Saint Molua and Saint Munna's Angelic Visitor

August 4 is the feast of the great Irish monastic founder, Saint Molua. Canon O'Hanlon has included in his account of the saint the story of a miracle at the time of Saint Molua's death involving another Irish saint, Munna of Taghmon:

The Angel of God was accustomed to make two visits each week—namely, on each Sunday and Thursday—to the holy abbot Munnu, of Taghmoon, in Hy Kinsellagh; but, he came not on the week when our saint died. Munnu had a revelation, that there was great rejoicing in Heaven, on account of our saint's accession to the angelic choirs. After the interval of a week, that angel again appeared. Then Munnu said, "Wherefore, servant of God, have you not come to me as usual, during the last few days ?" The angel answered: "Because on those days the venerable servant of God, Molua, son to Coche, went to Heaven. Therefore, the angels did not visit the saints of Ireland, as usual; for, they rejoiced together, on the arrival of Molua among them." Then, St. Munnu said :" Now doth it appear, he accomplished the will of God, in a manner superior to us all. But, go thou to the Lord, and learn for me, on what account the Almighty was more pleased with Molua's approach, that he should in consequence neglect to visit me." The angel obeyed. Within a short time he returned, saying: " This is the reply to thy question. The face of no man was ever suffused with blushes through Molua, for he was mild to all, and governed his monks with great piety and gentleness. With moderation, he drew them to the right path. However, rejoice, also; for you shall find a similar honour in Heaven, since you must endure suffering in this life, and to the hour of your death." On the following Thursday, Munnu was struck with a leprosy, which covered all parts of his body, and thus was he afflicted, for the remaining twenty years of his life.

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Saint Fechin at Poulaphouca Waterfall

It was the afternoon of Sunday when Fechin and his monks arrived at Poulaphouca Falls, and the glorious Twenty-Eighth Psalm was part of the Lauds for Monday, which they were reciting that evening, and no other Psalm could so voice the feelings of the enraptured hearts of those "sons of God" in the midst of "the many waters" and "the thunders of the Lord" and "the cedars."

"Afferte Domino, filii Dei, gloriam et honorem : afferte Domino gloriam nomini Ejus : adorate Dominum in atrio sancto Ejus ! 

Vox Domini super aquas, Deus majestatis intonuit : Dominus super aquas multas ! 

Vox Domini in virtute : Vox Domini in magnificentia. 

Vox Domini confringentis cedros. . . . 

Dominus virtutem populo suo dabit : Dominus benedicet populo suo in pace." 

" Bring to the Lord, O ye sons of God, . . . glory and honour ! bring to the Lord glory to His name ! Adore ye the Lord in His holy Church !

The voice of the Lord upon the waters : the God of majesty hath thundered ! The Lord upon many waters !

The voice of the Lord in power, the voice of the Lord in magnificence !

The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars ! . . . The Lord will give strength to His people ; the Lord will bless His people with peace." (Ps. xxviii).

Not for a few minutes only but for hours did holy Fechin and his disciples pray here and sing their Psalms and hymns. At last some of the monks completely tired and physically exhausted said to Fechin that it was time for all to rest. "No," answered the Saint, " I cannot cease. The Falls never cease, but are continually offering the sublime melody of their music to their Creator. I must not be a debtor to my God." Behold then God wrought a great wonder to reward His devout servant. The waters of the Falls ceased to flow down, and, piling themselves above, seemed to listen to the chanting of the Psalms of Fechin and his choir, a heavenlier music than their own! This prodigy lasted till the third hour. Then the Saint was given to understand that he and his tired brethren might themselves take a little rest and refresh their exhausted bodies, and so they ceased their psalmody.

The Life of St Fechin of Fore: The Apostle of Connemara by Father J.B. Coyle (Dublin, 1915).

Note: January 20 is the feast day of Saint Fechin of Fore and previous posts on his life can be found here and here.

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Saint Columba and the Woman Escorted by the Angels to Paradise

June 9 is the feastday of Saint Colum Cille [Columba] of Iona.  As I have previously noted on the blog, Iona's founder shares his feastday with his immediate successor and kinsman, Baithin. Canon O'Hanlon, however, has another feast to record for this day, one which comes directly from Book III of Adamnán's Life of Saint Columba:

Feast of a Holy Woman whose Name is unknown, and who was borne into Heaven by Angels. [Sixth Century.]

At this date, we find introduced into a Calendar the festival of a beatified woman, whose name is not known, but whose soul St. Columkille beheld ascending into Heaven. After a great struggle with demons, the Angels came to receive her into the mansions of everlasting bliss. This festival is noted by the Bollandists, among the pretermitted saints. 

The calendar to which Canon O'Hanlon refers is named in the footnotes as the 'Gynaeceo Arturi'. I was unable to find out any further information on this source. Below is the text from the Life of Saint Columba from which this feast is drawn. It is interesting to note that the witness to this miracle was a Saxon monastic who worked as a baker at the monastery of Iona:

[III 10] Of a vision, in which St. Columba beheld angels bearing to heaven the soul of a virtuous woman

Likewise, on another occasion, when St Columba was dwelling in Iona, one day he suddenly looked up towards heaven and said:

'Happy woman, happy and virtuous, whose soul the angels of God now take to paradise!'

One of the brothers was a devout man called Genereus the Englishman, who was the baker. He was at work in the bakery where he heard St Columba say this. A year later, on the same day, the saint again spoke to Genereus the Englishman, saying:

'I see a marvellous thing. The woman of whom I spoke in your presence a year ago today - look!- she is now meeting in the air the soul of a devout layman, her husband, and is fighting for him together with holy angels against the power of the Enemy. With their help and because the man himself was always righteous, his soul is rescued from the devils' assaults and is brought to the place of eternal refreshment.'

Richard Sharpe, ed. and trans., Life of Saint Columba, (Penguin Classics, 1991), 213.

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Some Miracles from the Life of Saint Fintan

February 17 is the commemoration of Saint Fintan of Clonenagh. The seventeenth-century hagiologist, Father John Colgan, published a Life of Saint Fintan from the Codex-Kilkenniensis at this day, and the Bollandists also published his Acts in 4 chapters with 26 sections and a preceeding commentary. Canon O'Hanlon in his entry for Saint Fintan in the Lives of the Irish Saints has translated some of these sources. The saint is shown as demonstrating the gifts of prophecy and of healing and he also sets a captive free. There are some insights into the life of the monastery at Clonenagh and a rather touching example of the love with which the brethren regarded their spiritual father. As with so many saints' Lives, the Life of Fintan describes how he was marked for sanctity and greatness even before birth.

An angel appears to Saint Fintan's mother, Findath:

When about giving birth to the infant in her womb, an angel appeared to Findath, and warned her to retire into a secret place, where she should be removed from all intercourse with men, until the time of her delivery. The angel promised, also, that her son should be holy and great, both in the sight of God and of man. She complied with this admonition, and spent seven days under the shade of a certain tree, whilst in the meantime she was miraculously sustained by food from Heaven. Her child was born, at the end of this time.

