dedicated to the ”Immaculate Conception” is based in Sligo town. St. Asicus’ feast is celebrated 27th April, and is recorded in the “Martyrology of Tallaght” under that date.

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St. Laserian, The pyre of the Leighlin diocese (Kildare and Carlow) April 18th

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St. Laserian was said to have been of noble birth. St. Laserian was the son of Cairel de Blitha, a ”Ulidian” noble celt, and Gemma, daughter of a Scottish king. He was born around the year 566. He is commonly known as Molaise. The names Laisren or Molaise are to be found in ancient manuscripts and occur for instance in The Book of Leinster and in The Calendar of Oengus. The name Laisren comes from the Gaelic name for flame, usually “lasair”. The ”Molaise” form of the name derives from placing the personal Gaelic pronoun “Mo” ahead of the name Laisren and thus meaning “My Light” the light being from a pyre (flame).

Laserian was sent to Scotland to get his education from monks, beginning from a young age. He was educated by a monk called Munus. On his return home, he refused his right to the kingship of his clan, preferring a life of solitude as a hermit. He lived his youthful life as a hermit in the cell of a cave on Holy Island off the coast of the Isle of Arran in the west of Scotland. This island became known as Molaise’s island. He worked many miracles there; enabling water to flow when it was needed for milling for example. At a later stage in his life he restored a beheaded boy back to life. After his time in soliitude, he set out for Rome, where he studied for fourteen years and was ordained a priest by Gregory the Great. Reverend Laserian then journeyed back to Ireland to preach the faith.

As a priest he established a monastic community at Old Leighlin in present day Carlow in the late sixth century. His choice of location was said to have been inspired by Divine Guidance. He went first to Lorum Hill, south east of Muinebheag, in Carlow. From here he was directed by an angel to go to where he would see the sun first shining and set up his religious foundation there. The place thus chosen was Old Leighlin Hill.

Now Laserian crossed the River Barrow and came to Old Leighlin. But a holy abbot named Gobanus and his followers were already settled there. Gobanus and his community moved on and allowed Rev. Laserian to establish his monastery at Old Leighlin. The monastic community grew, and the establishment became famous, containing as many as 1500 monks.

St. Laserian was a very faithful priest and took the leading part in settling the Irish Easter calender controversy. In the Synod of Magh-lene he successfully defended the Roman Easter calendar computation, and was sent by the council as delegate to Rome. There, in 633, he was consecrated first Bishop of Leighlin by Honorius I. On his return from the eternal city, bishop Laserian pleaded the cause of the Roman Easter calendar so powerfully at another synod in Leighlin that the controversy was practically ended for the greater part of the country. Of course the Celtic Easter calendar would rear it’s head again over the following centuries. But St. Laserian was among the first pioneers to change this and bring the Roman Easter Calendar into regular usage in Ireland.

The original wooden church dedicated to the bishop of Leighlin was plundered several times both by the Danes and by the native Gaels. In later times, a cathedral stood in its place, but in the reign of Henry VIII it was seized by the Reformers, was made a Protestant church, and has continued as such ever since.

The Catholic Church in Ireland celebrates St. Laserian on the 18th April

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St. Kelly of Armagh, ‘’Naomh Ceallach’’, (St Celsus): the wrestling administrator – 1st April

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Kelly was born in 1080. His name in Irish is Ceallach Mac Aedha. He was heir, to a lay administration, known as ‘’coarb’’ of St. Patrick. This role was the family heirloom of Clann Sínaigh, who took control of the administration of the abbacy of Armagh, to keep the monastic settlement from the foreign Viking hands. This was after the historic period of great instability in the Gaelic kingdom. In that epoch, there were seismic ethnic incursions in Ireland, that we find narrated in the ‘’Book of Invasions’’. This book encapsulates a difficult situation for the Gaels, wrought by the Vikings, who as the book recounts, arrived in Ireland ‘’wave after wave after wave’’. The Norse Vikings took hold of Dublin and Waterford, and later the Danes arrived and despoiled the established Catholic sees in Ireland. The nation’s formerly established diocese became depleted of bishops and priests.

The Clann Sínaigh had took control of the Abbey of Armagh for security, and did financially well from this arrangement. Then in 1091, Kelly became the family lay administrator of Armagh. But he took the unusual step to priestly ordination and chose the celibate life, with a view to reigning in the reform, introduced by Pope Gregory VIII across Europe. To explain; lay administrative control of abbeys were a feature in Europe, after the fall of the roman empire. But Pope Gregory VII (1073-85) wished to replace the lay administration with the administrative role of a diocesan bishop.

Around that same era, in England, strong Norman archbishops like Lanfranc and St Anselm were appointed to the see of Canterbury. They had support from the growing Norse community in Dublin and Waterford. Anselm consecrated Samuel Ó h-Ainglí as bishop for Dublin and consecrated Malchus as the first bishop of Waterford.

After Pope Gregory, a momentum built up in Ireland regarding reform. The 1st Synod of Cashel (1101) was presided over by King Muircheartach Ó Briain in Ireland at the request of Lanfranc and Anselm. The reform momentum was led by bishop of Meath, Maol Muire Ó Dunáin, who was appointed papal legate to Ireland by Pope Paschal II (1099-1117). This 1st synod of Cashel enacted decrees against lay investiture, and against the idea of a lay administrator.

Then in 1106 bishop Maol Muire Ó Dunáin ordained Kelly as a bishop. He was present at the Synod of Rathbreasail in 1111, which also promoted the reforms of synod of Cashel on a nationwide level. The momentum was gaining ground. Cashel and Armagh were to be the two recognised archdioceses in Ireland pending approval from Rome. The synod of Rathbreasail begin the re-establishment of the diocese structure in Ireland.

