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Tag: Miracles

  • Some Miracles from the Life of Saint Fintan

    February 17 is the commemoration of Saint Fintan of Clonenagh. The seventeenth-century hagiologist, Father John Colgan, published a Life of Saint Fintan from the Codex-Kilkenniensis at this day, and the Bollandists also published his Acts in 4 chapters with 26 sections and a preceeding commentary. Canon O’Hanlon in his entry for Saint Fintan in the Lives of the Irish Saints has translated some of these sources. The saint is shown as demonstrating the gifts of prophecy and of healing and he also sets a captive free. There are some insights into the life of the monastery at Clonenagh and a rather touching example of the love with which the brethren regarded their spiritual father. As with so many saints’ Lives, the Life of Fintan describes how he was marked for sanctity and greatness even before birth.

    An angel appears to Saint Fintan’s mother, Findath:

    When about giving birth to the infant in her womb, an angel appeared to Findath, and warned her to retire into a secret place, where she should be removed from all intercourse with men, until the time of her delivery. The angel promised, also, that her son should be holy and great, both in the sight of God and of man. She complied with this admonition, and spent seven days under the shade of a certain tree, whilst in the meantime she was miraculously sustained by food from Heaven. Her child was born, at the end of this time.

    Saint Fintan’s Childhood and the Prophecy of Saint Columcille:

    Following the account in St. Fintan’s Life, it appears to have been on the eighth day succeeding his birth, that Findath’s infant was brought to, and baptized by, a holy man, who dwelt at this place. The child was afterwards instructed, by the same person, until he made great progress in virtue and learning. While yet a boy, Fintan told his instructor to prepare a banquet for guests, who were about to visit them, and that St. Columkille with some of his companions should arrive, on that very day. Being reproachfully asked, by the holy senior, how this could have been known to him, the boy answered, that it was revealed, by our Lord Jesus Christ. The event corresponded with this prediction. While St. Columkille was on a journey this day, and passing near Cluain, he told his companion, they should turn a little from their course, to visit a holy senior, and a youth, who dwelt there.

    Columkille also foretold the future eminence of the boy, and desired his guardian to retract those harsh expressions, used towards Fintan, for his apparent presumption, in announcing the arrival of his present visitors… for, it was destined, that both himself, and his place of habitation, should be subject to St. Fintan’s rule during succeeding ages.

    Saint Fintan’s Ascetic Regime at Clonenagh:

    Following the narrative contained in his Acts, it was at Clonenagh St. Fintan began to collect around him a community of monks, who lived under a very strict rule. After the manner of older eremites, they lived by manual labour, and tilled the ground with a spade or hoe. They abstained from all animal food, nor had they even a single cow, belonging to the monastery, for their rule did not allow the use of milk or butter. This excessive rigour of discipline and of living was considered almost insupportable to the brethren, by some holy men, who dwelt in the districts, adjoining Clonenagh ; wherefore, after some consultation, St. Canice and other servants of God came on a visit to our saint. They besought him, for the sake of Divine charity, to relax, in some measure, his strict monastic observances. The night before their visit, an angel appeared to admonish Fintan, regarding their object; while, directing him at the same time, as to how he should act, in preparing for their arrival, with a view to conform himself to the Divine will. St. Canice and those holy men accompanying him were received by Fintan, with great benignity. At their request, he relaxed the rigour of his rule, in favour of those monks, who were subject to him. Yet, he still adhered to his own usual strict manner of living. After bestowing mutual prayers and benedictions on each other, the holy visitors took leave of their host, each one seeking the immediate sphere for his own pious labours.

    Saint Fintan allows his monks some meat:

    One day, while his monks were engaged at their agricultural operations, St. Fintan went forth into the field, to inspect their labours. On his approach, the brethren advanced to meet him. With playful gestures, holding their beloved superior by the hand, according to a custom then prevalent among labourers towards their masters, they besought our saint, that he would allow them a more luxurious refreshment than ordinary, on that day. Well pleased with their familiarity, and sharing this hilarity of his monks, Fintan said : ” The Lord is able, my dear brethren, to give what you ask from me.” But, although, on this day, as at other times, the cook had nothing to prepare for their meal, but some potherbs; yet, that very hour, some men had come to their monastery, from the southern part of Leinster. These bore different kinds of meat, as a present for our saint. The chariots and waggons of those visitors being unloaded, the brethren were sumptuously entertained, on that day. Their holy superior returned thanks to the great Bestower of all gifts, for this providential supply, and for the apparently sanctioned approval of that dispensation allowed to his religious.

    Saint Fintan is disturbed at his devotions:

    It was customary with our abbot, to rise during night, and to devote many an hour to prayer, when passing out, for this purpose, to the adjoining cemetery. While thus engaged, one of his monks, desiring to see the saint at his orisons, sought him in vain for some time. At last, going into the graveyard, although the night was very dark, he beheld a bright light, surrounding the holy abbot, whom he regarded for some time, at a distance. On the following day, he received a reproof from St. Fintan, who warned him not to intrude, for the future, on his private devotions.

