Then he went to Clonard, that his
petition
might be preferred before the relics of St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v9
43 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
infuriatedmob. Asarewardforsuchclemency,theampullawasrecovered through the prayers of Colman. 44 Aedh Slaine« held a captive in chains, and the man of God came to entreat for his release, but he found the king at first inexorable. Nevertheless, moved by a remarkable miracle wrought in his presence, the prisoner was afterwards released, owing to Colman's per- suasion and through the king's reverence for his gifts of power derived from the 6 While in choir one the monks were in
engaged singing
saw the of great Apostle
the of St. Patrick,47 when their
Hymn superior
place,
42 some monks lived ill their cells but ;
and proposed that another hymn should be substituted for it.
39 Many saints named Cillin or Cillanus are commemoratedintheIrishCalendars.
40
Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Ela, cap. xxiii. , pp. 137, 138.
41
See ibid. , cap. xxiv. , p. 138.
42 The exact location or name of this
monastery is not further designated.
43 Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Ela, cap. xxv. ,
p. 138.
4S As already stated, he was five years a
SovereignoverIreland: viz. fromA. D. 595
to A. n. 600.
possession.
Ireland standing in their midst. Colman ordered that hymn to be sung a second and a third time, but one of the elders objected to such a repetition,
"
My brother," responded Colman, M I ordered that Hymn to be repeated, because while singing it St. Patrick stood among you. " No sooner had he spoken these
48
words than the vision disappeared.
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.
38 See ibid. , xxii. , 44 See ibid. , xxvi. , 138. cap. p. 137. cap. p.
46
Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Ela, cap.
xxvii. , pp. 138, 139.
47 What particular Hymn this was is not
fu-ther known.
48 Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Ela, cap.
xxviii. , p. 139.
to the 40 grave.
September 26.
J
LIVES OF 1 HE IRJSB SAINTS
603
" O man, 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 conse- quence 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 — in her
Suddenly was heard the voice of that infant saying to his brother "u
:
do you reflect on what a deed you purpose ? He replied
:
owncase. Filledw—
ith and still the father a chief indignation incredulous,
oftheO'Neillfamily resolvedonthecrimeofinfanticidehimself. Hethenheard 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 mustbeinflictedonhimself,and that too, unless sincere repentance should follow, since tlie 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,49 he became a sage and the teacher of many scholars. 50
1
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. 52 A holy virgin named Comna" earnestly entreated Brandanus, a tyrant, to liberate a captiveofhernation,whichhehadsubdued. Inthisshehadtheassistance ofSt. Colman,whowroughtamiracleinherbehalf. Thisinducedthetyrantto relent and grant the prayer of her petition. Then Colman accompanied Comna to her religious house, where he was hospitably entertained by her community. 5 * At one time, the servant of God visited the home of a certain man whose whole family, with the exception of a blind son, had been carried off by a pestilence. The saint was received joyfully by the master of the house, and when told he had no servant but the blind boy to draw water for him from a well which was at a great distance, Colman desired him to dig the earth which was near, when immediately a fountain sprang up, and taking some of the water therefrom, he sprinkled the boy with a sign of the cross. At once he was restored to the use of sight. Again is recorded the miracle of our saint restoring a boy mute and deaf to the faculties of speech and hearing. 55 While on a visit to St. Columkille in Iona, Colman
49 There are several saints named Cillen or Kellanus in the Irish Calendar, as already
observed.
50 Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Ela, cap.
xxix, p. 139.
51 There are many places in Ireland known
thus or under the Anglicized form of Clon-
keen, interpreted
52 Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Ela, cap xxxi. ,
p. 140.
53 [iCI place is no; nr. med, nor can her
identity be traced among the saints of her name in our Irish Calendars.
54 Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Ela, cap. xxxiv. , p. 141.
"
the beautiful meadow. "
5S Seeibtd. , cap. xxxv. , xxwi. ,pp. 141, 142.
happened
6o4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 26.
