By a
Commentator
on tlie Feilire of St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
— ' See Rev.
Alban Butler's "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol.
v.
, May i.
* See "Hisloiiae Catholicse Ibernise
Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. ,
p. 50.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Maii tlie Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript
i. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 2.
* At this date, Father Godefrid Ilenschena has published six different Lives of this
Saint.
sSee Rader's "Bavaria Sancta," tomus
iii. , p. 4.
Ar 1 icLE XVI. — • See O'Sullevan Beare's
Series, vol. i. , part i. , p. Ixxviii.
- See ibid. , p. Ixxxiii.
^The Commentator adds, "in regione
Scitarum. "
•
'I'he Commentator remarks : " Philipus hautem diaconus. uii. filias profetanles habuit non Philipus Apostolus. "
^'\'\\q Scholiast states, also, at this date : " lacobus frater Domini et Mathias Aposto- lus hie,"
'See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Maii
"IIi^torice CatholiccelberniaiCompendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xii. , \\ 57.
Article xvii. —' Ld;led by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiii. The Franciscan copy enters
flonAni.
'See " Acta Sanctoi-um," tomus i. , Maii
i.
Among t! ie pretermitted saints, p. 3. ^Edited by Dri. Todd and Reeves, pp.
Il6, 117. — "
Article xviii. ' See Transactions of
———
May 2. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 55
Article XIX. Festival of the beginning of the Preaching of OUR Lord Jesus Christ. Such is the record we find, in the FeiUre ' of St. ^ngus,attheistofMay. TheBoUandists^alsohaveenteredtliisfestival, at the same date, and on the authority of several ancient Martyrologies. 3 They refer the reader to Florentinius' notes on the Martyrology of St. Jerome, for a curious disquisition relating to this topic.
^tronlj JBay of iWap,
ARTICLE I. —ST. NEACHTAIN, OF CILL-UINCHE, COUNTY OF LOUTH, AND OF FENNOR, ON THE RIVER BOYNE, COUNTY OF MEATH.
[FIFTH CENTURY. ]
THIS holy pupil and near relation of St. Patrick had an early commemo- ration; for, his festival has been assigned to the 2nd of May, in the Feilire' of St. JEngus the Culdee. In the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at this date, is also recorded, Neachtan of Cill Unchi, or Cell Funchi,3 in Conailibh, or Conaill,'* sometimes called Fidh Conaille. This latter place must have been situated, within the county of Louth ; over the greater part of which the terri- toryofConailleMuirtheimhneextended. TheBoUandistsnoticethisholy man, at the present date. s St. Nechtain, or Nectan, was the son ofLiam- hain,^ or Liamain,7 sister to St. Patrick. ^ For this reason, he was called Mac
Leamhua, or Mac Lemnai, His father was probably Restitutus, the Lombard. He was consequently a nephew to the great Irish Apostle, on the mother's side. It would seem, that the latter had charge of his early education and ecclesiastical training ; for, it has been very generally stated, that St. Nectan,
i. De S. Philippo Apostolo, Martyre, Hiera- poli in Phrygia, pp. 7 to 18.
Article xix. —•
copy, in " Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , parti. , p. Ixxviii.
* See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Mali i. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 3.
3 Among them are those of St. Jerome, of Corbie, ot Lucca, of Blumian, of Notlcer, of Wandelbert, of Tallagh, of Manuscripts, called the Barberinian, Augustan, and those belonging to the Monastery of St. Cyriacus and to the Queen of Sweden.
whom he went, with (the) death, after a long sigh, of Nechtan Patrick's pupil. "
" On tiie Calendar of Oengus," " Transac- tions of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. i. , part i. , p. Ixxviii.
^ Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiii. In the Franciscan copy we find UeAchcAin o CibL imci 1 CotiAiLub.
3 Tiie " Leabhar Breac " gloss.
^ Tlie " Leabhar Breac " gloss.
s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Maii ii. Among the pretermitted saints,
P- ^^T-
* This name is found Latinized as Liema-
'
See "Leabhar Breac "
Article i. — ' In the "Leabhar Breac nia ; but, it seems not to have been dis-
copy we read :
efcomLAT) Sacu^mii
Co CiM-pc iniAi\Anic LA'hec]'echu iAi\i'i]\c'hneCiTco
tleclicAin daLca Paci\aic
It is thus rendered by Dr. Whitley Stokes : "Saturninus' departure, unto Christ nigh
covered, that she had a feast in our Calen- dars.
7 She is so called, by the glossographer on the " Feilire," in tlie Lealjhar Breac copy, where lie asserts, that she was the daughter of Calpurn.
^ See his Life, at the 17th of March, in vol. iii. of this work, cliap. iii. , n. 64.
