Saint Mochelloc of Kilmalloch, March 26

Saint Mochelloc of Kilmalloch is commemorated on March 26. As Canon O'Hanlon's account brings out, this saint's festival is very well-attested on the Irish and other calendars, albeit at the cost of the saint's name being somewhat mangled along the way. There seems to be some confusion over the locality in which Mochelloc flourished and it is interesting to learn of a tradition that he died in Rome, he would not be the only early Irish saint to be linked with pilgrimage to the Eternal City. Canon O'Hanlon begins by examining the saint's genealogy, for as he reminds us ' the pedigree of a saint is at least interesting, as that of a monarch':

ST. MOCHELLOC, OR CELLOC, PATRON OF KILMALLOCH, COUNTY OF LIMERICK. [SIXTH AND SEVENTH CENTURIES.]

This saint is called Mottelog, by some writers, but more correctly Celloc, Cellenus, or Kellenus, by others, who derive his name Mochelloc, by which he is best known, from the endearing prefix, "mo," Anglicised into "my," being joined with Chelloc. Certain authorities say, that his father was named Oblen, and that he descended from the noble and ancient race of Connor, King of Ireland. However, Colgan is of opinion, that Oblen must have been the name of his grandfather, or great-grandfather. The Martyrologies of Tamlacht and of Marianus O'Gorman, with the Irish Calendar, state, that our saint's father had been named Tuladhran. So far, have we been enabled to collect illustrations, in reference to this holy man's genealogy and, the pedigree of a saint is at least interesting, as that of a monarch. The Bollandists have published short Acts of this saint, and following closely the accounts of him, as left us, by Colgan. This pious servant of Christ was a relative to, and contemporary with, Finan, of Kinnetty. Our saint appears to have flourished, about the close of the sixth, and beginning of the seventh, century. He is usually called Mochelloc, of Cathuir-mac-Conchaigh, or Conchaidh,an ancient city near Lismore, in the present county of Waterford... The place of our saint was in the Munster Decies. Archdall declares himself unable to assign the exact location for Cathuir mac-Conchaigh. We are told, by Keating, that this saint was founder of Kilmallock church, and this name is supposed to be a contraction from Kill-mochelloc...It is possible, that as Kilmallock had become a more remarkable place than Cathuir-mac- Conchaigh, or the church of Kill-Odhrain—where likewise he was venerated —the former town might have been a bishopric, or abbey, over which Mochelloc presided. Kill-odhrain was perhaps only another name for Cathuirmac-Conchaigh, and this the Calendar of Cashel indicates. Having attained a very old age, our saint died, at a place called Letha —thought to have been Fiodh-Lethan, near Lismore—on the 26th of March, the day for his festival, after A.D. 639, and before A.D. 656, during the joint reigns of Connall and Kellach. Letha was a name, given by our historians to Latium, or Italy; and, there are writers, according to Maguire, who say, that our saint died, in Rome. Others again tell us, that he departed at Killdachelloc, in Hy Cairpre, of Munster. The festival of this holy man, with that of the two Sinchells, is found in the Festilogy of St. Aengus, at the 26th of March:

" In Letha they perished—
Mochelloc after many days,
The feast of two ever-living Sinchells,
Of vast Cill Achad."

The name Mochelloc, son of Tulodrain, of Calthir mic Conaich, is inserted, in the Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 26th of March. The Calendar of Cashel, Marianus O'Gorman, and Cathal Maguire, mark his festival, at this same date. In the O'CIery's Martyrology is found, at this date, as an entry, and within brackets : [Mocheallog, who died in Letavia.—Felire Aonghuis.] The Carthusian Martyrology distinguislies a Mottelog, Abbot and Confessor, from this saint, who is named Mokellock, Bishop and Confessor. There is hardly a doubt, but this is the Motalogus, mentioned at the 26th of March, in the anonymous list, published by O'Sullivan Beare. However, these names only characterize but one and the same person the denomination being somewhat varied by different writers. The Kalendar of Drummond, at the vii. of the April Kalends, or 26th of March, commemorates: In Hibernia, the Holy Confessors, Mochelloc and Sinchele, who, on this day, went to Christ.

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The Teaching and Sanctity of Saint Ite

Some fascinating glimpses of the teachings of Saint Ite and of the sanctity she manifested have been preserved in her Life. Here are a few examples taken from Dorothy Africa's translation of Vita Sanctae Ite from Plummer's Vitae Sanctorum Hiberniae. The Headings are mine.

Saint Ite is transfigured

2. One day the blessed girl Ita was asleep alone in her chamber (cubiculum); and that whole chamber appeared to people to be burning. But when the men approached it to help her, that room was not burned; and all marveled greatly at this, it was said to them from above, what grace of God burned around that comrade of Christ, who was asleep there. And when holy Ita had arisen from sleep, her entire form appeared as if it were angelic. For then she had beauty such as she had neither before or after. So also her aspect appeared then so that her friends could scarcely look at her. And then all recognized what grace of God burned around her. And after a short interval the virgin of God was restored to her own appearance, which was certainly pretty enough.

