589
one belonging to Amiens, and the other to Antwerp, while these have been collated witli six others, and the edition of Bosquet.
one belonging to Amiens, and the other to Antwerp, while these have been collated witli six others, and the edition of Bosquet.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v9
Dr.
xxxv.
'Thus : Caelan.
3 See Dr. Whitley Stokes' "Feilire Hui
l
Edited by Rev. Dr.
6 Drs. Toddand Edited by
Thus: Imchao.
*Th« commentator notes that he was of
Chille droichit or Cell Droichit, in Ard Ulad. See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Feilire Hui Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
* Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp
258, 259.
s See "General Alphabetical Index to the
by
p.
of 1 entersa Tallagh
" siastical Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dromore," p. 21, and n. (m), ibid. . Also,
Eccle
September 25. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 587
people living in their neighbourhood. An Aghinish6 is found in the parish of Kinawley, in the barony of Knockninny, and County of Fermanagh.
There is an Aghinish, in the parish of Ballyovey, barony of Carra, and County of Mayo. ? Within Lough Carra, opposite the residence of Moore Hall, are
8
the ruins of an old church, which may possibly be identified with the cultus
of this St. Coelan or Caelan.
6
See Ordnance Survey Townland Maps
Article VI. —St. Ainmire, of Ross-ua-Chonna, in Mughdhorna. l
The Martyrology of Donegal mentions, that veneration was given at the 25thofSeptembertoAinmire,ofRoss-ua-Chonna,inMughdhorna. Inthe Feilire of Marianus O'Gorman2 there is mention of a true Ainmire, my Superior," at this day ; while a commentator adds, that he was from Ross
Hua Chonna in Mughdornaibh. 3 The Mughdhorna Breagh* were a Sept of theOirghialla5 seatedinBregia,inEastMeath,buttheirexactpositionhas notbeendetermined. TheyaretobedistinguishedfromtheMughdhorna- Maighen, who were seated in and gave name to the barony of Cremorne, in
6
the County of Monaghan.
Article VII. —St. Sineall, of Druim-Broan. In the published 1
Martyrology of Tallagh, there seems an incorrect entry, Linell (for Sinell)
Droma broon. The 2 is to be found in the Book of Leinster proper entry
copy. Inthe"FeilireofMarianusO'Gorman"3 thereisanentryofSinell,andhis
commentator adds, that he was of Droma Broan or Druim Brdan. Among the townland denominations of Ireland, we can only discover one place called Drumbrone, which is situated in the parish of Magheracloone, in the barony of Farney, and County of Monaghan. * Sineall, of Drium Broan, is set down in the Martyrology of Donegal,5 as having had a festival, at the 25th of September.
Article VIII. —St. Seanan or Senan, Bishop of Cork. The pub-
1 recordsthename
—now Cork city—as having had veneration paid him, at the 25th of Septem-
ber. Also, in the Book of Leinster he is 2 in like manner. The copy, entered,
Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman has a Senan, with eulogy,3 at this date, and the commentator calls him a bishop, but without naming his see. Pro-
lished of Martyrology
Tallagh
Senan, Bishop
of
Corcaighe
Townlands and Towns, Parishes and Baronies of Ireland," p. 530.
Latinised Provincia Mugdornorum and Regio
for the County of Fermanagh," sheet 34.
7 See Ordnance Survey Townland Maps
for the County of Mayo," sheet 109.
O'Donovan, LL. D. , p. xxi. , num. 121. 6"
8
So I have been informed by the late
Four Masters," vol. i, n. (f), p. 420.
Article vii. —l Edited a — of the xxxv.
who had *2
Reeves, pp. 258, 259.
Rev. Canon Ulick
Rev. Mr.
Very
good knowledge
J. Bourke,
by
vicinity. Articlevi. EditedbyDrs. Toddand
Kelly, p.
Thus SmellDfoniAbpoon.
2
See Dr. Whitley Stokes' "Feilire Hui
Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
4 See "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps
for the County of Monaghan," Sheet 30.
5 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
3 See ibid. , notes.
* The Mughdorni were the descendants of
Mughdom Dubh, son of Colla Meann. See "1
258,259.
Roderick O'Flaherty's Ogygia," pars iii. , Article viii. — Edited by Rev. Dr.
cap. lxxvi. , p. 363. Kelly, p. xxxv.
5 The Mughdhorna territory is more 2 'Thus : Sen<\n Cope,
usually called Crich Mughdhorn ; it is 3 There he is noted us " Senan Saigthir,"
"
Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na
Naomh O'Huidhrin," edited by John
Mugdornorum. See the
Topographical
See Dr. O'Donovan's Annals of the
:
3 See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Feilire Hui
5 88 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 25.
bably on the authority of the Tallagh Martyrology, Colgan notices his feast for this day, and states, that he ruled as bishop over the See of Cork. * He
is simply set down as Seanan, Bishop, in the Martyrology of Donegal,s at this same date.
