OMNIUM SANCTORUM HIBERNIAE

Category: Saints of Antrim

  • Saint Mac Nissi of Connor, September 3

    September 3 is the commemoration of Saint Mac Nissi, an early disciple of Saint Patrick and patron of the northern Diocese of Connor. Canon O’Hanlon summarizes what is traditionally known of his life and his miracles:

    Saint Macnessius or Mac Nissi, Bishop of Connor, County Down.

    [Fifth and Sixth Centuries]

    In the “Feilire ” of St. Oengus, yet in a very enigmatical form, the feast of St. Mac Nisse is entered at the 3rd of September. Thus rendered in Dr. Whitley Stokes’ English translation:

    “Colman of Druim Ferta :
    Longarad a delightful sun;
    Mac Nisse with thousands,
    from great Conderi.”

    The birth of Macnessius is said to have been manifested to St. Patrick, and long before the time of its occurrence. St. Macnessius, also written Mac Nissi, or Nisa, was the son of Fobrec or Fobreach, as stated in the Annals of Tigernach. Such is the statement of the commentator on the Feilire of Oengus, who calls his father Fobrece, but rather confuses his genealogy, by the manner in which it is given. As such, it is to be found in the Leabhar Breac copy, and at the 3rd of September. His mother was named Cnes, a daughter to Conchaid or Conchaide of Dal Cethern. According to the Life of our saint, as published by the Bollandists, his mother was called Ness. The original name of this saint is said to have been Oengus.

    In a fountain of water, which miraculously sprung from the earth, it is stated, that our saint was baptised by the Apostle of the Irish nation. Afterwards, he was known as Mac Cneise or the son of Cnes. The Christian name bestowed on him was Oengus, and his surname was derived from his mother. This is a more likely derivation than that one given, where he is said to have been fostered and accustomed to sleep with St. Patrick. Wherefore, he was named, as we find reported, Mac Cnes Patraic, i.e., “son of Patrick’s skin.” Yet, as it was not unusual among the Irish to derive a surname from the mother, we might probably suppose her to have been of a more distinguished family than that of her husband, or to have been more remarkable for her mental endowments.

    He was placed under the charge of Bishop Bolcan – a disciple of St. Patrick – while he was still very young. To him, the son of Ness was entrusted as a foster-child, and from that holy bishop his education had been received. When young, he was sent to take charge of certain cows and their calves. A deep slumber then oppressed him. Meantime, the calves took advantage of their youthful herdsman’s sleep to approach the cows, and to draw the accustomed sustenance from them. We are told, that the Bishop’s mother – also the nurse of our saint – felt displeased at his neglect, and struck the child. This, however, she did not with impunity; for that hand, with which she chastised the youth, became powerless. Whereupon, the Bishop required his foster-son to pray for her. Immediately on complying with such request, the offending member was again restored to its former strength. From such a circumstance, and owing to other .miracles of a similar nature, the fame of this youthful soldier of Christ was greatly extended.

    Our saint was a most docile pupil to his master, while going through the course of elementary studies. When St. Patrick was on a journey through Dalaradia, having met Bolcan with our saint, he thus addressed the former: “You and your successors shall always be subject to the rule of this your companion and to his successors.” The Apostle’s allusion, in this prophetic declaration, referred to the Bishopric subsequently obtained.

    The latter illustrious man gave certain particular charges, regarding the education and training of the child. These trusts, on being assumed, were faithfully observed and fulfilled. It would appear, from some remarks in the Irish Apostle’s life, that the saint, when a boy, carried his master’s books in a leather case ; that he had been entrusted with the care of those articles necessary for Divine service; and that he probably attended the Bishop in the capacity of servitor at his different episcopal ministrations.

    Having proved himself perfect in every good work, according to tradition, St. Macnessius had been raised to the episcopal dignity by St. Patrick. We know not the year of St. Macnissius’ ordination; Ware informs us, however, that he was advanced to the episcopal dignity in the fifth century. St. Macnessius is said to have made a pilgrimage to the seat of the Apostles, and to Jerusalem, visiting also other remarkable places in the Holy Land. In the panegyric of our saint, as published by the Bollandists, we are told during the pilgrimage, that he frequently offered up his prayers to God, and that he brought several relics with him, on his return from the Holy Land. Among these are enumerated a stone taken from our Lord’s Sepulchre, a portion of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s hair, a bone of the Apostle St. Thomas, portions of the garments belonging to the Apostles, and one of the bowls belonging to the great altar at Jerusalem. He returned by way of Rome, and lodged in the Apostolic curia, where he remained for some days. There he had been treated with marked distinction. We are informed, moreover, that on a certain day, in Rome, Macnisius consecrated and ordained Bishops, Priests and Deacons, the Roman clergy acting as his assistants. On this same occasion, the poverty of the Irish mission was taken into consideration by certain Roman magnates, who bestowed on him many valuable gifts, among which were to be found several gold, silver, and brazen vessels. During his residence at Rome, through the efficacy of his prayers, a leper was cleansed from his foul disease. Having visited the shrines of various saints, and received the Sovereign Pontiff’s benediction and prayers, he returned to his native country, bringing with him the many presents he had received. And we are told, that not only the people of his own country, but those of surrounding nations, received him with great rejoicing. When Mac Nessius, with his remarkable relics, left Rome for Ireland, the people went forth to meet him, from the churches, towns, villages, woods and mountains. They received him with most affectionate demonstrations of joy, nor were any found absent on these occasions but evil doers, to whom the presence of our saint was a standing reproach.