An Angel appears to Saint Ite and Testifies to the Holy Trinity

3. On another day when the blessed Ita slept, she saw an angel of the Lord coming toward her, and giving her three very precious stones. And when the handmaiden of Christ had arisen from sleep, she did not know what this vision signified. And the blessed (girl) had a question in her heart about this. Then an angel of the Lord came down to her, saying "What are you searching for concerning this vision? Those three very precious stones which you saw given to you, signify the holy trinity that came to you and visited you; that is a visitation of the Father, Christ his Son, and the Holy Spirit. And always in sleep and in vigils, the angels of God and holy visions will come to you. For you are the temple of the Deity, body and soul." And speaking these things, he departed from her.

Saint Ite Struggles against the evil one

5. Not long afterward, the blessed virgin Ita fasted for three days and three nights. But in those days and nights through sleeping and vigils the devil openly (evidenter) fought against the virgin of God in many battles. And the most blessed virgin most wisely opposed him in all, as much sleeping as waking. On the second (posteriori) night, then, the devil appeared sad and wailing, and at day break, he departed from the familiar of God, saying in a grieving tone, "Alas, Ita, not only will you free yourself from me, but many others to boot."

7. And while the blessed Ita was on her way, behold, many demons came against her along the road, and began to contend (litigare) cruelly against her. Then angels of God from above arrived, and fought very hard with the demons for the bride of Christ. And when the demons had been conquered by the angels of God, they fled away through the byways, crying out and saying: "Alas for us, for from this day we will not be able to contend against this virgin. And we wished today to put our claim on her for our injuries; and the angels of God have freed her from us. For she will root up our habitation from many places and will snatch many from us in this world and from the nether regions." But the virgin of the Lord, with the consolation of the angels of God, meanwhile advanced to the church; and in it was consecrated by the churchmen at angelic order on the spot, and took the veil of virginity.

Saint Ite's Asceticism

10. The most blessed Ita made great efforts to keep two and three day fasts, and frequently four days. But the angel of the Lord, on a day when she was exhausted by fasting, came to her, and said to her "You afflict your body without measure by these fasts, and you ought not to do so." But the bride of Christ (was) unwilling to ease her burden, (so) the angel said to her "God has given such grace to you, that from this day until your death you shall have the refreshment of celestial food. And you will not have the power not to eat at whatever hour the angel of the lord will come to you, bringing you food." Then the blessed Ita prostrated herself and gave thanks to God, and from that bounty (prandium) the holy Ita gave to others to whom she knew it was worthy to be given. And without any doubt she lived thus until her death on the heavenly allotment administered by the angel.

Saint Ite Demonstrates The Gift of Prophecy

12. God even bestowed upon the holy Ita such great grace in prophecy that she knew whether the sick would survive their illness or die.

Saint Ite Heals the Sick and Raises the Dead

14. Then the most glorious virgin of God returned to her cell. And when the familiar of God was nearing her community, she heard from nearby a great and immense wailing. For three dead nobles were there, who had died on that day; and their friends were wailing and mourning for them. And they, knowing that holy Ita was passing by, came down,and asked the familiar of God in a doleful tone that she might come and pray for their souls at least. Holy Ita then said to them: "That thing more that you wish beyond prayer for their souls, in the name of Christ may it happen for you." They did not know what to make of this speech at that point. The blessed Ita made the statement because she knew, being full of the spirit of prophecy, that it (or she?) in the name of God would revive them from death. Then the holy one went with them to where the dead were, and while praying she marked the prone bodies with the sign of the holy cross; and they arose living at her command. And the bride of Christ asserted (assignavit) that they lived before everyone.

15. In that place there was then a certain paralyzed man in the clutches of a very great illness, and his friends, having beheld the revival of the dead, took him up and brought him to the holy Ita, that she might cure him. For they had no doubt that one who could revive dead men could cure a sick one. Then the familiar of God, observing the great misery of that man, looked to heaven, and said to him: "May God pity you". And as she spoke, the made the sign of the holy cross on him. Most marvelous to say; when the familiar of God marked the hitherto paralyzed man, he stood up whole and unharmed on the spot before all, as if he had never been seized by paralysis. Then the shout of the whole people was lifted to heaven, praising God, and giving thanks tohim, and glorifying his familiar with deserved honor. Afterward, the familiar of God went on with her companions to her cell.

The Teaching of Saint Ite on What is Pleasing to God

22. At one time the holy Brendan (Clonfert) was asking the blessed Ita about the three works which are fully pleasing to God, and the three which are fully displeasing, the servant of God replied: "True belief in God in a pure heart, the simple life with religion, generosity with charity; these three please God fully. However, a mouth vilifying people (detestans homines), and a tenacious love of evil in the heart, confidence in wealth; these three fully displease God. Holy Brendan and all who were there, hearing such a statement, glorified God in his familiar.

The Teaching of Saint Ite to her Nuns on the Holy Trinity

11. One day a certain holy devout virgin came to the holy Ita, and spoke with her about divine precepts. And while they were conversing, that virgin said to the holy Ita: "Tell us in God's name, why you are held in higher esteem by God than the other virgins whom we know to be in the world. For to you sustenance from heaven is given by God; you cure all the feeble with your prayer; you speak of past and future events; everywhere you drive out the demonic, daily God's angels speak with you; you carry on in meditation on and prayer to the holy Trinity without hindrance." Then the holy Ita said to her: "You answered your own question by saying ‘Without hindrance you carry on in prayer to and meditation on the holy Trinity.' For who ever shall have done so, will always have God with him, and if I was such a one from infancy, all these things, as you have said, properly pertain to me." That holy virgin, having heard this speech from the blessed Ita about prayer and meditation on God, departed rejoicing for her cell.

