Posted in Irish church history

St. Senan – the wise apostle of Ireland – 8th March

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Image source Orthodox Icons

Material distilled for OrthoChristian.Com and Clare People

St. Senan, was a very notable Irish saints of his time. Senan is counted among “the twelve apostles of Ireland” whom were schooled under Saint Finnian of Clonard.

He was born around 488 A.D. of Christian parents Ercan & Congella in the fifth century close to Kilrush in today’s Co. Clare. His name “Senan” is old Gaelic for “a little wise elder”. The Irish word ‘’sean’’ pronounced ”shan”, usually denotes old or elder, before a noun; Seanan is a more original spelling, with the s & e together creating an ‘’sh’’ sound phonetically. The anglicized form of his name does not have the sh sound.

Senan’s birth was prophesised by St. Patrick to his parents Ercan & Congella. His mother Congella gave birth to him while sauntering through the woods. As she walked, her body went into labour. She quickly grasped a tree branch, which suddenly blossomed. It was a sign that Congella was to give birth to this holy man, called Seanán Mac gEircinn which in Irish means Senan son of Ercan.

At a young age, Senan pastored his father’s herds. When he grew older, he became a monk at a monastery in Kilrush. His spiritual guide was Cassidan until he was advanced enough to enter the monastery of Kilmanagh, Co. Kilkenny to conclude his formation under St. Natalis. When formation concluded, Senan was ordained a priest. He dived straight into active mission. Senan established his first monastery at Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford around 510 A.D. There is a townland called Templeshannon in Wexford that is named after Senan (“Senan’s Temple”).

He was a typical ‘’Peregrinatio Pro Christo’’, always on the pilgrim path for love of Christ. It is believed that St. Senan travelled to Rome and parts of present day France. He had stopped off at the great monastery of St. Martin of Tours, (cousin of St. Patrick). On his return trip to Ireland, Senan paid a visit to St. David in Wales, at Meniva. He then returned to Ireland in 520 A.D. to continue active apostolic mission.

He made a foundation at Inishcarra, near Cork where he was joined by some Italian monks. Eventually after 535 A.D. on the advice of a holy angel, Senan settled on Scattery Island (Inis Cathaigh), south of Kilrush quay, near the Shannon River estuary. Here he founded his most renowned monastery, containing five churches.

It was at Scattery island, where St. Senan drove away a giant sea monster from the island. The sea monster had long terrorized local inhabitants, making the island impassable. St. Senan first decisive action was to place all his hope in God, before the saint courageously approached the monster, making the sign of the cross while commanding it to depart in the name of Jesus, for all time.

With his miracles on tap, and his ascetic life style, he attracted a big following. They include St. Brendan the navigator. With so many disciple monks coming to Scattery, it gave ample opportunity to establishing other monasteries starting from small communities of twelve monks. Scattery Island in this way became the mother ship of Senan’s monasteries. 

After his repose, Senan was buried on the Island at his principal monastery. He became venerated throughout Ireland down the ages. Today you can visit what is believed to be St. Sennan’s grave, known as “St. Senan’s bed” placed within a confined chapel space on the island of Scattery.

We celebrate St. Senan on the 8th of March

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Posted in Irish church history

St. Ciarán of Saighir – the austere abbot and premier Irish born saint – 5th March

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Image source Pilgrimage In Medieval Ireland

Material distilled from Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae and Catholicireland.net

St. Ciarán of Saighir, also known as Ciarán the Elder or Ciarán Mac Luaigne, is alongside with Ailbhe, Ibar, and Declan, one of the four pre-patrician Irish Saints. That is, they were evangelising in Ireland before St. Patrick began his full Irish mission. St. Ciarán is considered “the first-born of the Irish saints”.

His story

Ciarán was born around 446 A.D. His father was Luaigne, a noble in Ossory. His mother was Liadan whom was from Cork. During her pregnancy, she had a dream of a star falling from the sky and resting on her. It was a prelude for her child to be, as Ciarán was to be specially gifted. Ciarán grew up bright & holy being loved by all. He was fond of animals, but most of all he treasured God. Ciarán met St. Patrick in Rome, and he was to become Patrick’s pre-cursor in Ireland. In effect he was a type of John the Baptist figure. It was St. Patrick who gave Ciarán a bell to help him on his Irish mission as when the bell sounded, it would mark the spot where God desired the foundation of a great spiritual centre. This eventually happened for Ciarán at Saighir.

