, for the list of
tiana, in Constantiensi Alemannire Dioecesi, tomus hi.
tiana, in Constantiensi Alemannire Dioecesi, tomus hi.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
iucta," lib.
iii.
, cap.
xxix.
toria Remensis," lib. iii. , cap. \. 30 "
See Guilelmus Marlots
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. festivalinhonourofAitheachan,Colphtho,is setdownintheMartyrology
June 16. ]
683
of 1 at the 16th of The Tallagh, June.
with which this saint was
con- Lower Duleek, and county of Meath. It lies at the mouth of the River Boyne. Eithne, daughter of Concraidh, was his mother, it is further stated. Little seems to be known regarding the history of this saint, who flourished probably
in the sixth century. In the Martyrology of Donegal, 3 at this same date, his name appears as Athcain of Inbher Colpthai.
Article V. —St. Colman, Son of Roi, Abbot of Reachrainn, now Lambay Island, County of Dublin. {Probably in the Sixth Century. ~\ The name Colman mac Ro, Abbot of Rechraind, appears in the Martyrology
nected,
is further known as
Invercolp,
or
Colpe,
2 in the
barony
of
place,
1 at the 16th of The Rachraind here mentioned seems to be June.
Tallagh,
distinguishedfromRechreaorRechru,2 whichisthemodernRathlinonthe
maps, and it is called Raghery by the natives. This is a large Island, lying northofBallycastle,inthecountyofAntrim. Thepresentholymanisalso entered in the Mariyrologies of Marianus O'Gorman and of Maguire, at this same date, as Colman, son of Roi, of Reachrainn. Eithne, daughter of Concraidh, was his mother, and the mother of many other saints. It would seem, therefore, that the present saint must have been a brother to the one lastmentioned. Itmaybedoubtful,whetherthepresentReachrainnwasin the east of Bregia, now Lambay, off the coast of Dublin, or whether it is Rathlin orRahhareeIslandsoffthenortherncoastofAntrim. * Theformerappears most probable. It is supposed, that St. Columba was the first to build a church on Lambay Island, and that he dwelt there for a time. He then
The present saint is considered to have been that deacon, called Colman, placed by St. Columkille 5 over the church of Rachraind,6 in Eastern Breagh. 7 At present, it is known as the Island of Lambay. In former times, so early as the days of Pliny and ofPtolemy,it issaidtohavebornethenameofLimnusorLimni. 8 ThisIsland is in the parish of Portraine, and barony of Nethercross, lying off the east coast, in the county of Dublin. ^ It contains 595a. and $r. of area, statute measure. Its substratum contains conglomerated rocks of different kinds, but chiefly argillaceous schist, including fragments of other rock and sand-
stone. In some places, the schist is greatly contorted, while limestone and
selected a disciple to take charge of it.
l
Article iv. — Edited by Rev. Dr.
pp. 225, 235 to 239.
4 See Dr. O'Donovan's
"
xxvii.
2 This was the site of an ancient church,
Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (z), p. 366.
Kelly, p.
s See his Life, at the 9th of June, in the brother of Milesius was buriea. See previous pages of this volume, Art. i. ,
said to have been built over the spot, where
illustrations of that locality, in William R. Wilde's "Beauties of the Boyne, and its Tributary, the Blackwater," chap, x. , p. 263.
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
chap. iv.
6 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life
of St. Columba," lib. ii. , cap. 41, and n. (b),
3
7 See
Colgan's
Thaumaturga. "
170 171.
Article v. — 1 Edited by Rev. Dr. i. , cap. lxv. , p. 403, and n. 66, p. 45. Also
Kelly, p. xxvii.
2 Thus denominated, in Adamnan's " Life
Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columba:, cap. x. , p. 489, ibid.
and n. (c), p. 29. - Rev. Dr. Reeves' edition.
See John D'Alton's "History of the
of St. Columba," lib. i. , cap. 5,
3 For an interesting account and engraved view of this Island the reader is referred to
9 It is shown, on the
"
Ordnance Survey
J.
B. " Tours in Ulster," chap, xii. , Doyle's
Townland Maps for the County of Dublin," sheet 9.
PP- 164, 165.
"
Trias
O'Donnell's or Quinta Vita S. Columba;, lib.
8
County of Dublin," p. 435.
684 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 16.
porphyry are abundant, alternating with and passing into greywacke. 10 Por- tions of the soil are very ferdle and capable of tillage, but the greater part is pasturage, on which herds and flocks graze. The botany of this Island is extremely interesting, and over it are small flowering wild plants in the sum- mer season. Its rocks are greatly frequented by sea-fowl, while its coasts
^SnnmJs'^
Lambay Island, County of Dublin.
abound in fish, especially crabs, oysters and lobsters. If the conjecture be correct, that the present St. Colman was identical with St. Columba's disciple, he must have lived here about the middle of the sixth century. How long
he survived does not to be known. The of
at the 16th of June, has an entry of the present St. Colman, son of Roi, and also of Reachrainn.
Article VI. —St. Lugh, supposed to have been a Monk of Ioxa.
to the of 1 veneration was to at According Martyrology Tallagh, given Lugh,
the 16th of June. This Calendar describes him as having been a priest.
transferred to the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard.
" Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
lib. ii. , cap. ix. , p. 130, and n. 30, p. 174. and the notices ol St. Meallan, at 28th of January, in the First volume of this work.
170, 171. — Article vi.
%
Quinta Appendix
*
Edited by Rev. Dr.
1 appear Martyrology Donegal,'
havebeenthe
2 a of disciple
thinkshe
St. Patrick, and whose feast may be assigned either to the 2nd of March, or to this date. 3 However, this opinion does not seem to be well supported ; and, in another place, the same writer sets him down as one of St. Columba's
10 The accompanying illustration of Lam- Kelly, p xxvii.
2"
bay Island is from a point of view on the See Trias Thaumaturga," Sexia Vita
mainland selected by William F. Wakeman S. Patricii, cap. xciii. , p. 86. and n. 104, p. on the spot. The drawing was by him 113. See also Septim. i Vita S. Patricii,
Colgan
may
Lugacius
of
Kill-airthir,
; See ibid.
Fatricii, cap. x. xi. i. . p. 266.
ad Acta S.
LIVES OF THE\TRISH SAINTS.
disciples. Thisseemstobemoreprobable,*andthathisbirthandparentage
June 16. ]
685
should be referred to Northern Britain.
The present holy man appears to
have been the St. Luga Ceanaladh, or Lugu-Cenealad,s whose parents lived
in a place called Artdaib-muirchol, and who was baptized by St. Columkille
at a fountain miraculously produced, and regarding whom a remarkable pre-
diction was announced. This was to the effect, that his early years should
be spent in dissipation, but that he should afterwards repent, and live to a
good old age, in the service of God. 6 We have no further particulars of his
life, but it has been thought he became a monk at Iona. ? For this supposi-
tion,however,wefindnosufficientauthorityadvanced. IntheMartyrology
8
of Donegal, at the 16th of June, is entered a festival of St. Lugh.
Article VII. —Festival of Translation of the Holy Virgins,
CUNIGENDA, MECHTUNDE, WaLRANDE, AND CHRISCONA, OR CHRISTIANA, Switzerland. The history of these pious virgins is not known with any
great degree of certainty; but, their memory and veneration have long sur- vived their period in popular tradition. About the age, year, or day of their death, nothing has been discovered. The Translation of their Relics, how- ever, has been assigned to June 16th. 1 Acts relating to the holy virgins Cunigenda, Mechtunde, Wilrande and Chriscona, or Christiana, are found in the Bollandists at this 2 These are said to have been the of
day. companions St. Ursula ; but this has been called in question, by Father Daniel Papebroke editor of their Acts. He judges from their names, that they must have been of German origin, and that their period of life must have been considerably
later. 3 In Switzerland, they seem to have arrived as strangers, and although claimed as Scottish virgins, by some writers, it is un—certain if they could have
4
been from Ireland. Following the local tra thought
Henricus Murer
dispensed from following it in detail, as regarding the present holy women, whose Acts have been greatly obscured. According to the tradition prevail-
from about the twelfth or thirteenth century
makes them
companions
of St.
Ursula;
J.
adopts quite
4 The reader is referred to the Life of St.
Columkille, in the present volume, at the 9th of June, Art. i. , and chap, x v.
, for the list of
tiana, in Constantiensi Alemannire Dioecesi, tomus hi. , Junii xvi. , pp. 1 14 to 142. There
is a previous commentary, regarding their pilgrimage, cultus, elevation and Process. These Acts have been edited by Father Daniel Papebroke, S. J. The previous com- mentary is in ten paragraphs. The Process itself has been published by Father Hermann Crombach, S. J. , in eight chapters, compris- ing ninety-two paragraphs, with notes by Father Papebroke. A Legend follows, in twelve paragraphs, composed by Father Crombach.
3 Papebroke assigns it to about the ninth or
tenth century.
4 In " Helvetia Sancta," at p. 169. Pub-
lished A. D. 1648.
5 His German work has been translated
into French by LAbbe G. Beeteme, " Sainte Ursule et ses Onze Mille Vierges ou L'Europe Occidentale au Milieu du v«
his disciples, No. 78.
s See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,
"
QuartaVita S. Columbce, lib. ii. , cap. x. ,
p. 352, and n. 11, p. 382. AlsoQuinta Vita
S. Columbae, lib. ii. , cap. lix. , p. 402.
6
the Life of St. Columkille, in the pre-
See a further account of this incident, in
sent volume, at the 9th of June, Art. i. ,
chap. xiii.
Colgan's Quarta Appendix
x. , pp. 491, 502.
? See
" Trias ad Acta S.
Thaumaturga," Columbse, cap.
8 Edited
by
Drs. Todd and Reeves,
pp.
170, 171. Article vii.
—
«
to the Pro- cessus Elevationis, in Latin, and printed at
According
Basle, 1505.
2 See "Acta Sanctorum," De Sanctis
while Rev. Dr.