23. A certain holy virgin, wishing to discover in what manner the most holy Ita was living in her most secret place, in which she was accustomed to be free for God alone, went out at a certain hour, in order to see her. She, then reaching there, saw three very bright suns, just as the natural (mundiali) sun lighting up the whole spot and surrounding area. And she was not able to enter out of terror, but at once turned back. The mystery of this portent would be hidden from us, but for the gifts of the holy Trinity, which made everything from nothing, which the most holy Ita assiduously served in body and soul.

The Repose of Saint Ite

36. Afterwards the most blessed patroness Ita was broken by illness; and she undertook to bless and advise her settlement (civitatem), and the clerics and people of Ua Conaill, who had taken her as their patroness. And having been visited by many holy persons of both sexes, amid the choirs of saints, with rejoicing angels in the path of her soul, after the greatest numbers of virtues, in the sight of the holy Trinity, the most glorious virgin Ita passed on most happily 18 days before the Kalends of February. The most blessed body of whom, with many persons having gathered from all around (per circuitum), with many miracles performed, which still have not ceased to be displayed there, most gloriously, after the solemnities of masses, in her monastery which she the very holy Ita, a second Brigit in her merits and morals, established, from the field, was taken (traditum est) to the tomb, reigning with our Lord Jesus Christ, who with God the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, God in the age of ages. Amen.

http://monasticmatrix.osu.edu/cartularium/life-saint-ita

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Saint Muirdeabhair the Wise of Disert Muirdebra, November 3

On November 3 the Irish calendars commemorate Saint Muirdeabhair, whose memory still flourishes in County Limerick at the holy well associated with his name. A diocesan historian gives an account of what is known of the saint and his locality:

Disert Murdewar, now called Dysert, in the parish of Robertstown. Each part of this compound word is still preserved as if they had no relation to each other. The first part in the townland of Dysert, and the second in that of Morgans, the name of the adjoining parish which originally included Dysert, as the parish is called in old documents Dysert-merogan, Murirogan, and Morgans, as it is now called. It takes its name from St. Muirdebhair the wise, whose feast falls on the 3rd of November, according to the old calendars. The Felire of Aengus calls him a "synod's diadem." The Martyrology of Donegal at the same date has the following notice of him: "Muirdeabhair the wise of Disert Muirdebra in Ui Conaill Gabhra." O'Donovan thought this was the same as Dysert near Adare, but in this list of churches they are clearly distinguished. There is a famous holy well near the townland of Dysert at the head of a narrow creek that runs inland from the Shannon called Borrigone, which is much frequented by the people of the surrounding country. This is the holy well of the saint, but in course of time the "M " was changed into "B," which is of frequent occurrence in place names of this part of the country. There is no trace now of the old church, which must have been near the well.

Rev. John Begley, The Diocese of Limerick - Ancient and Medieval (Dublin, 1906), 110-111

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Saint Toman of Mungret, July 26

A County Limerick saint is recorded in the Irish calendars at July 26, as Canon O'Hanlon explains:

St. Thoman, or Toman, of Mungret, County of Limerick.

The name of Thoman, without further designation, appears in the Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 26th of July. At the same date, in the Martyrology of Donegal, the name is entered as Toman, of Mungairit. We have already seen, this place is situated, about three miles south-west from Limerick City, and within the county of Limerick.

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Saint Curifin the Pious, July 20

There is another obscure saint commemorated on July 20, about whom we know frustratingly little. Canon O'Hanlon summarizes the evidence from the Irish calendars for the feast of Saint Curifin the pious:

St. Curifin or Cuirbin, the Pious, in Hy-Fidhgeinte, County of Limerick.

This saint seems to have lived before or during the ninth century, as he is named by our earliest Calendarist. In the Feilire of St. Oengus, at the 20th of July, there is a festival set down for "pious Curufin." In an Irish commentary postfixed to this proper name, we find the following remark, as translated into English "in Ui-Fidgente in Munster is Curufin." In the Martyrology of Tallagh, at this date, the simple entry Curifin occurs. The O'Clerys connect this holy man, with the territory of Hy-Fidhgeinte, which derived its denomination from the descendants of Fiacha Fidgeinte, son to Daire Cearb, who was the son of Oilill Flannbeg, King of Munster, in the latter part of the third century. It comprised the barony of Coshma, and all that portion of the present Limerick County, which lies to the west of the River Maigne. Thus, we are told, in an old document, that the country of the Hy-Fidgeinnte extended from Luachair Bruin to Bruree, and from Bruree to Buais. A festival is inserted in the Martyrology of Donegal, at the 20th of July, in honour of Cuirbin, the Pious, in Ui Fidhgeinte, in Munster. It is likely, this saint is identical with one entered Cruibin, at this same date, in the Introduction to that work.