Eala was about returning to Ireland in the year 597,5* when at the third hour of the day the illustrious Abbot prophesied, that he should have a favouring wind to bear him southwards, while Baithen, who was bound for the Island of Ethica—but in a northern direction—was to be favoured in a similar manner. Thisresultwasmiraculouslyobtained,throughthegreatmeritsof St. Columkille. Whenoursainthadobtainedhisblessing,andhadsetout on his homeward-bound voyage for Ireland, the Abbot said to his commu- nity present : "The holy man Columbanus,57 to whom my blessing has been given on his departure, shall never again see my face in this life. " Such prophecy was also fulfilled, for during that very year, the illustrious Abbot of Iona departed this life. 58
At one time St. Molua mac Coiche59 came to visit St. (Dolman, and being entreated by the monks to remain with them for the night, he alleged that he had some necessary affairs which demanded his attention, so that he was obliged to decline their invitation. Then (Dolman directed his monks to pray the Almighty to grant a request the saint denied them. When Molua was about to set forth on his journey a great tempest arose, accompanied with thunder and lightning. Then, seeing that God had heard the prayers of the monks, he said to (Dolman
to-day, shall I not retain you, when seeking to depart from me ?
was about that time a powerful prince in the Leinster province named 61
Brandubh, who had been killed by his enemies, and Bishop Maedoc of Ferns with his brethren greatly loved him. They offered up prayers, sacri- fices and fasts for his eternal repose. The Bishop sent a message that (Dolman should visit him. Accordingly, our saint set out, and on his way took Clonfert Molua, where the monks earnestly pressed him to remain for the night. But he refused, being anxious to hasten his journey. He was about to leave at an early hour, when a fire broke out in their house. (Dolman raised his hand in benediction, and the flames ceased. The seniors then collecting around requested him to remain for the night, and he complied with their request. Having come to Maedoc of Ferns, he was told, that prayers had been offered without ceasing for Brandubh's soul, and that although these had been continued for a whole year, yet he had not been
released from the pains of Purgatory.
62
However, the prayers of St. (Dolman
tores," tomus ii. , Annales Inisfalenses, p. 9. Again is he distinguished, at A. i>.
596, for his victory over Cumasgadh, son of Aedh, at the battle of Arx Buchat. See
ibid. , tomus iv. , Annales Ultonienses, p. 33. At A. D. , 597, Brandub killed Aedh mac Ainmire, and Beach mac Cuanach, at the battle Arx Belgarum or Bolgarum. See ibid. ,
p. 34.
'Different dates have been assigned for
Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Eala, cap. the death of King Brandubh. Thus, the Annals of Boyle record the date for the
56 This is to be inferred, since it is the
year generally assigned for the death of St. Columba.
s? A term often commutable with Colman
in Irish hagiology.
58 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life
of St. Columba," lib. ii. , cap. 15, pp. 124, 125.
59 See his life at the 4th of August, in the Eighth Volume of this work, Art. i.
61
&
xxxii. , p. 140.
Some of the exploits of this provincial
potentate are on record. Thus, the Annales
Ultonienses place at A. D. 589, the battle of O'Conor's
Ochtar fought by Brandubh, the son of tores," tomus ii. , Annales Buelliani, pp. Eachach, against the TJi Neill. See Rev. 5, 6. At the year 600 is recorded in the Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarum Annales Inisfalenses, [" Vulnus Brandubii,
tomus Atthe ic. — filii Scriptores," iv. , pp. 31,32. Regis Lagenire
asua The Annales account regarding the destruction or haras- Ultonienses have even a later date. In the sing of people (ordain tia T>Aine) by year 604 is recorded the battle of Sleibre in
year 592, the Annals of Innisfallen have an familia. "
Ibid. , p.
10.
Brandubh, King of Leinster. See Dr. which Brandubh mac Ethach was vanquished O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip- by the Uli Neill. See ibid. , tomus iv. , p. 36.
;
" If I do as you desire
Battle of Slabte, in which Brandubh mac Eachach fell, at the year 579. See Rev. Dr.
"
Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip-
Eachachi]
"6o
There
September 26. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 605
proved so efficacious, that Brandubh came to life, and he appeared without any sign of wounds. Soon afterwards, he departed to bliss, having happily
passed the term of his purgation. 63
At last, Colman was favoured with a foreknowledge of his approaching
dissolution, which he ardently wished for, so that he might resign his soul intothehandsofhisRedeemer. Hefeltagreatdesiretobedissolvedand to be with Christ.