Article IX. —St. Modain or Modoe, in Ailbhe. The published
1
Martyrology of Tallagh mentions'a festival in honour of Modoe, in Ailbhe, at
the 25th of September. In the Book of Leinster, the entry is somewhat different. 2 —In the Feilire of Marianus 0'Gorman,3 there is a line "Mo Doe fri decraib " rendered " My Doe, against hardships," and the commentator adds that he was in Ailbe. In the Annals of the Four Masters,* at the year of Christ 528, we have the account of a battle fought at Ailbhe, in Breagh, a place now known as Cluan-Ailbhe, in barony of Upper Duleek, and County of Meath. In the Martyrology of Donegal,s there is a commemoration of Modoe in Ailbhe,6 at this date.
Article X. —Feast of Firmin or Firminus, First Bishop of Amiens, by some writers reputed an Irish Saint. Although by some rather modern writers, St. Firminus has been regarded as a native of Ireland; yet the more ancient accounts and the circumstances of his career are manifestly in contradiction of those authorities. At the 25th day of September, Colgan had desired to publish the Acts of St. Firminus, as we learn from the
1 This
list ofhis
according to some writers. His father is said to have been named Firmus, and to have been distinguished for his social rank. From him, as we are informed, the son was called Firminus. 2 The idea of the present holy bishop having been a native of our Island seems—to have arisen from an
posthumous
Manuscripts.
holy
Ireland,
error
—ofPetrusde in Hiberia asfoundinhisancient
Natalibus, mistaking
Acts for Hibernia, in which the city of Pampilonia is placed. Firmin was born, it is stated, in the second half of the first century. 3 The Life of St.
Firminus, Bishop and Martyr of Amiens, has been published* by the Bollan- dists,satthe25thofSeptember. Ithasbeenedited6fromtwoManuscripts;
which is rendered " Senan who is sought. " Magh-n- Ailbhe, 'plain of Ailbhe,' is "
See Dr. Whitley Stokes' Feilire Hui intended, as it is not unusual to find in such
Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
4 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," viii. ,
Martii, Vita S. Senani, Appendix, cap. i. ,p. 541, (recte) 537.
cases as Cairbre, Laoghaire, &c, a personal name applied to a region, without anyquali-
5 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
258, 259. In the Irish Ordnance Survey Meusium et Dierum. "
MS. we read Senan at copy, simply, epp,
thisday. " Seep. 81. .
'
Article ix. —Edited by Rev. Mr.
Kelly, p. xxxv.
2 Thus : moodi i. e. m -dilbe-.
3 See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Feilire Hui
Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
4
See Dr. O'Donovan's Edition, vol. i. , pp. 176, 177, and n. (m).
2 See " Officia Sanc- DeBurgo's Propria
torum Hiberniae," Die xxv. Septembris. In Fest-» S. Firmini. Officium. Lect. iv. , p. 80.
lis feast is to he found at the same date in the "Supplementumad Breviarium Romano- Seraphicum," p. 74. Printed in Dublin, 1752, i2mo. , by Ignatius Kelly, of St.
Mary's-lane.
3 See Les Petits Bollandistes, "Vies des
s Edited pp. 258, 259.
6 Ailbhe
Rev. Drs. Todd and
tome xi. xxv. e de
Jour Septembre,
by
Reeves,
Saints," p. 372.
In a note Dr. Reeves says at the word
4 In two chapters containing nineteen
paragraphs.
s bee "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii.
:
" The
manuscript, following
the
note on Marian, has in, which makes Ailbe
the name of a place not of a man. Probably Septembris xxv. De S. Firmino Episc.
Cluain-Ailbhe,
'
lawn of Ailbhe,' or Mart. Ambianis in Gallia, pp. 24 to 57.
fication. " — Article x.
manwasbornin
'See "Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum quae MS. habentur, Ordine
I
September 25. ] LIVES OJ- THE IRISH SA/ATS.
589
one belonging to Amiens, and the other to Antwerp, while these have been collated witli six others, and the edition of Bosquet. Notes and a previous commentary''areannexed. ThepublishedLatinLifeofSt. Firminusstates, that at an early period of Christianity, he was the son of Firmus, a senator of great virtue and noble birth, as also of Eugenia, his wife, a lady of like conditions, who lived in a city of Hyberia, called Pampolana. They were originally Pagans, but afterwards converts to the true Religion. Their children are named Firminus, and Faustus, brothers, with a sister named Eusebia ; and of these Firminus the oldest was entrusted by his parents to the care and instruction of a 8 whom he had been
bap-
priest, Honestus, by
tised. Having passed seven years under the discipline of that holy man,
St. Firmin went forth to spread the Gospel in Gaul, and there he was ordained priest by St, Honoratus,9 Bishop of Toulouse. Afterwards he was
10
consecrated bishop.