H. Kessel 5
a different opinion, when treating of St. Ursula and her Eleven Thousand Virgins. As their festival belongs to the 21st of October, so we may well be
Virginibus Peregrinis, Cunigunde, Mech- Siecle. " Seconde Partie, chap, iv. , p. 166- tunde, Wilbrande, et Chrischona seu Chris- 6 The people formerly living in this quar-
—dition which is to date
686 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [June 16.
ing in northern Switzerland , three noble virgins, named Cunigund, Mech- tunde and Christiana, otherwise called Chriscona, with their servant maid named Wilbrande, were in company with St. Ursula and her pilgrim com- panions, when they sailed upon the Rhine, after passing the Helvetian moun-
6 on their
to Basle or Basel. ' When
reached the old of city
way
strangers, likewise, to the people and their language. At length, they came to the mountain called Spelte by the people. As yet invalids, they felt worn and fatigued with their devious journey, when they reached a small village denominated Roppersweiler. However, before the others arrived there, the servant of God, Christina, who had been seized with a mortal illness, was obliged to rest at a spot not far from the banks of the Rhine. At length, her death approached, and raising her hands and eyes towards Heaven, she gave praise to the three persons of the Most Adorable Trinity, and thus rendered her soul to God. The inhabitants next sought to take her body for inter- ment in their neighbourhood, but they could not move it from the place where it lay. Then taking counsel together, they resolved to place the remains on a new chariot to which were yoked two heifers, that had not before been trained for bearing burdens. These animals are stated to have set out with the body, in the direction of a steep and rocky mountain, which wascleftontheirapproach. Thewainwasthusdrawntoacertainspot,on
Heaven that Christiana should be interred. " Soon the place of her deposi- tion was made renowned, by the miracle's wrought through her intercession. Filled with gratitude for those favours they received, the inhabitants built a church on that spot where she reposed. It was thenceforth dedicated to her memory. The other virgins sought a refuge at Roppersweiler in their debili- tatedstate,andatthecottageofaverypoorperson. Theinhabitantsofthat place received them very hospitably, believing they were pilgrims of high birthandofgreatvirtue. There,SaintsCunigunde,MechtundeandWibrande, having recovered their health, resolved on spending the rest of their days. When these were about to close, like true Christians and confirmed as they had been in Faith, they declared themselves ready to gain the crown of martyrdom, as they hadan inspiration, which wasdestined for their companions, but that it pleased the Divine bounty to reserve them for other labours and merits. Then, they desired a minister of the last Sacraments to attend on their dying moments. Having patiently and perserveringly contended
ter of Switzerland were called Helvetii, and 'There, according to some accounts, seve-
tains,
Augusta,8 near Basle, in the present Canton of Argau, those holy virgins fell sick. There they were obliged to remain for some time. When able to move, their journey was taken through a rough and an uncultivated land ; throughwoodsandvalleysandmountainsunknowntothem. Theywere
and there the heifers
astonished at these portents, and there they deemed it to be the will of
the of a ridge
mountain,
stopped.
their country Helvetia. With them Ca^ar ral of St. Ursula's companions died. See "
contended, in March, ab. u. c. 696. See the L'Abbe Beeteme's Sainte Ursule et ses "
Emperor Louis Napoleon's Histoire de Onze Mille Vierges," &c. Seconde Partie,
Jules Caesar," tome ii. , liv. iv. , chap, i. , p. 352.
chap, iv. , p. 166.
is now the
of a Canton
mountain was
7 This
so named, in north-western Switzerland. An tra Istein posita. " "Helvetia Sacra," p.
city
account of both may be found, in the
"Gazetteer of the World," vol. ii. , pp.
601,602.
8
It lies between Basle and Rheinfeld, but nearer to the latter. It is now called Augst, and formerly Augusta Rauracorum.
— Richensi con- inToparchia
capital
*°
According to Henricus Murer, this
"
they
10 The were people
169.
" We find from the Process of 1 that 504,
a large and heavy stone had been placed orer her remains. See Father Hermann Crombach's edition, cap. iv.
" This is denied, however, by Papebroke,
June 16. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
687
against the enemy of their salvation, and commending themselves to God's mercy, they were fortified with all necessary graces. Then, mindful of their deceased sister Christiana's death and mode of interment, they desired their remains to be in like manner consigned to the grave. The humble St.
Wibrande, conceiving herself to be unworthy of sepulture with her companions ofnoblebirth,askedtobeinterredinaplaceapartfromthem. Thisthe assistantspromised. Wherefore,withdevouthymnsandDivinepraises,they invoked the Most Holy Trinity for salvation, thus removing from this world to the joys of eternity. Accordingly, the country people there provided a wain, to which calves were yoked ; and, in a miraculous manner, they pro- ceeded towards an oak tree of wonderful size, where their course was arrested. Thickets and bushes there abounded. Here, it was necessary to stop, and the bodies of the holy virgins were interred. Afterwards, owing to this cir-
beside each other, a church was built over their remains ; and, without its walls, in the adjoining cemetery, the grave of St. Wibrande was to be found. ItbecameaparochialchurchinthedioceseofConstance. Variousfounda- tions and indulgences are recorded in favour of this church, in that Process instituted a. d. 1504. Wherefore, a supposition arises, that those holy virgins had been canonized, and with this appears to accord the local traditions. 'S A beautiful legend had currency, that after the burial of those holy virgins, and before a church had been there erected, a stag of large size, when hunted
by men and dogs fled thither for refuge, while three lights then appeared on his horns. These portents so frightened the hunters, that they durst not molest the animal more, while they returned praising the Almighty for this protection afforded even to that irrational and persecuted creature. Another legend has it, that before the deposition of the holy virgins in that place, a certain well had been infested with venemous worms and animals, so that the inhabitants could not drink its waters ; while afterwards, the spring be- came quite clear, and the worms were shown in a petrified state. The water
cumstance,
of at that village Eichsel,'3
spot.