Then he went to Clonard, that his petition might be preferred before the relics of St. Finian. When he had come to that monas- tery, and while the monks were asleep, he went to the church in which their
founder had been buried, and knocking at the door, he cried out Finian,openthychurchtome. " ImmediatelyeithertheholyPatronoran
" I beseech you, O Finian, to pray the Lord for me, that I may depart from life this very year
Angel came and opened the door, when our saint said
" The Lord hath heard
for this very year you shall ascend to the Kingdom of Heaven. 64 When both saints had fraternally saluted each other, Colman returned to his brethren. As the time of his decease now approached, the miraculous sign
of a fiery cross appeared in the heavens. This the monks interpreted to
mean, that their holy superior was destined soon to close his career upon
earth. They were in a state of desolation and grief, when he said to them :
"
When in his infirmity, the day of Ins departure approached, St. Kartaius,
also called Mochuda, who lived in Rathen,and other monks in the adjoining
country, came to visit him. On their arrival, St. Colman said to them :
"
obtained from Him, that whosoever shall pray to me in his last moments
shall have life eternal, and whosoever shall observe religiously the day of my
departureshallobtainmercy. " Sayingthesewords,hisspiritpassedintothe
it to the mansions of 6s everlasting happiness.
and to Him. " Then Finian go
replied :
your prayers ;
Fear not, my children, because this is the sign of my passage from this life. ''
Know, my brothers, that I have preferred my prayers to God, and have
who
Abbot, at much too early a period to correspond with many incidents
of
The Annals of Boyle and of Innisfallen place the . death of this holy
keeping
Angels
brought
recorded in his life.
66
It is generally held, that St. Colman Ealadied on the
26th of a. d. September,
of his 67 Such is the age.
in the
year assigned for it by the Annals of Ulster68 and of the Four Masters,6?
while Tigernach has a. d. 611. After the death of St. Colman, one of his monks, who served those building his church, was murdered by certain robbers, but when his body had been brought for interment, some of his religious brothers laid the crozier of their founder over his remains, when he immediately arose living and unharmed. When the sacred remains of St. Colman had crumbled to dust and only his bones remained in the grave, the holy man appeared in a vision to some of his brethren, desiring that his relics should be raised from earth to be deposited in a shrine. Accordingly this command was complied with ; a suitable shrine was prepared, and into
63 Vita Sanctissimi Colmani xxxiii,, pp. 140, 141.
64
"
Colmain Ela. "—Ibid. 10. t \>.
610,
fifty-sixth year
Ela, cap.
Quies
fc 7 See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical
Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Ela, cap. History of Ireland,' vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , xxxvi. ,p. 142. sect, ii. , p. 305, and nn. 34,35, pp. 309,
65 Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Ela, cap. 310.
68 "
xxxvii. , p. 142. A—t A. D. 610 we read Quies Colmani
66 "
At A. D. 585 is entered in the Annales
"
Ela. "
Dr. O'Conor's Rerum Hiberni-
Quies Colmani Ela. " See Rev. 605, the Annales Inisfalenses enter also
carum Scriptores," tomus iv. , Annales
Ultonienses, p. 36.
69 See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. 234 to 237.
Buelliam
Dr. O'Conor's " Reium Hibernicarum
Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 6. At the year
:
:
" O holy
606 LIVESOETHEIRISHSAINTS. [September26.
it the remains were transferred with great solemnity and honour. The clergy and people assembled on this occasion in great numbers. 7° In the seven- teenth century the staff of St. Colman Ealo was still to be found. 71
This holy Abbot is commemorated in our Irish Calendars, at the present
day. We have already seen, that he had been commemorated in the
Martyrology of Tallagh and in the Festilogy of ^Engus. At the 26th of September, Marianus O'Gorman records the festival of St. Colman Ela with an eulogy. 72 He is also recorded in the Martyrology of Donegal,73 at the same date, as Colman Eala, Abbot of Lann Elo, in Fir-Ceall, in West Meath. There is also a Colmanellus, Bishop, mentioned in Henry Fitzsimon's List of Irish Saints,74 and in connexion with him Jocelyn's Life of St. Patrick is quoted. 75 In the anonymous Calendar of Irish Saints, published by O'Sullivan Beare,? 6 we find probably the same Colman set down at the same date ; although as we may see, another Colman was venerated, likewise on this day. The latter, however, is less celebrated than the former St. Colman.
