OMNIUM SANCTORUM HIBERNIAE

Category: Irish Saints

  • Saint Duthac of Ross, March 8

    On March 8 we celebrate the feastday of Saint Duthac, a Bishop of Ross in Scotland. Although it seems that there was some disagreement over the exact period in which he flourished, the concensus seems to be that the saint reposed around the year 1068. In his account of Saint Duthac, Canon O’Hanlon provides a good overview of the sources for the Bishop’s career, his links with Ireland and some of his miracles.

    St. Duthac or Dubthac, Patron and Bishop of Ross, Scotland.

    [Eleventh Century.]

    Despising alike the applause of princes and of people, this holy man avoided company, banqueting, and all worldly comforts. Yet, by this course of life, he acquired a just meed of fame, among the people of Britain and Ireland, where his travels produced grace. A Life of St. Duthac was written by Father Patrick Anderson, a Scotch Jesuit, who compiled Lives of the Scottish Saints, which manuscript had been preserved, in the Scotch College, at Paris. He flourished, in the beginning of the seventeenth century. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Challenor, the “Memorial of British Piety”, Rev. Alban Butler and Rev. S. Baring-Gould have their respective notices of Duthac. Also, the Bollandists, and Bishop Forbes, who give an account of this saint, tell us, that he sprung from no ignoble family of the Scoti, and that his wise instructors early imbued him with a knowledge of the Christian Faith. While engaged at his youthful studies, it pleased God to perform a wonderful miracle. His preceptor having sent him for fire to a workshop, snatching up with a tongs some burning thorns, the workman there cast them into the youth’s bosom. His clothes even remained unsinged and unscathed, while Duthac carried the burning thorns safely to his master. By Divine direction, it is stated, that Dubthac crossed over to Hibernia. There, he applied to study the precepts and laws of the Old and New Testament, and on his return to Scotland, he taught these publicly with all gentleness. Shortly after, he was consecrated by his cobishops, as universal and chief pastor. He was remarkable, for his gift of miracles. One of these throws a picturesque light, on the manners of his time. Duthac had been invited to a feast, where one of the company, after drinking, had a sick headache. He had sent a portion of swine’s flesh, with a gold ring, by one of Duthac’s disciples; but, the latter, on passing a cemetery, laid down the flesh and ring there, desiring to offer prayers, for the souls departed. Meantime, a hungry kite snatched them up and flew away across a river, towards a dense wood. Fearing the anger, both of the donor and of his master, the disciple straightway returned, with an account of what had happened. Whereupon, St. Duthac retired for a few minutes, and he prayed; when the kite soon returned, and laid what he had taken, at the saint’s feet. Blessed Duthac accepted the ring, but he restored the flesh to that kite, which anon flew away. Again, in the case of a cake, made with honey and butter, food was miraculously increased, and the remains worked cures. While celebrating the feast of St. Finbarr of Cork, a canon of Dornoch Church caused a fat ox to be killed for the poor. Determining to carry a portion of it himself to St. Duthac, during a dark and stormy night; the spit, on which this food was carried, gave a light both coming and going.

    According to Dempster, he wrote a Book, “Meditationes solitariae,” a Book “De Vanitate Philosophorum,” and a Book, “De Dei Nominibus ex S, Dionysio.” While some state, he flourished A.D. 807, others have it at A.D. 1249. The Office and Lessons of St. Duthac or Dubthac occur in the Breviary of Aberdeen, on the 8th of the March Ides, when his death occurred, and when his festival is celebrated. The date for his demise, given by Bishop Forbes, is A.D. 1068. If the supplement to Fordun may be trusted, St. Duthac had another tie to Scotland, in his disciple Malisius or Maeliosa, who, he prophesied, should become Episcopus Scotorum. The Annals of Ulster enter his decease, at A.D. 1065; and, while calling him Albanach, the principal Confessor of Erin and Alban, they state, that he rested at Armagh. He was venerated in Ross, and indeed throughout all Scotland, by princes and people. He flourished during the time of Vilhelmus, or Gulielmus, the ninety-third King of Scotland, according to Lesley. This should bring him into the twelfth century. Again, Hector Boece states the report, that St. Duthac lived, during the reign of Alexander II., and, it is said, he was preceptor to Blessed Gilbert, Bishop of Cathanensis. He is greatly honoured, in the Church of Tayne, in the diocese of Ross, and to this place, great numbers of pilgrims resorted.