9 See "Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix
5^
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May
theBishop,wasadiscipleofSt. Patrick. 9 AccordingtotheaccountsaboutSt. Nectain, he belonged to a place, known as Cill-Uinche, in Conaille-Muir- theimlme. Also, Fioneabhair-Abba was a locality associated with his memory. Here, it seems probable, was the chief place of his residence, when he had embraced a religious life. According to a gloss on the Feilire-Aenguis, Fionuabhair-Abba, or Findabair,'° was on the margin of the River Boyne, in Bregia. It may be Anglicized " the bright field of the river. " At present, it
is known as Fennor," in a small parish," bearing the same name, in the barony of Lower Duleek. '3 Here, there is an ancient church, surrounded by
^^>Wl
Fennor Old Church, near Slane, County of Meath.
a cemeter}','* which is still greatly frequented. Some massive blocks of a fine description of limestone have been inserted in the gable-wall best preserved, and over them is spread a luxurious growth of ivy. In passing along the Dublin road towards Slane,'5 the grey and ivied walls of Fennor cannot fail to impress
Quinta ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. iv. , num. 6, " These are shown in a sketch, taken by
the writer on the spot, in August, 1883, "The " Leabhar Breac " copy. drawn afterwards on the wood by William " In the Folio Volumes of G. V. Du F. Wakeman, and engraved by Mrs. Md-
p. 266.
Noyer's Sketches, vol. viii. , R. I. A. , there are drawings of this old church, with various details.
" Containing 1,127 acres. See " Parlia- mentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 201.
lard.
'5 At the age of seven years, Dagobert,
King of Austrasia, was seized by Grimoald, Mayor of the Palace. He was shorn as a monk and banished to Ireland. Here his education was received in the Abbey of
'3 See the " Ordnance Survey Townland Slane. See "The Illustrated Dublin Jour-
Maps for the County of Meath," sheets 19, 26. The townland proper is shown, on the former sheet.
nal,'' vol. i. . No. 20, p. 312.
''•' See Rev. . X. Ci gan's " Eccle>iastical
History of the Diocese of Meatli, Ancient
—
May 2. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
the beholder, and to awaken Catholic reminiscences. '^ The situation of the old church is one of great picturesqueness. This building measures fifty-five feet, by nineteen, and it had a chancel arch, twenty-two feet, from the east end. How long Nechtain lived here is not known. The Irish Apostle is stated to have been present, however, while he was dying. Nechtain then made his testament, it is said. '7 He called likewise for a drink. St. Patrick had a vision, manifesting his glory in Heaven, before he died. '^ If this account is to be received, St. Nechtain could not have reached a very advanced age, and he must have departed this life, about the middle of the fifth century. When his demise took place, his remains were deposited in Fennor. During the ninth and tenth centuries, some references to it are found in our Annals. 'y After the Anglo-Norman invasion, we find this place to have been converted into a parish church. "'"^ The present saint is patron, where his festival had been kept, on the 2nd of May •^'^ and here, too, we are told, his remains lie. ^^ On this day was venerated Neachtain, as we find set down, in the
Martyrology of Donegal. ^3
Article II. St. Germanus, Bishop and Martyr, in the Country OF the Ambiani, France. \_Fifth Century^ It is the fate of most subject countries—and Ireland forms no exception to the rule—to have not alone their material products appropriated by the dominant country, but even to have their men of sanctity and fair renown absorbed among the rank and file of the conquerors, although having a distinctive national existence. Thus it happens, that the present holy man has been set down as an Anglus, by comparativelymodernwriters;' althoughhisfatherisstatedtohavebeena prince of the nation of the Scots, in his more ancient Acts. These the BoUan-
and Modern," vol. i. , chap, xxiii. , pp. 136,
137.
'?
By a Commentator on tlie Feilire of St.
^ngus.
'^ See " Transactions of the Royal Irish
tivitas consignata in lihro qui Fasti Sancto- mm inscribitur. " In the second edition of his Martyrology, Wilson somewhat variedly inserts liis commemoration: "Eodemdie in inferior! Germania depositio S. Germani
Academy," vol. i. , part i. Dr. Whitley Episcopi et Martyris, natione Angli, qui cum
Stokes' version, p. Ixxxiii.
'9 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," at A. D. 804, 827, 833, 837, 843, 847, 882, 902, 1024.
in Brabantiam trajecisset ; inde in Frisiam, Chrisii tidem prxdicaturus, in mercedem gloriam martyrii adeptus est circiter annum Christi DCCL. " This account, Philip Alex- ander Ferrari seems to have copied, in his
^° See Rev. Anthony Cogan's "Ecclesias-
tical History of the Diocese of Meath, "Catalogus Generalis Sanctorum ;" and,
Ancient and Modern," vol. i. , chap, xxiii. ,
p. 137.
