OMNIUM SANCTORUM HIBERNIAE

Category: Irish Saints

  • Saint Philip of Cluain Bainbh, March 4

    On March 4 the Irish calendars commemorate a saint Philip, whom they style Bishop of Cluain Bainbh, but no other details are given. The Martyrology of Donegal records ‘PHILIP, Bishop of Cluain Bainbh’ on this day.
    Canon O’Hanlon summarizes the evidence from the other calendars, which include mention of a mysterious ‘Saint Moggrudo’ at the same date:
    This saint is merely named, in the Irish Martyrologies and Calendars, as being a bishop of Cluain Bainbh. Colgan was unable to discover the age, in which he flourished. He hazards a conjecture, however, that Philip might have been identical with a reputed saint, to whom a feast has been assigned, at the 4th of March. Thus, in the Carthusian Martyrology, it is stated, that a Saint Moggrudo, a Bishop and Confessor, was venerated in Ireland, on this day but, nothing is contained, in our home Martyrologies or Annals, regarding him, at this, or at any other, date. Perhaps, he only distinguished himself, on a foreign mission. The Carthusian Martyrology at the 4th of March, says: “In Hibernia Moggrudonis Episcopi et Confessoris.” And Herman Greuen finds in a MS. Carthusian Martyrology of Cologne: “S. Moggrudonis Episcopi et Confessoris in Hibernia.”On this day, the Martyrology of Tallagh commemorates the Natalis of a certain holy bishop, whose name is suppressed. However, he is called Bishop of Clocharbainni, probably another name for Cluain-Bainbh. Under another form of insertion, Colgan thinks the former an erroneous one, and that it should accord with that in the Martyrologies of Marianus O’Gorman and of Donegal, where we find, on this day, recorded, Philip, Bishop, of Cluain Bainbh. The Bollandists have their doubtful notices of Philip and of Moggrudo. Again, under the head of Cluain-bainbh, and Clochar, Duald Mac Firbis enters, Philip, Bishop of Cluain bainbh, a holy bishop of Clogher, at March 4th. Besides this, the anonymous Catalogue of Irish Saints, published by O’Sullevan Beare, at the 4th of March, we meet with Mogrudo. On the authority of the Carthusian Martyrology, at the same date, he appears, in Henry Fitzsimon’s list, as, Mogrado, a bishop.

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  • Saint Cele Christ, March 3

    On March 3 the Irish calendars commemorate a saintly bishop who rejoices in the name of Cele Christ. Although a descendant of the northern line of Niall of the Nine Hostages, he flourished in Leinster in the eighth century. The Martyrology of Donegal entry reads:

    3. F. QUINTO NONAS MARTII. 3.

    CELE-CHRIST, Bishop, of Cill-Cele-Christ in Ui-Dunchadha in Fotharta in Leinster. He was of the race of Eoghan, son of Niall.

    Canon O’Hanlon summarizes what is known of him:

    This devoted servant of Christ, in after time, deserved well the name he seems to have obtained in baptism, of Cele-Chriost, Latinized, Christicola, i.e.”worshipper of Christ.” He descended from an illustrious family… Judging by the date assigned for his death, this holy man must have been born about, or after, the middle of the seventh century. His birth probably took place, in the northern part of Ireland, inferring from his family pedigree. But, he resolved on leaving Ulster, and betook himself to a place called Hi-Donchadha, in the western part of Leinster. It is also said to have been in Fotharta. Here he erected a cell, which is called Cella-oc. It may be asked—and the situation warrants such suspicion—could this have been the place, which subsequently had been converted into the denomination of Templeoge, where [the] present form of the name would lead one to believe, that it means ” little temple” or ” church.” Probably at some former period, it obtained the appellation Kill-Cele-Chriost, or “the cell of the worshipper of Christ,” in honour of the founder’s name.

    Besides this church, as noted, the district of Ui-Dunchadha contained the church denominations of Cill-mochritoc, on the banks of the Dodder, i.e. Achadh-Finnigh—already identified with Finnmagh—and Cill-na-managh, in the parish of Tallagh. Here Cele-Chriost desired to spend his days in retirement, and solely engaged, in Divine contemplation. Yet, although declining ecclesiastical rank, it was urged on him as a duty, when he accepted the office of bishop. It is stated, that he felt a great desire to make a pilgrimage to Rome, and that taking a band of companions with him, Cele-Chriost set out for this purpose. On the way, however, they were proffered hospitality, by an evil-minded man, who really intended their murder, to obtain money he supposed them to possess. The pretended host fastened his door, on the outside, when the strangers entered his house. These, suspecting an evil design, took counsel among themselves, as to what should be done, when Cele-Chriost addressed them as follows :”This seems to me the best course for you to adopt ; allow me to take charge of your effects, and to collect them into one wallet, so that when he comes to take your lives, and when he opens the door of your enclosure, let each one of you rush out who can escape with life.” His companions cried out: “Caoin-erain.” This is rendered, in Latin:”Bonum concilium invenisti.” It is more than probable, the Irish designation, in the text, should read, cain airle which means “good counsel.” This was agreed upon, and the consequence was, all safely obtained their freedom. Afterwards, we are told, our saint bore the name Cele-Christus, Coin-erael. Little more is known regarding him, save that he returned to Ireland, and died A.D. 731 or 732, having been buried, in his church, at Cill-oc. The Annals of Ulster defer his demise to the year 726. Colgan and the Bollandists have some notices regarding him, at this day. His church was situated, in the district of Ui Dunchadha, that, through which the River Dodder, near Dublin, flowed. The Mac Gillamocholmogs ruled over it, and their lands extended southwards to Glen Umerim or Glanunder, now Ballyman, on the confines of Dublin and Wicklow counties. There seems to be great difficulty in identifying the exact site of this ancient church.