All of this momentum was the backdrop in whom Kelly found himself as administrating bishop of Armagh, and set him on a collision course of family rivalry upon the now defunct hereditary practices. Kelly had also to simultaneously wrestle the diocese of Dublin from the Norse influence, and their loyalty to Canterbury. It was around this time, that bishop Kelly appointed a young monk named Malachy, ‘’Maolmhaodhóg Ua Morgair’’ to act as his vicar in Armagh. When bishop Kelly returned to Armagh in 1122, he felt that Malachy would make a suitable bishop. Malachy was sent to Lismore, an influential monastic centre with Benedictine influences from England and the continent.

In a shrewd move, bishop Kelly later appointed Malachy as successor to Armagh. In this way, the hereditary succession of the coarbs of Armagh from his Clan was broken, with a successor outside the family hegemony. In 1129 Kelly died at Ardpatrick and was buried in Lismore. Malachy was left with the difficulties of wrestling control as bishop from Kelly’s next of kin, Muircheartach. He only took control of Armagh after Muircheartach’s died in 1134, thanks to the support from Cinél Eoghain. This support secured the see of Armagh, from the next of kin, Niall of the Clann Sínaigh, the would-be successor to Muircheartach. With the see of Armagh now assured, Bishop Malachy appointed as his own successor, Gilla Mac Líag, abbot of Derry. And the rest is history…

St. Kelly of Armagh is celebrated on the 1st of April in the church calendar.

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Posted in Irish church history

St. Macartan of Clogher: The Staff of St. Patrick – 24th March

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Aidus Macartan grew up in the South Mid Ulster region, of pagan parents. He was the son of Caerthen, and Saint Bridget was his niece.

Aidus Macartan (Aedh MacCairthinn) converted to Christianity after having travelled south to Leitrim to hear St. Patrick preach. Soon afterwards, Ireland’s patron saint baptised Aidus. This happened at Drumlease, near Dromahair and Macartan was to become St. Patrick’s ‘’Tréanfhear’’ which is Irish for strong man”. When the patron saint grew old, Macartan became known as the “staff of Patrick”. He supported St. Patrick’s faltering steps as they traversed on mission over the Irish topography with its hillocks, mountains, marshlands, rivers and streams.

When St. Patrick was crossing a stream at the druidic stronghold of Clogher, Macartan, acting as his staff was showing signs of old age himself. The Irish patron saint perceived Macartan’s weariness of travel. After a short discussion, the Primate of Ireland agreed to Macartan’s wish to found a church not to far from the see of Armagh diocese. A close proximity would be ideal, as both men could then remain in communication as friends and as prelates.

St. Macartan was appointed the first Bishop of the diocese of Clogher, and St. Patrick left his apostle a reliquary containing a fragment of the True Cross, known as the ”Domhnach Airgid”. He also gave Macartan his ‘’Bachal-Íosa” which means the staff of Jesus. A monastery was then founded near an ancient fort in Rathmore.

At that time, Eochad reigned as King of Clogher, and he had in his possession an idol stone called the Gold Stone or ‘’Cloch Ór’’, in which his principal seat of power is named. This stone was a ceremonial stone originally used by the druids. Macartan’s appointment as bishop did not go down well with King Eochad. The jealous King desired to expel St. Macartan and give his monastery to his kinsman Tigernach of Clones. Eochad created problems for Macartan, seizing an ox that was essential as a type of cargo haulier for the monastery monks. The cruel Eochad tied the ox to a a large and heavy stone. Soon enough the ox became hungry and could be heard lowing for food. A prophet advisor to the king warned Eochad that all his land within hearing distance of the ox’s lowing would soon become the monastic property of St. Macartan. So, Eochad tried to circumvent this prophecy by sending his son Cairpre to force Macartan from the King’s territory. Cairpre failed to execute his mission, so the king went in person, drawing his sword to force the issue. But Eochad’s arm became paralysed in the act of raising his sword against the venerable servant of God. The queen made herself present to prevent Eochad harming St. Macartan, pleading with the bishop to show clemency on her husband. Her pleas were granted as St. Macartan sprinkled her husband with Holy Water. This act restored the king to full mobility health. In exchange and thanksgiving, king Eochad submitted himself in obedience to St. Macartan, endowing the monastery with a large tract of regal land. Thus the prophetic warning was fulfilled regarding lowing ox heard across the lands. When Saint Macartan died, he was succeeded as bishop by Tigernach of Clones. The Good God works marvels…

Another anecdote we have of Macartan is that one day, there appeared in an unnatural bright light, a woman troubled by a demon. The bishop was able to offer help to the afflicted woman with his apostolic office. The bishop restored this bedevilled woman to full health, in mind, body and spirit. All her familiar family and friends who witnessed her tremendous recovery the following day, were astonished.

Another anecdote we have is that St. Macartan was an avid reader of scriptures. One evening in his cell, as the light declined, God granted him a powerful light like a star, equal to the strength of the sunshine. This light penetrated into the cell, and Macartan was able to continue with his studies and prayer until the dawn.

Our final Anecdote is, of a time when Macartan had meagre food for certain wayfarers. This incident was a great embarrassment having little food to entertain guests. The saint prayed for divine help, and in the night the corn rained down like manna from Heaven on his monastery. Additionally, a clear fountain suddenly sprang up where there was none before. This became a baker’s dream as the  bread produced from such grain from heaven tasted as sweet as honey and the water was flavoured like wine.

We conclude our research on St Macartan, who spent his remaining years as bishop and abbot giving sermons on the gospel in the regions of Tyrone and Fermanagh. He passed away in the year 506 from natural causes and is believed to buried at Clogher, in Co Tyrone. His memory is celebrated on 24th. March.



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