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Saint Mochua of Sliabh Eibhlinne, May 4

May 4 is the commemoration of Saint Mochua or Cronan, who flourished in a mountainous area of County Limerick. Canon O'Hanlon brings us the details, pointing out that this saint is one of a number of saints Cronan whose name is usually given the diminutive 'Mochua':

ST. MOCHUA, OR CRONAN, SON OF CUIMINE, OF SLIABH EIBHLINNE, NOW SLIEVE PHELIM MOUNTAINS, COUNTY OF LIMERICK.

The Martyrology of Tallagh enters the festival of Mochua Mac Cummin, in Sleibh Eibhinn, at the 3rd of May. Mochua is only another name for Cronan, as we have already shown. The Bollandists, quoting the foregoing authority, have entered this holy person's festival, with some differences of spelling. This saint must have lived, at an early period, for we find his festival set down on this day, in the Felire of St. Aengus. To the stanza, a scholiast has added the comment, that he was Mochua, son of Conn, from Sliab Eblinne, in Munster. It seems probable, that his church was connected with this district; but, the exact locality is not denoted. The Slieve Phelim Mountains are a remarkable range, with beautiful undulations, extending over a considerable tract of country, towards the northeastern part of Limerick County... In Scotland, likewise, as in Ireland, St. Mochua was venerated, at the iv. of the May Nones, according to the Kalendar of Drummond, and as a holy confessor. Among the various saints, called Mochua, or Cronan, we are unable to distinguish the present holy man, his period, or his office in the Church. The Martyrology of Donegal records, that this day was venerated Cronan, son of Cummain, of Sliabh Ebhlinne, in Munster.

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Saint Ite of Kileedy, January 15

January 15 is the commemoration of Saint Ite of Kileedy, 'the shining light of the women of Mumhan', as Saint Oengus the Martyrologist calls her. She is one of a handful of Irish female saints who have surviving Lives and in his account of Saint Ite below, Father Albert Barry has drawn on this rich hagiographical tradition to present a picture of her sanctity and her miracles:

Saint Ite was born in the year 480, and was of the Deise family. St. Patrick had preached the Gospel to the Deise a few years before her birth. '' Patrick then went into the southern Deise (Co. Limerick), and began to build a Church at Ard-Patrick”, Tripartite. The Deise afterwards went southwards towards the sea (Co. Waterford).

Ite was fond of fasting and prayer whilst she was still a child. The room where she slept seemed one night to be on fire, but when the inmates of the house rushed into it, they beheld a wonderful light shining from the face of the sleeping girl: and she looked like an Angel. 

An Angel gave her three precious gems, telling her that the three Persons of the blessed Trinity would in future watch over her.

Her father wished her to marry, but she would not, because she had consecrated her virginity to God. He was very angry with her, but she said to her mother, "Although my father now forbids me to give myself to Jesus Christ, he will one day tell me to go where I wish in order to give myself to God”. She fasted and prayed for three days that the holy will of God might be done in her. On the third day the devil came and said to her, "Alas, you will withdraw yourself and many others from me”. And an Angel at the same time said to her father, ''Why do you hinder your daughter taking the veil of virginity? Ite will be a great and holy virgin before God and His saints. You ought to let her go wherever she wishes. She will serve God in another part of this land." Her father, therefore, at once allowed her to go away.

Ite left her father's house, and on her way heard the devils saying: “Woe to us, the Angels of God help her: she will snatch many souls from us.” She went to a neighbouring church and there got the veil of virginity from a Priest, and, led by an Angel, went to the west of Hy-Connail and built a house for herself and some companions at Cluain Creadhail, at the foot of Sliabh-Luachra (Killeedy, Co. Limerick.)

Ite and her Nuns prayed daily for the people of the place, and many blessings thereby flowed upon them. They, in turn, gave many gifts to her Convent. She had the gifts of prophecy and of working miracles, and she healed many sick persons by her prayers. She once told a holy friend that she had got these gifts from God, because from her youth she had always thought on holy things, and because she had so often prayed to the Blessed Trinity.

Ite spent many days at a time without food, prayed much, and earnestly strove to bring up young maidens in the fear and love of God. Cuinnen of Conneire says of her:

Ite loved much the bringing up of youth

Humility without sadness:

Her cheek to the floor she laid not:

Ever, ever for the love of the Lord.

Since she bound the girdle on her body.

And I know it since I’ve heard it,

She ate not a full or sufficing meal,

Such was Mide.

Aenghus, in his lives of the Irish Saints, also thus writes of her: ''Ite ever bore great sufferings, and was much given to fasting, and was the shining light of the women of Mumhan."

She was not only a teacher of youth, but even gave wise counsel to holy and learned men. S. Breanan and S. Mochoemoc owed much to her teaching. S. Breanan one day asked her to tell him what were the three works most pleasing to God. She said: ''Trustful resignation to God of a sinless heart: a guileless religious life: generosity with charity. These three works are most pleasing to God.” He then asked her to say what were the three things most hateful to Him. She answered: "Hatred of men: wickedness in the heart: too great love of money. These three things are very hateful to God.''

A Nun one day saw three bright balls of light over Ite's head as she was praying to the Blessed Trinity.