Nor was the fame of St. Colman Ela confined to Ireland alone : it extended to Scotland, where he was known as Colmonel. Thus, the church of Colmonel in Kintyre. 77 In a confirmation by Pope Clement IV. in 1268, the Abbey of Paisley possessed the Church of St. Colmonel of Scybinche, with
8
chapels, lands and appurtenances. ?
this day, St. Colman is recorded in the Martyrology of Aberdeen. 82 The
In the seventeenth century, a church apparently dedicated to the Irish, St. Colmanelo7^ stood at Clachan on the west coast of Scotland. 80 There is a of Colmonell in 1 At
of South
have handed down a Gaelic 8* which couplet,
•
'com din 'na doss dalaimm. "
The translation by Dr. Whitley Stokes
79 See Parochiales Scotise," "Origines
Colman alaind Ela,
Parit"" P- 29' ~
89 ,
Scottish Saints," p. 305.
" 8l reads, beautiful Colman Ela, whom I meet
protecting me like a bush. "—" Feilire Hui
Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
73 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
260, 261.
74 See " Historic Catholic* Ibernise Com-
pendium," lib. iv. , cap. xii. , Catalogus aliquorum Sanctorum Iberniae, p. 53.
75 See " Trias
Colgan's Thaumaturga,"
Vita Sexta S. Patricii, cap. xcvi. , and n. 106, p. 113. Colgan seems doubtful as to whether this bishop must be identified with St. Colman of Dromore, venerated at the 7th of June, or with the present Colman Eala, at the 26th of September.
Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , P- 5 1 -
See "New Statistical Survey of Scot- land," vol. v. , p. 528.
76 See " Historiae Catholics Ibernire
8* " Clan a Clan Colmonel, Gorry ; Barry,
Murachie ; Mac O Charmaig, Clan Niel ; Martin, Clan Donochee. "
** See "Old Statistical Survey of Scot-
land," vol. xix. , p. 318.
8s See "A Memorial of British Piety,"
p. 136. Also in " Britannia Sancta," part
^See Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. ix. , September
77 Thus termed in the of
Register Paisley. xxvi.
" Monasticon
p. 123,
and
passim. Registrum Episcop.
8?
See
Hibernicum," p. 402.
parish Ayrshire. *
Knapdale
is adduced in evidence, that saints Colmonel, Barry and Mac Charmaig were
genealogists
8
patron saints of the clans mentioned in it. * Besides the old calendarists,
many of the modern writers on hagiology, have entered the feast of St.
8s the Rev. Alban Butler,86 the Rev. Mervyn Archdall,87 and the Rev. Dr. Lanigan. 88 He is
Colman Ela.
Thus, among others, Bishop Challoner,
70
See Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Ela, cap. xxxviii. , p. 142.
71 See "The Martyrology of Donegal," edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves,
Appendix—totheIntroduction,p. xliv. 73Thus:
" Old Statistical
of Scotland," vol. x. , p. 54, and vol. xix. , p.
318.
Glasg. i. , 95, 56.
Survey
78 In the Registrum de Passelet, p. 249, as "
quotedinthe OriginesParochialesScotise," parsi. , 69.
82
See Bishop Forbes
The Martyrology of Aberdeen says at vj. KT. Octobris, (September 26): "In Ybernia Sancti Colmani, confessoris viri Dei inter suos diuini Scripturis eruditissimi. "— "
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland," vol. ii. , p. 26S.
ii. , pp. T43, 144. "
"ttV
Kalendars of
. . .