Initially at Saighir, by a water spring, he built a hermitage of wattle, thin branches and mud plaster. The roof was thatched with grass and leaves. In his early days at his hermitage in the woods, injured wild animals such as wolves, deer and the like, would seek Ciarán’s help, having no fear for their lives in his presence. They in turn would help him too. Often doing tasks, difficult for a mere man.

His strict diet was herbs and barley bread, with a drink of only water. Ciarán imitated the spiritual life of the Desert Fathers, and modelled himself on St. John the Baptist, wearing animal skins and sleeping on the ground. He had angels minister to him from childhood. He lived a life of prayer, fasting and abstinence. With this austere life style, he attracted a following of disciples. He became the first Abbot at his large monastery at Saighir beside this hermitage in present day Co. Offaly. The monastery became a centre of learning and preaching. His mother Liadan, with other holy women, came to live nearby in a convent.

One day St. Patrick visited St. Ciarán’s monastery with a few of his men. Ciarán was not expecting such an esteemed visitor, and food was scarce at the monastery. This pre-cursor to Patrick prayed to God to provide, and suddenly his supplies of food multiplied miraculously. It was fitting for the great patron for Ireland who had had arrived.

On his deathbed, Ciarán predicted to his monks that in the future, the faith in Ireland would be distorted and the monasteries supressed. This was fulfilled with the advent of the Anglo-Norman invasion and at the protestant Reformation. The monastery at Saighir became the seat of the Diocese of Ossory for several centuries. Today the monastic ruins can be visited in the village of Clareen, in Co. Offaly. The water there has miraculous medicinal properties as Local residents say that the water that gathers around the cross cures warts.

Ciarán of Saighir reposed in the Lord around 530 A.D. The church celebrates Ciarán the elder on the 5th of March.

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Posted in Irish church history

St. David of Wales and the Irish influence – 1st March

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Image Source: The Catholic Sun

Material distilled from Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae \ Catholicireland.net \ Sky History Channel

St. David is the national saint of Wales. He lived in the 6th century and his mother was called ”Non”. David’s Irish mother was a devout Catholic and she had David baptised by the Irish St. Ailbhe of Emily. She also had her son educated by a monk called St. Paulinus. Her son grew up to found the monastery at Meniva in Pembrokeshire, in south Wales.

How this monastery came about is fascinating. David lit a fire on the grounds of Meniva where he was directed to, by an angel. At that time, a pagan druid named Baya, ruled those lands and beyond with an iron fist. Upon seeing the fire lit, Baya was filled with dread, for he knew it was a Christian fire that would take possession of the land. Baya reluctantly granted the land of Meniva to St. David after Baya’s troops failed to expel him.

The Irish connection with Meniva is quite strong. The monastery was built on the promenade and was frequented by Irish pilgrims. For example, there is St. Senan who spent some time there after his trip to Rome. We also have St. Brendan, who took a retreat there, after his long sea voyage to the Promised land. St. Modomnoch brought back from Meniva the culture of honey bees to the Irish monasteries. St. Aidan of Ferns was a close and early disciple of St. David when founding the monastery at Meniva and even became an abbot at Meniva for a spell.

We have biographical accounts in ‘’The life of St. David’’ written by Rhygy-Farch. This author wrote on the half Irish / half Welsh saint depicting David’s mother Non as a type of Mary of Wales. David, is depicted as a Christ-like figure, whose birth was prophesised to St. Patrick by an angel. This prophecy was announced along the coast of Wales near Meniva on St. Patrick’s return trip to Ireland where he was to begin his mission.

David was a thaumaturge, a mathematician, a musician and theologian, as well as curing the blindness of a teacher with a simple touch. St. David was known for drinking only water, refraining from beer. His monks were called the water drinkers, and were known for austere living. St. David encouraged all his monks to be their own ox when ploughing the land. He lived on vegetables and herbs.

David advised Welsh soldiers battling against the Saxon to wear leeks in their hats so that they knew who to strike and who not to. This advice gave rise to the depiction of the saint with the leek, which is the national emblem of Wales.

A great miracle attributed to St. David was that while preaching to a large and gathering crowd, many of those who came, could not hear or see David very well. Suddenly, a white dove landed on his shoulders, and the earth beneath him began to rise upwards forming a hill which enabled his voice to travel further, and the crowds at the back rows could now see him as well.

He is believed to have died in old age around the year 589 A.D.

St. David’s feast day was recorded in the Latin Martyrology of Tallaght and the Irish Martyrology Félire Óengusso in the early ninth century. He was canonised a saint in 1120 by Pope Callistus II, who declared that two pilgrimages to the national holy shrine of Wales at Meniva is equal to one to Rome.