Ite prayed to God that she might, on a coming feast-day, get Holy Communion at the hands of a very holy Priest. Her prayer was heard, and she was led by an Angel to Clonmacnois, and there ate the heavenly Bread. The holy Priest who gave her Communion afterwards set out for Ite's Convent, and when he had come to it, asked her to give sight to a blind Monk then with him. She did so, and asked the holy Priest to sing Mass for her. After Mass she gave him a present of the vestments, but he would not take them, saying that he had been forbidden by his Abbot to take any gift from her. Ite then said, “Your holy Abbot will not be angry if you take this towel as a gift from me; I will tell you why. One day he came to the Convent of the holy virgin Caireche and she asked to be allowed to wash his feet. Then this holy virgin washed the feet of your Abbot and wiped them with a towel. I give it now to you, and he will be glad to get it when reminded of this fact”. The holy Priest then took the gift, and having got her blessing, went back to Clonmacnois.

A man, broken-hearted, through the death of his son, came to the Convent, and weeping very much, begged her to bring him back to life. He said: "I will not give over weeping, nor will I leave this house until you bring him back to life." She answered gently: “What you ask is above my merits, and is a work fit only for the Apostles and holy men like them”. But he said: '' I am, above all, sorry because my son lost the use of his speech, so that he was not able to confess his sins; I, therefore, beseech you to get from the Holy Trinity that he may come back to life even for one day." Ite then said: '' How long do you want him to live if the good God should have pity on you and bring back your son to life?”  The father answered: “I will be glad if he lives even for one day.” Ite said: '' He will live for more than seven years from this time.” She prayed earnestly to God, and her prayer was heard, and the child came to life again.

Her uncle died, and his sons by her wish came to the Convent. She said to them: "My uncle, your father, is dead. Alas, he is now suffering for his sins. We ought to do something to lessen his sufferings. Let each one of you give bread and meat and butter to the poor every day for the next year for the good of his soul. Then come back to me." They did as she bade them and then came back to see her. Ite said to them: ''Your father has been freed from much suffering through your alms and my prayers. Now go and do the same thing during the coming year and then come back again." When they had come back at the end of the year Ite said: ''Your father is now freed from his sufferings, but give clothing to the poor and come back once more. They did so, and having come to her again, she told them that their father had at last gone to heaven: '' Your father now enjoys everlasting happiness through your alms, my prayers, but above all through the mercy of God; keep always from the sinful pleasures of this world, that you may not suffer for your sins as he did.” They thanked God and their holy cousin and went home.

In the year 546 the clan of the Corcoiche of Hy-Figeinte (Co. Limerick), made war on the people of Hy-Connaill. Ite told the soldiers to do penance for their sins before going to battle. They did so, and she prayed whilst they fought, and the small and weak army of Hy-Connaill, through her prayers, won the battle.

One of her nuns fell into sin and God made it known to Ite. She said: “Today one of our family has fallen into sin; I wish to know who among you has become the prey of the ravening wolf?”  Each denied it, but Ite drove the guilty one from the house. However, she took her back afterwards, and, helped by Ite, this nun, led henceforth a blameless life, and did great penance until her death.

Ite suffered great agony from a cancer that ate away her side, but she bore it gladly from her love for Jesus Christ.

In the year 569, Ite became very sick, and crowds flocked from all sides to the Convent on hearing of her illness, and, kneeling outside, prayed for a happy death for her whom they loved so much.

When she was dying she prayed earnestly to the holy Trinity to bless the Priests and people of Hy-Connaill, and with a prayer to the blessed Trinity on her lips she slept in the Lord.

Holy Mass was solemnly sung for her, and she was buried in presence of a great crowd of weeping people. Many miracles were worked by her both then and afterwards, and she was taken by the people of Hy-Connaill as their patron and protector. She has ever since been called “The Brigid of Munster.”

Her feast-day is kept January 15th.

Rev. Albert Barry, Lives of Irish Saints (Dublin, n.d.)

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Saint Curnan Beg, January 6

January 6 is the feast day of a County Limerick holy man, Saint Curnan Beg. Canon O'Hanlon brings us the few details that he has been able to assemble:

St. Curnan Beg, Patron of Kilcornan, Diocese and County of Limerick

The present St. Curnan, styled Becc or Beg, "little", - probably owing to his small stature - is found recorded in the Martyrology of Tallagh with a festival to his honour, at the 6th day of January. The later Martyrology of Donegal, while noting the veneration paid to St. Curnan Beg on this day, is more precise in giving his genealogy, and the exact place where he was reverenced as patron. The writer of this Calendar, O'Clery, remarks, that we find a Curnan - it is to be assumed the present holy man - a son of Sinell, belonging to the race of Condri, son of Fearghus, son to Ross Ruadh, who was son of Rudhraige. From this latter was derived the Clann-Rudhraighe. St. Curnan Beg is said to have belonged to Cill-Churnain, a place which doubtless derived its denomination from a church or cell there founded by him. There is a parish, known as Kilcornan or Kilcoran, in the barony of Clanwilliam, and county of Tipperary. There an old church in ruins may yet be seen within an ancient burial-ground. The Cill-Churnan, with which our saint was connected, however, seems to be represented in the etymon of Kilcornan parish, situated within the ancient district of Caenraighe, now the barony of Kenry in the diocese and county of Luimneach or Limerick. Within this parish, and quite close to the beautiful demesne of Curragh Chase, are the ruins of an ancient church at Killeen. These vestiges and the old burial-ground most probably mark the former site of St. Curnan Beg's religious establishment. At all events, the writer is assured by Aubrey De Vere, Esq., that he had never heard any tradition regarding any other church-site wthin the bounds of Kilcornan parish.