September 26. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
607
recorded at this date in the " Circle of the 8? and Seasons,"
'*
Robert Chambers. * Also, is his festival entered in the Dictionary of Christian
1 St. Colman Elo had an Office of Nine Lessons. 02
Like so many other Irish religious, this holy Abbot founded a monastery and school for other men who aspired to perfection, and as their superior his life led among them was so perfect a model of all virtues, that they needed
no other rule for their guidance.
infuriatedmob. Asarewardforsuchclemency,theampullawasrecovered through the prayers of Colman. 44 Aedh Slaine« held a captive in chains, and the man of God came to entreat for his release, but he found the king at first inexorable. Nevertheless, moved by a remarkable miracle wrought in his presence, the prisoner was afterwards released, owing to Colman's per- suasion and through the king's reverence for his gifts of power derived from the 6 While in choir one the monks were in
engaged singing
saw the of great Apostle
the of St. Patrick,47 when their
Hymn superior
place,
42 some monks lived ill their cells but ;
and proposed that another hymn should be substituted for it.
39 Many saints named Cillin or Cillanus are commemoratedintheIrishCalendars.
40
Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Ela, cap. xxiii. , pp. 137, 138.
41
See ibid. , cap. xxiv. , p. 138.
42 The exact location or name of this
monastery is not further designated.
43 Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Ela, cap. xxv. ,
p. 138.
4S As already stated, he was five years a
SovereignoverIreland: viz. fromA. D. 595
to A. n. 600.
possession.
Ireland standing in their midst. Colman ordered that hymn to be sung a second and a third time, but one of the elders objected to such a repetition,
"
My brother," responded Colman, M I ordered that Hymn to be repeated, because while singing it St. Patrick stood among you. " No sooner had he spoken these
48
words than the vision disappeared.
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.
38 See ibid. , xxii. , 44 See ibid. , xxvi. , 138. cap. p. 137. cap. p.
46
Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Ela, cap.
xxvii. , pp. 138, 139.
47 What particular Hymn this was is not
fu-ther known.
48 Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Ela, cap.
xxviii. , p. 139.
to the 40 grave.
September 26.
J
LIVES OF 1 HE IRJSB SAINTS
603
" O man, 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 conse- quence 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 — in her
Suddenly was heard the voice of that infant saying to his brother "u
:
do you reflect on what a deed you purpose ? He replied
:
owncase. Filledw—
ith and still the father a chief indignation incredulous,
oftheO'Neillfamily resolvedonthecrimeofinfanticidehimself. Hethenheard 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 mustbeinflictedonhimself,and that too, unless sincere repentance should follow, since tlie 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,49 he became a sage and the teacher of many scholars. 50
1
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. 52 A holy virgin named Comna" earnestly entreated Brandanus, a tyrant, to liberate a captiveofhernation,whichhehadsubdued. Inthisshehadtheassistance ofSt. Colman,whowroughtamiracleinherbehalf. Thisinducedthetyrantto relent and grant the prayer of her petition. Then Colman accompanied Comna to her religious house, where he was hospitably entertained by her community. 5 * At one time, the servant of God visited the home of a certain man whose whole family, with the exception of a blind son, had been carried off by a pestilence. The saint was received joyfully by the master of the house, and when told he had no servant but the blind boy to draw water for him from a well which was at a great distance, Colman desired him to dig the earth which was near, when immediately a fountain sprang up, and taking some of the water therefrom, he sprinkled the boy with a sign of the cross. At once he was restored to the use of sight. Again is recorded the miracle of our saint restoring a boy mute and deaf to the faculties of speech and hearing. 55 While on a visit to St. Columkille in Iona, Colman
49 There are several saints named Cillen or Kellanus in the Irish Calendar, as already
observed.
50 Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Ela, cap.
xxix, p. 139.
51 There are many places in Ireland known
thus or under the Anglicized form of Clon-
keen, interpreted
52 Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Ela, cap xxxi. ,
p. 140.
53 [iCI place is no; nr. med, nor can her
identity be traced among the saints of her name in our Irish Calendars.
54 Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Ela, cap. xxxiv. , p. 141.
"
the beautiful meadow. "
5S Seeibtd. , cap. xxxv. , xxwi. ,pp. 141, 142.
happened
6o4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 26.
