OMNIUM SANCTORUM HIBERNIAE

ALL THE SAINTS OF IRELAND

  • The Feast of Saint Patrick's First Baptism in Ireland, April 5

    Although March 17 has been and gone it is interesting to note that the festival of Saint Patrick is not the only date associated with our national patron to appear on the Irish calendars. Below Canon O’Hanlon brings us the details of the commemoration of the baptism of his first Irish convert at April 5:

    Feast of Saint Patrick’s First Baptism, in Ireland.

    This means, not the day, on which St. Patrick himself was baptized but the day on which he baptized his first convert. It seems to have been celebrated, from a very remote period, since it occurs, in the “Feilire” of St. Aengus, on the 5th day of April. From the commentary appended, we learn, that “The first baptism of Patrick” means how Sinell, the son of Finnchadh of the Ui Garchon, was the first person baptized in Ireland, by Patrick. On the 5th of April in the Martyrology of Tallagh we find entered Baptisma Patricii venit ad Hiberniam, i.e. “the Baptism of Patrick came to Ireland”.  The remarkable event of St. Patrick regenerating, in the saving waters of Baptism his first Irish convert, is recorded, likewise, in the Martyrology of Donegal; and, in reference to it, the ” Feilire” of St. Aengus is quoted:—

    “On the great festival of the son of Cula,
    Of Becan with the victory of austerity,
    The first baptism of Patrick
    Which he performed in Erinn.”

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  • Saint Gallus of Loch Techet, April 4

    At April 4, Canon O’Hanlon brings details of a lake-dwelling saint, Gallus of Loch Techet:

    St. Gallus, of Loch Techet, now Lough Gara, Counties of Roscommon and Sligo.

    A distinguished statesman has observed, that there is no greater folly being circulated on the earth, than a disposition to undervalue the records of the past, and to break the links, which united human beings of the present day, with the generations that had been called to their account. The Martyrology of Tallagh, at the 4th April, inserts the notice, Gall, Locha Teiget. This lake, at present, is known as Lough Gara, or Lough O’Gara, near Boyle, and on the borders of the counties of Roscommon and Sligo. The river Boyle has its source from this lake. We are informed, that St. Patrick, while in Connaught, resolved to visit Moylurg, and that passing through Bearnas Hua Noililla, or the gaps of Collooney, he moved onward towards the River Buill—now the Boyle—which takes its rise in Loch Techet.’ According to the Martyrology of Donegal, on this day was venerated Gallus, of Loch Techet, and in the Bollandists’ work  he is likewise commemorated.

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  • The Sons of Gerán, April 1

    We can begin the month of April with the commemoration of an obscure grouping of saints, known as The Sons of Gerán. How many individuals comprised the group is not recorded, indeed the only information Canon O’Hanlon is able to bring us is the recording of their names on the various Irish calendars:

    The Sons of Geran, or Goran.

    Who these holy persons were has not been known, nor can it be ascertained, at what particular time they flourished. In the published Martyrology of Tallagh, the entry, Mic or “sons of” Gerain, at the 1st of April, will be found, although incorrectly placed by the scribe. The Bollandists notice them, as “Filii Gorani,” at this date, and on the same authority. On this day was celebrated a festival, in honour of The Sons of Gerán, as we find recorded, in the Martyrology of Donegal.

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