Saint Fintan's Childhood and the Prophecy of Saint Columcille:

Following the account in St. Fintan's Life, it appears to have been on the eighth day succeeding his birth, that Findath's infant was brought to, and baptized by, a holy man, who dwelt at this place. The child was afterwards instructed, by the same person, until he made great progress in virtue and learning. While yet a boy, Fintan told his instructor to prepare a banquet for guests, who were about to visit them, and that St. Columkille with some of his companions should arrive, on that very day. Being reproachfully asked, by the holy senior, how this could have been known to him, the boy answered, that it was revealed, by our Lord Jesus Christ. The event corresponded with this prediction. While St. Columkille was on a journey this day, and passing near Cluain, he told his companion, they should turn a little from their course, to visit a holy senior, and a youth, who dwelt there.

Columkille also foretold the future eminence of the boy, and desired his guardian to retract those harsh expressions, used towards Fintan, for his apparent presumption, in announcing the arrival of his present visitors... for, it was destined, that both himself, and his place of habitation, should be subject to St. Fintan's rule during succeeding ages.

Saint Fintan's Ascetic Regime at Clonenagh:

Following the narrative contained in his Acts, it was at Clonenagh St. Fintan began to collect around him a community of monks, who lived under a very strict rule. After the manner of older eremites, they lived by manual labour, and tilled the ground with a spade or hoe. They abstained from all animal food, nor had they even a single cow, belonging to the monastery, for their rule did not allow the use of milk or butter. This excessive rigour of discipline and of living was considered almost insupportable to the brethren, by some holy men, who dwelt in the districts, adjoining Clonenagh ; wherefore, after some consultation, St. Canice and other servants of God came on a visit to our saint. They besought him, for the sake of Divine charity, to relax, in some measure, his strict monastic observances. The night before their visit, an angel appeared to admonish Fintan, regarding their object; while, directing him at the same time, as to how he should act, in preparing for their arrival, with a view to conform himself to the Divine will. St. Canice and those holy men accompanying him were received by Fintan, with great benignity. At their request, he relaxed the rigour of his rule, in favour of those monks, who were subject to him. Yet, he still adhered to his own usual strict manner of living. After bestowing mutual prayers and benedictions on each other, the holy visitors took leave of their host, each one seeking the immediate sphere for his own pious labours.

Saint Fintan allows his monks some meat:

One day, while his monks were engaged at their agricultural operations, St. Fintan went forth into the field, to inspect their labours. On his approach, the brethren advanced to meet him. With playful gestures, holding their beloved superior by the hand, according to a custom then prevalent among labourers towards their masters, they besought our saint, that he would allow them a more luxurious refreshment than ordinary, on that day. Well pleased with their familiarity, and sharing this hilarity of his monks, Fintan said : " The Lord is able, my dear brethren, to give what you ask from me." But, although, on this day, as at other times, the cook had nothing to prepare for their meal, but some potherbs; yet, that very hour, some men had come to their monastery, from the southern part of Leinster. These bore different kinds of meat, as a present for our saint. The chariots and waggons of those visitors being unloaded, the brethren were sumptuously entertained, on that day. Their holy superior returned thanks to the great Bestower of all gifts, for this providential supply, and for the apparently sanctioned approval of that dispensation allowed to his religious.

Saint Fintan is disturbed at his devotions:

It was customary with our abbot, to rise during night, and to devote many an hour to prayer, when passing out, for this purpose, to the adjoining cemetery. While thus engaged, one of his monks, desiring to see the saint at his orisons, sought him in vain for some time. At last, going into the graveyard, although the night was very dark, he beheld a bright light, surrounding the holy abbot, whom he regarded for some time, at a distance. On the following day, he received a reproof from St. Fintan, who warned him not to intrude, for the future, on his private devotions.

Saint Fintan frees Prince Cormac from Captivity:

Colman, King of Northern Leinster, held in captivity Cormac, son to Diermad, King of Hua-Kinsellagh, whom he intended putting to death. Hearing of this, and being desirous to liberate the young prince, Fintan took with him twelve disciples. This cruel king, hearing of our saint's approach, and suspecting his intention, gave his retainers an order to guard carefully his captive, and to exclude God's servant from his castle. But, when the saint arrived, all its gates were miraculously opened, and even the door of that very prison, in which Cormac had been confined; the chains also fell from the captive's limbs, to the great alarm of his guards. These hastened to their king, whom they aroused from sleep. They told him, at the same time, what had occurred. Colman was in turn alarmed, and, he asked the advice of his friends, as to what should be done. He was counselled, to grant whatever Fintan might desire, lest he might incur the displeasure of God, who wrought such wonders through his saint. Hereupon, hastening to Fintan, Colman fell prostrate before him, saying : "It becomes us, O saint, to honour thee, whom the Lord hath magnified: I, therefore, release him, whom you seek, and all who are in bondage with him." Giving his benediction to the king, Fintan prepared to depart with Cormac, the liberated prince. Afterwards, a multitude of soldiers were encountered on the way. Among these was a man of royal lineage, who desired Cormac's death, but he was dissuaded from this purpose, by his companions. Hereupon, St. Fintan said, "Child of Satan, thou shalt be slain in a short time and, he whom thou desirest to slay, shall long rule over his kingdom, and shall end his life in the practice of good works." Before a month had passed, that chieftain was slain. As had been predicted, the prince Cormac ruled over Hua Kinsellagh territory. Having relinquished the sceptre, in more advanced years, he became a recluse, under St. Comgall, in Bangor Monastery. There, too, he ended a holy life.

Saint Fintan and Saint Canice Bury the Remains of Dead Soldiers:

On another occasion, St. Fintan and St. Canice were together in Clonenagh Monastery. On a sudden, they heard shouts of triumph raised by some soldiers, who had obtained a victory over their enemies. St. Fintan said to his companion, "In this clamour, I hear the voice of an innocent lamb ; for, one among them, named Kieran, son to Tulchan, shall become a monk in this place, and after a life of perfection he shall die." The soldiers brought away the heads of their enemies, as a trophy of victory, and deposited them near Clonenagh Monastery, when they approached. Taking these ghastly remains, the monks buried them within the precincts of their cemetery. One of the brothers asked Saints Fintan and Canice, what this availed those corpses, whose heads were buried there. He received for reply: "We believe and trust in the Lord, that owing to the merits and virtue of all the saints in this place, who shall be buried here, and who living, shall also pray for the souls of those who may be here buried, that these men shall not be condemned on the day of judgment; for, the more dignified parts of their bodies lie deposited with us, and therefore do we hope clemency for their souls." Afterwards, Kieran, seeking admission to Clonenagh Monastery, was received; and, as St. Fintan predicted, he happily departed this life.