mission among the people of Aquitaine, where he converted many to the true Faith. Subsequently, he travelled to the north-eastern parts of France,
where the Christians were violently persecuted by the Roman governor, Valerus. He first preached at Beauvais," where he was arrested and cast into prison, from which he was released, but only to engage the more ear- nestly in his apostolic labours. About this time, Trajan ruled over the Roman Empire, while Sebastian and Longalus were governors of Bclgic Gaul Thence Firmin proceeded to the territory of the Ambiani,12 and in their chief called now known as Amiens,1 he
Inspired by great zeal for God's glory, he began his
city, Ambianum,^ '*
laboured to convert the pagans from idolatry. He there founded a church and had numerous disciples. Among his converts was a senator named Faustinien, who with his family was baptised, as also many others of distin- guished rank. He likewise wrought a number of miracles. His missionary work extended to the surrounding country, and even among the Morini. It is said the episcopal see of Amiens had been established on the outskirts of
that 15 city,
by
St.
Firmin,
on the site of the of St. Acheul. present Abbey
The first church he founded was, no doubt, of moderate dimensions, and
probably of perishable materials, and it has long since disappeared. The
presentCathedralofAmiensl6 is oneofthemostmagnificentGothicstruc-
tures in the world while it is remarkable for its noble dimensions and the ;
extraordinary height of its vaulted roof over the nave. The front or western entrance is flanked on both angles of the facade with two lofty and imposing towers, symmetrical in height and closely corresponding in architectural
6 I2
By Father John Stilting, S. J. These people are alluded to by Cse-ar,
'•
7 The commentary is comprised in ten in his work Commentariorum de Bello
sections, and it contains one hundred and Gallico," lib. ii. , cap. xv.
twenty paragraphs.
8 He is said to have been a native of
Nismes, and a disciple of St. Saturnin, bishop of Toulouse. His chief feast is marked in the Modern Martyrologies at the 16th of February. See Adrien Baillet's *' Vies des Saints," tome ix. , xxv. Jour de
Nouvelle Geographie Univer- 9 His festival is kept on the 21st of selle, tome ii. La France, chap, xii. , sect.
Septembre, pp. 645, 646. Reclus' r'
December.
10 See Pierre Larousse's " Grand Diction-
naire Universel du Xixe Siecle," tome viii. , p. 406.
11
See "Encyclopedic Catholique," par M. l'Abbe Glaire et de M. le Vte Walsh,
tomexii. , p. 82.
iv. , p. 788.
" Handbook for Travellers
I3 See Pliny's iv. , cap. xxxi.
"
Historia Naturalis," lib.
MAn arrondisement, canton, commune
and city of France in the Department of the
Somme. Amiens was anciently the capital
of Picardy, and it was called Samarabriva or
" the passage of the Somme. " See Elisee
"
15 See
Murray's
in France," sect, i. , route 3, p. 23
l6
generalviewofthewesternfront. Ithasbeen copied from an approved illustration, and drawnonthewood,engravedbyGregorGrey.
The accompanying illustration presents a
zealously
59° LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [Septemberft$.
details. The Cathedral was designed and commenced by the architect Robert de Lusarches in 1220,^ while it was continued and almost completed
in 18 Thomas and 1269, by
de Cormont. the However, great
Regnault
western front was not finished until the close of the fourteenth century. '9
Three vast and deeply recessed portals lead into the interior ; the central
doorway being of greater height and width than the ones flanking it on either side, and leading under the towers into the lateral aisles. The arches are supported by a long array of statues in niches, instead of pillars ; rows of
statuettes supplying the place of mould- ings, so that a con- nected mass of sculpture runs along
the whole front-
by the building oc- cupies eight thou- sand metres. At the crossing of the
transepts, the spec- tator from within
Cathedral ot Amiens, France, on lancet-arches,
Round the wail which separates the choir from its aisles, there is
a low stone-screen enclosing a series of sculptures in high relief; on the south side, these represent the legends of St. Firmin and St Sauve, while to the north are the acts and death of St. John the Baptist
17 See M. Vivien de Saint-Martin's Mean Dieti ifAmiens, there is a fine statue
"
Universelle," tome i. , Amiens, p. 121. Last Judgment ; over the right hand porch
'•
Nouveau Dictionaire de Geographic of Christ, the bas-relief representing the
It is said to hare been in course of are represented the Death and Assumption
building to A. D. 1288.
of the Blessed Virgin ; while over the left
the of St. legend
' 9 The central
which one replaces
hand is porch
spire,
sculptured Firmin, patron of the city.
raised in 1240, but destroyed by lightning,
20
31
dates from the year 1529.
Each one of these is nearly one hundred Over the centre door or Porchc du feel in circumference-
30 age.