The following are very nearly the dimensions of this old church. In length, it measures about forty-five feet; in breadth, it is about twenty-four feet; the height of the side-walls reaches to about fourteen feet; while the height of the gables is about twenty-two feet. The walls are about two feet nine inches in thickness. There are windows at both sides, three feet high, and six inches wide. There is a window at the east end. Under the gable, at the west end, there is a space about six feet by two - probably a window, or possibly the space for hanging a bell. The church does not appear to lie exactly east and west. In the northern wall, opposite the entrance, there is an arch, nearly filled up with masonry. This appears to have been, at one time, a second entrance: it is about seven feet and a half-foot in height by about three feet in width. The entrance is at the southern side, and it consists of an arched opening, six feet by three feet. It stands on a gentle, grassy slope, about six feet high, and in a rough green field, with a few bushes and brambles overgrowing. The walls slant externally from about four feet near the foundations, while this circumstance imparts a character of solidity and dignity to the antique structure. It stands on an elevated slope of about twenty feet over the adjoining grounds....

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Saint Fintan of Doone, January 3

January 3 is the commemoration of Saint Fintan of Doone. Below is an account of his life distilled from Canon O'Hanlon's article in Volume I of the Lives of the Irish Saints, which draws on the work of the work of the 17th-century hagiologist, Friar John Colgan. There are a number of Irish saints who bear the name of Fintan, the most famous of whom is probably Fintan of Clonenagh whose life we can look at on his feast day, February 17. Saint Fintan of Doone is clearly delineated in the sources by being identified as the brother of Saint Finlugh, whose life we can look at on this day next year.

ST. FINTAN, PATRON OF DUNBLEISQUE, NOW THE PARISH OF DOONE, COUNTY OF LIMERICK.

The present St. Fintan was a different person from St. Fintan, Abbot of Clonenagh, whose acts are recorded at the 17th of February ; also from St. Fintan, surnamed Munna, whose feast occurs at the 21st of October; likewise from St. Fintan, Prince of Leinster, whose acts are given at the 15th of November; as from many other saints bearing this same name, and who are mentioned in the "Martyrology of Tallagh," and in the Commentaries on St. Oengus, at the 1st and 7th of January, the 21st of February, the 27th of March, the 11th of May, the 9th of October, and the 14th of December.

A very ancient biography—or rather a compendious life—of this saint has been published by Colgan. Its defects are very apparent, and the manuscript from which it was printed had been in part defaced by ink. This life was taken from a Salamancan MS. It contains, without doubt, some gross fables and many errors. From this record, however, we shall be obliged to extract whatever unobjectionable particulars it embraces, with some additional information, supplied from Colgan's notes.

Fintan was brother to St. Finlug, and son to Pipan, son of Tule, who lived at a place called Cliach, according to the life of this saint. But according to a commentator on Oengus, his father was named Diman, who descended from Mured Manderig, King of Ulster. The mother of our saint was named Alinna said to have been daughter to Artgail, or Lenine, and she was of noble birth, belonging to a family that lived in the county of Limerick, as Colgan supposes. The early career of this saint seems to have been involved in some obscurity, not dissipated by his old biographer. Hence, we are abruptly brought to narrate the following rather unconnected events.

In the time of St. Fintan, a certain incredulous and irreligious king lived in a district then known as Calathmagh.. To the king Fintan had resolved on preaching God's holy word, but the dynast was unwilling to receive our saint on the object of his mission. Hearing that Fintan, accompanied by a number of holy monks, was on the way, orders were despatched to certain mowers in a field to bar the further progress of God's servants on that highway by which these travelled. At the same time the king expressed himself in very opprobrious terms regarding his expected visitants, in calling them impostors or seducers. Having arrived at a place denominated Keall-ruis, where there was water, the mowers were stationed in a field to oppose their passage. In vain God's holy servants asked permission to proceed, but insult was added to the refusal. However a mighty tempest arose on the instant,and a great commotion of the elements ensued, accompanied by thunder and lightning. The very crops there matured began to blaze, while the mowers, unable to pass the hedges on fire, were nearly blinded with smoke. Then humbly asking pardon for their offences, St. Fintan blessed some water, which was applied to their eyes, when the faculty of vision was restored. Wherefore these men bound themselves to his perpetual service. Not only were certain temporal possessions bestowed, but even their children, grandchildren, and posterity, were dedicated to him, in the manner then understood by such engagements.

In the lives of our Irish saints we find several instances, similar to the foregoing, where individuals, families, and even whole clans, are said to have bound themselves and their posterity to the service of particular saints. The exact nature of these services is not definitely described; but it may be supposed, in most instances, such vows or dedications included a bond, expressed or implied, of giving tribute in money or in kind, for the building, repair, or maintenance of churches, monasteries, or other religious establishments, and for the support of clerics or monks attached to them.