    Saint Fintan frees Prince Cormac from Captivity:

    Colman, King of Northern Leinster, held in captivity Cormac, son to Diermad, King of Hua-Kinsellagh, whom he intended putting to death. Hearing of this, and being desirous to liberate the young prince, Fintan took with him twelve disciples. This cruel king, hearing of our saint’s approach, and suspecting his intention, gave his retainers an order to guard carefully his captive, and to exclude God’s servant from his castle. But, when the saint arrived, all its gates were miraculously opened, and even the door of that very prison, in which Cormac had been confined; the chains also fell from the captive’s limbs, to the great alarm of his guards. These hastened to their king, whom they aroused from sleep. They told him, at the same time, what had occurred. Colman was in turn alarmed, and, he asked the advice of his friends, as to what should be done. He was counselled, to grant whatever Fintan might desire, lest he might incur the displeasure of God, who wrought such wonders through his saint. Hereupon, hastening to Fintan, Colman fell prostrate before him, saying : “It becomes us, O saint, to honour thee, whom the Lord hath magnified: I, therefore, release him, whom you seek, and all who are in bondage with him.” Giving his benediction to the king, Fintan prepared to depart with Cormac, the liberated prince. Afterwards, a multitude of soldiers were encountered on the way. Among these was a man of royal lineage, who desired Cormac’s death, but he was dissuaded from this purpose, by his companions. Hereupon, St. Fintan said, “Child of Satan, thou shalt be slain in a short time and, he whom thou desirest to slay, shall long rule over his kingdom, and shall end his life in the practice of good works.” Before a month had passed, that chieftain was slain. As had been predicted, the prince Cormac ruled over Hua Kinsellagh territory. Having relinquished the sceptre, in more advanced years, he became a recluse, under St. Comgall, in Bangor Monastery. There, too, he ended a holy life.

    Saint Fintan and Saint Canice Bury the Remains of Dead Soldiers:

    On another occasion, St. Fintan and St. Canice were together in Clonenagh Monastery. On a sudden, they heard shouts of triumph raised by some soldiers, who had obtained a victory over their enemies. St. Fintan said to his companion, “In this clamour, I hear the voice of an innocent lamb ; for, one among them, named Kieran, son to Tulchan, shall become a monk in this place, and after a life of perfection he shall die.” The soldiers brought away the heads of their enemies, as a trophy of victory, and deposited them near Clonenagh Monastery, when they approached. Taking these ghastly remains, the monks buried them within the precincts of their cemetery. One of the brothers asked Saints Fintan and Canice, what this availed those corpses, whose heads were buried there. He received for reply: “We believe and trust in the Lord, that owing to the merits and virtue of all the saints in this place, who shall be buried here, and who living, shall also pray for the souls of those who may be here buried, that these men shall not be condemned on the day of judgment; for, the more dignified parts of their bodies lie deposited with us, and therefore do we hope clemency for their souls.” Afterwards, Kieran, seeking admission to Clonenagh Monastery, was received; and, as St. Fintan predicted, he happily departed this life.

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  • Some Miracles from the Life of Saint Berach

    February 15 is the feast of Saint Berach, a post on whose life can be found here. Below are some of the miracles attributed to the saint by his hagiographers and a final eulogy in his honour:

    How Saint Berach got his name:

    (16) Now St. Berach was born in the house of his mother’s brother, Fraech the Presbyter, son of Carthach, in Gort na Luachra (the Close of the Rushes), near Cluain Conmaicne. And in that place there is (now) a mother-church and a cross, and the stone on which St. Berach was born. And Presbyter Fraech subsequently offered this estate to Berach. Presbyter Fraech too it was who baptized St. Berach, and fostered him till he was old enough to study. Now Berach’s baptismal name was Fintan, as the learned man said in the verse :

    Fintan a man pre-eminent, acute,
    Though he were proud at Cluain Coirpthe
    (Yet) he suffered, &c.

    Berach (pointed, acute) however was the name he acquired by reason of his acuteness and the sharpness of his mighty works and miracles.

    Saint Berach arrives at Glendalough:

    xi.(29) After this Berach proceeded into Leinster to Glendalough, and went into the guest-house ; and his feet were washed there. At this time Coemgen’s cook had died. Coemgen was troubled thereat, for he did not know who would be fit to superintend the monks’ refection. And the angel said to him that he should entrust the task of preparing it night by night to the guests, till God should grant him some one suitable for it. And thus it was done by Coemgen ; and that night the duty was entrusted to Berach. And Berach divided the refection in two, and prepared one-half that night; and the monks were much better served that night than any night in the year.(30) The next night the refection of the monks was entrusted to Berach to prepare. Then said Berach to the attendant : Here is the half of last night’s refection ready for the monks ; take it with thee. And he did so. And though (the refection) was good the first night, it was better far the last night. (31) So on the morrow St. Berach was taken to Coemgen. Coemgen gave him welcome, and asked him whether he were willing to superintend the monks’ refection. And Berach said that he would do anything which Coemgen enjoined him. And he undertook to superintend the monks’ refection. And Coemgen gave great thanks to the Lord for the good success which he gave to the monks refection through the grace of Berach. So that it was of this that Coemgen said:

    Better than any refection is moderation,
    When one comes to eat ;
    Better is pain than the abundance
    Which obtains eternal destruction.