The entire length of the Cathe- dral measures four hundred and sixty- nine feet; the height of the nave roof is one hundred and forty-one feet; while the space covered
may three
admire the magnificent
21
rose windows,
all
of elaborate tracery
and varied patterns,
filled with rich stained glass. The choir terminates in a semicircularapse,
and the elegantly groined roof rests
compressed
September 25. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
591
Such success attended the ministry of St. Firmin, that the temples and idols of the pagan gods were deserted by the great majority of the Ambiani, and
complaints soon reached the Roman governors, Longalus and Sebastien, then at Treves, who came to Amiens, where they ordered all the inhabitants to assemble at the Pretorium, and Firrnin to be arrested, He was there confronted by the Pagan priests and interrogated by Sebastien. The holy bishop courageously confessed the Faith of Christ. Fearing a popular tumult, should he be subjected to public punishment, the governor pretended to set him at liberty. Nevertheless, he gave orders, that the bishop should be privately seized and cast into prison. Then, in the dark hour of night, soldiers were sent to his cell, where he was beheaded, on the 25th day of
22 In the
which still
of the old castle of
St. Firmin is said to have suffered martyrdom, 3 There appears to be a
September.
crypt
Amiens, 2
remains,
great divergency of opinion regarding the date when he was executed. 2-* According to Usuard, it was by order of the prefect, Rictius Varus, he was put to death. 25 Again, it has been thought he received the heavenly reward in some other persecution, and from that of Decius in 250 to that of Diocle- 26 Accordingtosomeaccounts,hewascrownedwith
tionin
martyrdom
in his field called Abladana,
303.
about the year 287.
2 ?
Faustinian
buried
him
where many miracles were afterwards wrought at his tomb, and there St.
28
bishop of Amiens, built a church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. The veneration for his memory spread from Amiens to all the neighbouring dioceses. At Pequigny, his relics are said to have been pre-
Firmin II. ,
served from a very early period. Thence, it has been asserted, they were 2
transferred to St. Denis by Dagobert I. , King of Austrasia, 9 of Neustria, of Bourgogne and Aquitaine. 30 However, these assertions rest on no trustworthy authority. 31 Early in the seventh century, St. Salvius 32 or Sauve had his relics translated into the ancient Cathedral of Amiens. 33 The year, however, is uncertain. 34 About the year 11 10, St. Godefridss made another translation
22 "
See Adrien Baillet's Vies des Saints," Commentarius Praevius, sect, be. , pp. 43
to 46. 32Thisholybishopandconfessorwasbrn
at Amiens in the sixth century. Having been called to the episcopacy, he died of a prevailing pestilence on the 28th of October,
tome ix. , xxv. Jour de Septembre, p. 644. "
23SeeMurray's HandbookforTravellers in France," sect, i. , route 3, p. 22.
24 It has been placed at various periods
from the apostolic age down to the com-
mencement of the fourth century. See A. D. , 615. His feast is kept on the 29th of
"Dictionary of Christian Biography," vol. ii. , p. 522.
25 See Baronius' " Annales Ecclesiastici," tomus ii. , sub. A. C. 303, sect, exxx. , p. 617.
26
See Rev. Alban Butler's "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. ix. , September xxv.
that month. See Les Petits Bollandistes, Vies des Saints," tome xiii, xxixe Jour d' Octobre, pp. 13 to 16.
33 This was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and to St. Firmin. To it, a chapter of Canons was attached from an early period.
34 Father John Stilting, S. J. , has learnedly
century, in Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Septembris xxv. De S. Firmino Episc. Mart. Ambianis in Gallia, Commentarius
Praevius, sect, vi. , pp. 36 to 38.
35 He was born at Molincourt or Monti-
27 See " Histoire Literaire de la France," b"
tome i. , Partie i. Troisieme Siecle de contends that St. Salvius was bishop of
l'Eglise, sect, xii. j p. 307. Amiens in the latter part of the seventh
His memory is venerated on theist day
of September. 29 In 622.
30 In 628 he became sovereign over these
countries. He died at Epinay A. D. 638, and
he was buried in St. Denis, which he court, in Soissons, about the year 1066. In the
"
founded. See Encyclopedic Catholique," year 1104, he was consecrated bishop of
M. L'Abbe Glaire et M. le Vte Walsh, Amiens Mar. asses II. at par. by Archbishop
tome x. , p. 6. Rheims. He died on the 8th November,
31 "
See the Bollandists' Acta Sane- A. D. 1 1 15. See Les Petits Bollandistes,
torum," tomus vii. , Septembris xxv. De " Vies des Saints," tome xiii. , viiie Jour de S. Firmino Episc Mart. Ambianit in Gallia, Navembre, pp. 255 to 270.
refuted the statements of Le Cointe, who
592 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 25.
of them, to a shrine more worthy of the sacred deposit. However, a great fire broke out at Amiens in 1 137, and destroyed a considerable portion of the city, which then for the most part was built of wood, while some of the churches were also destroyed. But St. Firmin's church and shrine seem to have been saved from the flames. About the year 1200, bishop Theobald caused a new gold shrine to be prepared. It was presented in the form of a house, with enamels representing scenes in the holy bishop's life. To this the relics of St. Firmin were consigned on the 16th of October, 1204, and on that day a festival was religiously observed in Amiens. *6 St. Firmin has always been venerated with distinguished honour, and pilgrimages have been made to his tomb ; while various churches and religious institutions have been erected, especially throughout France, under his patronage. 3?
xxxv.