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Some Miracles from the Life of Saint Berach

February 15 is the feast of Saint Berach, a post on whose life can be found here. Below are some of the miracles attributed to the saint by his hagiographers and a final eulogy in his honour:

How Saint Berach got his name:

(16) Now St. Berach was born in the house of his mother's brother, Fraech the Presbyter, son of Carthach, in Gort na Luachra (the Close of the Rushes), near Cluain Conmaicne. And in that place there is (now) a mother-church and a cross, and the stone on which St. Berach was born. And Presbyter Fraech subsequently offered this estate to Berach. Presbyter Fraech too it was who baptized St. Berach, and fostered him till he was old enough to study. Now Berach's baptismal name was Fintan, as the learned man said in the verse :

Fintan a man pre-eminent, acute,
Though he were proud at Cluain Coirpthe
(Yet) he suffered, &c.

Berach (pointed, acute) however was the name he acquired by reason of his acuteness and the sharpness of his mighty works and miracles.

Saint Berach arrives at Glendalough:

xi.(29) After this Berach proceeded into Leinster to Glendalough, and went into the guest-house ; and his feet were washed there. At this time Coemgen's cook had died. Coemgen was troubled thereat, for he did not know who would be fit to superintend the monks' refection. And the angel said to him that he should entrust the task of preparing it night by night to the guests, till God should grant him some one suitable for it. And thus it was done by Coemgen ; and that night the duty was entrusted to Berach. And Berach divided the refection in two, and prepared one-half that night; and the monks were much better served that night than any night in the year.(30) The next night the refection of the monks was entrusted to Berach to prepare. Then said Berach to the attendant : Here is the half of last night's refection ready for the monks ; take it with thee. And he did so. And though (the refection) was good the first night, it was better far the last night. (31) So on the morrow St. Berach was taken to Coemgen. Coemgen gave him welcome, and asked him whether he were willing to superintend the monks' refection. And Berach said that he would do anything which Coemgen enjoined him. And he undertook to superintend the monks' refection. And Coemgen gave great thanks to the Lord for the good success which he gave to the monks refection through the grace of Berach. So that it was of this that Coemgen said:

Better than any refection is moderation,
When one comes to eat ;
Better is pain than the abundance
Which obtains eternal destruction.

Saint Berach expels demons from the monastery:

xii. (32) At this time there were many legions of demons in Glendalough, fighting against Coemgen and his monks, and they caused trembling and terror to weak men, and hurt them, and caused plagues and many sicknesses in the glen; and they could not be cast out till Berach came. Then Berach went round the city (monastery), and rang his bell, and sang maledictory psalms against the demons, and cast them out of the glen. And it was of this the poet sang:

The little bell of Berach, lasting the treasure,
Does battle against a perverse hundred ;
It was heard as far as Ferns of the hundreds ;
It chased demons from its sacred path.

And hence it is that the bell of Berach is carried daily round Glendalough; and no power of demons, nor plague, nor punishment shall be there so long as Berach's bell shall be therein. And the name of God and of Berach was magnified through this mighty work.

Saint Berach prevents infanticide:

xxvi. (78) Once upon a time great scarcity came to Erin. At that time Laegachan was in his island on Loch Laegachan, and had no provisions. He went then with his kernes to seek for food, and left his wife, who was pregnant, on the island with a single woman in her company; and he told her, if she should bear a child after his departure, to kill it, as they had no means of rearing it. And the woman bore a male child afterwards, and the woman who was with her asked her what was to be done with the boy. And she said : Kill it. The other woman said : It is better to take it to the clerk of the church here to the west, to be baptized, and let his service be offered to him in return for his maintenance. (79) This plan was agreed upon by them, and the child was taken to Berach, and he baptized it, and the name given to it was Ineirge, and its service in life and death, and the service of its seed and offspring till doom was offered to Berach in return for its nurture. And Berach said : Let the child be taken to its mother, and assistance of food and means will come to them. The child was taken to its mother as the clerk said. (80) As the women were there they heard a noise in the house(?). The woman went to see, but could not perceive anything there. [The same thing happened a second time.] A third time they heard the noise, and a third time the woman went to see, and there was a great salmon there, and an otter dragging it to land. And the woman went and dragged the salmon to land, and could not carry it for its size. And she called the other woman, and the two of them with difficulty carried the salmon, and they dressed it, and ate their fill, and the breasts of the mother of the child were filled with milk forthwith, and thus the child was saved.

A Final Eulogy to Saint Berach:

(88) However, not till the sand of the sea be numbered, and the stars of the heaven, and the grass and all the herbs that grow out of the earth, and the dew which grows or lingers on the grass and on the herbs, will all the mighty deeds of St. Berach be numbered. A righteous man was this man. He was all purity of nature like a patriarch; a true pilgrim in heart and soul like Abraham; gentle and forgiving like Moses; a psalmist worthy to be praised like David; a moon (or treasury) of knowledge and wisdom like Solomon; a chosen vessel to proclaim righteousness like Paul the apostle; a man full of grace and favour of the Holy Spirit, like John the youth; a fair garden with plants of virtue, a branch of a fruitful vine; a shining fire all aglow to cherish and warm the sons of life in kindling and inflaming love. A lion for might and power; a dove for gentleness and simplicity, a serpent for prudence and ingenuity for good; gentle, humble, merciful, lowly towards sons of life; dark and pitiless towards sons of death; an industrious and obedient slave to Christ; a king for dignity and power to bind and loose, to free and to enslave, to kill and make alive. (89) So then after these great miracles, after raising the dead, after healing lepers and blind and lame, and every other plague, after ordaining bishops, and priests, and deacons, and people of every other order in the Church, after teaching and baptizing many, after founding churches and monasteries, after overcoming the arts of idols and of druidism, the day of St. Berach's death and of his going to heaven drew near. And before he went thither there appeared an angel to him, and said to him, that the Lord had great care for him, and for his monks and for his monastery; and said that whoever should ask a righteous perfect petition of him, it should be granted to him; and revealed to him the day of his going to heaven. (90) Now Berach spent his life in fastings and prayer and almsgivings in the presence of the Lord. He received communion and sacrifice from the hand of Talmach [and commended] to him his inheritance and the headship of his monastery and of his young ecclesiastics. He sent his spirit to heaven, and his body was buried in the dark house (i. e. grave) with great honour and reverence, and with miracles and mighty works in this world ; but greater far will be (his honour) in the (great) Assize, when he will shine like the sun in heaven in the presence of the apostles and disciples of Jesus, in the presence of the Divinity and Humanity of the Son of God, in the presence of the sublime Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

I pray the mercy of the Son of God Almighty through the intercession of St. Berach whose festival and commemoration are (observed) in many noble churches to-day, that we may attain, that we may merit, that we may inherit the kingdom in secula seculorum. Amen. Finis.

'Life of Berach' in C. Plummer ed.and trans. Bethada Naem nErenn – Lives of Irish Saints, Vol II, (Oxford 1922), 22-43.

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The Monastic Life and Miracles of St Colman-Elo

September 26 is the feast of Saint Colman of Lann-Elo, an account of whose life can be found here. In Volume IX of his Lives of the Irish Saints Canon O'Hanlon, mainly drawing on a Life preserved among the Franciscan archives, includes a number of the miracles attributed to the saint.  I have made a selection of these below, the headings are mine, the text O'Hanlon's. They present a glimpse into the monastic life and in that of Saint Colman it seems that the monks often struggled with his ascetic regime:

The Miraculous Transport of Food

After St. Colman's establishment had been formed, it is stated, that on a certain occasion food had failed his monks; yet a miraculous supply reached them on the feast of the Epiphany. Again is the story told, that when in want of the necessaries of life, a miraculous transport of provisions was wafted to the monastery through the air, and like to the prophet Habacuc's experience.

