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  • The Monastic Life and Miracles of St Colman-Elo

    September 26 is the feast of Saint Colman of Lann-Elo, an account of whose life can be found here. In Volume IX of his Lives of the Irish Saints Canon O’Hanlon, mainly drawing on a Life preserved among the Franciscan archives, includes a number of the miracles attributed to the saint.  I have made a selection of these below, the headings are mine, the text O’Hanlon’s. They present a glimpse into the monastic life and in that of Saint Colman it seems that the monks often struggled with his ascetic regime:

    The Miraculous Transport of Food

    After St. Colman’s establishment had been formed, it is stated, that on a certain occasion food had failed his monks; yet a miraculous supply reached them on the feast of the Epiphany. Again is the story told, that when in want of the necessaries of life, a miraculous transport of provisions was wafted to the monastery through the air, and like to the prophet Habacuc’s experience.

    A Monk Loses his Temper with Saint Colman

    A Briton, who was a member of St. Colman’s community, had been reproved by the Abbot for some fault. Angered by that reproof, his hand was raised to strike his superior; but in that very act, the hand became stiff and paralysed, nor could the monk recover its use, until the saint had compassionately pardoned his transgression.

    Saint Colman Grants a Vision of the Rewards Awaiting his Monks

    At one time, the monks of St. Colman murmured, because they lived a very laborious life and one that was very austere, without any corporal rest or consolation. Their venerable superior, knowing this by information communicated to him, addressed them thus : “Brothers, if you desire to see the glory of the heavenly kingdom in so far as it may be permitted to mortals, you shall now behold it.” Having replied, that they most earnestly wished for such a favour, Colman raised his hand and placed it over their eyes. Immediately the beatific vision opened to their great delight and admiration. Thenceforward they bore with great resignation and even joy all their austerities and labours to the end of their lives, deeming them as bearing no comparison with the rewards reserved for them in the realms of the blessed. However, their holy Abbot imposed on them an obligation never to reveal that vision to others during his life-time.

    Collanus, the Faithful Monk

    On a certain occasion, when Colman was absent from his monastery, a monk, remarkable for his humility, obedience and devotion, named Collanus, departed this life. On the Abbot’s return he went alone to the cell where his body lay, and standing before the door which had been closed he cried out : “O Collanus, as you have been obedient to me in life, so continue after death, and open this habitation to me.” Immediately the monk arose as if from sleep, at the sound of his Abbot’s voice; the door opened, and after mutual salutation, the monk said : “I beseech you Father, permit me to return where I have found great glory and rest, to that realm I have already seen.” This request he obtained. Having received the Body of our Lord, again he departed and his remains were consigned to the grave.

    A Miracle of Saint Colman’s Staff

    Again where the confluence of two rivers took place, some monks lived in their cells; but floods came that seemed to bode destruction to their dwellings. They came to St. Colman, and asked him to relieve them, when he gave them his staff, telling them to describe a circle with it around their monastery. Having complied with such directions, the inundation ceased, nor afterwards were they subjected to any such inconvenience.

    Saint Colman Shows Mercy to a Thief

    It is related, that a robber had taken a sacred vessel from the monastery of St. Colman, and which had been used by him for ministerial purposes. Having sold it to a Munster cleric, the robber was apprehended by the people, who were about to hang him for the commission of such a sacrilege, and they threatened to do so if it were not restored. This restitution he was unable then to effect, but the merciful Abbot intervened on his behalf, and rescued him from the hands of that infuriated mob. As a reward for such clemency, the ampulla was recovered through the prayers of Colman.

    Saint Colman Punishes some Unrepentant Thieves

    St. Colman visited a place called Cluain cayn (Clonkeen) where certain robbers had taken away some property belonging to the monks; but being accused of the theft, they were ready to deny it on oath. Then said our saint, “We shall give you until morning to state the whole truth. ” But they persisted in denying their complicity in the theft. A severe punishment was inflicted on them for this denial, and they suffered great pain, until they were obliged to acknowledge their guilt, on the morning following.