Eala was about returning to Ireland in the year 597,5* when at the third hour of the day the illustrious Abbot prophesied, that he should have a favouring wind to bear him southwards, while Baithen, who was bound for the Island of Ethica—but in a northern direction—was to be favoured in a similar manner. Thisresultwasmiraculouslyobtained,throughthegreatmeritsof St. Columkille. Whenoursainthadobtainedhisblessing,andhadsetout on his homeward-bound voyage for Ireland, the Abbot said to his commu- nity present : "The holy man Columbanus,57 to whom my blessing has been given on his departure, shall never again see my face in this life. " Such prophecy was also fulfilled, for during that very year, the illustrious Abbot of Iona departed this life. 58
At one time St. Molua mac Coiche59 came to visit St. (Dolman, and being entreated by the monks to remain with them for the night, he alleged that he had some necessary affairs which demanded his attention, so that he was obliged to decline their invitation. Then (Dolman directed his monks to pray the Almighty to grant a request the saint denied them. When Molua was about to set forth on his journey a great tempest arose, accompanied with thunder and lightning. Then, seeing that God had heard the prayers of the monks, he said to (Dolman
to-day, shall I not retain you, when seeking to depart from me ?
was about that time a powerful prince in the Leinster province named 61
Brandubh, who had been killed by his enemies, and Bishop Maedoc of Ferns with his brethren greatly loved him. They offered up prayers, sacri- fices and fasts for his eternal repose. The Bishop sent a message that (Dolman should visit him. Accordingly, our saint set out, and on his way took Clonfert Molua, where the monks earnestly pressed him to remain for the night. But he refused, being anxious to hasten his journey. He was about to leave at an early hour, when a fire broke out in their house. (Dolman raised his hand in benediction, and the flames ceased. The seniors then collecting around requested him to remain for the night, and he complied with their request. Having come to Maedoc of Ferns, he was told, that prayers had been offered without ceasing for Brandubh's soul, and that although these had been continued for a whole year, yet he had not been
released from the pains of Purgatory.
62
However, the prayers of St. (Dolman
tores," tomus ii. , Annales Inisfalenses, p. 9. Again is he distinguished, at A. i>.
596, for his victory over Cumasgadh, son of Aedh, at the battle of Arx Buchat. See
ibid. , tomus iv. , Annales Ultonienses, p. 33. At A. D. , 597, Brandub killed Aedh mac Ainmire, and Beach mac Cuanach, at the battle Arx Belgarum or Bolgarum. See ibid. ,
p. 34.
'Different dates have been assigned for
Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Eala, cap. the death of King Brandubh. Thus, the Annals of Boyle record the date for the
56 This is to be inferred, since it is the
year generally assigned for the death of St. Columba.
s? A term often commutable with Colman
in Irish hagiology.
58 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life
of St. Columba," lib. ii. , cap. 15, pp. 124, 125.
59 See his life at the 4th of August, in the Eighth Volume of this work, Art. i.
61
&
xxxii. , p. 140.
Some of the exploits of this provincial
potentate are on record. Thus, the Annales
Ultonienses place at A. D. 589, the battle of O'Conor's
Ochtar fought by Brandubh, the son of tores," tomus ii. , Annales Buelliani, pp. Eachach, against the TJi Neill. See Rev. 5, 6. At the year 600 is recorded in the Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarum Annales Inisfalenses, [" Vulnus Brandubii,
tomus Atthe ic. — filii Scriptores," iv. , pp. 31,32. Regis Lagenire
asua The Annales account regarding the destruction or haras- Ultonienses have even a later date. In the sing of people (ordain tia T>Aine) by year 604 is recorded the battle of Sleibre in
year 592, the Annals of Innisfallen have an familia. "
Ibid. , p.
10.
Brandubh, King of Leinster. See Dr. which Brandubh mac Ethach was vanquished O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip- by the Uli Neill. See ibid. , tomus iv. , p. 36.
;
" If I do as you desire
Battle of Slabte, in which Brandubh mac Eachach fell, at the year 579. See Rev. Dr.
"
Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip-
Eachachi]
"6o
There
September 26. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 605
proved so efficacious, that Brandubh came to life, and he appeared without any sign of wounds. Soon afterwards, he departed to bliss, having happily
passed the term of his purgation. 63
At last, Colman was favoured with a foreknowledge of his approaching
dissolution, which he ardently wished for, so that he might resign his soul intothehandsofhisRedeemer. Hefeltagreatdesiretobedissolvedand to be with Christ.
