St. Malachy was of noble birth whose family surname was Ua Morgair. He was born in Armagh in 1094. His Irish baptism name was Máel-M’áedóc. His father, Mugrón, was ard-fher légind (chief lector or chief scholar) of Armagh. His family was of an ecclesiastical line of Cenél Conaill, a dynasty of Uí Néill.
He received his formation from Ímar Ua hÁedacáin, a reform-minded monk who would became abbot of the church of SS Peter and Paul at Armagh. Malachy was ordained deacon by Ímar c.1118, soon after the reform synod of Rath Breasail in 1111. He was ordained a priest by the comarba Pátraic (Successor of St. Patrick), by Cellach (Celsus) in 1119. Cellach was son of Áed, a strong advocate for reform. Malachy advanced his studies in sacred liturgy and theology, at the large diocese of Lismore, a predominantly Gaelic diocese, and a pro-reform foundation. He studied for two years under St. Malchus. There, Malachy also came into contact with Máel-Ísu Ua hAinmire, bishop of the small diocese of Waterford, which was a predominantly viking diocese. Máel-Ísu Ua hAimnire was a strong advocate of reform in the Irish church. Máel-Ísu was a Benedictine monk who had studied at Winchester and was well informed on Roman canonical and liturgical practice. Malachy became the Abbot of Bangor, in 1123.
St. Malachy became Archbishop of Armagh, in 1132. But he was unable to take possession of his see for two years. During three years in possession at Armagh, St. Malachy restored church discipline promoted the Roman Liturgy adopted, in favour of the Celtic traditions. Malachy re-established Christian morals, to the point that he felt able to resign in 1138, with the view to return to the diocese of Connor.
He travelled to Rome in 1139 via Great Britain, and France, visiting St. Bernard at Clairvaux. He sought from Pope Innocent, palliums for the Sees of Armagh and Cashel. He did not succeed in this request but Malachy became the legate for Ireland. His role was to oversee church reform. On his return trip, at Clairvaux he was given five monks for the Mellifount abbey to be (1142). During this period Malachy travelled across Ireland in the role of papal legate, promoting church reform and establishing of Augustinian chapters at some of the Irish cathedrals.
Malachy convened in 1148 a synod at Inis Pátraic in Dublin. There a decision was made in principle to seek four pallia – for Armagh, Cashel, Dublin, and Tuam. Malachy undertook a journey to meet Pope Eugenius in France. But he fell ill in Clairvaux dying in the care of St. Bernard, on 2 November. His quest for pallia and the diocesan organisation he had promoted was later realised at the synod of Kells–Mellifont in 1152.
Finally, Malachy has some prophetic gifts… For example he prophesied that Ireland would suffer at the hands of England, oppression, persecution, and calamities, for seven centuries; notwithstanding this Ireland would preserve her faithfulness to the Catholic church amidst the trials. After this prolonged oppressive period, Ireland would be delivered from the foreigners, who would find themselves subject to chastisements. Catholic Ireland would greatly help bring back England to the Catholic Faith which Protestants endeavoured eliminate.
Malachy was formally canonized by Pope Clement (III), on 6 July, 1199. His feast is celebrated on 3 November.
by 