A Monk Loses his Temper with Saint Colman

A Briton, who was a member of St. Colman's community, had been reproved by the Abbot for some fault. Angered by that reproof, his hand was raised to strike his superior; but in that very act, the hand became stiff and paralysed, nor could the monk recover its use, until the saint had compassionately pardoned his transgression.

Saint Colman Grants a Vision of the Rewards Awaiting his Monks

At one time, the monks of St. Colman murmured, because they lived a very laborious life and one that was very austere, without any corporal rest or consolation. Their venerable superior, knowing this by information communicated to him, addressed them thus : "Brothers, if you desire to see the glory of the heavenly kingdom in so far as it may be permitted to mortals, you shall now behold it." Having replied, that they most earnestly wished for such a favour, Colman raised his hand and placed it over their eyes. Immediately the beatific vision opened to their great delight and admiration. Thenceforward they bore with great resignation and even joy all their austerities and labours to the end of their lives, deeming them as bearing no comparison with the rewards reserved for them in the realms of the blessed. However, their holy Abbot imposed on them an obligation never to reveal that vision to others during his life-time.

Collanus, the Faithful Monk

On a certain occasion, when Colman was absent from his monastery, a monk, remarkable for his humility, obedience and devotion, named Collanus, departed this life. On the Abbot's return he went alone to the cell where his body lay, and standing before the door which had been closed he cried out : "O Collanus, as you have been obedient to me in life, so continue after death, and open this habitation to me." Immediately the monk arose as if from sleep, at the sound of his Abbot's voice; the door opened, and after mutual salutation, the monk said : "I beseech you Father, permit me to return where I have found great glory and rest, to that realm I have already seen." This request he obtained. Having received the Body of our Lord, again he departed and his remains were consigned to the grave.

A Miracle of Saint Colman's Staff

Again where the confluence of two rivers took place, some monks lived in their cells; but floods came that seemed to bode destruction to their dwellings. They came to St. Colman, and asked him to relieve them, when he gave them his staff, telling them to describe a circle with it around their monastery. Having complied with such directions, the inundation ceased, nor afterwards were they subjected to any such inconvenience.

Saint Colman Shows Mercy to a Thief

It is related, that a robber had taken a sacred vessel from the monastery of St. Colman, and which had been used by him for ministerial purposes. Having sold it to a Munster cleric, the robber was apprehended by the people, who were about to hang him for the commission of such a sacrilege, and they threatened to do so if it were not restored. This restitution he was unable then to effect, but the merciful Abbot intervened on his behalf, and rescued him from the hands of that infuriated mob. As a reward for such clemency, the ampulla was recovered through the prayers of Colman.

Saint Colman Punishes some Unrepentant Thieves

St. Colman visited a place called Cluain cayn (Clonkeen) where certain robbers had taken away some property belonging to the monks; but being accused of the theft, they were ready to deny it on oath. Then said our saint, "We shall give you until morning to state the whole truth. " But they persisted in denying their complicity in the theft. A severe punishment was inflicted on them for this denial, and they suffered great pain, until they were obliged to acknowledge their guilt, on the morning following.

Saint Colman Prevents Infanticide

A romantic story is told regarding a son who was born blind. The mother was so shocked and disgusted with his appearance, that she urged another son to take his infant brother and drown him in an adjoining lake. In this resolve her husband coincided. Suddenly was heard the voice of that infant saying to his brother : "O man, do you reflect on what a deed you purpose ?" He replied : "I am about to deprive you of life." The blind infant then said : "Unless you repent of your intention immediately, you shall die, and I shall live, since I am given to Colman Ela that he may nurture me." Whereupon fearing the consequence of such an evil act, the son returned home, and told his father what had occurred. Nevertheless, the father insisted that one of his female servants should execute the deed, and submitting to such an order, again the blind infant spoke to her, and said, that being entrusted by God to the care of St. Colman, she could not deprive him of life, and that unless she should repent of her crime, death must overtake her. Trembling with fear, she returned to the house, and told the father what had happened in her own case. Filled with indignation and still incredulous, the father—a chief of the O'Neill family—resolved on the crime of infanticide himself. He then heard his own child's voice upbraid him and declare, that should the father make any attempt on his son's life the penalty of death must be inflicted on himself, and that too, unless sincere repentance should follow, since the Lord had devoted him to St. Colman Ela to be protected. Accordingly the terrified parent relented. At that very time, our saint happened to be near, and afterwards he went to the chieftain's house to reproach him with the crime intended. The child was then entrusted to St. Colman's care, to be baptised and instructed in the rudiments of learning. As years advanced, the boy grew in wisdom and morality; yet although he was thenceforward known as the Blind Kellamis, he became a sage and the teacher of many scholars.

Saint Colman's Vision of Pope Saint Gregory the Great

On a certain day while St. Colman laboured with his monks in the field, he had a vision, when he suddenly fell prostrate on the ground and shed tears. His monks astonished at such an unusual occurrence asked him with earnestness the cause. He told them he had seen a number of Angels descending towards earth, and that he thought the Day of General Judgment had come. But then he saw them bear a golden altar aloft and on it the soul of Blessed Gregory the Pope. A great illumination took place, as the gates of Heaven opened and Angels appeared to receive him. At the end of a year from that day, he declared that a messenger from Rome should visit their monastery and confirm the fact of Gregory's death. This prediction was fulfilled, for a pilgrim from that city, who had resolved to visit the saints of Ireland, brought such intelligence to them.

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Saint Moling and the Two Suffering Men

June 17 is the feast of Saint Moling Luachra and below is an account of one of his many miracles:

Two men, affected with excessive pain of the emblena [belly], and in the whole body, caused by great dropsical swelling, were brought to St. Molyng, that in the name of Christ, he might cure them. At that time, the holy senior Molyng was out in the open air, and digging the earth in a field along with the brethren. Seeing their affliction, the venerable man said to them: "Chew some of the clay of this earth, I have just now dug". Unwilling to taste it, one of them reproved the holy man, saying that for no good end could he bid men to eat earth. The other man, however, humbly chewed it, and he was healed from his infirmity. He arose strengthened, and he gave thanks to God. Then, he walked home to his own people. Unwilling to return, the proud man died and was there buried. In both, the words of the Sacred Scriptures were fulfilled. In the case of the humble man, those words, "Thy faith hath made thee whole", and in the case of the proud man, "He who exalteth himself shall be humbled,"were verified. On account of this miracle, many were confirmed in Christ.

Rev. John O'Hanlon, Lives of the Irish Saints, Volume VI (Dublin, n.d.), 715.