arose and took its name" the
1 * There, too, several remarkable miracles were wrought, through the merits of those holy virgins. After the sepulture of Saints Cunegunde and Mechtunde
ever alter was suitable for drinking It is purposes.
thought,
16 that some
monastic priory had been established here by an Abbot of St. Gall, as in
donations to the church, we find them presented in honour of St. Gall and
of the holy virgins, who were its patronesses. The fame and frequency of
those miracles at length induced a more solemn and formal enquiry to be
made the Cardinal xi of Pope Julius, in the year 1504, when he by Legate
visited the city of Basle. In this, he was assisted by other Papal Commis- sioners, persons of great distinction and learning. They first visited the
church and tombs of the sacred virgins, as pointed out by popular tradition. The graves were opened, and bones were found, in some instances fractured; but, the circumstances under which these discoveries were made accounted
sufficiently for such appearances, while they were quite in accordance with what had been handed down concerning their first deposition. Then, the ancient records and books of the church were examined, in reference to its
who thinks the addition to Eyk—a Teuton word—of «/, has the meaning of eella in Latin,
«3 It is said to have derived its name, from the ereat oak, in Latin called Quercus Salu- tis, according to Crombach. See Lectio vii.
estque terrtiorii Rhinofelensis, adeoque ad
Basileensem istse tres, Christiana ad Con-
'•* Henricus Murer states: "quae loco num. 4, p. 115.
deinde nomen dedit ut Eychsel vocaretur,
stantie—nsem nostramque Helvetiam per- "
tinet. " Helvetia Sancta," p. 169.
'* See the remarks of Father Daniel
Papebroke, ,in his Commentarius Prxvius,
l6
By
Father Daniel
Papebroke.
688 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 16.
history and that of the holy patronesses. Afterwards, several witnesses were examined on oath, respecting the traditional accounts of the neighbourhood,
and popular remembrances relating to them. The testimony of many persons was taken regarding miracles, which were wrought through their intercession. These inquisitions were taken down in writing at the time, and were drawn up in a narrative shape, called a Process, which was afterwards published. Wherefore, the bones of those holy virgins were removed from their places of sepulture. In solemn procession, while Litanies, Hymns and Prayers were recited, the relics borne to the high altar were placed in caskets or in a shrine. Then, Solemn High Mass was celebrated by the Cardinal Legate, before a large congregation. This happened, on the 16th of June, 1504. In like manner, enquiry had been made, about the veneration given to St. Christiana, at her place ; and, on the day following, the Cardinal Legate went to her church, where with like religious ceremonies, her relics were transferred to a new tomb prepared to receive them. Masses were celebrated, and solemn religiousceremoniesmarkedtheoccasion. 18 IntheoldCalendarsofEychsel, different festivals for these holy virgins are given. Thus, in one found in an ancient Missal, there is a feast for the virgin Kunegunde, at the 2nd of May ; again, at the 3rd of July, there is one for the virgin Wibrande ; also, at the 17th of June. Molanus has the Elevation of the virgin Christiana, in the diocese of Constance. However, their chief and united festival has been
assigned to the 16th of June, which is that for the Translation of their sacred remains. On the grounds, that these holy virgins formed a portion of St. Ursula's companions, they claim a place in Irish veneration. Thomas
regard.
»7 He is styled, the Most Rev. Father and Lord in Christ D. KaymunduS Gurcensi, Cardinal Priest of St. Mary, and Legate a Latere for all the provinces of Germany be- longing to the Holy Roman Empire.
Kunegundis quae postrema celebrior ob pro- cessum extantem —est. M. L. "
Article vm. Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxvii.
2
Scoticumx9 has an
ofthese :° holy virgins,
in his
at the 1 6th of June, and this relates to the Translation of their relics.
Article VIII. —St. Setna, Son of Tren, Bishop. According to
the of 1 SetnaMacTreno,aBishop,hadafeastonthe Martyrology Tallagh,
1 6th of June. Marianus O'Gorman also notices this Setna Mac Tren. The
2
feast of this holy man has been assigned to the 16th of June, by Colgan. At the present date, that writer promised to treat more at large about the present saint. In the Acts of St. Patrick,* we have a narrative regarding the cruel dis- position of Tren or Trian, the son of Fiec, and a remarkable visitation of Godwhichovertookhim. Heissaidtohavebeencrueltohisworkmen,and the holy Apostle, having remonstrated with him in vain, at length declared, that avisiblejudgmentofGodshouldcomeuponhim. Thisdenunciationhedis-
However, the saint's prediction proved to be true. Ascending his chariot, the horses ran headlong into a lake. Owing to this circumstance, it was afterwards known as Loch Trena or the Lake of Trian.
toria Remensis," lib. iii. , cap. \. 30 "
See Guilelmus Marlots
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. festivalinhonourofAitheachan,Colphtho,is setdownintheMartyrology
June 16. ]
683
of 1 at the 16th of The Tallagh, June.
with which this saint was
con- Lower Duleek, and county of Meath. It lies at the mouth of the River Boyne. Eithne, daughter of Concraidh, was his mother, it is further stated. Little seems to be known regarding the history of this saint, who flourished probably
in the sixth century. In the Martyrology of Donegal, 3 at this same date, his name appears as Athcain of Inbher Colpthai.