In a succeeding chapter of our saint’s acts, we have only a portion of the first sentence preserved. From this we learn how Fintan was in St. Comgall's school, where his master imposed a certain command, the nature of which is unknown. The remainder of this chapter was illegible in that copy of St. Fintan's Biography, which Colgan used, it having been blotted with ink; but he infers from the imperfect sentence remaining, Fintan had been a disciple to St. Comgall, Abbot of Bangor, who there founded his celebrated school about the middle of the sixth century. From such account we may at least suppose that our saint was contemporaneous with St. Comgall—it is to be presumed—of Bangor, and that he must have flourished after A.D. 550.

In the fifth and sixth chapters of Fintan's life we have some rather doubtful incidents described, which appear as having reference to that time he spent with St. Comgall. From the names of places contained in this life, his future mission and miracles, for the most part, seem to have been confined to the southern parts of Ireland.

From the acts of our saint, it is stated, that sea-rovers were accustomed to haunt our shores even before the Danish invasions commenced. St. Fintan once asked St. Finian of Maghbile, to lend him a book of the Gospels for purposes of study; but he could not obtain that favour. His master, St. Comgall, heard of this refusal, and said to our saint: "If faithful, perhaps, next day you will be in possession of that book of the Gospels." On the succeeding night St. Fintan and his companions, fearing the approach of pirates, were on guard at the port. It had been rumoured that sea-rovers were about to despoil St. Comgall's religious establishment. In the beginning of this same night, however, their course had been directed to Maghbile, which was St. Finian's city, and, among other robberies there perpetrated, they took away the aforesaid book of Gospels. Then, by a circuitous route, those pirates reached that place where Fintan and his companions were on guard. They had resolved on attacking the city of Bangor. But, behold! a large tree, near which St. Fintan watched and prayed, was suddenly uprooted by a violent tempest and cast upon their ships, lying near the shore. Except one of these, all the other vessels were broken to pieces and submerged. The book of Gospels and other effects in possession of those pirates were then recovered.

In the schools of Bangor, Scriptural studies were not neglected. As St. Fintan, with his companions, had been engaged reading the Gospel during a spring season, a certain leper came to St. Comgall—so runs the legend—and he demanded bread, which should be made from corn lately ripened. At that season, it seemed impossible to procure what he required; nevertheless, St. Fintan desired this leper to follow the oxen and plant seed in a field they were ploughing. Seed having been cast into the first furrow turned, corn immediately grew up and ripened; so that bread was obtained for this leper in a miraculous manner, and it was taken from grain thus prematurely produced.

While Fintan was resting in a place called Kell Fintain, a certain very corpulent man, named Lothraid, then labouring under some loathsome bodily distemper, ruled over this part of the country. He is said to have died of this complaint after he had become a great burden to himself and to his servants. Afterwards people living in this part of the country desired the saint to take up his abode there, so that they might manifest the highest respect towards him. But Fintan went to a place named Tulach Bennain, where he intended to reside. Certain British strangers, notwithstanding, would not allow him to remain in this place. Departing from it our saint said: "Although you expel me hence you shall not be honored here, and your name shall be known only to very few ; but a certain woman, and a stranger, will dwell in it, while the same place will honor me." This prophecy was afterwards fulfilled. A holy virgin named Ernait, daughter to King Kiannacht, came from the northern part of Ireland, and dwelt in Tulach Bennain. Afterwards St. Fintan went to a certain hill, which was called Cabhair, at a time the writer of his acts lived. There Fintan intended to remain; but an angel appearing said to him: "It is not decreed that you will remain here; however, this place must honor you, and, as token of my promise, you shall see a bell coming hither through the air." Wherefore, looking towards heaven, they saw a bell," which was heard tolling as it descended. It rested on a rock, and full in their presence. This bell was of a black colour; hence it was called Dubh-labhar, which in Latin is interpreted, Nigra sonans, or in English, "the black toller." Like many similar objects among the Irish and Britons, it was formerly held in great veneration.

Much about the same time a religious man, named Cuan, sent one of his disciples to visit St. Fintan. Whilst this disciple moved on his way, it was thought a demon approached and took bodily possession of him… St. Fintan is related to have exorcised this demon. Immediately he departed from the monk and entered a neighbouring rock. By the power of God, we are told, he remained here in a state of perpetual imprisonment, not being able to inflict further injury on any human being.

After this occurrence, St. Fintain is said to have reached a place denominated Dunbleisque. This the Lord had destined for his habitation… It is identical with Doone, in the county of Limerick. In the "Leabhar Breac," the following quartain is given as a prophecy of St. Comgall that his alumnus should settle at Dun Bleisce, its more ancient name :—

"My dear alumnus Fintan shall erect

His sacred city at the fort we call

The dun of Blesc; and then he shall protect

The poor and weak, and pray for mankind all."

The site of St. Fintan's old monastery is not known at present in Doone, nor can the oldest inhabitant give any information as to where it stood, nor is its existence even remembered in any current popular tradition.