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The Monastic Life and Miracles of Saint Baithen

On June 9 both the monastic founder of Iona, Saint Colum Cille and his immediate successor and kinsman Saint Baithen are commemorated. Canon O'Hanlon has provided details of the miracles of Saint Baithen (Baoithen, Latin Baitheneus) recorded in his various Vitae. As ever, they give us a glimpse into the monastic life and the virtues of a life of prayer, fasting, humility and obedience:

The Spirit of Saint Columba Comforts Baithen and the Brethern

At Iona, Baoithen appears to have been appointed the dispensator, or economus, or steward, of that foundation, and he superintended the labours of the monks in the field. On such an occasion, the monks once noticed a most fragrant odour, as if flowers, at a spot on the Island called Cuuleilne, and they asked the cause from Baoithen, who declared it was the spirit of their Abbot, who thus desired to refresh and comfort them, although he was not bodily present.

The Sea Voyages of Saint Baithen and Columbanus the Priest

When St. Columba had established a religious foundation in Tiree, he appointed Baoithen superior of the dependent Monastery there at Magh-Lunge. His journeyings thither by sea are recorded in St. Columba's Acts, and on occasion of setting out, he was accustomed to invoke the great Abbot's blessing. He also defended that Island from an invasion of evil spirits. Thence, too, he occasionally visited Hy. It is related, that on a particular occasion, Baithenus and Columbanus, son of Beognus, came to St. Columkille, and entreated him to obtain next day from God a prosperous wind for them, as they intended to set out on the sea, yet in contrary directions. The saint answered:'Baitheneus sailing from the port of Iona in the morning shall have a prosperous wind, until he arrives at the haven of Lungefield." This God granted him, according to the saint's words ; for, Baitheneus crossed over the sea to the land of Ethica, and with flowing sails, on that day. Then, at nine o'clock, St. Columba sent for Columbanus the Priest, and bade him make ready; as he told this voyager, that the south wind which favoured Baitheneus should turn to the north, and this was accordingly effected. So Columbanus embarked for Ireland, in the afternoon, and he made the voyage with full sails and favourable winds. This miracle was wrought by virtue of St. Columba's prayers, because it is written: 'All things are possible to him that believeth.' After Columbanus' departure on that day, St. Columba pronounced this prophecy regarding him: "The holy man Columbanus, whom I have blessed on departing, shall never more see me in this life. So indeed it fell out, for St. Columba departed to our Lord that very same year.

The Spear Blessed by Saint Baithen

While living in Iona, Baithen blessed a spear, over which he marked a sign of the cross. Thenceforth, it could hurt no person, and it could not even pierce the skin of any animal. Wherefore, its iron was taken to a smith, and mixed with other iron.

The Staff of Saint Baithen Protects A Monk

At one time, Lugbeus his monk happened to hold the staff of Baithen in his hand, when it was slightly gnawed by a dog. Having the same staff with him, while travelling among the Picts, he came to one of their houses, when a furious dog rushed out barking at him. That animal seized the staff of Baithen with his teeth, but immediately fell dead, and thus the monk escaped his meditated violence.

The Cure of the Monk Trenanus

Many sick persons were cured by St. Baithen, and among these was one of his monks, named Trenanus, who had been dropsical. But, he was commanded not to reveal this cure to any person, so long as Baithen lived. Our saint also prophesied, that a few days before his death, the patient should undergo a similar cure, and this was fulfilled a very long time afterwards.

The Judgement on Beoanus the Sinner

A story is told of one Beoanus—living beyond the Island Strait—who was an impious persecutor of the Church and a scoffer of the monks, and who had sent a messenger in derision to ask for the remains of their dinner. Then Baithen ordered the milk, which each of the brothers had left, to be poured into one vessel, and to be given to the messenger of Beoanus. No sooner had this unhappy man tasted it, than he felt a grievous internal complaint, and he found that death had already seized on him. However, he recognised in this intolerable anguish, that a just judgment had fallen upon him; and he had the grace of becoming contrite, while he died after being reconciled to God.

Saint Baithen Casts Out Demons

St. Baoithen also had the gift of casting out devils. Just at the time when he had succeeded the founder St. Columba, and while seated at table, he observed a foul demon looking in through a window. Raising his hand to make a sign of the cross over his monks, that evil spirit instantly vanished. The community afterwards inquired from him, for what reason he had signed in token of benediction, when he replied :" My brethren, the devil had looked in through the window at this very hour for dinner, to find if he could discover any of you negligent, either in making the sign of the cross, or in offering thanks to the Almighty. Understanding his craft, however, and having made that sign of the cross, he was overcome and he vanished as smoke." At one time, a monk of his order had been possessed, and so violent did he become, that manacles were applied, to prevent the maniac from tearing himself and others. Baithen was appealed to, that he might effect a cure, but through humility he distrusted any good result from his own merits. However, he selected some of his monks to take their maniac brother to Ireland, and there to seek the prayers of holy men, at its various churches. The result still continued to be unfavourable. At length, taking courage and offering up the Holy Sacrifice for that object, Baithen ordered the afflicted person into the church. There, in the presence of all the religious, the sufferer was restored to a sound state. Another monk, who dwelt in the monastery of Meagh Lunga, which St. Columba had founded in Heth, had been in like manner possessed. St. Baithen appeared, and pronounced these words in his presence: "You know, O demon, that between you and me, no compact has existed or can exist and therefore, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, depart immediately from this possessed man." Wherefore the demon vanished, and that brother was restored to health.

Even his garments were effective for similar purposes. On a certain occasion, one Fedgenus—perhaps Fechinus should be read—who was brother to the Abbot Virgnous, desired to visit his kindred in Britain, and he brought with him a habit belonging to Baithen, believing that it should protect him from every danger and extricate him from every difficulty he might experience along the way. When he visited that province, he entered a house, in which he found a man possessed. The pilgrim at once placed the habit of Baithen over him, and instantly the demon disappeared, the man being restored to perfect health.

The Vision of the Three Grand Chairs

To Baoethin, it was permitted to see the three grand chairs in heaven empty, and awaiting some of the saints of Erin, viz., the chair of gold, and a chair of silver, and a chair of glass. He told Colum Cille, at Ia or Iona, the vision which was shown to him. Then Colum Cille gave the interpretation to him of what he had seen, for he was a famous prophet. St. Columba said: " The chair of gold, which thou hast seen, is the chair of Ciaran, son of the carpenter, the reward for his sanctity, and hospitality, and charity. The chair of silver, which thou hast seen, is thine own chair, for the brightness and effulgence of thy piety. The chair of glass is my own chair, for although pure and bright, I am brittle and fragile, in consequence of the battles, which were fought on my account." After this event, St. Colum Cille is said to have resolved upon the celebrated abstinence, i.e., to take nettle pottage as food for the future, without drippings or any fat whatever.

The Asceticism of Saint Baithen

Among the legends, relating to St. Baoithin, is the following story. In consequence of his abstemiousness, the impression of his ribs through his woollen tunic was seen in the sandy beach, which is by the side of Iona, where he used to lie on it at night. This saint was a most perfect pattern of all virtues, especially of devotion and humility; he was favoured, also, with the gift of prophecy, and of miracles.

