OMNIUM SANCTORUM HIBERNIAE

Tag: Vignettes

  • Saint Arbogast Restores a King's Son to Life

    Vignettes from the Lives of the Irish Saints: Saint Arbogast Restores a King’s Son to Life


    The only son of King Dagobert went one day to the chase. While his companions had scattered through the forest with the hounds, a wild boar rushed forth. His horse took fright and threw him from the saddle. He hung from the stirrups and was dragged along by the frightened animal. After a long search he was found by the hunters, and amid loud lamentations was borne to his home. He died the next day. The sorrow of the people mingled with that of his parents. Following the advice of his people, the king sent a messenger to St. Arbogast, Bishop of Strasburg. The latter immediately set forth. The king and the bishop could scarce exchange words on account of their grief. The queen came forward and fell on her knees, weeping aloud. The bishop, sympathizing with her in her anguish, lifted her to her feet. Without waiting for any refreshment after his journey, Arbogast retired to the church. Before the shades of evening fell, he entered the room where the dead young man lay. God did not leave his servant long in anxious suspense. While Arbogast was praying the young man raised his head. Overcome with joy, the saint raised the boy to his feet. Then he ordered that the shroud should be removed, and the prince clothed in his royal attire.

    Those who were present could not restrain themselves from breaking out in cries of joy. The king and queen were lifted from the depths of sorrow to the pinnacle of joy. They offered the richest gifts to the saint. The latter, however, would accept nothing, but simply expressed his desire that in thanksgiving to God the king should make an offering to the Church of Our Blessed Lady in Strasburg.

    St. Arbogast is honored as the patron saint of Strasburg to the present day.

    Short Instructive Sketches from the Lives of the Saints for the use of Parochial and Sunday Schools, Academies &etc. (New York, 1888), 59-61.

    Note: July 21 is the feast of Saint Arbogast, an Irish saint who laboured in continental Europe. A post on his life can be found here.

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

  • Saint Moling and the Two Suffering Men

    June 17 is the feast of Saint Moling Luachra and below is an account of one of his many miracles:

    Two men, affected with excessive pain of the emblena [belly], and in the whole body, caused by great dropsical swelling, were brought to St. Molyng, that in the name of Christ, he might cure them. At that time, the holy senior Molyng was out in the open air, and digging the earth in a field along with the brethren. Seeing their affliction, the venerable man said to them: “Chew some of the clay of this earth, I have just now dug”. Unwilling to taste it, one of them reproved the holy man, saying that for no good end could he bid men to eat earth. The other man, however, humbly chewed it, and he was healed from his infirmity. He arose strengthened, and he gave thanks to God. Then, he walked home to his own people. Unwilling to return, the proud man died and was there buried. In both, the words of the Sacred Scriptures were fulfilled. In the case of the humble man, those words, “Thy faith hath made thee whole”, and in the case of the proud man, “He who exalteth himself shall be humbled,”were verified. On account of this miracle, many were confirmed in Christ.

    Rev. John O’Hanlon, Lives of the Irish Saints, Volume VI (Dublin, n.d.), 715.

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

  • Saint Colman Speaks With His Mother

    June 7 is the commemoration of Saint Colman of Dromore. Various of this saintly bishop’s miracles have been recorded, one of which, the story of Saint Colman and the Water Monster,  Canon O’Hanlon related in a collection of folklore. In the Lives of the Irish Saints he records some other of Saint Colman’s miracles, including this one concerning the saint’s mother:

    Our saint’s mother had sent a message, that she desired the privilege of speaking to him. But, the servant of Christ returned for answer: “Let her take choice of the alternative, either to see me only, or to speak without seeing me”. On hearing this, she said: “I had rather he would speak to me, on matters pertaining to the welfare of my soul”. Then, both met, but on opposite sides of a tree, and they began to converse with each other, without being mutually seen. Meantime, by Divine interposition, an opening was made through the tree, and which enable both to behold each other, without the intervention of any obstacle. 

    Rev. John O’Hanlon, Lives of the Irish Saints, Volume VI, (Dublin, n.d.), 234.

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