Then he went to Clonard, that his petition might be preferred before the relics of St. Finian. When he had come to that monas- tery, and while the monks were asleep, he went to the church in which their
founder had been buried, and knocking at the door, he cried out Finian,openthychurchtome. " ImmediatelyeithertheholyPatronoran
" I beseech you, O Finian, to pray the Lord for me, that I may depart from life this very year
Angel came and opened the door, when our saint said
" The Lord hath heard
for this very year you shall ascend to the Kingdom of Heaven. 64 When both saints had fraternally saluted each other, Colman returned to his brethren. As the time of his decease now approached, the miraculous sign
of a fiery cross appeared in the heavens. This the monks interpreted to
mean, that their holy superior was destined soon to close his career upon
earth. They were in a state of desolation and grief, when he said to them :
"
When in his infirmity, the day of Ins departure approached, St. Kartaius,
also called Mochuda, who lived in Rathen,and other monks in the adjoining
country, came to visit him. On their arrival, St. Colman said to them :
"
obtained from Him, that whosoever shall pray to me in his last moments
shall have life eternal, and whosoever shall observe religiously the day of my
departureshallobtainmercy. " Sayingthesewords,hisspiritpassedintothe
it to the mansions of 6s everlasting happiness.
and to Him. " Then Finian go
replied :
your prayers ;
Fear not, my children, because this is the sign of my passage from this life. ''
Know, my brothers, that I have preferred my prayers to God, and have
who
Abbot, at much too early a period to correspond with many incidents
of
The Annals of Boyle and of Innisfallen place the . death of this holy
keeping
Angels
brought
recorded in his life.
66
It is generally held, that St. Colman Ealadied on the
26th of a. d. September,
of his 67 Such is the age.
in the
year assigned for it by the Annals of Ulster68 and of the Four Masters,6?
while Tigernach has a. d. 611. After the death of St. Colman, one of his monks, who served those building his church, was murdered by certain robbers, but when his body had been brought for interment, some of his religious brothers laid the crozier of their founder over his remains, when he immediately arose living and unharmed. When the sacred remains of St. Colman had crumbled to dust and only his bones remained in the grave, the holy man appeared in a vision to some of his brethren, desiring that his relics should be raised from earth to be deposited in a shrine. Accordingly this command was complied with ; a suitable shrine was prepared, and into
63 Vita Sanctissimi Colmani xxxiii,, pp. 140, 141.
64
"
Colmain Ela. "—Ibid. 10. t \>.
610,
fifty-sixth year
Ela, cap.
Quies
fc 7 See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical
Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Ela, cap. History of Ireland,' vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , xxxvi. ,p. 142. sect, ii. , p. 305, and nn. 34,35, pp. 309,
65 Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Ela, cap. 310.
68 "
xxxvii. , p. 142. A—t A. D. 610 we read Quies Colmani
66 "
At A. D. 585 is entered in the Annales
"
Ela. "
Dr. O'Conor's Rerum Hiberni-
Quies Colmani Ela. " See Rev. 605, the Annales Inisfalenses enter also
carum Scriptores," tomus iv. , Annales
Ultonienses, p. 36.
69 See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. , pp. 234 to 237.
Buelliam
Dr. O'Conor's " Reium Hibernicarum
Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 6. At the year
:
:
" O holy
606 LIVESOETHEIRISHSAINTS. [September26.
it the remains were transferred with great solemnity and honour. The clergy and people assembled on this occasion in great numbers. 7° In the seven- teenth century the staff of St. Colman Ealo was still to be found. 71
This holy Abbot is commemorated in our Irish Calendars, at the present
day. We have already seen, that he had been commemorated in the
Martyrology of Tallagh and in the Festilogy of ^Engus. At the 26th of September, Marianus O'Gorman records the festival of St. Colman Ela with an eulogy. 72 He is also recorded in the Martyrology of Donegal,73 at the same date, as Colman Eala, Abbot of Lann Elo, in Fir-Ceall, in West Meath. There is also a Colmanellus, Bishop, mentioned in Henry Fitzsimon's List of Irish Saints,74 and in connexion with him Jocelyn's Life of St. Patrick is quoted. 75 In the anonymous Calendar of Irish Saints, published by O'Sullivan Beare,? 6 we find probably the same Colman set down at the same date ; although as we may see, another Colman was venerated, likewise on this day. The latter, however, is less celebrated than the former St. Colman.