'Thus : Caelan.
3 See Dr. Whitley Stokes' "Feilire Hui
l
Edited by Rev. Dr.
6 Drs. Toddand Edited by
Thus: Imchao.
*Th« commentator notes that he was of
Chille droichit or Cell Droichit, in Ard Ulad. See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Feilire Hui Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
* Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp
258, 259.
s See "General Alphabetical Index to the
by
p.
of 1 entersa Tallagh
" siastical Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dromore," p. 21, and n. (m), ibid. . Also,
Eccle
September 25. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 587
people living in their neighbourhood. An Aghinish6 is found in the parish of Kinawley, in the barony of Knockninny, and County of Fermanagh.
There is an Aghinish, in the parish of Ballyovey, barony of Carra, and County of Mayo. ? Within Lough Carra, opposite the residence of Moore Hall, are
8
the ruins of an old church, which may possibly be identified with the cultus
of this St. Coelan or Caelan.
6
See Ordnance Survey Townland Maps
Article VI. —St. Ainmire, of Ross-ua-Chonna, in Mughdhorna. l
The Martyrology of Donegal mentions, that veneration was given at the 25thofSeptembertoAinmire,ofRoss-ua-Chonna,inMughdhorna. Inthe Feilire of Marianus O'Gorman2 there is mention of a true Ainmire, my Superior," at this day ; while a commentator adds, that he was from Ross
Hua Chonna in Mughdornaibh. 3 The Mughdhorna Breagh* were a Sept of theOirghialla5 seatedinBregia,inEastMeath,buttheirexactpositionhas notbeendetermined. TheyaretobedistinguishedfromtheMughdhorna- Maighen, who were seated in and gave name to the barony of Cremorne, in
6
the County of Monaghan.
Article VII. —St. Sineall, of Druim-Broan. In the published 1
Martyrology of Tallagh, there seems an incorrect entry, Linell (for Sinell)
Droma broon. The 2 is to be found in the Book of Leinster proper entry
copy. Inthe"FeilireofMarianusO'Gorman"3 thereisanentryofSinell,andhis
commentator adds, that he was of Droma Broan or Druim Brdan. Among the townland denominations of Ireland, we can only discover one place called Drumbrone, which is situated in the parish of Magheracloone, in the barony of Farney, and County of Monaghan. * Sineall, of Drium Broan, is set down in the Martyrology of Donegal,5 as having had a festival, at the 25th of September.
Article VIII. —St. Seanan or Senan, Bishop of Cork. The pub-
1 recordsthename
—now Cork city—as having had veneration paid him, at the 25th of Septem-
ber. Also, in the Book of Leinster he is 2 in like manner. The copy, entered,
Martyrology of Marianus O'Gorman has a Senan, with eulogy,3 at this date, and the commentator calls him a bishop, but without naming his see. Pro-
lished of Martyrology
Tallagh
Senan, Bishop
of
Corcaighe
Townlands and Towns, Parishes and Baronies of Ireland," p. 530.
Latinised Provincia Mugdornorum and Regio
for the County of Fermanagh," sheet 34.
7 See Ordnance Survey Townland Maps
for the County of Mayo," sheet 109.
O'Donovan, LL. D. , p. xxi. , num. 121. 6"
8
So I have been informed by the late
Four Masters," vol. i, n. (f), p. 420.
Article vii. —l Edited a — of the xxxv.
who had *2
Reeves, pp. 258, 259.
Rev. Canon Ulick
Rev. Mr.
Very
good knowledge
J. Bourke,
by
vicinity. Articlevi. EditedbyDrs. Toddand
Kelly, p.
Thus SmellDfoniAbpoon.
2
See Dr. Whitley Stokes' "Feilire Hui
Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
4 See "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps
for the County of Monaghan," Sheet 30.
5 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
3 See ibid. , notes.
* The Mughdorni were the descendants of
Mughdom Dubh, son of Colla Meann. See "1
258,259.
Roderick O'Flaherty's Ogygia," pars iii. , Article viii. — Edited by Rev. Dr.
cap. lxxvi. , p. 363. Kelly, p. xxxv.
5 The Mughdhorna territory is more 2 'Thus : Sen<\n Cope,
usually called Crich Mughdhorn ; it is 3 There he is noted us " Senan Saigthir,"
"
Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na
Naomh O'Huidhrin," edited by John
Mugdornorum. See the
Topographical
See Dr. O'Donovan's Annals of the
:
3 See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Feilire Hui
5 88 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 25.
bably on the authority of the Tallagh Martyrology, Colgan notices his feast for this day, and states, that he ruled as bishop over the See of Cork. * He
is simply set down as Seanan, Bishop, in the Martyrology of Donegal,s at this same date.