At Dunbleisque St. Fintan was received with much honour, and he was hospitably entertained by Columbanus, son to Kynchadha. The flesh of a cow and calf, with some milk, had been prepared at a banquet, where seven companions sat down with St. Fintan. One of these was his brother, named Finlogh, or Finloghait. Fintan predicted that his brother should pass over the sea and die an exile from his native country. At a time when the author of our saint's acts flourished, Finlog's memory was venerated in many places.

Columbanus, the entertainer of our saint, said to Fintan, "I assign this place to thee, and for thy honour. Show me, therefore, that spot to which I must remove." St. Fintan, his companions, and St. Columbanus, went south of the city, and near its principal street. There a mutual agreement was entered into between those saints. Columbanus asked how his baggage should be conveyed. Fintan then rang his bell. Immediately two deer issued from an adjoining wood, and tamely presented themselves before those devout men. Having placed St. Columbanus' effects on the horns of one, our saint said, " O Columbanus, follow this deer wheresoever he shall precede until you come to where foxes shall issue from their dens, and there shall you remain." Having placed the luggage of his brother, Finlogh, on the horns of the other deer, Fintan then said, ”Do you follow this animal in whatever direction he shall go." That course taken led towards the sea, where Finlogh found a vessel. On board of this he passed over into Albania. As had been ordained, in Scotland he lived and died. Afterwards he there awaited a future resurrection of the living and dead.

On a certain day, being afflicted with a grievous headache, an attendant, named Feradach, coming to St. Fintan, said, "To-day there appear to be signs of health and joy in your countenance." Fintan replied, "And justly should I rejoice; for on tomorrow our dearly-beloved friend, Columba, shall come to visit us. Therefore do you quickly prepare some corn for the mill". "That I would willingly do," said Feradach, "if there were water to turn it." However, through the intervention of St. Fintan the mill-stone began to move and to grind for three days and three nights without cessation. This was looked upon as a great miracle, because there had been no water or human assistance afforded during the process of grinding. During this visit which was made to our saint with whom Columba and a number of holy men remained for some time, abundance of bread was supplied for their use. Then St. Columba bestowed in perpetuity to St. Fintan a city, which was called Kell-maitoge, with all those services due by its inhabitants to the possessor.

While St. Fintan was stopping near a great river in the city of Tyr-da-glass, certain mimics and buffoons approached him. They asked Fintan to supply them with some fish to eat. He told them truly he had not what they sought. One of the mimics then said," The water is near thee, and if thou art that holy man thou art said to be, we shall easily obtain what we ask." Fintan replied, “It is not more difficult for the Almighty to procure a fish than to produce the water itself." Then calling his disciples, he sent them to a well which lay nearer to them than the river. In a vessel, together with some water, they brought a large fish. But when those mimics thought to remove this fish's bones, they found it impossible to separate them, even by the aid of an iron instrument. Whereupon they said,"Although our fish is a tough one, however, it shall not be left here by us." Taking their departure, they then carried it along with them; but an eagle, hovering over their party, suddenly descended, and snatching away the fish, bore it to a tree. This stood over the well already mentioned. The fish was dropped into the spring whence it had been taken. The author of our saint's acts informs us, that for the sake of brevity he omitted writing many other miracles that, through Fintan, the Almighty was pleased to effect. He adds, also, on account of the numerous miracles which Fintan wrought and continued to work in his biographer's time, it would be impossible for man to recount, or even to retain them in memory.

In his Acts, our saint is said to have attained the incredible age of 260 years, and to have been quite decrepit at the time of his death. The year when this occurred is not recorded. His ancient biographer asserts, that God, who can accomplish whatever He pleases on the earth, in heaven, on the sea, or under the abyss, was specially desirous of prolonging St. Fintan's life. When very old, this saint's cheeks were furrowed by wrinkles.

The author of St. Fintan's Acts gives us no particulars regarding the day and year of his death. Nor even does he mention that particular place where it occurred, nor the circumstances attending it. But from St. Aengus commentators, and from other sources, we learn that the day of St. Fintan's death fell on the 3rd of January. It is generally allowed, however, that he must have flourished in the sixth century. On the 3rd day of January the festival of St. Fintan had been celebrated formerly in the parish of Doone, and county of Limerick. It forms a portion of the archdiocese of Cashel, or diocese of Emly. At this date, the saint is commemorated in the "Feilire Aenguis" in the Martyrologies of Tallagh and of Donegal. According to the latter calendar, this saint belonged to the race of Fiatach Finn, monarch of Ireland, and he was a descendant of Heremon.

After the example of his Master, our Lord Jesus Christ, this saint ministered as a servant not only to his guests, but even to his brethren. He often unloosed the shoes from their feet, which he washed after their labours. In him no guile was found; he judged and condemned no person; to none did he return evil for evil. He was never found to be angry or disturbed in mind. He was never known to mock any person, nor to grieve at any calamity. Peace, compassion, and piety were throned in his heart. He always manifested the same equanimity of temper; he preserved such a heavenly serenity of countenance that he seemed to have abandoned even the imperfections of human nature. For these and such like virtues, he now reigns in supreme felicity, more brightly than the sun shines in the firmament, and more effulgent than its rays are spread over illuminated space.

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