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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