Saint Baithen Fasts Under the Oak

At one time, St. Columba sent him to excommunicate a certain family, that lived in a place called Druym-Cuill.That night he remained fasting under an oak tree. To those sitting around Baoithen said: I feel unwilling this time to excommunicate that family, until I learn whether or not they shall become penitent. Therefore, let the weight of our judgment to be visited on them fall rather on this tree before the year closes." After a few days, lightning came from Heaven, and struck that tree, completely stripping off its bark; while, at the same time, a mighty wind laid its trunk prostrate on the earth, where it finally withered.

Fintan the Wise Testifies to the Learning and Humility of Saint Baithen

It is related, moreover, that no other person on this side of the Alps was comparable to Baoithen in scriptural and scientific knowledge. Such was the opinion expressed by one Fintin, the wise, son of Luppan, and when some who were near him asked, if Baoithen were wiser than his master St. Columba, Fintin answered :" Know you not that I did not compare his alumnus to St. Columkille, full of the gifts of wisdom, but to other men ? For the latter is only to be compared with the Patriarchs, Prophets, and Apostles of God, in whom the Holy Ghost, the fountain and source of wisdom and Divine prophecy, truly reigns ; who according to the Apostolic sentence, becomes like—although there be dissimilar degrees —for through the choice of Heaven, he is made to bring salvation upon all. Yet, he is wise among the wise, a king among kings, an anchorite among anchorites, a monk among monks, and although popular among seculars he needlessly lowered himself; he was poor of heart among the poor after the manner of the Apostles, owing to the wealth of charity which glowed within his breast, rejoicing with the glad souls and weeping with those who lamented. But among all these gifts of Divine bounty, the true humility of Christ strongly reigns in him, as if it had been naturally implanted." When that pious man had borne testimony to the wisdom of both the master and the disciple, all who heard him were quite ready to adopt his opinion as incontrovertible.

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Saint Colman Speaks With His Mother

June 7 is the commemoration of Saint Colman of Dromore. Various of this saintly bishop's miracles have been recorded, one of which, the story of Saint Colman and the Water Monster,  Canon O'Hanlon related in a collection of folklore. In the Lives of the Irish Saints he records some other of Saint Colman's miracles, including this one concerning the saint's mother:

Our saint's mother had sent a message, that she desired the privilege of speaking to him. But, the servant of Christ returned for answer: "Let her take choice of the alternative, either to see me only, or to speak without seeing me". On hearing this, she said: "I had rather he would speak to me, on matters pertaining to the welfare of my soul". Then, both met, but on opposite sides of a tree, and they began to converse with each other, without being mutually seen. Meantime, by Divine interposition, an opening was made through the tree, and which enable both to behold each other, without the intervention of any obstacle. 

Rev. John O'Hanlon, Lives of the Irish Saints, Volume VI, (Dublin, n.d.), 234.

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Miracles and the Monastic Life of Saint Comgall

May 10 is the feast of Saint Comgall, founder of the monastery of Bangor. Canon O'Hanlon has helpfully recounted many of the miracles attributed to him recorded by the Bollandists. Some give an interesting glimpse into the monastic life and the virtues of humility, obedience and penance which Saint Comgall taught. Here is a selection, the headings are mine, the text O'Hanlons.

Saint Comgall Practices Humility

When Comgall had a great number of monks, subject to his rule, an Abbot, who was his senior, and under whose roof our saint had dwelt for some time, came to his monastery. When they sat down to table, and rejoiced in the society of each other, in order to test Comgall's humility, and to find if his former spirit of obedience yet remained, the senior began to chide him severely. Comgall then arose, and prostrating himself on the earth, he began to pour forth copious floods of tears. Being asked, why he wept, the holy man replied, "Because I am grieved, I have not had such an opportunity of practising humility, for many years past".

Saint Comgall Makes a Coffin and a Promise

One day, Comgall, with his own hands, was engaged in making a wooden coffin, in which the brethren were to be placed, when death approached. One of the monks, Enan, by name, said, " Father, you do a good work for the brethren, about to repose in this coffin, since it must aid them to obtain salvation; would that I were permitted to depart this life in it." Comgall replied, "Be it so, brother, according to thy wish; as, from this coffin thou shalt depart to Heaven." It so happened, that brother was sent to a place, far distant from Bangor monastery, and while there, he died. However, St. Comgall ordered his body to be conveyed to Bangor ; where, through the prayers of our holy Abbot, the monk was restored to life. The resuscitated brother frequently told his fellow-monks what he had seen and heard, after his first departure from life. " I was," said he, " brought towards Heaven, by two Angels, sent from God ; and, whilst on the way, behold other Angels came to meet us, saying, "Bear this soul to its body, for Comgall, God's servant, hath asked it. Therefore, bear it to Comgall, with whom the monk shall live, unto an old age. He lived, for many subsequent years ; and, at the close of life, his soul ascended to Heaven, while his body reposed in that coffin, made by our saint.

Comgall's Rule of Reproof

It was a custom, in the monastery of our saint, if any one among the brethren should chide another, that person, who had received such reproof—whether deserving it or not—was required to go on his knees. Wherefore, at one time, while Comgall visited an island, in the northern part of Ireland, some monks chanced to be sailing on the middle of a lake. A brother, who was steering their boat, reproved one of his companions. Not regarding the danger in which he was placed, as the boat was small, that brother is said to have leaped from it, that he might prostrate himself. But, at once he sunk under the water, where he remained buried beneath the wave, from the first, to the ninth, hour of the day. Full of sorrow for the accident, which had occurred, the reproving monk told St. Comgall about the matter. Without any show of inquietude Comgall said, " The Lord is able to preserve our brother alive, beneath the water ; return you, and seek him, where he has been submerged." The monks accordingly did so, when one of them, who was an excellent swimmer and diver, plunged into the water, and he found the young monk lying beneath, with his face towards the earth. The diver bore him to the surface, alive and well. The monk then said to his companions, " I suffered no more inconvenience under water, than if I had been on dry land." This miracle confirmed in that practice the brethren, who bore further reproaches with humility.

The Miracle of "The Obedient"

There was another young monk, in St. Comgall's monastery; he was so distinguished for humility, mildness, and obedience, that he did whatever was required, and avoided whatever had been prohibited. Commands were executed in so prompt a manner, by this monk, that his brethren gave him the title of "The obedient." One day, while Comgall was on a journey, accompanied by this young man, and with other companions ; all these came to a spot, where a great inundation had taken place. Having received a reproof from one of his brethren, that young monk immediately fell upon his face, near the sea-shore; and, as he remained among the last arrivals, his action was not observed by the company. The brother, who was much attached to the Abbot, bore his shoes ; and, when our saint came to a dry part of the shore, he asked for " The obedient." Not being seen among the other monks, his Abbot enquired, if any of the brethren had reproved him. One of them confessed that he had. Comgall ordered the monks to return, and to seek him. While doing so, the rising sea-tide had covered the whole shore, the brother yet remaining prostrate, although within a very short distance from the elevated banks. On raising that obedient religious, his brethren brought him to St. Comgall. Then, the whole company returned thanks to God.