    Saint Colman Prevents Infanticide

    A romantic story is told regarding a son who was born blind. The mother was so shocked and disgusted with his appearance, that she urged another son to take his infant brother and drown him in an adjoining lake. In this resolve her husband coincided. Suddenly was heard the voice of that infant saying to his brother : “O man, do you reflect on what a deed you purpose ?” He replied : “I am about to deprive you of life.” The blind infant then said : “Unless you repent of your intention immediately, you shall die, and I shall live, since I am given to Colman Ela that he may nurture me.” Whereupon fearing the consequence of such an evil act, the son returned home, and told his father what had occurred. Nevertheless, the father insisted that one of his female servants should execute the deed, and submitting to such an order, again the blind infant spoke to her, and said, that being entrusted by God to the care of St. Colman, she could not deprive him of life, and that unless she should repent of her crime, death must overtake her. Trembling with fear, she returned to the house, and told the father what had happened in her own case. Filled with indignation and still incredulous, the father—a chief of the O’Neill family—resolved on the crime of infanticide himself. He then heard his own child’s voice upbraid him and declare, that should the father make any attempt on his son’s life the penalty of death must be inflicted on himself, and that too, unless sincere repentance should follow, since the Lord had devoted him to St. Colman Ela to be protected. Accordingly the terrified parent relented. At that very time, our saint happened to be near, and afterwards he went to the chieftain’s house to reproach him with the crime intended. The child was then entrusted to St. Colman’s care, to be baptised and instructed in the rudiments of learning. As years advanced, the boy grew in wisdom and morality; yet although he was thenceforward known as the Blind Kellamis, he became a sage and the teacher of many scholars.

    Saint Colman’s Vision of Pope Saint Gregory the Great

    On a certain day while St. Colman laboured with his monks in the field, he had a vision, when he suddenly fell prostrate on the ground and shed tears. His monks astonished at such an unusual occurrence asked him with earnestness the cause. He told them he had seen a number of Angels descending towards earth, and that he thought the Day of General Judgment had come. But then he saw them bear a golden altar aloft and on it the soul of Blessed Gregory the Pope. A great illumination took place, as the gates of Heaven opened and Angels appeared to receive him. At the end of a year from that day, he declared that a messenger from Rome should visit their monastery and confirm the fact of Gregory’s death. This prediction was fulfilled, for a pilgrim from that city, who had resolved to visit the saints of Ireland, brought such intelligence to them.

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  • Saint Edilhun, Monk at Rathmelsigi, September 21

    September 21 is the commemoration of one of the Saxon saints who came to Ireland as a student and sadly fell victim to the plague in 664. The story of Saint Edilhun (Æthelhun) is forever linked with that of his brother monk Egbert (Eghert) and is found in The Venerable Bede’s History of the English Church. Bede’s account describes how devastating the plague was and also how powerful a draw the monastic schools of Ireland exerted on his countrymen. The establishment to which our saint was drawn, Rath Melsigi, was previously identified with Mellifont Abbey in County Louth, although as long ago as the 1820s, Father John Lanigan pointed out that this was for no other reason than both contained the word Mel in their names and that no monastery was known there prior to the 12th century. Today Rath Melsigi is increasingly identified with Clonmelsh, County Carlow and appreciated as the intellectual and spiritual powerhouse which produced some of the greatest missionary saints of the Anglo-Saxon church, in Saint Willibrord and his companions. Dáibhí Ó Cróinín has argued that the illuminated manuscripts associated with Willibrord’s monastery of Echternach may well have been written at Rath Melsigi, and it is sad to think that there is now virtually no trace of this once important foundation. There is a paper available online on Clonmelsh and Mathematics which pays tribute to the wealth of learning there in the days of the Saxon scholars. For the life of former alumnus Saint Edilhun, we can turn first to the summary given by Canon O’Hanlon and then to the account of the Venerable Bede.

    ST. EDILHUN, MONK IN IRELAND.

    [SEVENTH CENTURY.]