^' See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (a), p. 414.
=^ Such is a statement of a commentator
on the Feilire, in the " Leabhar Breac. "
=3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
118, 119. Article11. —'Thus,JohnWilsonhas
it in the first edition of his "Martyrologium Anglicanum," at the 2nd of May: " In in- feriore Germania Festivitas S. Germani Episcopi et Martyris : hie Anglus natione, in inferiores illas provincias trajecit, Christi fidem prasdicaturus, ulsi tandem suam mer- cedem, martyrii scilicet coronam, adeptus est. Ejus Vita copiose manu exarata in quopiam Belgii monasterio extat, ut e Societate vene- rabilis Sacerdos testatur, atque hoc die Fes-
he adds another mistake, at this date, " In Anglia S. Germani Episcopi et Martyris ;" as if, indeed, St. Germanus either had been Bishop in England, or had there died. He also cites Heribert Rosweyde for his autho- rity, when writing' about the British Saints. However, Rosweyde treated in general on all those saints, whose Manuscript Lives weretobefoundintheBelgianLibraries. It is true, at the 2nd of May, he enters, " Ger- manus Anglus Episcopus et Martyr ;" not- withstanding. Father John Bolland declares, by the expression Anglus, Rosweyde only meant, one of the different nations, that were then subject to the English monarchy,
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Mail ii. De S. Germano Episcopo Mart. apud Anibianos in Gallia, pp. 259 to 270.
^ A Prorogue introduces the Life of St.
57
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 2.
dists have published,^ at the 2nd of May, from various Manuscripts,? with annotations, and having a commentary * by Fatlier John BoUand prefixed. ' The Benedictines barely notice this Tract—supposed to have been written after the tenth century—and, as a tissue of prodigies, which have no other warrant than popular tradition. ^ It was printed, at first, by Pere Jean Cau- chie. 7 At the end of twenty years, in 1665, it was re-issued, with some changes. ^ ColganappearstohavepreparedaLifeofSt. Germanusforpub- lication, at the 2nd of May ; and, the name is so entered, in his list of unpub- lishedManuscripts. 9 HisLifeispubHshed,likewise,inthePetitsBoUandistes' collection. '° InthelatelypublishedEnglish"DictionaryofChristianBiogra- phy,""therearesomenoticesofthissaint. InthetimesoftheEmperorJovian
or Jovinian,'^ who became a protector of the Church, when he succeeded the impious Julian the apostate, '^ it is stated, in the Acts of our saint, that Ger- manusi'-^ who was bishop of Auxerre lived ; however, it may well be ques- tioned, if the latter were even born, at that early period. On more than one occasion, we have alluded to the mission of this holy bishop to Britain, 'S whither he went in order to combat the Pelagian heresy, which there began to spread, as also to confirm the British Christians in the faith. We seem to have no means left for discovering the original name of the present saint. All we learn from his Acts is, that he was the son of a noble father of the Scots' na- tion, while this man was named Audin'^—probably Aedan '7—andofamother, called Aquila. Tiieir son was distinguished for his beautiful features and mein.
He was yet very young, at that time, when St. Germanus of Auxcne visited Britain. '^ This latter holy bishop was about to leave for his own country,'?
58
Germanus, given in seven chapters, com- prising twenty-five paragraphs.
^ Tliis is given, in thirleeii paragraphs.
5 The Acts proper are ended with Historia Translationuii), aactore D. Joanne Cauchio nupcr composita, ut in Officio Ecclesiastico recitaretur.
* See " Ilistoire Literaire de la France," &c. , tomevii. , Siecle xi. , p. 191.
7 Premonstrant and Cure of St, Germain, at Amiens.
and he expired in great agony on the follow- ing night, in the thirty-first year of his age. See Berti's " Ecclesiastics Histori. e Brevia- rium," soec. iv. , cap. v. , p. 124.
'^ His Life is given, among the " Lives of the English Saiuts," by the Tractarian writers, and there, it is stated, that he was born, probably about the year 378. See p. 15. He departed this life, on the 31st of July, A. D. 448, having been a bishop for thirty years and twenty-five days. About forty years after his death, his Acts were
* See ibid.
9 According to " Catalogus Actuum Sanc- written by Constantius, a presbyter of
torum quK MS. habenlur, ordine Mensium et Dierum.
Lyons. See " Gallia Christiana," tonius xii. , p. 262.
'5 His first mission thither is usually as- signed to A. D. 429, in company with St. " Edited by William Smilii, D. C. L. , Loup, Bishop of Troyes. See his Acts, in
•"See "Vies des Saints," tome v. , Se- conde Jour de Mai, pp. 259 to 264.