    Seven years after death, his body was found incorrupt, and his relics were translated to a grander shrine. His shirt, his stock, and his bell, were preserved. The following places in Scotland are named after him: Kilduich, at the head of Loch Duich; Kilduthie, near the Loch of Leys; Arduthie close to Stonehaven, and the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of St. Dupthac, at Arbroath. He is reputed to have foretold an invasion of the Danes, which happened A.D, 1263, when they were defeated by Alexander Stuart, the great grandfather to King Robert. In the Kalendar of Hyrdmanstoun, at the viii. Ides, or 8th of March, is entered St. Duthac, Bishop and Confessor. The same entry occurs in the Kalendar of Arbuthnott, and in that of Aberdeen, his feast is similarly noted, with the remark, that he had a Duplex Office, consisting of Nine Lessons. In Adam King’s Kalendar, at the 8th of March, is entered S. Duthake bischope and cofess. in scot, vnder King Alexander 2. Dempster states, that in the town of Thana, Duthac, Bishop of Ross, whose holiness was proved by frequent miracles, had been venerated, on the 8th of March. Also, David Camerarius, at the same date, has St. Duthac, Confessor and Bishop of Ross, renowned for his sanctity, in the provinces of Ross and Moray, in Scotland. We also find this holy bishop noted, in the “Circle of the Seasons,” and in the Martyrology of Cologne.

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  • The Holy Daughters of Leinin, March 6

    There are a number of interesting saints commemorated on March 6, but I have chosen to look at a group of holy women whose name lives on in the placename of Killiney, County Dublin. Canon O’Hanlon brings us the details, first of one group of five sisters and then of another sister called Brighit.

    THE HOLY DAUGHTERS OF LEININ, SAINTS DRUGENIA, LUIGENIA, LUICELLA, MACHA AND RIOMTHACH, AT THE CHURCH OF KlLL-NA-NINGEAN, NOW SUPPOSED TO BE KILLININY, COUNTY OF DUBLIN. [Sixth or Seventh Century.]

    In the last chapter of the “Sanctilogium Genealogicum,” these sisters are said to have been the daughters of Leninus, son to Garrchon, son to Donacius, the son of Conamalius, son to Colgan, son to Cronmael, son to Altius, son to Aengus, the son of Nuadatus, &c. In the Martyrology of Tallagh, these sisters are not named, at the 6th of March; but, there they are called, Ingena Lenini, or the “daughters of Leninus.” Marianus O’Gorman, Charles Maguire and the Martyrology of Donegal place the festival of these holy ladies, at the 6th of March. The site for their church is determined, by Dr. O’Donovan, to have been comprised, within the greater part of the barony of Rathdown, in the present county of Dublin, or in some northern part of Wicklow County. There the sept of Ui-Briuin-Cualann was located. According to William M. Hennessy, the place where these pious ladies lived was in the southern part of the county of Killiney Church, County of Dublin. It is now said to be known as Killininy, or Kilnanaughnin, near Fir House Convent, Bohernabreena. There is an old ruined church at Killiney, on the sea-shore of Dublin County, and near the beautiful bay, to which the church gives name…. Whether it was at Killininy, or at Killiney, the pious daughters of Lenin lived, seems an uncertain matter ; but, it is probable enough, that while their sister Brighit remained at the latter place, the following five occupied the former as a residence. Thus, the Martyrology of Donegal enters the daughters of Leinin, as Druigen, Luigen, Luicell, Macha and Riomhtach. These are said to be sisters of Brighit, daughter of Leinin. Their place is called Cill-inghen-Leinin, in Ui-Briuin Cualann, in Leinster. All of those pious ladies, here venerated, were sisters to St. Colman the Bishop and Patron of Cloyne Diocese and, accordingly, they seem to have lived, towards the close of the sixth or the beginning of the seventh century.