Article IX. —St. Modain or Modoe, in Ailbhe. The published
1
Martyrology of Tallagh mentions'a festival in honour of Modoe, in Ailbhe, at
the 25th of September. In the Book of Leinster, the entry is somewhat different. 2 —In the Feilire of Marianus 0'Gorman,3 there is a line "Mo Doe fri decraib " rendered " My Doe, against hardships," and the commentator adds that he was in Ailbe. In the Annals of the Four Masters,* at the year of Christ 528, we have the account of a battle fought at Ailbhe, in Breagh, a place now known as Cluan-Ailbhe, in barony of Upper Duleek, and County of Meath. In the Martyrology of Donegal,s there is a commemoration of Modoe in Ailbhe,6 at this date.
Article X. —Feast of Firmin or Firminus, First Bishop of Amiens, by some writers reputed an Irish Saint. Although by some rather modern writers, St. Firminus has been regarded as a native of Ireland; yet the more ancient accounts and the circumstances of his career are manifestly in contradiction of those authorities. At the 25th day of September, Colgan had desired to publish the Acts of St. Firminus, as we learn from the
1 This
list ofhis
according to some writers. His father is said to have been named Firmus, and to have been distinguished for his social rank. From him, as we are informed, the son was called Firminus. 2 The idea of the present holy bishop having been a native of our Island seems—to have arisen from an
posthumous
Manuscripts.
holy
Ireland,
error
—ofPetrusde in Hiberia asfoundinhisancient
Natalibus, mistaking
Acts for Hibernia, in which the city of Pampilonia is placed. Firmin was born, it is stated, in the second half of the first century. 3 The Life of St.
Firminus, Bishop and Martyr of Amiens, has been published* by the Bollan- dists,satthe25thofSeptember. Ithasbeenedited6fromtwoManuscripts;
which is rendered " Senan who is sought. " Magh-n- Ailbhe, 'plain of Ailbhe,' is "
See Dr. Whitley Stokes' Feilire Hui intended, as it is not unusual to find in such
Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
4 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," viii. ,
Martii, Vita S. Senani, Appendix, cap. i. ,p. 541, (recte) 537.
cases as Cairbre, Laoghaire, &c, a personal name applied to a region, without anyquali-
5 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
258, 259. In the Irish Ordnance Survey Meusium et Dierum. "
MS. we read Senan at copy, simply, epp,
thisday. " Seep. 81. .
'
Article ix. —Edited by Rev. Mr.
Kelly, p. xxxv.
2 Thus : moodi i. e. m -dilbe-.
3 See Dr. Whitley Stokes' " Feilire Hui
Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
4
See Dr. O'Donovan's Edition, vol. i. , pp. 176, 177, and n. (m).
2 See " Officia Sanc- DeBurgo's Propria
torum Hiberniae," Die xxv. Septembris. In Fest-» S. Firmini. Officium. Lect. iv. , p. 80.
lis feast is to he found at the same date in the "Supplementumad Breviarium Romano- Seraphicum," p. 74. Printed in Dublin, 1752, i2mo. , by Ignatius Kelly, of St.
Mary's-lane.
3 See Les Petits Bollandistes, "Vies des
s Edited pp. 258, 259.
6 Ailbhe
Rev. Drs. Todd and
tome xi. xxv. e de
Jour Septembre,
by
Reeves,
Saints," p. 372.
In a note Dr. Reeves says at the word
4 In two chapters containing nineteen
paragraphs.
s bee "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii.
:
" The
manuscript, following
the
note on Marian, has in, which makes Ailbe
the name of a place not of a man. Probably Septembris xxv. De S. Firmino Episc.
Cluain-Ailbhe,
'
lawn of Ailbhe,' or Mart. Ambianis in Gallia, pp. 24 to 57.
fication. " — Article x.
manwasbornin
'See "Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum quae MS. habentur, Ordine
I
September 25. ] LIVES OJ- THE IRISH SA/ATS.
589
one belonging to Amiens, and the other to Antwerp, while these have been collated witli six others, and the edition of Bosquet. Notes and a previous commentary''areannexed. ThepublishedLatinLifeofSt. Firminusstates, that at an early period of Christianity, he was the son of Firmus, a senator of great virtue and noble birth, as also of Eugenia, his wife, a lady of like conditions, who lived in a city of Hyberia, called Pampolana. They were originally Pagans, but afterwards converts to the true Religion. Their children are named Firminus, and Faustus, brothers, with a sister named Eusebia ; and of these Firminus the oldest was entrusted by his parents to the care and instruction of a 8 whom he had been
bap-
priest, Honestus, by
tised. Having passed seven years under the discipline of that holy man,
St. Firmin went forth to spread the Gospel in Gaul, and there he was ordained priest by St, Honoratus,9 Bishop of Toulouse. Afterwards he was
10
consecrated bishop.
mission among the people of Aquitaine, where he converted many to the true Faith. Subsequently, he travelled to the north-eastern parts of France,
where the Christians were violently persecuted by the Roman governor, Valerus. He first preached at Beauvais," where he was arrested and cast into prison, from which he was released, but only to engage the more ear- nestly in his apostolic labours. About this time, Trajan ruled over the Roman Empire, while Sebastian and Longalus were governors of Bclgic Gaul Thence Firmin proceeded to the territory of the Ambiani,12 and in their chief called now known as Amiens,1 he
Inspired by great zeal for God's glory, he began his
city, Ambianum,^ '*
laboured to convert the pagans from idolatry. He there founded a church and had numerous disciples. Among his converts was a senator named Faustinien, who with his family was baptised, as also many others of distin- guished rank. He likewise wrought a number of miracles. His missionary work extended to the surrounding country, and even among the Morini. It is said the episcopal see of Amiens had been established on the outskirts of
that 15 city,
by
St.