LL. D. , and Henry Wace, M. A. See vol. ii. , p. 656.
'^ He was a commander in the Imperial Guaid, and he was proclaimed Emperor on the fifth of the July Kalends, A. D. 363. He only retained the dignity for eight months, and he died on the eleventh of the March Kalends, A. D. 364, while journeying to Con- stantinople. The most common opinion is, that he inhaled the fumes of charcoal in his room, \vhere the body was found lifeless. See
the Christian Brothers' "Historical Class- Book," Roman Empire from Coiistaiilinc to Theodosius, A. D. 337-379, sect. 12, p. 223.
'^ He began to lule A. D. 361, but he was mortally wounded in a battle fought against the Persians, on the 27th ofJune, A. D. 363,
L'Abbe Rohrbacher's '"Vies des Saints, pour tous les jours de I'Annee," tome iv. , p. 285.
"Latinized Audinus, called "Anglus na- tione," by Rosweyd, on the authority of Bel- gian Manuscripts, while "other accounts make him Scotch (i. e. Irish) by birth. " "Dictionary of Christian Biography," edited by William Smith, D. C. L. , LL. D. , and Henry Wace, M. A. , vol. ii. , p. 656.
'? 'I'hiswasaverycommonname,among the ancient Irish.
'*It must be remarked, that in company with St. . Severus, bishop of Treves, he visited Britain a second time, A. D. 446, See Dr. John Lingard's "History of England," vol. i. , chap, i. , p. 58.
—
;—
May 2. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
59
when he happened to make the acquaintance of that Scotian family, yet buried in the darkness of Gentile error. His charitable sympathies were deeply moved, and he prayed most earnestly to God for their conversion. These prayers were found to be effective ; while, the strangers were supernaturally moved to visit St. Gerraanus, and to invite him to their house. This invitation he graciously accepted. When he arrived there, he expounded to them, at great length, the principles and practices of Christianity. Audin and Aquila, with their whole family, believed, and they were accordingly baptized. So greatly interested was St. Germanus with their angelic and beautiful son, that he insisted on becoming godfather, and on giving his own name to tlie youth, at the sacred font. ^° After the holy bishop's departure for France, the parents took care, that their son should be trained in the practice of every virtue, while no pains were spared, in giving him a most finished education. Soon, he excelled most other students in learning and wisdom ; while giving himself entirely to the Almighty's service, he became remarkable for the elo- quence and unction, with which he gained over other souls to love the great Creator. So distinguished was he for works of cuarity, that in every poor person he seemed to recognise the Father of the poor, Christ our Redeemer. He bestowed meat and drink—even what was necessary for his own support on all necessitous persons. Every class, that came in contact with him, received religious instruction, and became convinced of Christian obligations, which they joyfully laboured to discharge. The persuasiveness of his dis- course and the sweetness of his disposition were incentives to imitate his gloriousexample. Toguardagainsteviltemptations,thesaintwasconstantly engaged, in watching and prayer ; but, his patience, meekness and charity were specially admired. His holy conversation charmed all, who were privileged to hear him. Modesty and reservegave him a mastery, overhis actions and over his spiritual enemies. It seemed evident to all, that he was destined for a high sphere of usefulness, in the Church. Guided by Divine Grace, heresolvedto abandon a worldly course of living, and to embrace the clerical state. Where his ordination took place is not recorded. But, he had no sooner been called to labour in the ministry, than he possessed the gift of miracles, giving sight to the blind, and hearing to the deaf, restoring the lame, and cleansing lepers ; he healed the paralysed and sick, he dispossessed demons, while he even raised the dead to life. His miracles in converting souls to God were still more admirable, while preaching the Gospel of Christ. Thus, the fame of blessed Germanuswashappilydiffused,inhisowncountry. There,theAngelofthe Lord appeared to hun, after he had become a priest, urging him to leave his parents and natal soil, and to seek Gaul, as the scene for his future labours. '^' His chief object was to rejoin his godflither, Germanus, whose wisdom and piety he had so greatly reverenced. When, like another Abraham, he had resolved on taking this course, coming to the sea-shore, he found no vessel, or crew, to bear him over the deep ocean. Then he prayed, that God might furnish him with some means, to visit St. Germanus, and immediately a chariot was seen, into which the pilgrim of great fliith entered. He poured
'9 About this time, the Romans, under the Patrician Aetiiis, were engaged in an effort to subdue the people of Armorica. St. Ger- manus laboured to procure peace for Gaul but, at the time of his death, a great part of Armorica remained independent. See Henri Martin's "Historic de France," tome i. , liv. vii. Gaule Roniaine, pp. 363, 364.
rum," tomus i.
