OMNIUM SANCTORUM HIBERNIAE

Author: Michele Ainley

  • Saint Cera of Raith Moentich, February 5

    February 5 is the feast of an obscure female saint, Cera of Raith Moentich. Her namesake, Cera of Kilkeary,  is perhaps better-known today, although I can’t help noticing that their feast days are exactly one month apart, as the Tipperary saint is commemorated on January 5. Canon O’Hanlon can only bring us the details from the Martyrology of Tallaght and some speculation on the locality the calendar entry may refer to:

    St. Cera, Virgin, of Raith Moentich.

    What the future may reveal is only vaguely presented to the mind of many a holy virgin; her leading idea is to save her own soul, and the souls of many others. She, feels, too, that under the directing hand of God, this holy inspiration must assume in due time, a definite and practical shape. The Martyrology of Tallagh registers a feast for Caera of Raith Moentich, at the 5th of February. The place here named, and with which she appears to have had relations, has not been identified. There is a district, formerly known as Moentach, and which is situated to the south of Lifford, on the borders of Tyrone and Donegal counties. Cera, virgin—simply thus written—is recorded in the Martyrology of Donegal, as having a festival, at this date. Nothing more seems to be known regarding her.

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  • Saint Corc of Druim-Lomain, February 4

    February 4 is the commemoration of yet another of our many obscure Irish saints, Saint Corc of Druim-Lomain. His name and feast day are first recorded on the earliest of the Irish calendars, the Martyrology of Tallaght, but it is impossible to say when and where he flourished:

    St. Corc, of Druim-Lomain.

    It is recorded, in the Martyrology of Donegal, that the festival of Corc, of Druim Lomáin, had been celebrated on this day. This name occurs, with that of Cota of Druinn—probably an error for Druim—at this same date, in the Martyrology of Tallagh. The place is not readily identifiable.Content Copyright © Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae 2012-2015. All rights reserved.

  • Saint Caoilfionn, February 3

    February 3 is the feast day of Saint Caoilfionn, yet another of our obscure Irish female saints. In his account below, Canon O’Hanlon relies on the seventeenth-century Martyrology of Donegal for clues as to her identity and concludes with some pious conjectures of his own:

    St. Caoilfionn, Virgin.

    Some doubts, regarding this holy woman’s race and parentage, seem to exist. We read, in the Martyrology of Donegal, as having had a festival on this day, Caoilfionn, Virgin, of Caellainn. This Caellainn, we are told, belonged possibly to the race of Modh-ruith, son to Fergus, son of Ros, son to Rudhraighe. Or, she might possibly be Caoilfionn, daughter of Cael, son to Fionnchadh, who belonged to the race of Ciar, son to Fergus, son to Ros, son of Rudhraighe. This pious lady quickly won the esteem and affection of her sister nuns, by her exactness to every duty, as also, by her sweet temper, gentle, confiding disposition and unaffected piety.Content Copyright © Omnium Sanctorum Hiberniae 2012-2015. All rights reserved.