Some Other Miraculous Testimonies to Obedience

Being in some necessity, the Abbot one day required a monk to cross over the strait of the sea, in a direct course. This brother, we are told, passed over with dry feet, and returned safely to the saint. At another time, he required one of the monks, to go into the workshop of a smith, who was absent, and to make a frame, on which fishes might be boiled. At the same time, Comgall blessed his hands. That brother, hitherto unskilled in the smith's art, made the article as required, together with many other useful things, on the same day. When, too, in a spirit of obedience, one of his monks bore a hot stone from the fire to St. Comgall, his hands were preserved from being burned, for which singular favour he returned thanks to God.

Saint Comgall Helps A Struggling Schoolboy

A certain boy, learning to write, made no progress in this art, for several days ; when, coming to St. Comgall, he received a blessing on his eyes and hands. This tended to perfect him in penmanship, so that in a short time, he excelled all others, and became a celebrated professor of writing himself.

Saint Comgall and the Thieves

Some thieves were in the habit of stealing vegetables and fruit, raised by the monks, who laboured with their hands, while praying with great fervour. The monks complained to their Abbot, that the brethren and their guests were thus deprived of the produce procured by their labours. On the following night, Comgall made a sign of the cross over his garden. At the same time, he said, "O Omnipotent God, who art able to do all things, deprive of their sight those thieves, who enter here, that they may wander about inside of this garden, until induced to confess their guilt." Accordingly, on that night, when those robbers entered the enclosure, they became blind; and, they wandered about the garden, in ignorance of a place, where they might find an exit. At last, moved to penitence for their crime, they called for help, and then brought their ill-acquired store to the monks. The robbers made a public reparation for their crimes. Afterwards, becoming true penitents, and assuming the monastic habit, they embraced St. Comgall's rule.

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Saint Colman and the Water Monster

June 7 is the feastday of Saint Colman of Dromore. Below is an account of one of the stranger episodes in Saint Colman's life, his encounter with a 'water monster'. Such creatures are not unknown in Irish hagiography; the most famous encounter between a saint and a denizen of the deep is probably that of Saint Columba with a sea monster, recorded in Adamnan's Life of Columba. The author here is our own Canon O'Hanlon, this time wearing his other hat as a writer of Irish folklore under the pseudonym Lageniensis, the Leinsterman. His concluding remarks suggest that he takes the entire matter of this creature very seriously, but perhaps a Leinsterman's naivety about crocodiles can be forgiven in a country where we've never even seen a snake:

Not far from the episcopal city of Dromore, flow the lazy deep waters of the River Lagan, and often the Patron Saint, Bishop Colman, rambled along its banks in prayer and meditation. Indeed, if tradition speak the truth, often he passed over it with dry feet. But, it was well known, a great water monster lurked beneath its surface, always in quest of prey. Notwithstanding the danger of approaching him, yet, an incautious and innocent young damsel went down the bank, and stood upon some stepping-stones to beetle her linen. The wily monster sailed slowly towards her, and before she was aware of his approach, he suddenly reared his huge head from the deep, opened his tremendous jaws, and at one gulp swallowed the poor maiden alive. Although her terror was very great, yet she had presence of mind to call out, "Oh, holy Colman, save me!" Her cry was heard by the saint, and he prayed to Heaven for her release. Some of the girl's companions who stood on the bank, and who witnessed that fearful doom, set up shouts and screams. But St. Colman approached the river, and commanded the infernal beast to deliver up his prey. Then the girl he had swallowed was cast unharmed on the bank. There, to this very day, are shown the tracks of the holy bishop's feet, and that path down to the Lagan is called "St. Colman's road." The monster of the deep was afterwards banished far off, and to the shores of the Red Sea; but whether he survives in the shape of a modern crocodile—they are said to live for centuries—and sheds tears for his past delinquencies, or whether he has been long buried in the sands of Egypt, must furnish matter for further inquiry, as history and tradition are alike silent on the subject.

'Lageniensis', Irish Local Legends, No. VIII, The Water Monster (Dublin, 1896), 26-27.

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Vignettes from the Lives of the Irish Saints: Maidoc Dispenses Poetic Justice

Another day, his cook came to St. Maidoc and said: "To-day we have nothing left in the store-room but a small vessel of milk and a little butter; shall this be given to our guests ?" Our saint replied: "Give in abundance to all, as if you had drawn from a mountain." His command was obeyed, and on that night all were helped abundantly. Some imposters and deceitful persons, having hidden their garments in the woods, afterwards presented themselves to the bishop, asking means for clothing themselves. Our saint then said: "Wait awhile, until you receive what you ask for." The holy bishop then sent his servant to where their clothes had been hidden, without those impostors having been made aware of his intention. On returning with the garments, which the schemers recognised as their own, they immediately departed in disappointment and confusion.

Note: January 31 is the feast of Saint Maidoc (Aidan) of Ferns. A post on his life can be found here. The saint seems to have left as many accounts of his miracles as there are variants of his name and above is one of these miraculous episodes, taken from Father Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae and brought to us by Canon O'Hanlon on page 563 of Volume One of his Lives of the Irish Saints.

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Vignettes from the Lives of the Irish Saints: The Miracle of Loch Leamnachta

January 29 is the feast of Saint Blath, cook to Saint Brigid of Kildare. Although no details of the life of Saint Blath have survived, she is mentioned in the hagiography of her famous abbess in connection with a miracle concerning some unexpected episcopal visitors and a dearth of milk. The miracle of Loch Leamnachta provided the inspiration for writer Alice Dease, in her 1911 work Good Women of Erin, to try and give a little more substance to the person of Saint Blath. In this story aimed at the younger reader, she portrays Blath as a shepherd girl who encounters the holy Abbess of Kildare and develops a deep longing to join her. Although the story of the hungry visiting bishops is retained from the account of the miracle, in her fictional version Dease makes Blath, the humble cook, the heroine rather than Brigid, the illustrious Abbess. Indeed, Saint Brigid is depicted as having forgotten that the milk supply for the day is already exhausted. I have edited the story slightly for length, but the original can be accessed online at the Institute for Irish American Studies at Lehman College, where you can also enjoy the wonderful woodcut illustrations:

The Miracle of Loch Leamnachta

WHEN St. Brigid first went to the Plains of Leinster to found her great convent under the shelter of the oak forest, there were no dwellings for many miles round the spot where she chose to build her church and her cells. The forest glades and the grassy plains round about the oak-trees were given up to flocks of sheep and of cattle, and the only human beings that were ever seen in the neighbourhood of Kill-Dara, until the coming of St. Brigid and her nuns, were the women and the girls who herded the cattle and watched the sheep. Amongst these shepherdesses there was a maiden whom her companions called by the name of Blath, which means a flower. She had won for herself this name by her great love for the wild-flowers that grew amongst the grasses on the plain, but there was another reason which made this name doubly suitable to her.