* See "Hisloiiae Catholicse Ibernise
Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. ,
p. 50.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Maii tlie Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript
i. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 2.
* At this date, Father Godefrid Ilenschena has published six different Lives of this
Saint.
sSee Rader's "Bavaria Sancta," tomus
iii. , p. 4.
Ar 1 icLE XVI. — • See O'Sullevan Beare's
Series, vol. i. , part i. , p. Ixxviii.
- See ibid. , p. Ixxxiii.
^The Commentator adds, "in regione
Scitarum. "
•
'I'he Commentator remarks : " Philipus hautem diaconus. uii. filias profetanles habuit non Philipus Apostolus. "
^'\'\\q Scholiast states, also, at this date : " lacobus frater Domini et Mathias Aposto- lus hie,"
'See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Maii
"IIi^torice CatholiccelberniaiCompendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xii. , \\ 57.
Article xvii. —' Ld;led by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiii. The Franciscan copy enters
flonAni.
'See " Acta Sanctoi-um," tomus i. , Maii
i.
Among t! ie pretermitted saints, p. 3. ^Edited by Dri. Todd and Reeves, pp.
Il6, 117. — "
Article xviii. ' See Transactions of
———
May 2. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 55
Article XIX. Festival of the beginning of the Preaching of OUR Lord Jesus Christ. Such is the record we find, in the FeiUre ' of St. ^ngus,attheistofMay. TheBoUandists^alsohaveenteredtliisfestival, at the same date, and on the authority of several ancient Martyrologies. 3 They refer the reader to Florentinius' notes on the Martyrology of St. Jerome, for a curious disquisition relating to this topic.
^tronlj JBay of iWap,
ARTICLE I. —ST. NEACHTAIN, OF CILL-UINCHE, COUNTY OF LOUTH, AND OF FENNOR, ON THE RIVER BOYNE, COUNTY OF MEATH.
[FIFTH CENTURY. ]
THIS holy pupil and near relation of St. Patrick had an early commemo- ration; for, his festival has been assigned to the 2nd of May, in the Feilire' of St. JEngus the Culdee. In the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at this date, is also recorded, Neachtan of Cill Unchi, or Cell Funchi,3 in Conailibh, or Conaill,'* sometimes called Fidh Conaille. This latter place must have been situated, within the county of Louth ; over the greater part of which the terri- toryofConailleMuirtheimhneextended. TheBoUandistsnoticethisholy man, at the present date. s St. Nechtain, or Nectan, was the son ofLiam- hain,^ or Liamain,7 sister to St. Patrick. ^ For this reason, he was called Mac
Leamhua, or Mac Lemnai, His father was probably Restitutus, the Lombard. He was consequently a nephew to the great Irish Apostle, on the mother's side. It would seem, that the latter had charge of his early education and ecclesiastical training ; for, it has been very generally stated, that St. Nectan,
i. De S. Philippo Apostolo, Martyre, Hiera- poli in Phrygia, pp. 7 to 18.
Article xix. —•
copy, in " Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , parti. , p. Ixxviii.
* See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Mali i. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 3.
3 Among them are those of St. Jerome, of Corbie, ot Lucca, of Blumian, of Notlcer, of Wandelbert, of Tallagh, of Manuscripts, called the Barberinian, Augustan, and those belonging to the Monastery of St. Cyriacus and to the Queen of Sweden.
whom he went, with (the) death, after a long sigh, of Nechtan Patrick's pupil. "
" On tiie Calendar of Oengus," " Transac- tions of the Royal Irish Academy," vol. i. , part i. , p. Ixxviii.
^ Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiii. In the Franciscan copy we find UeAchcAin o CibL imci 1 CotiAiLub.
3 Tiie " Leabhar Breac " gloss.
^ Tlie " Leabhar Breac " gloss.
s See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
Maii ii. Among the pretermitted saints,
P- ^^T-
* This name is found Latinized as Liema-
'
See "Leabhar Breac "
Article i. — ' In the "Leabhar Breac nia ; but, it seems not to have been dis-
copy we read :
efcomLAT) Sacu^mii
Co CiM-pc iniAi\Anic LA'hec]'echu iAi\i'i]\c'hneCiTco
tleclicAin daLca Paci\aic
It is thus rendered by Dr. Whitley Stokes : "Saturninus' departure, unto Christ nigh
covered, that she had a feast in our Calen- dars.
7 She is so called, by the glossographer on the " Feilire," in tlie Lealjhar Breac copy, where lie asserts, that she was the daughter of Calpurn.
^ See his Life, at the 17th of March, in vol. iii. of this work, cliap. iii. , n. 64.