    Duald Mac Firbis records under the heads of Both Ghonais and Gill Cele Christ, the Bishop Cele-Christ, of Cill-Cele-Christ, at the 3rd March. In Hy Dunchada, in the Fotharts of Leinster, he adds, is the church of Cele-Christ, of Both Chonais.

    The Feilire of St, Oengus, in the “Leabhar Breac,” has his commemoration, at the 3rd of March; while, the Martyrology of Tallagh, likewise, enters the name of Celicriist. Marianus O’Gorman has even a more detailed statement. The Martyrology of Donegal, at the same date, has Cele Christ, Bishop of Cill-Cele-Christ in Ui Dunchadha, in Fotharta, in Leinster, with the statement, that he sprung from the race of Eoghan, son to Niall. In the Kalendar of Drummond his feast is this day noted. It is supposed possible, that the name of Christ Church, Dublin, may have been derived from this Cele Chriost, a saint of high reputation.

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  • Saint Fergna Britt, Abbot of Iona, March 2

    On March 2 the Irish calendars commemorate no less than three saintly abbots of Iona (Ia, Hy), successors to the great Saint Colum Cille. We will begin with Saint Fergna Britt, the fourth successor to the founder, and the account given of him by Canon O’Hanlon’s Lives of the Irish Saints:
    The Acts of St. Fergna, or Fergnaus, drawn from various writers, have been published by Colgan, at the 2nd of March. The surname Britt, which signifies a “Briton,” was derived, in Colgan’s opinion, from his having lived in Britain; but, the Rev. Dr. Reeves thinks, that probably more is implied in such an epithet, than is found recorded. He belonged to the race of Conall Gulban, son to Niall, and he was son to Failbe, belonging to the family of Enna Boghaine. Fergna was born, probably after or about the middle of the sixth century, having been a member of the community in St. Columba’s time. He is called Virgnous, by Adamnan, who describes him as being a youth of ardent piety. St. Oengus the Culdee and the Calendar of Cashel designate him, by an epithet meaning “white” or “fair.” He appears to have presided over the religious community, at Iona, from A.D. 605, to 623, having immediately succeeded St. Laisren, or Laisrien, who died on the 16th of September, in the former year.

    It is said, that St. Fergna had lived for some time with St. Lugudius, Abbot of Cluain-Finchuil, or Cluain-Fiacul, “in Ireland;” but, this Fergnous or Vergnous is clearly a different person. Both are confounded, however, by Colgan, who represents St. Fergna, as the disciple of St. Columkille. He was the fourth abbot, in succession; but, not so nearly related, to St. Columba, as his predecessors. Fergna’s death is noted, at A.D. 616, in the Annals of Inisfallen; at A.D. 622, by the Annals of the Four Masters; and, at A.D. 623, by the Annals of Tighernach, and by the Rev. William Reeves. The 2nd of March is supposed to have been the day of his death. Simply the name Fergna, Abbot of Ia, is found in the Martyrology of Tallagh, at the same date. St. Oengus the Culdee notices him, at the 2nd of March, as likewise Marianus O’Gorman; but, in the gloss to his Calendar, Fergna is styled bishop. Yet, this is thought to have been an incorrect designation; in so much as the precedent, so recently established, in Iona, by the founder, could hardly have been departed from, in the case of its fourth abbot.

    Besides, a century afterwards Venerable Bede asserts, that in Iona they were always accustomed to have its ruler, a priest abbot. The Martyrology of Donegal mentions, as having a festival on this day, Fergna Britt, son of Failbhe, Bishop. In the entry of his name, by the compiler of a table added to this Martyrology, it is Latinized, Virgnous. In addition, Duald Mac Firbis enters Fergna Britt, Bishop and Abbot of Ia-Coluim-Cille, at March 2nd. At this date, likewise, the Carthusian Martyrology records his feast. At the 2nd of March, the Drummond Kalendar observes, that the Abbot Fergna, of the Hy monastery, went to Christ. In Ireland, this holy man seems to have had his office recited in nine lessons, as we learn from an old Antiphonarium, belonging to the Library of Trinity College, Dublin.


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