Article V. —St. Colman, Son of Roi, Abbot of Reachrainn, now Lambay Island, County of Dublin. {Probably in the Sixth Century. ~\ The name Colman mac Ro, Abbot of Rechraind, appears in the Martyrology
nected,
is further known as
Invercolp,
or
Colpe,
2 in the
barony
of
place,
1 at the 16th of The Rachraind here mentioned seems to be June.
Tallagh,
distinguishedfromRechreaorRechru,2 whichisthemodernRathlinonthe
maps, and it is called Raghery by the natives. This is a large Island, lying northofBallycastle,inthecountyofAntrim. Thepresentholymanisalso entered in the Mariyrologies of Marianus O'Gorman and of Maguire, at this same date, as Colman, son of Roi, of Reachrainn. Eithne, daughter of Concraidh, was his mother, and the mother of many other saints. It would seem, therefore, that the present saint must have been a brother to the one lastmentioned. Itmaybedoubtful,whetherthepresentReachrainnwasin the east of Bregia, now Lambay, off the coast of Dublin, or whether it is Rathlin orRahhareeIslandsoffthenortherncoastofAntrim. * Theformerappears most probable. It is supposed, that St. Columba was the first to build a church on Lambay Island, and that he dwelt there for a time. He then
The present saint is considered to have been that deacon, called Colman, placed by St. Columkille 5 over the church of Rachraind,6 in Eastern Breagh. 7 At present, it is known as the Island of Lambay. In former times, so early as the days of Pliny and ofPtolemy,it issaidtohavebornethenameofLimnusorLimni. 8 ThisIsland is in the parish of Portraine, and barony of Nethercross, lying off the east coast, in the county of Dublin. ^ It contains 595a. and $r. of area, statute measure. Its substratum contains conglomerated rocks of different kinds, but chiefly argillaceous schist, including fragments of other rock and sand-
stone. In some places, the schist is greatly contorted, while limestone and
selected a disciple to take charge of it.
l
Article iv. — Edited by Rev. Dr.
pp. 225, 235 to 239.
4 See Dr. O'Donovan's
"
xxvii.
2 This was the site of an ancient church,
Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (z), p. 366.
Kelly, p.
s See his Life, at the 9th of June, in the brother of Milesius was buriea. See previous pages of this volume, Art. i. ,
said to have been built over the spot, where
illustrations of that locality, in William R. Wilde's "Beauties of the Boyne, and its Tributary, the Blackwater," chap, x. , p. 263.
Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
chap. iv.
6 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life
of St. Columba," lib. ii. , cap. 41, and n. (b),
3
7 See
Colgan's
Thaumaturga. "
170 171.
Article v. — 1 Edited by Rev. Dr. i. , cap. lxv. , p. 403, and n. 66, p. 45. Also
Kelly, p. xxvii.
2 Thus denominated, in Adamnan's " Life
Quarta Appendix ad Acta S. Columba:, cap. x. , p. 489, ibid.
and n. (c), p. 29. - Rev. Dr. Reeves' edition.
See John D'Alton's "History of the
of St. Columba," lib. i. , cap. 5,
3 For an interesting account and engraved view of this Island the reader is referred to
9 It is shown, on the
"
Ordnance Survey
J.
B. " Tours in Ulster," chap, xii. , Doyle's
Townland Maps for the County of Dublin," sheet 9.
PP- 164, 165.
"
Trias
O'Donnell's or Quinta Vita S. Columba;, lib.
8
County of Dublin," p. 435.
684 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 16.
porphyry are abundant, alternating with and passing into greywacke. 10 Por- tions of the soil are very ferdle and capable of tillage, but the greater part is pasturage, on which herds and flocks graze. The botany of this Island is extremely interesting, and over it are small flowering wild plants in the sum- mer season. Its rocks are greatly frequented by sea-fowl, while its coasts
^SnnmJs'^
Lambay Island, County of Dublin.
abound in fish, especially crabs, oysters and lobsters. If the conjecture be correct, that the present St. Colman was identical with St. Columba's disciple, he must have lived here about the middle of the sixth century. How long
he survived does not to be known. The of
at the 16th of June, has an entry of the present St. Colman, son of Roi, and also of Reachrainn.
Article VI. —St. Lugh, supposed to have been a Monk of Ioxa.
to the of 1 veneration was to at According Martyrology Tallagh, given Lugh,
the 16th of June. This Calendar describes him as having been a priest.
transferred to the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard.
" Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
lib. ii. , cap. ix. , p. 130, and n. 30, p. 174. and the notices ol St. Meallan, at 28th of January, in the First volume of this work.
170, 171. — Article vi.
%
Quinta Appendix
*
Edited by Rev. Dr.
1 appear Martyrology Donegal,'
havebeenthe
2 a of disciple
thinkshe
St. Patrick, and whose feast may be assigned either to the 2nd of March, or to this date. 3 However, this opinion does not seem to be well supported ; and, in another place, the same writer sets him down as one of St. Columba's
10 The accompanying illustration of Lam- Kelly, p xxvii.
2"
bay Island is from a point of view on the See Trias Thaumaturga," Sexia Vita
mainland selected by William F. Wakeman S. Patricii, cap. xciii. , p. 86. and n. 104, p. on the spot. The drawing was by him 113. See also Septim. i Vita S. Patricii,
Colgan
may
Lugacius
of
Kill-airthir,
; See ibid.
Fatricii, cap. x. xi. i. . p. 266.
ad Acta S.
LIVES OF THE\TRISH SAINTS.
disciples. Thisseemstobemoreprobable,*andthathisbirthandparentage
June 16. ]
685
should be referred to Northern Britain.
The present holy man appears to
have been the St. Luga Ceanaladh, or Lugu-Cenealad,s whose parents lived
in a place called Artdaib-muirchol, and who was baptized by St. Columkille
at a fountain miraculously produced, and regarding whom a remarkable pre-
diction was announced. This was to the effect, that his early years should
be spent in dissipation, but that he should afterwards repent, and live to a
good old age, in the service of God. 6 We have no further particulars of his
life, but it has been thought he became a monk at Iona. ? For this supposi-
tion,however,wefindnosufficientauthorityadvanced. IntheMartyrology
8
of Donegal, at the 16th of June, is entered a festival of St. Lugh.
Article VII. —Festival of Translation of the Holy Virgins,
CUNIGENDA, MECHTUNDE, WaLRANDE, AND CHRISCONA, OR CHRISTIANA, Switzerland. The history of these pious virgins is not known with any
great degree of certainty; but, their memory and veneration have long sur- vived their period in popular tradition. About the age, year, or day of their death, nothing has been discovered. The Translation of their Relics, how- ever, has been assigned to June 16th. 1 Acts relating to the holy virgins Cunigenda, Mechtunde, Wilrande and Chriscona, or Christiana, are found in the Bollandists at this 2 These are said to have been the of
day. companions St. Ursula ; but this has been called in question, by Father Daniel Papebroke editor of their Acts. He judges from their names, that they must have been of German origin, and that their period of life must have been considerably
later. 3 In Switzerland, they seem to have arrived as strangers, and although claimed as Scottish virgins, by some writers, it is un—certain if they could have
4
been from Ireland. Following the local tra thought
Henricus Murer
dispensed from following it in detail, as regarding the present holy women, whose Acts have been greatly obscured. According to the tradition prevail-
from about the twelfth or thirteenth century
makes them
companions
of St.
Ursula;
J.
adopts quite
4 The reader is referred to the Life of St.
Columkille, in the present volume, at the 9th of June, Art. i. , and chap, x v.
, for the list of
tiana, in Constantiensi Alemannire Dioecesi, tomus hi. , Junii xvi. , pp. 1 14 to 142. There
is a previous commentary, regarding their pilgrimage, cultus, elevation and Process. These Acts have been edited by Father Daniel Papebroke, S. J. The previous com- mentary is in ten paragraphs. The Process itself has been published by Father Hermann Crombach, S. J. , in eight chapters, compris- ing ninety-two paragraphs, with notes by Father Papebroke. A Legend follows, in twelve paragraphs, composed by Father Crombach.
3 Papebroke assigns it to about the ninth or
tenth century.
4 In " Helvetia Sancta," at p. 169. Pub-
lished A. D. 1648.
5 His German work has been translated
into French by LAbbe G. Beeteme, " Sainte Ursule et ses Onze Mille Vierges ou L'Europe Occidentale au Milieu du v«
his disciples, No. 78.
s See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,
"
QuartaVita S. Columbce, lib. ii. , cap. x. ,
p. 352, and n. 11, p. 382. AlsoQuinta Vita
S. Columbae, lib. ii. , cap. lix. , p. 402.
6
the Life of St. Columkille, in the pre-
See a further account of this incident, in
sent volume, at the 9th of June, Art. i. ,
chap. xiii.
Colgan's Quarta Appendix
x. , pp. 491, 502.
? See
" Trias ad Acta S.
Thaumaturga," Columbse, cap.
8 Edited
by
Drs. Todd and Reeves,
pp.
170, 171. Article vii.
—
«
to the Pro- cessus Elevationis, in Latin, and printed at
According
Basle, 1505.
2 See "Acta Sanctorum," De Sanctis
while Rev. Dr.