    LIKE many of his countrymen, who had desired to render themselves more educated in sacred and profane learning, as also more perfect in the science of the saints, Edilhun had known how celebrated were the schools and monasteries of our country at a time, when Christianity had just began to take root in the northern parts of Britain. This holy man was an Anglo-Saxon by birth, which appears to have taken place early in the sixth century. The English Martyrology of John Wilson, Father Henry Fitzsimon, and the Anonymous Calendar of Irish Saints, published by O’Sullivan Beare, enter St. Edilhun’s feast at the 21st day of September, the date assigned for it by other hagiologists. As Wilson signifies, he did not find the name of Edilhunus in the old English Martyrology or Calendar; the Bollandists, who insert his commemoration at this date, think that he had not been anciently held up for public veneration in the Church. However, from the eulogium pronounced on him by Venerable Bede, and on trustworthy authority, there can hardly be a doubt, that Edilhun eminently deserved and received that meed of popular approbation, especially as he had a prophetic vision of his approaching death. Moreover, the virtues of Edilhunus are highly commemorated by Venerable Bede, who treats about him, in connexion with St. Egbert, whose Acts have been already given at the 24th of April, the day assigned for his festival. We need scarcely do more than refer to that record, which includes the transactions of both holy companions in friendship and expatriation. Edilhun was of noble birth, and a brother to Ethelwin, a man no less beloved by God, who also went over to Ireland for purposes of study, and who, being there well instructed, returned afterwards to his own native country. He became bishop over the province of Lindsey, and long governed that See, in a worthy and creditable manner. Both Egbert and Edilhun were fellow students in a monastery denominated Rathmelsigi by Venerable Bede, at a time when the dreadful pestilence of A.D. 664 raged throughout Ireland, and both were attacked by that disorder, under which they were grievously suffering for some time. Then Edilhun had a vision, in which his own immediate death had been revealed, and also the fact, that his companion should survive him for many long years. This he related to Egbert on awakening from his sleep, and Edilhun was called to his rest on the following night. At the 21st of September, Ferrarius has a festival for Edilhunus. That was the supposed day of his death in Ireland, when he fell a victim to the great pestilence A.D. 664.

    From the Venerable Bede:

    CHAPTER XXVII

    EGHERT, A HOLY MAN OF THE ENGLISH NATION, LED A MONASTIC LIFE IN IRELAND. [A.D. 664.]

    IN the same year of our Lord’s incarnation, 664, there happened an eclipse of the sun, on the third of May, about ten o’clock in the morning. In the same year, a sudden pestilence also depopulated the southern coasts of Britain and afterwards extending into the province of the Northumbrians, ravaged the country far and near, and destroyed a great multitude of men. To which plague the aforesaid priest Tuda fell a victim, and was honorably buried in the monastery of Pegnaleth. This pestilence did no less harm in the island of Ireland. Many of the nobility, and of the lower ranks of the English nation, were there at that time, who, in the days of the Bishops Finan and Colman, forsaking their native island, retired thither, either for the sake of Divine studies, or of a more continent life; and some of them presently devoted themselves to a monastical life, others chose rather to apply themselves to study, going about from one master’s cell to another. The Scots willingly received them all, and took care to supply them with food, as also to furnish them with books to read, and their teaching, gratis.

    Among these were Etheihun and Eghert, two youths of great capacity, of the English nobility. The former of whom was brother to Ethelwin, a man no less beloved by God, who also afterwards went over into Ireland to study, and having been well instructed, returned into his own country, and being made bishop in the province of Lindsey, long governed that church worthily and creditably. These two being in the monastery which in the language of the Scots is called Rathmelsigi, and having lost all their companions, who were either cut off by the mortality, or dispersed into other places, fell both desperately sick of the lame distemper, and were grievously afflicted. Of these, Egbert (as I was informed by a priest venerable for his age, and of great veracity, who declared he had heard those things from his own mouth), concluding that he was at the point of death, went out of his chamber, where the sick lay, in the morning, and sitting alone in a convenient place, began seriously to reflect upon his past actions, and, being full of compunction at the remembrance of his sins, bedewed his face with tears, and prayed fervently to God that he might not die yet, before he could make amends for the offences which he had committed in his infancy and younger years, or might further exercise himself in good works. He also made a vow that he would, for the sake of God, live in a strange place, so as never to return into the island of Britain, where he was born; that besides the canonical times of singing psalms, he would, unless prevented by corporeal infirmity, say the whole Psalter daily to the praise of God; and that he would every week fast one whole day and a night. Returning home, after his tears, prayers, and vows, he found his companion asleep, and going to bed himself, began to compose himself to rest. When he had lain quiet awhile, his comrade awaking, looked on him, and said, “Alas, Brother Eghert, what have you done? I was in hopes that we should have entered together into life everlasting; but know that what you prayed for is granted.” For he had learned in a vision what the other had requested, and that his prayer was granted.

    In short, Ethelhun died the next night; but Eghert shaking off his distemper, recovered and lived a long time after to grace the priestly office, which he had received, by his worthy behavior; and after much increase of virtue, according to his desire, he at length, in the year of our Lord’s incarnation 729, being ninety years of age, departed to the heavenly kingdom.