Firmin,
on the site of the of St. Acheul. present Abbey
The first church he founded was, no doubt, of moderate dimensions, and
probably of perishable materials, and it has long since disappeared. The
presentCathedralofAmiensl6 is oneofthemostmagnificentGothicstruc-
tures in the world while it is remarkable for its noble dimensions and the ;
extraordinary height of its vaulted roof over the nave. The front or western entrance is flanked on both angles of the facade with two lofty and imposing towers, symmetrical in height and closely corresponding in architectural
6 I2
By Father John Stilting, S. J. These people are alluded to by Cse-ar,
'•
7 The commentary is comprised in ten in his work Commentariorum de Bello
sections, and it contains one hundred and Gallico," lib. ii. , cap. xv.
twenty paragraphs.
8 He is said to have been a native of
Nismes, and a disciple of St. Saturnin, bishop of Toulouse. His chief feast is marked in the Modern Martyrologies at the 16th of February. See Adrien Baillet's *' Vies des Saints," tome ix. , xxv. Jour de
Nouvelle Geographie Univer- 9 His festival is kept on the 21st of selle, tome ii. La France, chap, xii. , sect.
Septembre, pp. 645, 646. Reclus' r'
December.
10 See Pierre Larousse's " Grand Diction-
naire Universel du Xixe Siecle," tome viii. , p. 406.
11
See "Encyclopedic Catholique," par M. l'Abbe Glaire et de M. le Vte Walsh,
tomexii. , p. 82.
iv. , p. 788.
" Handbook for Travellers
I3 See Pliny's iv. , cap. xxxi.
"
Historia Naturalis," lib.
MAn arrondisement, canton, commune
and city of France in the Department of the
Somme. Amiens was anciently the capital
of Picardy, and it was called Samarabriva or
" the passage of the Somme. " See Elisee
"
15 See
Murray's
in France," sect, i. , route 3, p. 23
l6
generalviewofthewesternfront. Ithasbeen copied from an approved illustration, and drawnonthewood,engravedbyGregorGrey.
The accompanying illustration presents a
zealously
59° LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [Septemberft$.
details. The Cathedral was designed and commenced by the architect Robert de Lusarches in 1220,^ while it was continued and almost completed
in 18 Thomas and 1269, by
de Cormont. the However, great
Regnault
western front was not finished until the close of the fourteenth century. '9
Three vast and deeply recessed portals lead into the interior ; the central
doorway being of greater height and width than the ones flanking it on either side, and leading under the towers into the lateral aisles. The arches are supported by a long array of statues in niches, instead of pillars ; rows of
statuettes supplying the place of mould- ings, so that a con- nected mass of sculpture runs along
the whole front-
by the building oc- cupies eight thou- sand metres. At the crossing of the
transepts, the spec- tator from within
Cathedral ot Amiens, France, on lancet-arches,
Round the wail which separates the choir from its aisles, there is
a low stone-screen enclosing a series of sculptures in high relief; on the south side, these represent the legends of St. Firmin and St Sauve, while to the north are the acts and death of St. John the Baptist
17 See M. Vivien de Saint-Martin's Mean Dieti ifAmiens, there is a fine statue
"
Universelle," tome i. , Amiens, p. 121. Last Judgment ; over the right hand porch
'•
Nouveau Dictionaire de Geographic of Christ, the bas-relief representing the
It is said to hare been in course of are represented the Death and Assumption
building to A. D. 1288.
of the Blessed Virgin ; while over the left
the of St. legend
' 9 The central
which one replaces
hand is porch
spire,
sculptured Firmin, patron of the city.
raised in 1240, but destroyed by lightning,
20
31
dates from the year 1529.
Each one of these is nearly one hundred Over the centre door or Porchc du feel in circumference-
30 age.