9 See "Trias Thaumaturga," Appendix
5^
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May
theBishop,wasadiscipleofSt. Patrick. 9 AccordingtotheaccountsaboutSt. Nectain, he belonged to a place, known as Cill-Uinche, in Conaille-Muir- theimlme. Also, Fioneabhair-Abba was a locality associated with his memory. Here, it seems probable, was the chief place of his residence, when he had embraced a religious life. According to a gloss on the Feilire-Aenguis, Fionuabhair-Abba, or Findabair,'° was on the margin of the River Boyne, in Bregia. It may be Anglicized " the bright field of the river. " At present, it
is known as Fennor," in a small parish," bearing the same name, in the barony of Lower Duleek. '3 Here, there is an ancient church, surrounded by
^^>Wl
Fennor Old Church, near Slane, County of Meath.
a cemeter}','* which is still greatly frequented. Some massive blocks of a fine description of limestone have been inserted in the gable-wall best preserved, and over them is spread a luxurious growth of ivy. In passing along the Dublin road towards Slane,'5 the grey and ivied walls of Fennor cannot fail to impress
Quinta ad Acta S. Patricii, cap. iv. , num. 6, " These are shown in a sketch, taken by
the writer on the spot, in August, 1883, "The " Leabhar Breac " copy. drawn afterwards on the wood by William " In the Folio Volumes of G. V. Du F. Wakeman, and engraved by Mrs. Md-
p. 266.
Noyer's Sketches, vol. viii. , R. I. A. , there are drawings of this old church, with various details.
" Containing 1,127 acres. See " Parlia- mentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 201.
lard.
'5 At the age of seven years, Dagobert,
King of Austrasia, was seized by Grimoald, Mayor of the Palace. He was shorn as a monk and banished to Ireland. Here his education was received in the Abbey of
'3 See the " Ordnance Survey Townland Slane. See "The Illustrated Dublin Jour-
Maps for the County of Meath," sheets 19, 26. The townland proper is shown, on the former sheet.
nal,'' vol. i. . No. 20, p. 312.
''•' See Rev. . X. Ci gan's " Eccle>iastical
History of the Diocese of Meatli, Ancient
—
May 2. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
the beholder, and to awaken Catholic reminiscences. '^ The situation of the old church is one of great picturesqueness. This building measures fifty-five feet, by nineteen, and it had a chancel arch, twenty-two feet, from the east end. How long Nechtain lived here is not known. The Irish Apostle is stated to have been present, however, while he was dying. Nechtain then made his testament, it is said. '7 He called likewise for a drink. St. Patrick had a vision, manifesting his glory in Heaven, before he died. '^ If this account is to be received, St. Nechtain could not have reached a very advanced age, and he must have departed this life, about the middle of the fifth century. When his demise took place, his remains were deposited in Fennor. During the ninth and tenth centuries, some references to it are found in our Annals. 'y After the Anglo-Norman invasion, we find this place to have been converted into a parish church. "'"^ The present saint is patron, where his festival had been kept, on the 2nd of May •^'^ and here, too, we are told, his remains lie. ^^ On this day was venerated Neachtain, as we find set down, in the
Martyrology of Donegal. ^3
Article II. St. Germanus, Bishop and Martyr, in the Country OF the Ambiani, France. \_Fifth Century^ It is the fate of most subject countries—and Ireland forms no exception to the rule—to have not alone their material products appropriated by the dominant country, but even to have their men of sanctity and fair renown absorbed among the rank and file of the conquerors, although having a distinctive national existence. Thus it happens, that the present holy man has been set down as an Anglus, by comparativelymodernwriters;' althoughhisfatherisstatedtohavebeena prince of the nation of the Scots, in his more ancient Acts. These the BoUan-
and Modern," vol. i. , chap, xxiii. , pp. 136,
137.
'?
By a Commentator on tlie Feilire of St.
^ngus.
'^ See " Transactions of the Royal Irish
tivitas consignata in lihro qui Fasti Sancto- mm inscribitur. " In the second edition of his Martyrology, Wilson somewhat variedly inserts liis commemoration: "Eodemdie in inferior! Germania depositio S. Germani
Academy," vol. i. , part i. Dr. Whitley Episcopi et Martyris, natione Angli, qui cum
Stokes' version, p. Ixxxiii.
'9 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," at A. D. 804, 827, 833, 837, 843, 847, 882, 902, 1024.
in Brabantiam trajecisset ; inde in Frisiam, Chrisii tidem prxdicaturus, in mercedem gloriam martyrii adeptus est circiter annum Christi DCCL. " This account, Philip Alex- ander Ferrari seems to have copied, in his
^° See Rev. Anthony Cogan's "Ecclesias-
tical History of the Diocese of Meath, "Catalogus Generalis Sanctorum ;" and,
Ancient and Modern," vol. i. , chap, xxiii. ,
p. 137.