Nor was the fame of St. Colman Ela confined to Ireland alone : it extended to Scotland, where he was known as Colmonel. Thus, the church of Colmonel in Kintyre. 77 In a confirmation by Pope Clement IV. in 1268, the Abbey of Paisley possessed the Church of St. Colmonel of Scybinche, with
8
chapels, lands and appurtenances. ?
this day, St. Colman is recorded in the Martyrology of Aberdeen. 82 The
In the seventeenth century, a church apparently dedicated to the Irish, St. Colmanelo7^ stood at Clachan on the west coast of Scotland. 80 There is a of Colmonell in 1 At
of South
have handed down a Gaelic 8* which couplet,
•
'com din 'na doss dalaimm. "
The translation by Dr. Whitley Stokes
79 See Parochiales Scotise," "Origines
Colman alaind Ela,
Parit"" P- 29' ~
89 ,
Scottish Saints," p. 305.
" 8l reads, beautiful Colman Ela, whom I meet
protecting me like a bush. "—" Feilire Hui
Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
73 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
260, 261.
74 See " Historic Catholic* Ibernise Com-
pendium," lib. iv. , cap. xii. , Catalogus aliquorum Sanctorum Iberniae, p. 53.
75 See " Trias
Colgan's Thaumaturga,"
Vita Sexta S. Patricii, cap. xcvi. , and n. 106, p. 113. Colgan seems doubtful as to whether this bishop must be identified with St. Colman of Dromore, venerated at the 7th of June, or with the present Colman Eala, at the 26th of September.
Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , P- 5 1 -
See "New Statistical Survey of Scot- land," vol. v. , p. 528.
76 See " Historiae Catholics Ibernire
8* " Clan a Clan Colmonel, Gorry ; Barry,
Murachie ; Mac O Charmaig, Clan Niel ; Martin, Clan Donochee. "
** See "Old Statistical Survey of Scot-
land," vol. xix. , p. 318.
8s See "A Memorial of British Piety,"
p. 136. Also in " Britannia Sancta," part
^See Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. ix. , September
77 Thus termed in the of
Register Paisley. xxvi.
" Monasticon
p. 123,
and
passim. Registrum Episcop.
8?
See
Hibernicum," p. 402.
parish Ayrshire. *
Knapdale
is adduced in evidence, that saints Colmonel, Barry and Mac Charmaig were
genealogists
8
patron saints of the clans mentioned in it. * Besides the old calendarists,
many of the modern writers on hagiology, have entered the feast of St.
8s the Rev. Alban Butler,86 the Rev. Mervyn Archdall,87 and the Rev. Dr. Lanigan. 88 He is
Colman Ela.
Thus, among others, Bishop Challoner,
70
See Vita Sanctissimi Colmani Ela, cap. xxxviii. , p. 142.
71 See "The Martyrology of Donegal," edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves,
Appendix—totheIntroduction,p. xliv. 73Thus:
" Old Statistical
of Scotland," vol. x. , p. 54, and vol. xix. , p.
318.
Glasg. i. , 95, 56.
Survey
78 In the Registrum de Passelet, p. 249, as "
quotedinthe OriginesParochialesScotise," parsi. , 69.
82
See Bishop Forbes
The Martyrology of Aberdeen says at vj. KT. Octobris, (September 26): "In Ybernia Sancti Colmani, confessoris viri Dei inter suos diuini Scripturis eruditissimi. "— "
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland," vol. ii. , p. 26S.
ii. , pp. T43, 144. "
"ttV
Kalendars of
. . .
September 26. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
607
recorded at this date in the " Circle of the 8? and Seasons,"
'*
Robert Chambers. * Also, is his festival entered in the Dictionary of Christian
1 St. Colman Elo had an Office of Nine Lessons. 02
Like so many other Irish religious, this holy Abbot founded a monastery and school for other men who aspired to perfection, and as their superior his life led among them was so perfect a model of all virtues, that they needed
no other rule for their guidance.