    Bede, Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation, Book III, Chapter XXVII.

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  • Lent with the Irish Saints

    Lent with the Irish Saints


    Below is a selection of vignettes from the lives of the Irish saints referring to the Lenten fast. In some cases the hagiographers invite us to admire the ascetic prowess of the saints but in others they offer a lesson in the true meaning of fasting.





    Áed of Killaire

    §45. One day St Áed came to St Riocc on Inis Boffin, who received him with great joy. Although that was a day of fasting in the time of Lent, St Riocc had no food when Áed arrived that was not meat. St Áed received this with humility and blessed the meats on the table, so that they became bread and fish and honeycomb.

    Aidan of Lindisfarne

    One of his disciples was requested by the son of Oswald to choose a site on which to erect a monastery. Yielding to his desires he searched out a solitary spot amid the wild and barren hills, which seemed, says Bede ” better suited as lurking places for robbers, and retreats for wild beasts, than as habitations for men,” and he requested the royal permission to purify the place from the contagion of its former crimes, by prayer and fasting, which was “the custom of those from whom he had learned the rule of regular discipline.” He accordingly proceeded thither to spend the whole time of Lent, fasting every day  except Sunday, with no other sustenance than a very little bread, one egg, and a little milk mixed with water. When there were ten days of Lent still remaining there came a messenger to summon him to the king, and he, that the religious rite might not be intermitted on account of the king’ s affairs, requested another priest to complete the fast which had been so piously begun; and, as Bede adds, the time of prayer and fasting being ended, he built there a monastery, which is now called Lastingham, and he established there the religious rule according to the model of Lindisfarne.

    Brigid and Ibar

    It happened, that a scarcity of corn prevailed in the Liffey’s plains, on a certain occasion, and St. Brigid was requested by her nuns to visit St. Ibar —a bishop who then dwelt in the plain of Gesille —to ask him for corn. Our Saint assented, and on her arrival, she was joyfully received by this holy bishop. However, when Brigid and her companions came, he had nothing for their entertainment, but stale bread and some bacon. Although this visit took place in Lent, both saints partook of such fare; but, two of the nuns, who accompanied our Saint, refused to eat portions of bacon set before them. A miraculous occurrence, however, reproved their recusancy. St. Brigid heard of it, and she greatly blamed her nuns in St. Ibar’s presence. She ordered them, at the same time, to go out of doors, and to commence a penitential fast. Then said Brigid: “Let us fast with them, and pray to God.” The Almighty heard their prayers, and soon afterwards a second miracle was wrought. Bread was set before them, and when blest, it was partaken of by the saints. Bishop Ibar asked Brigid the cause for this her Lenten visit. Then she told him her desire to obtain a supply of corn. The bishop smiling said: “O Brigid, if you had seen and known the quantity of corn in our possession, you should find, that the amount of our gift to you must be small.” The virgin replied, “This is not the case, at present, for you have twenty-four waggon-loads of grain in your barn.” Although the bishop had only a very small quantity at first, yet on enquiry, he found the prediction of the holy abbess verified. He gave thanks to God, and then he divided the heaps. Ibar retained twelve waggon-loads for his own use, reserving the remaining twelve for Brigid and her sisterhood.

    Canice of Kilkenny

    The favourite retreat of St. Canice was a solitary spot in a marshy bog called Lough-cree, situated between Roscrea and Borris-in-Ossory. There the saint erected a cell, and thither he loved to retire, in order to enjoy the sweets of silent meditation in the study of Sacred Scriptures. It became, in later times, a favourite resort for pilgrims, and it was popularly known as Monahincha, or “Insula Viventium.” On this island Canice more than once passed the whole time of Lent, keeping a rigorous fast for forty days.