^' See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , n. (a), p. 414.
=^ Such is a statement of a commentator
on the Feilire, in the " Leabhar Breac. "
=3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
118, 119. Article11. —'Thus,JohnWilsonhas
it in the first edition of his "Martyrologium Anglicanum," at the 2nd of May: " In in- feriore Germania Festivitas S. Germani Episcopi et Martyris : hie Anglus natione, in inferiores illas provincias trajecit, Christi fidem prasdicaturus, ulsi tandem suam mer- cedem, martyrii scilicet coronam, adeptus est. Ejus Vita copiose manu exarata in quopiam Belgii monasterio extat, ut e Societate vene- rabilis Sacerdos testatur, atque hoc die Fes-
he adds another mistake, at this date, " In Anglia S. Germani Episcopi et Martyris ;" as if, indeed, St. Germanus either had been Bishop in England, or had there died. He also cites Heribert Rosweyde for his autho- rity, when writing' about the British Saints. However, Rosweyde treated in general on all those saints, whose Manuscript Lives weretobefoundintheBelgianLibraries. It is true, at the 2nd of May, he enters, " Ger- manus Anglus Episcopus et Martyr ;" not- withstanding. Father John Bolland declares, by the expression Anglus, Rosweyde only meant, one of the different nations, that were then subject to the English monarchy,
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Mail ii. De S. Germano Episcopo Mart. apud Anibianos in Gallia, pp. 259 to 270.
^ A Prorogue introduces the Life of St.
57
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 2.
dists have published,^ at the 2nd of May, from various Manuscripts,? with annotations, and having a commentary * by Fatlier John BoUand prefixed. ' The Benedictines barely notice this Tract—supposed to have been written after the tenth century—and, as a tissue of prodigies, which have no other warrant than popular tradition. ^ It was printed, at first, by Pere Jean Cau- chie. 7 At the end of twenty years, in 1665, it was re-issued, with some changes. ^ ColganappearstohavepreparedaLifeofSt. Germanusforpub- lication, at the 2nd of May ; and, the name is so entered, in his list of unpub- lishedManuscripts. 9 HisLifeispubHshed,likewise,inthePetitsBoUandistes' collection. '° InthelatelypublishedEnglish"DictionaryofChristianBiogra- phy,""therearesomenoticesofthissaint. InthetimesoftheEmperorJovian
or Jovinian,'^ who became a protector of the Church, when he succeeded the impious Julian the apostate, '^ it is stated, in the Acts of our saint, that Ger- manusi'-^ who was bishop of Auxerre lived ; however, it may well be ques- tioned, if the latter were even born, at that early period. On more than one occasion, we have alluded to the mission of this holy bishop to Britain, 'S whither he went in order to combat the Pelagian heresy, which there began to spread, as also to confirm the British Christians in the faith. We seem to have no means left for discovering the original name of the present saint. All we learn from his Acts is, that he was the son of a noble father of the Scots' na- tion, while this man was named Audin'^—probably Aedan '7—andofamother, called Aquila. Tiieir son was distinguished for his beautiful features and mein.
He was yet very young, at that time, when St. Germanus of Auxcne visited Britain. '^ This latter holy bishop was about to leave for his own country,'?
58
Germanus, given in seven chapters, com- prising twenty-five paragraphs.
^ Tliis is given, in thirleeii paragraphs.
5 The Acts proper are ended with Historia Translationuii), aactore D. Joanne Cauchio nupcr composita, ut in Officio Ecclesiastico recitaretur.
* See " Ilistoire Literaire de la France," &c. , tomevii. , Siecle xi. , p. 191.
7 Premonstrant and Cure of St, Germain, at Amiens.
and he expired in great agony on the follow- ing night, in the thirty-first year of his age. See Berti's " Ecclesiastics Histori. e Brevia- rium," soec. iv. , cap. v. , p. 124.
'^ His Life is given, among the " Lives of the English Saiuts," by the Tractarian writers, and there, it is stated, that he was born, probably about the year 378. See p. 15. He departed this life, on the 31st of July, A. D. 448, having been a bishop for thirty years and twenty-five days. About forty years after his death, his Acts were
* See ibid.
9 According to " Catalogus Actuum Sanc- written by Constantius, a presbyter of
torum quK MS. habenlur, ordine Mensium et Dierum.
Lyons. See " Gallia Christiana," tonius xii. , p. 262.
'5 His first mission thither is usually as- signed to A. D. 429, in company with St. " Edited by William Smilii, D. C. L. , Loup, Bishop of Troyes. See his Acts, in
•"See "Vies des Saints," tome v. , Se- conde Jour de Mai, pp. 259 to 264.