We celebrated St. David feast day in Ireland on 1st March in appreciation to his special Irish mother Non, and the Irish saints who spent time in Meniva as well as St. Patrick’s prophecy on the birth of St. David.

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Posted in Irish church history

St. Fintan of Clonenagh; the austere Irish monk – 17th February

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Image Source From Billy Kangas

Material distilled from Catholicireland.net and Saint Fintan of Clonenagh

He was the founder of the ascetic life in Ireland. Fintan of Clonenagh was born about 524. In his early life he encountered St. Colmkille who prophesized over Fintan’s future sucess. He went on to study under St. Colman in Terryglass in north Tipperary. The Irish for Terryglass is Tír Dhá Ghlas, (which means ‘land of the two streams’). St. Colman and his students went to Clonenagh and Fintan travelled with them. They stayed a year in the harsh environs of Clonenagh in Co. Laois. It is called Cluain Eidhneach in Irish which means ivy meadow. They departed for the Slieve Bloom Mountains near present day Portlaois town. St. Colman could still see Clonenagh and beheld a vision of angels who were hovering about that place. He felt sorry that they departed that land. The students could see his sorrowful face and he had to explain them what he saw as he looked back over the Ivy Meadow. Colman said that someone should go back to that place and build a monastery. Fintan offered himself as a candidate. Colman accepted and told him to return to his place of his resurrection at Clonenagh. Fintan set up an oratory which attracted numerous disciples, and formed his own austere rule. Such austerities along with miracles recalled the apostolic ages. His monastery at Clonenagh include disciples such St. Comgall of Bangor, St Colmán of Oughaval, and St Aengus the Culdee (Céile Dé = Spouse of God). They learned a great deal of asceticism through Fintan’s school.

For his austere living Fintan is considered an Irish equivalent to St. Benedict. He is also considered as a “Father of Irish Monks” along with St. Enda. According to a disciple Oengus, Fintan lived on “bread of woody barley and water from the earth clay”. His followers became unhappy with the lack of anything wholesome… They had not even a cow for milk, nor butter. St. Canice of Aghaboe came to remonstrate with Fintan over this. So Fintan allowed the community this small comfort, but denying himself such a treat. The angels impresed on fintan the need for special feasts for guests, that too he granted while denying himself the luxury. Because of the hardships, Fintan’s monastery flourished with young monks from all over Ireland. The monastery of Clonenagh became an important seat of learning with students coming from all over Europe.

Fintan was succeeded by Fintan Maeldubh at the Abbey of Clonenagh. He was laid to rest by his monks at the Abbey around the year 603..

There is a well near his burial site that sprung up in in a field, and the farmer who lived close by, refused people a visit to this holy well. So much so, that the well miraculously transferred itself to ”St. Fintan’s tree”. It became known as “The Money Tree” as people hammered coins into its bark with prayerful intentions. This tree was blown down in a storm in 1994.

Fintan memory is celebrated 17th February

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Posted in Irish church history

St. Mel of Ardagh; nephew of St. Patrick – 7th February

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St. Mel was no film director, but he did follow Christ, inspired by His Passion. St. Mel of Ardagh was companion and nephew of St Patrick of British Amorica. Mel and his brothers Melchu, Munis and Rioch accompanied their uncle Patrick to Ireland as missionaries with approval from Rome. They are the sons of their father Conis, and their mother Darerca, sister of Saint Patrick. The ‘’Memoir of Tíreachán’’ and the ‘’Tripartite Life’’, mentions that St Patrick came to Ardagh, in Co Longford.

South of the river Inney, west of Lough Rea, Patrick founded a church at Forgnaidhe. There in Ardagh, he placed Mel as bishop, with his brother Melchu to assist him. Patrick’s other sister St. Lupita also remained at Ardagh as a house keeper. Her presence there was short lived as St. Patrick later felt it better that St. Lupita lived elsewhere, so as not to give opportunity of unfounded gossip by pagans. She moved to Brí Leith where she founded a monastery for religious sisters at Drum Chea on Sliabh Golry.

Mel was a traveling missionary, supporting himself by working with his hands. He was generous with the poor, giving away much of his income, living only on what was essential. On Mel and Melchu’s first missionary journey, they blessed St. Brigid in her mother’s womb and foretold her future greatness. It was Mel who later “gave Brigid the veil”. He also made her an abbess of a monastery.