H. Kessel 5
a different opinion, when treating of St. Ursula and her Eleven Thousand Virgins. As their festival belongs to the 21st of October, so we may well be
Virginibus Peregrinis, Cunigunde, Mech- Siecle. " Seconde Partie, chap, iv. , p. 166- tunde, Wilbrande, et Chrischona seu Chris- 6 The people formerly living in this quar-
—dition which is to date
686 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [June 16.
ing in northern Switzerland , three noble virgins, named Cunigund, Mech- tunde and Christiana, otherwise called Chriscona, with their servant maid named Wilbrande, were in company with St. Ursula and her pilgrim com- panions, when they sailed upon the Rhine, after passing the Helvetian moun-
6 on their
to Basle or Basel. ' When
reached the old of city
way
strangers, likewise, to the people and their language. At length, they came to the mountain called Spelte by the people. As yet invalids, they felt worn and fatigued with their devious journey, when they reached a small village denominated Roppersweiler. However, before the others arrived there, the servant of God, Christina, who had been seized with a mortal illness, was obliged to rest at a spot not far from the banks of the Rhine. At length, her death approached, and raising her hands and eyes towards Heaven, she gave praise to the three persons of the Most Adorable Trinity, and thus rendered her soul to God. The inhabitants next sought to take her body for inter- ment in their neighbourhood, but they could not move it from the place where it lay. Then taking counsel together, they resolved to place the remains on a new chariot to which were yoked two heifers, that had not before been trained for bearing burdens. These animals are stated to have set out with the body, in the direction of a steep and rocky mountain, which wascleftontheirapproach. Thewainwasthusdrawntoacertainspot,on
Heaven that Christiana should be interred. " Soon the place of her deposi- tion was made renowned, by the miracle's wrought through her intercession. Filled with gratitude for those favours they received, the inhabitants built a church on that spot where she reposed. It was thenceforth dedicated to her memory. The other virgins sought a refuge at Roppersweiler in their debili- tatedstate,andatthecottageofaverypoorperson. Theinhabitantsofthat place received them very hospitably, believing they were pilgrims of high birthandofgreatvirtue. There,SaintsCunigunde,MechtundeandWibrande, having recovered their health, resolved on spending the rest of their days. When these were about to close, like true Christians and confirmed as they had been in Faith, they declared themselves ready to gain the crown of martyrdom, as they hadan inspiration, which wasdestined for their companions, but that it pleased the Divine bounty to reserve them for other labours and merits. Then, they desired a minister of the last Sacraments to attend on their dying moments. Having patiently and perserveringly contended
ter of Switzerland were called Helvetii, and 'There, according to some accounts, seve-
tains,
Augusta,8 near Basle, in the present Canton of Argau, those holy virgins fell sick. There they were obliged to remain for some time. When able to move, their journey was taken through a rough and an uncultivated land ; throughwoodsandvalleysandmountainsunknowntothem. Theywere
and there the heifers
astonished at these portents, and there they deemed it to be the will of
the of a ridge
mountain,
stopped.
their country Helvetia. With them Ca^ar ral of St. Ursula's companions died. See "
contended, in March, ab. u. c. 696. See the L'Abbe Beeteme's Sainte Ursule et ses "
Emperor Louis Napoleon's Histoire de Onze Mille Vierges," &c. Seconde Partie,
Jules Caesar," tome ii. , liv. iv. , chap, i. , p. 352.
chap, iv. , p. 166.
is now the
of a Canton
mountain was
7 This
so named, in north-western Switzerland. An tra Istein posita. " "Helvetia Sacra," p.
city
account of both may be found, in the
"Gazetteer of the World," vol. ii. , pp.
601,602.
8
It lies between Basle and Rheinfeld, but nearer to the latter. It is now called Augst, and formerly Augusta Rauracorum.
— Richensi con- inToparchia
capital
*°
According to Henricus Murer, this
"
they
10 The were people
169.
" We find from the Process of 1 that 504,
a large and heavy stone had been placed orer her remains. See Father Hermann Crombach's edition, cap. iv.
" This is denied, however, by Papebroke,
June 16. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
687
against the enemy of their salvation, and commending themselves to God's mercy, they were fortified with all necessary graces. Then, mindful of their deceased sister Christiana's death and mode of interment, they desired their remains to be in like manner consigned to the grave. The humble St.
Wibrande, conceiving herself to be unworthy of sepulture with her companions ofnoblebirth,askedtobeinterredinaplaceapartfromthem. Thisthe assistantspromised. Wherefore,withdevouthymnsandDivinepraises,they invoked the Most Holy Trinity for salvation, thus removing from this world to the joys of eternity. Accordingly, the country people there provided a wain, to which calves were yoked ; and, in a miraculous manner, they pro- ceeded towards an oak tree of wonderful size, where their course was arrested. Thickets and bushes there abounded. Here, it was necessary to stop, and the bodies of the holy virgins were interred. Afterwards, owing to this cir-
beside each other, a church was built over their remains ; and, without its walls, in the adjoining cemetery, the grave of St. Wibrande was to be found. ItbecameaparochialchurchinthedioceseofConstance. Variousfounda- tions and indulgences are recorded in favour of this church, in that Process instituted a. d. 1504. Wherefore, a supposition arises, that those holy virgins had been canonized, and with this appears to accord the local traditions. 'S A beautiful legend had currency, that after the burial of those holy virgins, and before a church had been there erected, a stag of large size, when hunted
by men and dogs fled thither for refuge, while three lights then appeared on his horns. These portents so frightened the hunters, that they durst not molest the animal more, while they returned praising the Almighty for this protection afforded even to that irrational and persecuted creature. Another legend has it, that before the deposition of the holy virgins in that place, a certain well had been infested with venemous worms and animals, so that the inhabitants could not drink its waters ; while afterwards, the spring be- came quite clear, and the worms were shown in a petrified state. The water
cumstance,
of at that village Eichsel,'3
spot.