LL. D. , and Henry Wace, M. A. See vol. ii. , p. 656.
'^ He was a commander in the Imperial Guaid, and he was proclaimed Emperor on the fifth of the July Kalends, A. D. 363. He only retained the dignity for eight months, and he died on the eleventh of the March Kalends, A. D. 364, while journeying to Con- stantinople. The most common opinion is, that he inhaled the fumes of charcoal in his room, \vhere the body was found lifeless. See
the Christian Brothers' "Historical Class- Book," Roman Empire from Coiistaiilinc to Theodosius, A. D. 337-379, sect. 12, p. 223.
'^ He began to lule A. D. 361, but he was mortally wounded in a battle fought against the Persians, on the 27th ofJune, A. D. 363,
L'Abbe Rohrbacher's '"Vies des Saints, pour tous les jours de I'Annee," tome iv. , p. 285.
"Latinized Audinus, called "Anglus na- tione," by Rosweyd, on the authority of Bel- gian Manuscripts, while "other accounts make him Scotch (i. e. Irish) by birth. " "Dictionary of Christian Biography," edited by William Smith, D. C. L. , LL. D. , and Henry Wace, M. A. , vol. ii. , p. 656.
'? 'I'hiswasaverycommonname,among the ancient Irish.
'*It must be remarked, that in company with St. . Severus, bishop of Treves, he visited Britain a second time, A. D. 446, See Dr. John Lingard's "History of England," vol. i. , chap, i. , p. 58.
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May 2. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
59
when he happened to make the acquaintance of that Scotian family, yet buried in the darkness of Gentile error. His charitable sympathies were deeply moved, and he prayed most earnestly to God for their conversion. These prayers were found to be effective ; while, the strangers were supernaturally moved to visit St. Gerraanus, and to invite him to their house. This invitation he graciously accepted. When he arrived there, he expounded to them, at great length, the principles and practices of Christianity. Audin and Aquila, with their whole family, believed, and they were accordingly baptized. So greatly interested was St. Germanus with their angelic and beautiful son, that he insisted on becoming godfather, and on giving his own name to tlie youth, at the sacred font. ^° After the holy bishop's departure for France, the parents took care, that their son should be trained in the practice of every virtue, while no pains were spared, in giving him a most finished education. Soon, he excelled most other students in learning and wisdom ; while giving himself entirely to the Almighty's service, he became remarkable for the elo- quence and unction, with which he gained over other souls to love the great Creator. So distinguished was he for works of cuarity, that in every poor person he seemed to recognise the Father of the poor, Christ our Redeemer. He bestowed meat and drink—even what was necessary for his own support on all necessitous persons. Every class, that came in contact with him, received religious instruction, and became convinced of Christian obligations, which they joyfully laboured to discharge. The persuasiveness of his dis- course and the sweetness of his disposition were incentives to imitate his gloriousexample. Toguardagainsteviltemptations,thesaintwasconstantly engaged, in watching and prayer ; but, his patience, meekness and charity were specially admired. His holy conversation charmed all, who were privileged to hear him. Modesty and reservegave him a mastery, overhis actions and over his spiritual enemies. It seemed evident to all, that he was destined for a high sphere of usefulness, in the Church. Guided by Divine Grace, heresolvedto abandon a worldly course of living, and to embrace the clerical state. Where his ordination took place is not recorded. But, he had no sooner been called to labour in the ministry, than he possessed the gift of miracles, giving sight to the blind, and hearing to the deaf, restoring the lame, and cleansing lepers ; he healed the paralysed and sick, he dispossessed demons, while he even raised the dead to life. His miracles in converting souls to God were still more admirable, while preaching the Gospel of Christ. Thus, the fame of blessed Germanuswashappilydiffused,inhisowncountry. There,theAngelofthe Lord appeared to hun, after he had become a priest, urging him to leave his parents and natal soil, and to seek Gaul, as the scene for his future labours. '^' His chief object was to rejoin his godflither, Germanus, whose wisdom and piety he had so greatly reverenced. When, like another Abraham, he had resolved on taking this course, coming to the sea-shore, he found no vessel, or crew, to bear him over the deep ocean. Then he prayed, that God might furnish him with some means, to visit St. Germanus, and immediately a chariot was seen, into which the pilgrim of great fliith entered. He poured
'9 About this time, the Romans, under the Patrician Aetiiis, were engaged in an effort to subdue the people of Armorica. St. Ger- manus laboured to procure peace for Gaul but, at the time of his death, a great part of Armorica remained independent. See Henri Martin's "Historic de France," tome i. , liv. vii. Gaule Roniaine, pp. 363, 364.
rum," tomus i.