    Soon the seed of Divine wisdom was planted in every direction, the trumpet of the Gospel was sounded, and churches were founded by our saint. The holy Bishop was distinguished for the performance of miracles, He was inebriated, also, with a spirit of prophesy, and illuminated with Divine Revelations. Among the many miracles which he wrought, St. Macnesius healed two men, one of whom was blind, and the other was a leper. They presented themselves to him in full confidence of being relieved from their infirmities ; and having first washed themselves, in a fountain of clear water, one of them received the gift of sight, and his companion was cleansed from his leprosy, through the prayers of our saint. He also delivered a boy, named Colman, from a violent death. A certain wicked man, who killed the father of this boy, had seized upon the youth, who was under the guardianship of his friends. The tyrant had resolved upon putting him to death. However, our saint interfered to preserve his life. Finding the cruel man inexorable, Macnessius asked as a favour, that the boy should not be slain until brought to a pile of stones, which was conspicuous at some distance. This request he obtained, and afterwards our saint went to the place. There he engaged in prayer. The youth was thrown into the air, so that his body might be received on the points of his executioners’ spears. Immediately, however, he was conveyed away by Angels, and deposited on the holy Bishop’s bosom free from all injury. Our saint afterwards nurtured, and diligently taught him the rudiments of Religion, and a knowledge of the Sacred Scriptures.

    In that Life of our saint, contained in the Salamancan Manuscript, we read, that when Macnessius returned to his native country, he miraculously changed the current of a river named Curi. This he did, in order that the murmuring of its waters should not disturb infirm persons in a monastery, which he built at a place called Disart, or Desert. The waters afterwards took a distant course from that spot. On a certain day, when he laboured there with his monks, he had a revelation, that in company with other holy persons, St. Brigid was on the way to his house, in order to confer with him on religious subjects. Being greatly rejoiced at this interior admonition, he addressed his community with these words: “Brethren, let us give over this work and retire to the monastery; we must prepare whatever may be necessary for the holy guests, who are journeying hither, and who shall arrive during this week.”

    In his Acts, it is stated, that in company with St. Patrick and St. Brigid, the holy bishop had been journeying through Momonia, and he passed through a place, called Lann-ela. While his companions passed on, our saint remained there, and perceiving this, St. Patrick sent for St. Macnessius.

    When this latter came up, he was asked the cause for his stopping. Our saint then said to St. Patrick: “Over that place in which I stood, I saw the Heavens opened, and the Angels of God ascending and descending.” St. Patrick hereupon said : “It therefore behoves us to leave religious men here to serve God.” Our saint replied : ” Holy Father, if it please you, do not thus determine. For a child of my family, who shall be born sixty years from this day, and whose name is to be Colman Ela, shall there found a celebrated monastery.” And, as the Divine Spirit had revealed this to the man of God, so his prophecy was afterwards duly fulfilled. It is said, while performing his journeys, through reverence for the Gospels, this holy man was accustomed to bear books containing its text, on his stooped shoulders, they being secured by no kind of fastening. These, with such like virtues, and also miracles, distinguished our holy bishop, during his sojourn upon earth.

    It has been stated, that St. Macnessius became the superior of a religious community, which he established at Connor, and that he continued to govern it until his death. Although we do not find any ancient authority, in confirmation of such a statement ; yet, considering the usual customs in the foundation of early missions in this country, we may regard the account as fairly probable. There is reason also for a supposition, that the original establishment of St. Macnessius was not situated at Connor, but at a place not far distant, and formerly known as the Desert of Connor. It is now called Kells, in the parish, and about one half mile west from the church, of Connor.