    Saint Berach expels demons from the monastery:

    xii. (32) At this time there were many legions of demons in Glendalough, fighting against Coemgen and his monks, and they caused trembling and terror to weak men, and hurt them, and caused plagues and many sicknesses in the glen; and they could not be cast out till Berach came. Then Berach went round the city (monastery), and rang his bell, and sang maledictory psalms against the demons, and cast them out of the glen. And it was of this the poet sang:

    The little bell of Berach, lasting the treasure,
    Does battle against a perverse hundred ;
    It was heard as far as Ferns of the hundreds ;
    It chased demons from its sacred path.

    And hence it is that the bell of Berach is carried daily round Glendalough; and no power of demons, nor plague, nor punishment shall be there so long as Berach’s bell shall be therein. And the name of God and of Berach was magnified through this mighty work.

    Saint Berach prevents infanticide:

    xxvi. (78) Once upon a time great scarcity came to Erin. At that time Laegachan was in his island on Loch Laegachan, and had no provisions. He went then with his kernes to seek for food, and left his wife, who was pregnant, on the island with a single woman in her company; and he told her, if she should bear a child after his departure, to kill it, as they had no means of rearing it. And the woman bore a male child afterwards, and the woman who was with her asked her what was to be done with the boy. And she said : Kill it. The other woman said : It is better to take it to the clerk of the church here to the west, to be baptized, and let his service be offered to him in return for his maintenance. (79) This plan was agreed upon by them, and the child was taken to Berach, and he baptized it, and the name given to it was Ineirge, and its service in life and death, and the service of its seed and offspring till doom was offered to Berach in return for its nurture. And Berach said : Let the child be taken to its mother, and assistance of food and means will come to them. The child was taken to its mother as the clerk said. (80) As the women were there they heard a noise in the house(?). The woman went to see, but could not perceive anything there. [The same thing happened a second time.] A third time they heard the noise, and a third time the woman went to see, and there was a great salmon there, and an otter dragging it to land. And the woman went and dragged the salmon to land, and could not carry it for its size. And she called the other woman, and the two of them with difficulty carried the salmon, and they dressed it, and ate their fill, and the breasts of the mother of the child were filled with milk forthwith, and thus the child was saved.

    A Final Eulogy to Saint Berach:

    (88) However, not till the sand of the sea be numbered, and the stars of the heaven, and the grass and all the herbs that grow out of the earth, and the dew which grows or lingers on the grass and on the herbs, will all the mighty deeds of St. Berach be numbered. A righteous man was this man. He was all purity of nature like a patriarch; a true pilgrim in heart and soul like Abraham; gentle and forgiving like Moses; a psalmist worthy to be praised like David; a moon (or treasury) of knowledge and wisdom like Solomon; a chosen vessel to proclaim righteousness like Paul the apostle; a man full of grace and favour of the Holy Spirit, like John the youth; a fair garden with plants of virtue, a branch of a fruitful vine; a shining fire all aglow to cherish and warm the sons of life in kindling and inflaming love. A lion for might and power; a dove for gentleness and simplicity, a serpent for prudence and ingenuity for good; gentle, humble, merciful, lowly towards sons of life; dark and pitiless towards sons of death; an industrious and obedient slave to Christ; a king for dignity and power to bind and loose, to free and to enslave, to kill and make alive. (89) So then after these great miracles, after raising the dead, after healing lepers and blind and lame, and every other plague, after ordaining bishops, and priests, and deacons, and people of every other order in the Church, after teaching and baptizing many, after founding churches and monasteries, after overcoming the arts of idols and of druidism, the day of St. Berach’s death and of his going to heaven drew near. And before he went thither there appeared an angel to him, and said to him, that the Lord had great care for him, and for his monks and for his monastery; and said that whoever should ask a righteous perfect petition of him, it should be granted to him; and revealed to him the day of his going to heaven. (90) Now Berach spent his life in fastings and prayer and almsgivings in the presence of the Lord. He received communion and sacrifice from the hand of Talmach [and commended] to him his inheritance and the headship of his monastery and of his young ecclesiastics. He sent his spirit to heaven, and his body was buried in the dark house (i. e. grave) with great honour and reverence, and with miracles and mighty works in this world ; but greater far will be (his honour) in the (great) Assize, when he will shine like the sun in heaven in the presence of the apostles and disciples of Jesus, in the presence of the Divinity and Humanity of the Son of God, in the presence of the sublime Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

    I pray the mercy of the Son of God Almighty through the intercession of St. Berach whose festival and commemoration are (observed) in many noble churches to-day, that we may attain, that we may merit, that we may inherit the kingdom in secula seculorum. Amen. Finis.

    ‘Life of Berach’ in C. Plummer ed.and trans. Bethada Naem nErenn – Lives of Irish Saints, Vol II, (Oxford 1922), 22-43.

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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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