    Ciaran of Saighir

    (8) Now St. Ciaran of Clonmacnois was at that time in the power of King Forfige (Furbaide) on account of a cauldron belonging to the king which Ciaran had given to God’s poor. And the king said to Ciaran: “If thou wouldst be set free, seek for seven sleek red calves with white heads”. Afterwards Ciaran of Clonmacnois came to Saighir where Ciaran of Saighir was, to ask him whether he could find the like of this ransom which was demanded of him, namely seven sleek red calves with white heads. And when Ciaran of Clonmacnois reached Saighir, he found there in the guest house the two Brendans, namely Brendan of Birr, and Brendan son of Findlugh. Ciaran of Saighir was delighted to see this company, and said to his cook : “What hast thou that we can set before these guests?” “There is a gammon of bacon”, said the cook, “but I bethink me that it is a fast”. “Set it before the guests, nevertheless”, said Ciaran ; and it was taken to them; and it was found to be fish, and honey, and oil, through the word of Ciaran. And the name of God and of Ciaran was magnified thereby.
    But there was a lay-brother there, the son of the cook, and he would not sup with them, because he had seen the gammon of bacon in the cook’s hands, and he did not wish (to eat) meat on a fast day. Ciaran of Saighir said to him: “Thou shalt eat beef red-raw in Lent, and that very hour thou shalt be slain by thine enemies, and shalt not receive the kingdom of heaven.” And this was fulfilled, as Ciaran said.

    Cronan of Roscrea

    Some travellers came to S. Cronan, and he at once produced all he had for their refreshment, and sat down with them. “Humph!” said a stickler for rule, “At this rate, I do not see much chance of Mattins being said.” “My friend,” said Cronan, “in showing hospitality to strangers we minister to Christ. Do not trouble about the Mattins, the angels will sing them for us.”

    Fiacc of Sletty

    In the ancient Tripartite Life of St. Patrick, attributed to St. Evin, it is also said that Fiecc went on every Shrove-Saturday to a cave on the hill of Dromm Coblai. He used to bring with him five loaves of bread; these sufficed for his food during the whole time of Lent, which was passed in the cave in silent prayer, and on Easter Sunday he returned to Sletty to celebrate with his brethren the joyous festival of Easter.

    Kevin of Glendalough

    During the time of Lent, when our saint lived in the desert, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him, on three different nights. This Angel said : ” O servant of Christ, that rock hanging over the cave in which you dwell, will soon fall upon it, wherefore speedily look out for some other place.” St. Kevin replied : ” This is a narrow place in which I dwell, but, I wish to remain in it, during the time of Lent, if it be pleasing to God.” The Angel continued : “Truly, the hand of the All-powerful God shall sustain this rock for many days, lest it should deprive thee of life.” Saying these words, the Angel vanished. Holy Kevin then said within himself: “Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, my God, here shall I remain, until Eastertide.” When the holy evening of Easter came, the Angel again warned St. Kevin: “Depart immediately from this cave following me.” Then, blessed Kevin followed the Angel across the Lake and with dry feet. As the Angel had intimated, the rock fell immediately afterwards on the cave, so soon as our saint had taken his departure.

    Maedoc of Ferns

    (118) On another occasion, after the example of Moses the son of Amra and Elijah the Prophet and Patrick the son of Calpurn, and further, after the example of the King of heaven and holy earth, Jesus Christ, Maedoc was in fasting and abstinence for the forty days and nights of Lent in his own monastery, Ferns, without tasting earthly food or drink all that time. And after that fast and abstinence it seemed to his family and to everyone else that he was stouter and stronger and better in form and feature than ever before.

    Maeldithruib of Tír da Glas

    Maeldithruib lived on bread and water every Lent for the good of his father’s soul, usque ad novissimum tempus: for his prayers were always occupied therewith in Lent.

    Molaisse of Devenish

    Now Molasius the miraculous with his monks was for the forty days of Lent without consuming bite or sup, or any meat in the world but fruits of trees and earth’s plants and herbs; while yet another Lent he with his monks was for forty days without any kind of meat whatsoever, saving the cellarer’s hand full of barley grain to each monk from the one midday to the other.

    Ruadan of Lorrha

    xv. (45) Once during Lent Ruadan stood and said to his monks : “There is a company of saints coming to visit you; set meat before them, and eat of the meat yourselves when it happens that you cannot provide enough for them of other food.” When the saints had arrived, the monks brought the meat. Ruadan sained the meat, though he was abashed before them. The Lord Jesus Christ turned the meat into bread in honour of Ruadan.

    (46) When, however, the saints set themselves at table, a novice who had come with them to the place, refused to eat the bread, through doubt and in devotion, because he had seen that the bread had been made out of meat only a little while before. A sufficiency of other bread was found for him. And while the novice was eating the bread, it appeared to the clerks, and to all besides, that bright red blood was dripping from his lips, and that it was flesh that he was eating. It was evident to him that every one was gazing at him thus. The novice repented earnestly of what he had done. When Ruadan saw the repentance of the novice, he sained his portion ; and the Lord turned it into natural bread in honour of Ruadan afterwards.

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