    It is related, in the Bollandists’ Acts of our saint, that through the effect of his prayers, St. Macnessius obtained the birth of a son for a woman advanced in age, and who for fifteen years previously had not given birth to any offspring. Again, we are told, the father to the great St. Comgall of Bangor, who was named Setna, had been on a journey, accompanied by his wife Brig, occupying a seat in a chariot. Seeing our saint travelling on foot, Setna said to his wife : “O woman, descend that the Bishop may take a place in this chariot.” But, on hearing these words, our saint replied : “Do not disturb her, for she shall give birth to a king, who will rule over many.” This was a prediction referring to St. Comgall’s future eminence. As it is probable, that St. Comgall of Bangor had been born, in the year 510, and as it is said our saint delivered a prophecy regarding him the day before his birth, we may most probably conclude, St. Macniscius, Bishop of Connor, had been living in that year. Our saint did not survive the birth of St. Comgall for many years. Other miracles are recorded in his Acts. A town that refused hospitality to our saint was immediately consumed, as a punishment from on high.

    St. Macnessius is said to have been advanced in years, when the time of his death arrived. This was in the early part of the sixth century, although the exact date has not been ascertained. However, he departed this life, on the 3rd day of September, and in the year 514, according to the most probable accounts; although the Annals of Innisfallen name the year 506, as a date for his death, with the words, “Quies Macnisse Condire.” The “Chronicum Scotorum” places his death at A.D. 508. Others have it during the year 507; the Annals of Tigernach at A.D. 510 and Colgan, A.D. 513. The holy Bishop and founder of the see was buried in the city of Connor.

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

  • Saint Aedh of Rathlin Island, April 7

     

    On April 7 we commemorate the memory of Saint Aedh, an eighth-century monastic of Rathlin Island. This island off the coast of north Antrim was part of the Kingdom of Dalriada from the 5th to the 8th centuries. It has an even more famous later Scottish association because, as every schoolchild here learns, it was whilst Robert the Bruce was hiding in a cave on the island from the English conquerors that he watched a spider continually attempt to bridge a gap using her web. Inspired by her patience and perseverance he too decided to give his own cause another try and returned to regain his throne. Canon O’Hanlon’s account is also tinged by romantic imagination and his concluding comments are typical of the imagery of windswept desolation of former glories, which many 19th-century writers used to describe places associated with early Irish saints.

    St. Aedh, of Oilein Reachrann, or of Rathlin Island, County of Antrim. [Eighth Century]

    That Islands should be the places of residence, chosen by many early Irish missionaries, may be inferred, from the many instances of old ecclesiastical structures thereon, and from their religious discipline, which was essentially recluse. Other propagandists of the faith founded churches. With the Irish, the church was frequently a hermitage, and not a place for large congregations of the faithful. Many of our primitive churches were known as Cills, Kills, or “Cells.” It improves the evidence in favour of Islands, within and around our shores, having been lone spots, such as anchorites would love, at the introduction of Christianity, rather than marts of trade or nests of pirates, for which they might be fairly taken, if we looked solely to their position. St. Aedh was son of Cairbre, and he became abbot of Rechrann monastery. We read, in the Martyrology of Donegal, that Aedh Oilein —or of the Island—was venerated, on this day. The place is now known as Rathlin Island, off the northern coast of Antrim.

    It does not appear, that a church had been built there, before A.D. 630. This saint appears to have immediately succeeded St. Murghal, Abbot, who died A.D. 764. St. Aedh did not long survive him; for, he departed, in the year 768, according to the Annals of the Four Masters, or in 672, according to those of Ulster. The true year appears to have been A.D. 773. In the year 790, the shrines of Rathlin were destroyed, by the gentile pirates. It is probable, one belonging to this saint, as also, some shrines of his holy predecessors, perished. Thus, like the stranded ship, once filled with life and motion, many a house of prayer, in former times, lies lowly and desolate; while, in contemplating its melancholy wreck, with its peculiar and artistic beauty, the visitor’s thoughts are subdued to reverence and prayer, when rejoicing in the living Faith, that survives the ruin of material temples.

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

  • Saint Olcan of Armoy, February 20

    We have another saint known to us from Patrician hagiography commemorated on February 20, Olcan, Bishop of Armoy in County Antrim. The Irish word olc means bad or evil, as in the concluding line of the Pater Noster ach saor sinn o olc, ‘but deliver us from evil’. The hagiographers thus made an attempt to explain our saint’s unusual name and the extraordinary story of his birth is only one of the strange stories associated with Saint Olcan. The account below has been taken from the writing of the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr John Healy:

    III.—Patrick in Dalriada,

    From Magh Elne Patrick crossed the river Bush, and came into the ancient and famous territory of Dalriada, afterwards known as the Route…

    The first incident recorded in connection with the Saint’s missionary journey into Dalriada is of a very striking character. The following is the narrative as given in the Rolls Tripartite :—

    Then Patrick went (from the Bann) into Dal-Araide, and him Doro, King of Carn Setnai, in the North. He heard the crying of the infant out of the earth. The carn is broken up, the grave is opened. A smell of wine comes round them out of the grave. They see the live son with the dead mother, a woman who had died of ague. She was taken by them oversea to Ireland, and after her death brought forth the infant, who lived, they say,- seven days in the carn. “Olc (bad) is that,” said the King (Doro). “Let Olcan be his name,” said the Druid. Patrick baptised him. He is Bishop Olcan, of Patrick’s household in Airthir Maige, a noble city of the Dal Riatai.