Ardagh was a diocese established by St. Patrick. But it was formally recognised as a diocese much later at the Synod of Kells (1152). Although St. Patrick established diocese in Ireland, he founded many monasteries and with time and cultural influences, the Irish church became more monastic as the diocesan model faded into the background. St. Mel died in 488, leaving a flourishing influential institution. Shortly after his death, Mel was so regarded as a saint by the local faithful for his authentic witness to Christ. His sainthood is of the pre-congregation canonization type, being proclaimed a saint by popular devotion and recognised as such in this case by a succeeding bishop.

St. Mel of Ardagh is celebrated on the 7th February

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Bridget is Mary of the Gaels, a woman of great virtue – 1st February

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Image source taken from Icon of St. Brigid of Kildare

Material sources distilled from the Book, ”St. Patrick after the ancient narrations” by Rev. Phillip Lynch C.S.Sp. published in 2013 by James Lynch. Other material sources are distilled from Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae

St. Brigid of Kildare

The new trend of presenting Brigid as a goddess who then became a Christian needs to be looked at closer. It’s a growing ideology without solid foundation. A goddess is a false deity, who wants to be like the Most High God. Those who worship false gods are in the act of idolatry. We know that Jesus came to make known to mankind, on the One True God, who is the Most High, and to turn mankind away from idolatry. Jesus also came for our salvation. Bridget desired that people follow Jesus so that they too can know the one True God and reach salvation. We can consider St. Peter in the book of Acts 10:24-26, when he was worshiped as a god. It says ”… when Peter came in, Cornelius met him, fell at his feet, and worshiped him. But Peter helped him up, saying, “Stand up. I too am a mere mortal”. So to consider Brigid as a goddess is to do a great disservice for all she stood for.

So lets take a look at Brigid, who she really is…

Various writings were compiled in ‘’The Life of St. Brigid’’ by Cogitosus, and here are some points of interest on St. Brigid. These ancient sources tell us that Brigid belonged to the early age of Christianity in Ireland. She was born of human stock and generated from Christian parents of noble birth, and baptised by St. Patrick. Brigid was born at Faughart, Dundalk formerly of the province of Ulster. She lived 80 years, a life of virtue from the cradle to the grave.

The name Brigid means virtuous in Irish. She was so virtuous, that she earned the title, Mary of the Gaels. This means she imitated Mary, the Mother of God, while she promoting Christianity in Ireland. Brigid was veiled with seven of her friends by Bishop Mac Caille. On that day, the wooden base of the altar she touched ‘flourishes fresh and green to the present day. She travelled by chariot, establishing religious houses in Ireland, gaining thirteen thousand nuns under her rule.
She founded a monastery in Kildare, a name which means church of oak. The ancient Leabhar Breac mentions the building of this monastery at the time of St. Brigid. She worked closely with St. Conleth whom became bishop of Kildare, thanks in part to Brigid’s great influence and recommendation. It was at St. Brigid’s monastery that Cogitosus wrote her biography one hundred years after their founder passed away from this world.

In her life, Brigid milked one cow three times a day to feed three abbots. She replaced a king’s lost fox with another one, who miraculously knew the same tricks as that missing fox. Brigid found a secret store of honey under the floor boards just in time to give to a beggar who was came knocking at her door. A leper came to Brigid’s door looking for beer, but Brigid had no beer to offer him. But she got some water and called down God’s blessing on the water. With her faith in Jesus Christ, the water became changed into a fine beverage.

The story of St. Brigid’s Cross

Brigid was attending to a dying pagan noble, who was falling in and out of sleep. Brigid at one point took some rushes from the ground and began to weave them into a Cross. The noble man was curious, and in his feeble condition wanted to know what she was making? He somehow felt better for this strange Cross. Brigid used this Cross to explain Christianity and the salvific power of Christ, so that men learn of the one True God and reach salvation. This noble pagan was open to hearing more, and he became baptised before he died.

St. Brigid foretold to St. Patrick of St. Colmcille who would convert the Gaels in the north west of Ireland. These three saints are now buried together in Downpatrick in Ulster. They are the three national saints of Ireland.

St. Brigid’s feast day is celebrated on the 1st February, she is a patron saint of Ireland
In the 8th century her feast day was celebrated in Luxemburg. Her feast day is recorded in the Calendar of St. Willibrord. Her relics are Venerated in the abbey of San Maurice in Switzerland. Also, Bridewell in London is named after Brigid, for Bride is the anglicised form of Brigid.

