OMNIUM SANCTORUM HIBERNIAE

Author: Michele Ainley

  • Feast of the Ordination of Saint Patrick, April 6

    Following on from the April 5 commemoration of Saint Patrick’s first baptism in Ireland, on April 6 we mark the feast of the ordination of our national apostle. Canon O’Hanlon comments:

    The Ordination of St. Patrick. [Fifth Century]

    The Bollandists merely notice this Feast. The Martyrology of Tallagh records, at this date, Ordinatio Patricii. Whether this entry, meaning, “the Ordination of St. Patrick,” refers to his sacredotal ordination, or to his Episcopal consecration, cannot be exactly determined. It is probable, however, it must be coupled with the latter, as more in accordance with ecclesiastical usage.

    Even at the present time, it is customary, to commemorate the anniversary of a Bishop’s consecration, by a prayer, added to the Mass, offered on that day, within his own diocese. In the published Martyrology of Donegal, the editor remarks in a note: The more recent hand adds here, ‘Ordinatio S. Patricii, Mart. Taml,’ as if it were deemed by the writer a matter of importance, to supply an obvious omission of the compilers.

    Content Copyright © Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae 2012-2015. All rights reserved.

  • The Feast of Saint Patrick's First Baptism in Ireland, April 5

    Although March 17 has been and gone it is interesting to note that the festival of Saint Patrick is not the only date associated with our national patron to appear on the Irish calendars. Below Canon O’Hanlon brings us the details of the commemoration of the baptism of his first Irish convert at April 5:

    Feast of Saint Patrick’s First Baptism, in Ireland.

    This means, not the day, on which St. Patrick himself was baptized but the day on which he baptized his first convert. It seems to have been celebrated, from a very remote period, since it occurs, in the “Feilire” of St. Aengus, on the 5th day of April. From the commentary appended, we learn, that “The first baptism of Patrick” means how Sinell, the son of Finnchadh of the Ui Garchon, was the first person baptized in Ireland, by Patrick. On the 5th of April in the Martyrology of Tallagh we find entered Baptisma Patricii venit ad Hiberniam, i.e. “the Baptism of Patrick came to Ireland”.  The remarkable event of St. Patrick regenerating, in the saving waters of Baptism his first Irish convert, is recorded, likewise, in the Martyrology of Donegal; and, in reference to it, the ” Feilire” of St. Aengus is quoted:—

    “On the great festival of the son of Cula,
    Of Becan with the victory of austerity,
    The first baptism of Patrick
    Which he performed in Erinn.”

    Content Copyright © Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae 2012-2015. All rights reserved.

  • Saint Gallus of Loch Techet, April 4

    At April 4, Canon O’Hanlon brings details of a lake-dwelling saint, Gallus of Loch Techet:

    St. Gallus, of Loch Techet, now Lough Gara, Counties of Roscommon and Sligo.

    A distinguished statesman has observed, that there is no greater folly being circulated on the earth, than a disposition to undervalue the records of the past, and to break the links, which united human beings of the present day, with the generations that had been called to their account. The Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 4th April, inserts the notice, Gall, Locha Teiget. This lake, at present, is known as Lough Gara, or Lough O’Gara, near Boyle, and on the borders of the counties of Roscommon and Sligo. The river Boyle has its source from this lake. We are informed, that St. Patrick, while in Connaught, resolved to visit Moylurg, and that passing through Bearnas Hua Noililla, or the gaps of Collooney, he moved onward towards the River Buill—now the Boyle—which takes its rise in Loch Techet.’ According to the Martyrology of Donegal, on this day was venerated Gallus, of Loch Techet, and in the Bollandists’ work  he is likewise commemorated.

    Content Copyright © Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae 2012-2015. All rights reserved.