The entire length of the Cathe- dral measures four hundred and sixty- nine feet; the height of the nave roof is one hundred and forty-one feet; while the space covered
may three
admire the magnificent
21
rose windows,
all
of elaborate tracery
and varied patterns,
filled with rich stained glass. The choir terminates in a semicircularapse,
and the elegantly groined roof rests
compressed
September 25. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
591
Such success attended the ministry of St. Firmin, that the temples and idols of the pagan gods were deserted by the great majority of the Ambiani, and
complaints soon reached the Roman governors, Longalus and Sebastien, then at Treves, who came to Amiens, where they ordered all the inhabitants to assemble at the Pretorium, and Firrnin to be arrested, He was there confronted by the Pagan priests and interrogated by Sebastien. The holy bishop courageously confessed the Faith of Christ. Fearing a popular tumult, should he be subjected to public punishment, the governor pretended to set him at liberty. Nevertheless, he gave orders, that the bishop should be privately seized and cast into prison. Then, in the dark hour of night, soldiers were sent to his cell, where he was beheaded, on the 25th day of
22 In the
which still
of the old castle of
St. Firmin is said to have suffered martyrdom, 3 There appears to be a
September.
crypt
Amiens, 2
remains,
great divergency of opinion regarding the date when he was executed. 2-* According to Usuard, it was by order of the prefect, Rictius Varus, he was put to death. 25 Again, it has been thought he received the heavenly reward in some other persecution, and from that of Decius in 250 to that of Diocle- 26 Accordingtosomeaccounts,hewascrownedwith
tionin
martyrdom
in his field called Abladana,
303.
about the year 287.
2 ?
Faustinian
buried
him
where many miracles were afterwards wrought at his tomb, and there St.
28
bishop of Amiens, built a church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. The veneration for his memory spread from Amiens to all the neighbouring dioceses. At Pequigny, his relics are said to have been pre-
Firmin II. ,
served from a very early period. Thence, it has been asserted, they were 2
transferred to St. Denis by Dagobert I. , King of Austrasia, 9 of Neustria, of Bourgogne and Aquitaine. 30 However, these assertions rest on no trustworthy authority. 31 Early in the seventh century, St. Salvius 32 or Sauve had his relics translated into the ancient Cathedral of Amiens. 33 The year, however, is uncertain. 34 About the year 11 10, St. Godefridss made another translation
22 "
See Adrien Baillet's Vies des Saints," Commentarius Praevius, sect, be. , pp. 43
to 46. 32Thisholybishopandconfessorwasbrn
at Amiens in the sixth century. Having been called to the episcopacy, he died of a prevailing pestilence on the 28th of October,
tome ix. , xxv. Jour de Septembre, p. 644. "
23SeeMurray's HandbookforTravellers in France," sect, i. , route 3, p. 22.
24 It has been placed at various periods
from the apostolic age down to the com-
mencement of the fourth century. See A. D. , 615. His feast is kept on the 29th of
"Dictionary of Christian Biography," vol. ii. , p. 522.
25 See Baronius' " Annales Ecclesiastici," tomus ii. , sub. A. C. 303, sect, exxx. , p. 617.
26
See Rev. Alban Butler's "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. ix. , September xxv.
that month. See Les Petits Bollandistes, Vies des Saints," tome xiii, xxixe Jour d' Octobre, pp. 13 to 16.
33 This was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and to St. Firmin. To it, a chapter of Canons was attached from an early period.
34 Father John Stilting, S. J. , has learnedly
century, in Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Septembris xxv. De S. Firmino Episc. Mart. Ambianis in Gallia, Commentarius
Praevius, sect, vi. , pp. 36 to 38.
35 He was born at Molincourt or Monti-
27 See " Histoire Literaire de la France," b"
tome i. , Partie i. Troisieme Siecle de contends that St. Salvius was bishop of
l'Eglise, sect, xii. j p. 307. Amiens in the latter part of the seventh
His memory is venerated on theist day
of September. 29 In 622.
30 In 628 he became sovereign over these
countries. He died at Epinay A. D. 638, and
he was buried in St. Denis, which he court, in Soissons, about the year 1066. In the
"
founded. See Encyclopedic Catholique," year 1104, he was consecrated bishop of
M. L'Abbe Glaire et M. le Vte Walsh, Amiens Mar. asses II. at par. by Archbishop
tome x. , p. 6. Rheims. He died on the 8th November,
31 "
See the Bollandists' Acta Sane- A. D. 1 1 15. See Les Petits Bollandistes,
torum," tomus vii. , Septembris xxv. De " Vies des Saints," tome xiii. , viiie Jour de S. Firmino Episc Mart. Ambianit in Gallia, Navembre, pp. 255 to 270.
refuted the statements of Le Cointe, who
592 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 25.
of them, to a shrine more worthy of the sacred deposit. However, a great fire broke out at Amiens in 1 137, and destroyed a considerable portion of the city, which then for the most part was built of wood, while some of the churches were also destroyed. But St. Firmin's church and shrine seem to have been saved from the flames. About the year 1200, bishop Theobald caused a new gold shrine to be prepared. It was presented in the form of a house, with enamels representing scenes in the holy bishop's life. To this the relics of St. Firmin were consigned on the 16th of October, 1204, and on that day a festival was religiously observed in Amiens. *6 St. Firmin has always been venerated with distinguished honour, and pilgrimages have been made to his tomb ; while various churches and religious institutions have been erected, especially throughout France, under his patronage. 3?