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St. Aiden of Ferns, known as Maedóc the disciple of St. David – 30th January

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St. Aidan is one of the 25 Irish Saints recognised in 19 June 1902 by the universal church via a process of cultus confirmation. This saint helps us to glimpse the close relationship that existed between the Gaels and the Welsh.

Aidan was born c558 on Inisbrefny, in Cavan. He was baptised Aedan. His parents Sedua and Eithne, from the noble families of the O’Neils and O’Briens, later called him Mo-Aidh-og, which means “My little Hugh” or its like saying my little Aed. His Irish name became Maodhóg or in old Irish Maedóc which he is now commonly known as. Maedóc was held hostage as a child by Aedh Ainmire, High-King of Ireland to ensure his family’s loyalty. He was later released, and he directed his life towards the religious, following his childhood inclinations.

Maedóc studied for several years in Wales under St. David at Menevia in Pembrokeshire. David is patron saint of Wales. Maedóc was listed in the Welsh triads as one of David’s three most faithful disciples. To give you a few stories recounted about St. Maedóc during his time in Wales, we have 1) by accident he broke a jug of ale destined for his fellow monks over a meal; but making the sign of the cross over the broken jug, it became repaired and thus he was able to serve his monks. 2) At another time in Wales, a yoke given to Maedóc by David’s steward which was not sufficient in size to fit around the necks of his oxen. Maedóc miraculously accommodated them which permitted him to travel with material to Llanddewi Velfrey.

Maedóc later returned to Ireland. At the same time, there was a victory at Dunbolg, Co. Wicklow, in 598, in which the High King Aedh was slain by Prince Brandrub of Leinster. In thanksgiving the prince gifted Maedóc lands in Wexford, for his prayers attributed to the victory. Aedh was a pagan king, and did not do himself any favours. Prince Brandub belonged to the dynasty of Uí Chennselaig, whose domain was the territory of Ferns. Maedóc’s monastic foundation was became known as Fearna-nor-Maedhog

St. Maedóc died on 31st January 632 on Lough Melvin’s shore, Co. Leitrim. His relics are held inside the tomb at the cathedral crypt in Ferns. St. Edan’s Cathedral in Ferns remains the seat of Church of Ireland diocese.

At the synod of Ráith Bressail in 1111, Ferns became one of five episcopal sees in Leinster. The diocese of Ferns is equivalent to the earlier kingdom of Uí Chennselaig over the territory of Ferns.


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The good Lord Mayor of Dublin; Blessed Francis Taylor – 30th January

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Francis Tayloy was born in Swords in 1550. He was a respected senator of Dublin and was imprisoned because of his adherence to his Catholic faith. We have the testimony of Most Rev. Thomas Flemming, Archbishop of Dublin along with other esteemed clergy which can be found in the Book, ”Our Martyrs” by Rev. D. Murphy, S.J.

To summarise… Francis Tayler was sprung from an ancient noble family and filled several public offices with great credit, as that of Mayor, Treasurer, and Senator in Dublin city. He was a loving husband and father of six children. Francis died in prison, having been incarcerated for seven years due to his Catholic faith. He was told that if he only took the Oath of Supremacy he would be released and could enjoy his comfortable lifestyle again, but he adamantly refused to do this as it would mean renouncing his Catholic faith. He put on the crown of a glorious death after an imprisonment of seven years in Dublin Castle  died in the dungeon at the age of 71 on 29 January 1621 AD.

In 1992 a representative of seventeen Irish martyrs, were chosen from a list of almost three hundred who died for their faith in the 16th and 17th centuries. Francis Tayler was beatified among them by St. Pope John Paul II. Francis Tayler is also a patron of St. Oliver’Plunkett’s parish in Clonmel. Blessed Francis is regarded as a patron for politicians and fathers.

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Blessed Margaret Ball, a devout mother and wife, and Martyr to the Catholic faith – 30th January

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Margaret Bermingham was born about 1515 in Skreen, Co Meath, she married Bartholomew Ball, a prosperous Dublin merchant, where she came to live. Her eldest son, Walter, yielding to the pressure of the times, became a Protestant and an opponent of the Catholic faith. Margaret however remained faithful to the Catholic faith, and even provided ‘safe houses’ for bishops and priests passing through Dublin. She would invite her son Walter to dine with them, always hoping for his reconversion to Catholicism.

But her ambitious son then became the Lord Mayor of Dublin, and shamefully had his own mother arrested and drawn through the streets, on a wooden hurdle, (as she could no longer walk), to Dublin Castle. There Margaret was imprisoned, thrown into the dungeons of the Castle for the rest of her life. In the vaults, she remained in a cold, dark, damp environment for three years until she expired, worn out from hardship. Margaret bore this condition with great patience and humility.