    Such is Dr. Stokes’ version of this important passage; and it appears to us to be an accurate rendering of his Irish text. Colgan’s Latin version of the Tripartite is substantially the same except in two points. He makes St. Patrick baptise the infant; and the odour exhaling from the open tomb he describes as a ‘sweet’ odour instead of an odour of wine. As he knew the Irish idiom perfectly from the days of his childhood in Inishowen, we may fairly assume that he has rendered the Irish expression accurately in his own figurative language….

    IV.—Patrick and Olcan of Armoy.

    …Another interesting question is— When did Olcan become Bishop of Armoy? Patrick baptised him—that we know for certain, and we may safely say he did so about the year 443, when he first came into Dalriada. We are also told that Olcan belonged to Patrick’s household; so we may fairly assume that he was educated by the Saint, and prepared for his episcopal duties under his guidance. Usher thinks he was not consecrated Bishop until some thirty years later, about 474, when Patrick himself had been long established in Armagh; and perhaps this is the safest opinion. But the Tripartite speaks of his baptism and episcopacy in the same context, as if he became bishop very shortly after his baptism. In certain cases, as, for instance, St. Fiacc’s, such was the fact; but we can hardly assume it as probable in the case of St. Olcan. Our opinion is he became Bishop before St. Patrick finally left Dalaradia.

    By anticipation, no doubt, another singular fact is related regarding Olcan. Saran was, as we have seen. Prince of Dalaradia when St. Patrick crossed the Bann. He was very justly excommunicated by Patrick, not only because he refused him the site of a church, but also because he drove him and his followers with contumely out of his territory. In that state of excommunication Saran must have lived for several years.

    But, ‘after a certain time,’ this very Saran made a raid into Dalriada, and carried off many captives from that territory. Bishop Olcan met him carrying off his prey. The wretched captives, bewailing their hard fate, besought the bishop to help them. He implored the fierce chief to liberate them; but Saran rudely refused, except on condition that Bishop Olcan would procure him ‘ admission to heaven, from which Patrick had excluded him.’ “Verily,” said Olcan, “I cannot do that since Patrick hath taken it from thee.” Then said Saran, ” I will slay not alone these captives but all your people, sparing only yourself. And wherever I find a shaveling —that is, a tonsured man— I will put him under the edge of the sword.”

    Saran was a decided anti-clerical of the worst type, so thereupon, the affrighted bishop ‘ promised heaven to Saran,’ or, in other words, released him from Patrick’s terrible excommunication, and, no doubt, got off his own followers, as well as the captives, scot free from the vengeance of the fierce warrior.

    Now, Patrick soon after heard all this, and when Olcan went from the North—doubtless to Armagh—to do his will, that is at Patrick’s command, Patrick happened to meet him on the road, at a place called Cluain Fiacnae. Olcan was sore afraid at this rencontre, for he had heard that Patrick was wrathful against him, ‘because he promised a blessing and baptism, and heaven to the man from whom Patrick had taken them away.’ It seems the road was narrow, and that Olcan threw himself on his knees to implore forgiveness. “Over him with the chariot,” said Patrick. “I dare not drive over a bishop,” said the charioteer. Then Patrick, still angry, foretold how Olcan’s cloister would not be high on earth, and he added that three great evils would overtake it—poverty (midgla), decay, and blood-defilement. ” Your land, too,” said Patrick, “shall belong to that little boy carrying your vestment-box, who is one of your own household ” — namely, Mac Nissi of Condere — ‘and to one not yet born’ —namely, Senan of Inis-altich…

    St. Olcan’s festival is celebrated on the 20th of February; and Colgan gives a sketch of his life at that date. He adds nothing, however, to what the Tripartite tells us, except the doubtful statement that St. Patrick sent him to study in Gaul, about the year 460; that he returned home after completing his studies, and opened a great school in his native territory, in which he trained up many disciples in sacred learning, the most celebrated of whom was St. Mac Nissi, the first Bishop of Connor. Usher thinks St. Olcan became Bishop of Armey in 474, which is not unlikely. A strange, but unsupported, statement is made in the Martyrology of Salisbury that Olcan’s mother was a sister of St. Patrick. We are told, it is true, that she was a woman ‘ who came over the sea,’ perhaps from Scotland, the nearest land to Dalriada; but no other ancient authority makes her a sister of our Apostle….

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