One day when her sheep were resting quietly in the shade of the oak-trees, Blath wandered away from them, going hither and thither in search of the flowers that she loved. She had picked a great bunch of daisies, when suddenly she was startled by the sound of footsteps, and, looking up, she saw some dark figures approaching her, clad in flowing robes unlike anything she had ever seen before. For a moment she was afraid, and she would have fled, clasping her flowers to her, had it not been that a second glance at the face of the foremost of the strangers chased away all fear, and made the peasant-girl stay where she was, motionless, in wondering admiration .

“Come hither, little maiden," said the beautiful lady ... Come and tell us your name, and what you are doing in this lonely spot."

“My name is Blath," replied the shepherdess, hanging her head till her soft cheek touched the white petals of the dog-daisies she carried, "and I am minding the sheep that are resting away there,"

"Blath," repeated St. Brigid, for it was the holy Abbess who was on her way to Cill-Dara to found her convent, who had spoken to the maiden- “Blath! You are well named, little one, for there is great likeness between your innocent face and the pretty flowers that you carry in your arms,"

“Do you think they are pretty, too?" asked Blath, for the soft voice had made her forget her shyness. "The other girls laugh at me for loving them." Then, holding them out with a sudden movement, " Please, lady, take them. I-I would like to give them to you." And St. Brigid took the flowers, and bade their little namesake to try ever to keep her own soul as spotless as the petals of the flowers that she loved.

[The story continues with Blath observing the construction of the monastery at Kildare and the steady stream of women wishing to take the veil there]

The little shepherdess watched these maidens with envious eyes. Ever since St. Brigid had spoken to her in the forest and had accepted her flowers, Blath had longed to win her notice once again, to hear her speak, as she had done that day, of God and of His great love for innocent hearts, to serve her, and, through her, to serve her Master. But, as time went on, and the convent-bell reminded the little shepherdess several times in the day to join her prayers with those of the nuns, who were praying in the chapel by the oak, a purer, more perfect wish to serve God began to take root in her heart. She longed to have some great thing to give up for His sake, as the noble maidens had who entered the convent almost daily, and for a long time she did not dare to offer the only things she had -her heart and her life- for His service.

Then, one day, she again met St. Brigid, and, falling on her knees, Blath begged to be received into the convent as the last and least of all the Sisters. St. Brigid at this time was about to make a new foundation at a little distance from Cill-Dara, at a place where some land had been given to her on the borders of a small lake, and, wishing to try the little shepherdess, she told her that there was no work for her to do at Cill-Dara, but if she liked to go to the new convent and ask there for admission, St. Brigid would ask the Prioress to take her in, to work in the kitchen. Blath had pictured to herself long hours spent in prayer in the church that she loved at Cill-Dara, but when she heard the holy Abbess's decision, her first feeling was one of joy that she should have this sacrifice of her own wishes to offer to God, and her only answer was a prayer to be allowed to go without delay to the new convent.

The Sisters whom Blath was bidden to help, found her so meek, so diligent at her work, and so obedient to them and to the rules of the house, that before very long she was allowed to take the veil, and then, after the usual novitiate, she made the vows that bound her, of her own will, to the service of God for ever.

St. Brigid used often to come to the convent, for she was Abbess both of that house and of Cill-Dara, so that Blath, who, as time went on, was given the whole charge of the kitchen, had the joy of serving the Mother she loved so much.

One day, when St. Brigid was at the convent, eight holy men came to see her and ask her advice. They had travelled a long way, and were weary and exhausted, and as soon as the Abbess had greeted them, she sent word to Sister Blath in the kitchen to make ready a repast for the travellers, and to be sure that they were provided with plenty of milk to assuage their thirst, which was very great after their long and toilsome journey. But, in ordering this repast, St. Brigid had forgotten that the poor people who were always coming to the convent to beg for alms and for food had been given everything, down to the last piece of bread that was in the larder.

Once some of her nuns had complained to St. Brigid of her great charity to the poor. "Little food have we," they said, "from thy compassion to everyone, and we ourselves in want of food and raiment."

"Give earthly things to God," St. Brigid had made answer, "and He will give you heavenly things in return."

And from that time no one had dared make any complaint as to her generosity.

But poor Sister Blath, turning from the empty shelves of the larder, went to the dairy, hoping at least to be able to fulfil a part of her Superior's orders, but the last drop of milk had also been given to the poor, and there was nothing to be seen but a row of empty pails and pans.

Whilst Sister Blath was wringing her hands in the empty dairy, a messenger came to her, bidding her hasten at least to take the milk to the holy prelates, who were consumed with thirst.

The holy cook, who, even while working, kept her heart raised up in prayer to God, felt now that only God Himself could help her to obey these orders, and, going on her knees, she begged of Him to tell her what to do. Whilst thus she prayed, it suddenly came into her mind that, although the cows had only lately been milked, she might, perhaps, be able to get from them enough to allay the worst of the travellers' thirst.

No sooner had this thought come into her mind than she rose to her feet, seized the largest of the milk-pails, and went out to the pasture where the cows had just been driven. Still praying, she began to milk one of the cows, and immediately her pail was filled to overflowing with the sweetest and richest of milk. Without even waiting to put the milk into a pitcher, Sister Blath, overjoyed at the marvellous success of her prayers, went straight to the presence of the Abbess and her guests.

The holy men partook gladly of the foaming milk, and then one and all besought St. Brigid not to have anything prepared for them to eat, because their hunger as well as their thirst had been well satisfied by the milk, which was sweeter and more refreshing than anything they had ever drunk.

There was still a little milk left in the pail after the prelates had slaked their thirst, and, going back to the kitchen, Sister Blath found a crowd of beggars waiting for the alms that were never refused to them, as long as there was anything left in the convent to give. " I have nothing to-day except a cup of milk for one or two amongst you," said Sister Blath, and, on hearing this, all of them crowded round her, hoping to be one of the lucky ones who would receive the milk.

Dipping a cup into the pail, the Sister handed it to the beggar who was nearest to her, and then to one after another she gave the same dole, until, like the travellers, everyone was satisfied, and it was only then that the pail was found to be dry and empty.

As soon as she was alone, Sister Blath fell upon her knees to thank God for having allowed so wonderful a thing to happen in answer to her prayers, but she was so humble that, had it not been for the beggars, no one would ever have known what had happened. As it was, however, they told how the drop of milk in the Sister's pail had been enough to feed them everyone, and when this was told, then Sister Blath made known how she had got the milk.

The little lake on the shores of which Sister Blath had milked the cow was known from that day as Loch Leamnachta, which in Irish means the lake of the milk. And when St. Brigid heard of what had happened, she thanked God for having helped Sister Blath to keep her heart as pure and unspotted as the flowers from which she took her name, for if this had not been the case, her prayer would not have been heard in so wonderful a manner.

It is only for His Saints, for those who are holy, and humble, and pure of heart, that God deigns to work such miracles as this, and St. Brigid prayed that Sister Blath might continue to be saintly on earth, so that some day she might take her place amongst God's own Saints in Heaven.

Alice Dease, 'The Miracle of Loch Leamnachta' in Good Women of Erin: The story of their heroic lives and deeds (Benziger Bros., New York, 1911), 44-52.

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