She could easily have returned to her life of comfort if only she took the Oath of Supremacy, acknowledging Queen Elizabeth I as head of the Catholic Church. But she refused to do this. Margaret died in the dungeon of failing health in Dublin Castle at the age of 69 in 1584 AD.

She passed over to receive the crown of glory for her steadfast fidelity to Christ. Blessed Margaret’s body was interred at St. Audoen’s Church, Dublin. She is one of the seventeen listed Irish Martyrs and a patron of St. Oliver Plunkett’s parish in Clonmel. In 1992 a representative of seventeen Irish martyrs, were chosen from a list of almost three hundred who died for their faith in the 16th and 17th centuries. Margaret among 16 others was beatified by St. Pope John Paul II.

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Fursey, the Irish Saint who conquered East Anglia for Christ while pouring many blessings on France – 16th January

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Image Source from AnaStpaul

Material below is distilled from Catholicireland.net and AnaStpaul and Catholic Encyclopaedia

Fursey (Fursa in Irish) was of noble Irish birth, born around 575. His name refers to virtue and Fursey became so, embracing religious life at the monastery of St. Meldan on the island of Inchquinn on the Lough Corrib, Co. Galway. He was an avid learner of spiritual writings and the practice of virtue from his youth.

Bede says of Fursey:

‘’There came out of Ireland a holy man called Fursa (Fursey), renowned both for his words and actions, and remarkable for his singular virtues, being desirous to live like a stranger for our Lord, wherever an opportunity should offer… he saw the angels chanting in heaven, and a vision of hell in which he saw four fires – the fire of falsehood, the fire of covetousness, the fire of discord and the fire of iniquity.’’

Bede also recounts in his Ecclesiastical History of the English nation, that St. Fursey went to East Anglia in 633 on a mission with at least four pilgrim companions, two brothers St Foillan and St Ultan, as well as two other priests called Dicul and Maeldubh. In East Anglia King Sigbert II received these pilgrims very well and gave them a tract of land for a monastery at Burgh Castle (Cnobbersburg), near present day Yarmouth. The King was so disposed because many years earlier found himself exiled into Gaul, in France by his step father King Redwald. It was in Gaul, where Sigbert became a Christian under the guidance of St. Columbanus and his monks who where on their peregrinus pro Christo. Sigbert returned to East Anglia in 631 and ascended the throne a new man; King Sigbert II. Now Fursey and company stayed at their newly founded monastery in East Anglia. They followed the Celtic liturgical tradition, which was an unusual occurrence in England.

Later King Anna, succeeded King Sigbert II, and St. Fursey was afforded further support, in evangelising East Anglia. The two other pilgrim priest, Dicul and Maeldubh went on to found monasteries elsewhere… Dicul evangelised the South Saxons, founding a monastery at Bosham, near Chichester. Maeldubh founded a monastery at Malmsbury in Wessex.

After about 12 years in East Anglia, Fursey and some monks departed to the Frankish kingdom of Neustria. St. Foillan was left in charge of the Norfolk monastery in East Anglia, while St. Ultan travelled with St. Fursey to Gaul. They met French king Clovis II ( 636-657) who authorised Fursey to establish a monastery near Paris at Lagny-sur-Marne in the region of Neustria (648). Fursey was given protection by Echinoald, Mayor of the palace of Clovis II.

St. Fursey was on another pilgrimage, this time to Rome, and stopped at the church of Mont-des-Cygnes in Mezerolles, dedicated to the apostles Peter & Paul. In this church Fursey deposited the sacred relics of St. Patrick as well as St. Meldan, his former Abbot in Galway. After his trip to Rome, he stayed awhile at Pérrone. He planned to go back to East Anglia. On his way there, he stopped again at Mezerolles, to stay a short time. But feeling ill, he remained there and soon died.

His body reposed for a time in that same church of Mont-des-Cygnes. His body was later translated to Péronne, where we get the name Perrona Scottorum (Péronne of the Irish). For this was the place offered to him by King Clovis through his mayor, Echinoald. Fursey’s tomb at Perrona Scottorum became an important pilgrim shrine and the monastery became a centre for the Irish. Ultan the brother of Fursey became the first abbot of this centre. St. Fursey’s body was interred two times to be placed in a tomb more fitting to his legacy, and his body was found to be incorrupt.

St. Fursey died around 650 A.D. and is remembered on the 16th January

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