OMNIUM SANCTORUM HIBERNIAE

Tag: Female Saints

  • Saint Teca of Rooskey, October 18

    At October 18 the Irish calendars record the name of a female saint, Teca and associate her with the locality of ‘Ruscach, in Cuailgne’. The Martyrology of Donegal records:

    18. D. QUINTO DECIMO KAL. OCTOBRIS. 18. 

    TECA, Virgin, of Ruscach, in Cuailgne.

    The earlier Martyrology of Tallaght, however, gives an affectionate twist on her name and records at the same date:

    Mothecca Rúscaigi  (my Teca of Rúscach).

    The index of places appended to the Martyrology identifies our saint’s locality as Rooskey, County Louth. This place is mentioned in the Life of Saint Moninna, when that saint, originally named Darerca, was first involved with the religious life:

    There were with her at first, as they tell, eight virgins, as well as one widow who had a small boy named Luger. Darerca adopted the child as her foster son and when she had thoroughly accustomed him to the ways of the church, she raised him to the high dignity of a bishop.  He crowned his good works as leader of the whole of his people – the Conaille – by building the church of  Rúscach [Rooskey, Cooley, County Louth] in honour of God.

    Liam de Paor, ed and trans., ‘The Life of Saint Darerca, or Moninna, the Abbess’ in Saint Patrick’s World (Dublin, 1993), 282.
    I have no further information on Saint Teca or at what period she flourished.

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  • Saint Findsech of Sliabh Guaire, October 13

    On October 13 the Irish calendars commemorate a female saint, Findsech, who flourished in Sliabh Guaire. I have not been able to find out any more about her, although the author of a paper on the cult of the nine maidens of Scotland notes that October 13 is also the feastday of one of these maidens with the not wholly dissimilar name of Fincana. I am not an expert in the etymology of Irish names, but it seems to me that the only element these two have in common is that which indicates fairness – Finn – something which the Martyrology of Oengus alludes to in its entry for our saint:

    A virgin Saint, named Findsech, was venerated on the 13th October; the Feliré Aenguis at that date has “Fair Findsech’s feast,” the commentator on which, in the Leabhar Breac adds, “i.e. a virgin, and Ernaide (Nurney) is the name of her town in Sliab Guairi in Gailenga. Or in Dal Araide, is Findsech’s church. Or in Mag Rechet in Leix.” (Morett.)

    Rev. M.Comerford “Collections relating to the Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin” (1883)

    The Martyrology of Donegal records:

    13. F. TERTIO IDUS OCTOBRIS. 13.

    FINDSECH, Virgin, of Sliabh Guaire, in Gailenga.

    while Marianus O’Gorman notes ‘dear Findsech’ on this date.

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  • Saint Lassar, Daughter of Lochan, September 30

    Last year we remembered the commemoration of a mystery Saint Brigid at the end of September and this year we can remember an equally mysterious Saint Lassar. Canon O’Hanlon records what the Calendars have preserved of her memory:

    St. Lassar, daughter of Lochain.

    The published Martyrology of Tallagh registers a festival to honor Lassar, daughter of Lochan, at the 30th of September. Somewhat differently is she entered in the Book of Leinster copy. The record of Lassar is also found in the Martyrology of Marianus O’Gorman, on this day ; the commentator observes that she was daughter to Lochain. The feast of Lassar, daughter of Lochan, is entered in the Martyrology of Donegal at this date.

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