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  • Saint Colman the Thirsty, March 5

     

    We have a most interesting saint commemorated on March 5, whom tradition says was literally a martyr to the monastic rule of Saint Patrick. For Colman the Thirsty sacrificed his life rather than transgress the letter of the law. This extraordinary episode provides Canon O’Hanlon with an opportunity to sound very Victorian on the dangers of ‘habits of intoxication’ and ‘the frequent use of spirituous liquors’ and reminds us of the strong moral component of the Irish national revival:

    St. Colman, surnamed the Thirsty.

    [Supposed to be of the Fifth Century.]

    Obedience is better than sacrifice has often been advanced, as a maxim, by spiritual writers; but, in the present instance, we may discover both virtues, distinctly placed, and yet combined. Colgan assigns the festival of a particular St. Colman, to this day; although, he confesses himself unable to determine such a position, with a full degree of certainty. This saint is thought assignable, to the early period of our Christian history. Still, our national hagiologist seems to err in his conjecture, that the present saint may have been a St. Colman, son of Enan, and a brother to three other saints. Elsewhere, he is of opinion, that the present holy man was one of St. Patrick’s disciples. The Bollandists have some brief notices of him. According to Colgan’s inferences, this Colman was a monk under the rule of St. Patrick. So exact was he, in complying with all things required, that he became a martyr to monastic discipline. Whilst employed with other monks in collecting the harvest, at a place denominated Trian Conchobhuir, one of these called Colman felt extremely thirsty. Although a tub of cold water had been placed in the field, to be used by the labourers; yet, an injunction was issued, that no one should drink from it, until the hour for saying Vespers had passed. Colman’s strength began to fail, however, on account of the intolerable thirst experienced; still, the patient monk did not wish to infringe an established rule. At length, unable to bear this privation, to which he had voluntarily subjected himself, the holy servant yielded up his spirit to the Maker of all things, having sunk on the ground exhausted and lifeless. He was buried at the cross, which had been erected before the newly-built Cathedral Church of Armagh; and, on being consigned to the tomb, in this consecrated spot of ground, much as he no doubt lamented the circumstances attending this death, the Irish Apostle felt gratified, that the body of a saint should repose in his graveyard, as the first fruits of deposition. He is even said to have prophesied, that the church, which was consecrated by such a happy sepulture, should afterwards be prosperous, and should abound in riches and honours. St. Patrick, also, saw the soul of his departed brother ascend to heaven, where it found rest, in company with the martyrs.

    The 5th of March was the Natal day of a St. Colman—probably the present—according to our Irish Martyrologies. At this dale, the Martyrology of Tallagh records a festival in honour of Colman, designated Isirni. Marianus O’Gorman and Charles Maguire record him; but, they neither add time, place, or other circumstances, to identify him. The name of a Saint Colman has been omitted from the published Martyrology of Donegal, at this day; but, the simple name, Colman, has been inserted by the compiler of a table subjoined, with the remark appended, that he had not been noticed in the body of this work. About the year 445 must have been the period for his death, were we to credit Ussher’s statement, that at this date, the foundations of Armagh church were laid. The O’Clerys, however, refer this event, to the year 457. As many bodies, no doubt, were early interred within the cemetery of Armagh, and as Saint Colman’s remains were the first therein deposited, we may probably refer his death and burial, to that very year, in which the church foundations had been laid.

    His cognomen of the Thirsty was obtained, not from his being often obliged to satisfy such a distressing want of nature; but, owing to that heroic yet misconceived resolution, whereby he overcome natural requirements, even at the sacrifice of his own life. What an example of abstemiousness ought not this be for many unhappy drunkards, who end their days prematurely, when indulging in habits of intoxication, and in the frequent use of spirituous liquors. That wholesome beverage, pure water, is abundant, especially in “Erinn of the streams,” and it, at least, can be obtained free from charge or hindrance. It usually promotes health, and it can hardly be used to excess by any of our people, while it never can deprive them of reason or sense.

    Notwithstanding his exemption from rule, for grave moral and physical reasons, yet, it is to be lamented, that a conscientious and good man, in the present instance, mistook the nature of his engagements, when by a moderate draught of this pure element, he might have saved a valuable and an exemplary life.

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