arose and took its name" the
1 * There, too, several remarkable miracles were wrought, through the merits of those holy virgins. After the sepulture of Saints Cunegunde and Mechtunde
ever alter was suitable for drinking It is purposes.
thought,
16 that some
monastic priory had been established here by an Abbot of St. Gall, as in
donations to the church, we find them presented in honour of St. Gall and
of the holy virgins, who were its patronesses. The fame and frequency of
those miracles at length induced a more solemn and formal enquiry to be
made the Cardinal xi of Pope Julius, in the year 1504, when he by Legate
visited the city of Basle. In this, he was assisted by other Papal Commis- sioners, persons of great distinction and learning. They first visited the
church and tombs of the sacred virgins, as pointed out by popular tradition. The graves were opened, and bones were found, in some instances fractured; but, the circumstances under which these discoveries were made accounted
sufficiently for such appearances, while they were quite in accordance with what had been handed down concerning their first deposition. Then, the ancient records and books of the church were examined, in reference to its
who thinks the addition to Eyk—a Teuton word—of «/, has the meaning of eella in Latin,
«3 It is said to have derived its name, from the ereat oak, in Latin called Quercus Salu- tis, according to Crombach. See Lectio vii.
estque terrtiorii Rhinofelensis, adeoque ad
Basileensem istse tres, Christiana ad Con-
'•* Henricus Murer states: "quae loco num. 4, p. 115.
deinde nomen dedit ut Eychsel vocaretur,
stantie—nsem nostramque Helvetiam per- "
tinet. " Helvetia Sancta," p. 169.
'* See the remarks of Father Daniel
Papebroke, ,in his Commentarius Prxvius,
l6
By
Father Daniel
Papebroke.
688 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 16.
history and that of the holy patronesses. Afterwards, several witnesses were examined on oath, respecting the traditional accounts of the neighbourhood,
and popular remembrances relating to them. The testimony of many persons was taken regarding miracles, which were wrought through their intercession. These inquisitions were taken down in writing at the time, and were drawn up in a narrative shape, called a Process, which was afterwards published. Wherefore, the bones of those holy virgins were removed from their places of sepulture. In solemn procession, while Litanies, Hymns and Prayers were recited, the relics borne to the high altar were placed in caskets or in a shrine. Then, Solemn High Mass was celebrated by the Cardinal Legate, before a large congregation. This happened, on the 16th of June, 1504. In like manner, enquiry had been made, about the veneration given to St. Christiana, at her place ; and, on the day following, the Cardinal Legate went to her church, where with like religious ceremonies, her relics were transferred to a new tomb prepared to receive them. Masses were celebrated, and solemn religiousceremoniesmarkedtheoccasion. 18 IntheoldCalendarsofEychsel, different festivals for these holy virgins are given. Thus, in one found in an ancient Missal, there is a feast for the virgin Kunegunde, at the 2nd of May ; again, at the 3rd of July, there is one for the virgin Wibrande ; also, at the 17th of June. Molanus has the Elevation of the virgin Christiana, in the diocese of Constance. However, their chief and united festival has been
assigned to the 16th of June, which is that for the Translation of their sacred remains. On the grounds, that these holy virgins formed a portion of St. Ursula's companions, they claim a place in Irish veneration. Thomas
regard.
»7 He is styled, the Most Rev. Father and Lord in Christ D. KaymunduS Gurcensi, Cardinal Priest of St. Mary, and Legate a Latere for all the provinces of Germany be- longing to the Holy Roman Empire.
Kunegundis quae postrema celebrior ob pro- cessum extantem —est. M. L. "
Article vm. Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxvii.
2
Scoticumx9 has an
ofthese :° holy virgins,
in his
at the 1 6th of June, and this relates to the Translation of their relics.
Article VIII. —St. Setna, Son of Tren, Bishop. According to
the of 1 SetnaMacTreno,aBishop,hadafeastonthe Martyrology Tallagh,
1 6th of June. Marianus O'Gorman also notices this Setna Mac Tren. The
2
feast of this holy man has been assigned to the 16th of June, by Colgan. At the present date, that writer promised to treat more at large about the present saint. In the Acts of St. Patrick,* we have a narrative regarding the cruel dis- position of Tren or Trian, the son of Fiec, and a remarkable visitation of Godwhichovertookhim. Heissaidtohavebeencrueltohisworkmen,and the holy Apostle, having remonstrated with him in vain, at length declared, that avisiblejudgmentofGodshouldcomeuponhim. Thisdenunciationhedis-
However, the saint's prediction proved to be true. Ascending his chariot, the horses ran headlong into a lake. Owing to this circumstance, it was afterwards known as Loch Trena or the Lake of Trian.
