Hymn,
75 Known as the Altus Prosator, a copy of which was in the possession of Colgan, who has published it.
75 Known as the Altus Prosator, a copy of which was in the possession of Colgan, who has published it.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
523
Lugaid approaches, and tell him the wicked man he brings in his ship must be landed in the Island Malea,52 or Mull," for his feet shall not pollute the soil ofthis Island. " Accordingly, in obedience to the saint's command, Diarmit went down to the sea-shore, and conveyed his message to Lugaid. Having heard these words, the unhappy man vowed he should never taste food, until he had seen and spoken to St. Columba. Thereupon, Diermait returned to the Abbot and reported his words. Having learned this, Columba himself went to the port, while Baithen, who was told about the crime, 5 * seems to have carried with him a volume of the Sacred Scriptures, as if to oblige the culprit to vow upon it, that he would accept a weighty penance for his flagrant guilt. The wretched man prostrated himself on the shore and at the knees of the holy Abbot, promising that he would fulfil whatever pen-
" This man is a son of perdition,
ance might be imposed on him. The saint replied
you repent in tears and in mourning among the Britons, and never return to Scotiasolongasyoulive,perchancetheAlmightywouldpardonyou. "56 Then
turning to his attendants, Columba said
:
who although he promises to do penance shall fail to fulfil his engagement, but soon shall he return to Scotia, where he must perish at the hands of his enemies. " All this happened, and just as the saint predicted. Soon did the wretch return to Hibernia, and in the territory 5 ? of Lea s 8 or Li, 5 ? he was mur-
60
While Mochonna—to whom we have already alluded—dwelt in the
monastery of Hy, St. Columba engaged him in the work of transcription ; and when daylight failed the young monk for his task, a supernatural brightness filled his cell by night. This was observed with envy by certain false brethren,
and it is stated, that at the hour for refreshment, poison had been conveyed into the cup set before him. However, at that moment, St. Columba, who was alone in his hermit's cell, had a Divine monition regarding this con-
spiracy. He relieved Mochonna from all danger, by suddenly raising his hand and blessing the cup from a distance. Instantly, the poison effervesced
dered by his enemies.
51 a. d. 332.
s' Like most of the names of islands *in
Adamnan, an adjective agreeing with insn- lam is here employed. See lib. i. , cap. 41, and lib. ii. , cap. 22.
from Bior to Camus. " Genealogical Mann-
script, at p. 334. The Bior is the Moyla River, locally called "the water," which
rising in Ballynascreen, on the west of the county Londonderry, flows eastwards. Pass-
53 In Ptolemy the Greek geographer, this
Island appears as MaXeos. Off the south-
western extremity, called the Ross, lies the
Isle of Iona. In his " Scotichronicon," part, the northern limit of the diocese of Fordun has it written Mule. See lib. ii. ,
cap. x. The Northern writers style it Myl, in their chronicles.
is a well-known churchyard on the Bann, _
aboutamilesouthofColeraine. SeeCol-
54 The declaration is made by Adamnan, gan's
"
Trias Thaumaturga," Septima Vita
in these terms: "O Baithenee, hie homo fratricidium in modum perpetravic Cain, et cum sua matre mcechatus est. "
55 This was a usual term of monastic pen-
S. Patricii, lib. ii. , cap. exxxviii. , p. 148, and
n. 221, p. 183, and Quarta Vita S. Co-
lumbse, lib. i. , cap. xxii. , p. 343, and nn. 69,
7°> P- 377-
58 inthe BookofArmagh, Tirechancalls
it bee, in fob 15^, &•
59 ln Irish bi, or mag ti, or from the in-
habitants, pj\ bi. Giraldus Cambrensis employs the last name, in the form Ferli. See " Opera," edited by James F. Dimock, vol. v. "Expugnatio Hibernica," lib. ii. , cap. xvii. , p. 343.
6° See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life of St. Columba," lib. i. , cap. 22, and nn. (a, b, c, d, e), pp. 51 to 53.
ance or service, as may be seen, by re- "
fering to Venerable Bede's Historia Eccle- siastica Gentis Anglorum. "
5s See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Tertia Vita S. Columbse, cap. vii. , pp. 332. 333 ; Quarta Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. xxii. , p. 343 ; Quinta Vita S. Columbce, lib. ii. , cap. xxxiv. ,p. 415.
57 The territory lay on the west side of the River Bann, being thus defined by Mac Firbis : pr» bi o bmop 50 CA-mur, " Fir-Li
:
" If for twelve years 55
ing Castledawson, it falls into Lough Neagh. At the Synod of Rathbreasil, in 1 1 10, it was constituted, and it still continues to be, in
Armagh. Camus, the northern boundary,
5 2 4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
andflowedoverthevessel; thenSt. Mochonnadrainedtheremainingbeverage,
and escaped all danger. Finding, however, that he was still envied by those
monks, St. Columba willed that Mochonna should remove elsewhere ; and
sending for him, it was signified, that he should be consecrated as bishop.
Having been adorned with the ring, pastoral staff, and other emblems of
episcopal authority, he was sent into the territory of the Picts, with twelve
other 61 Columba committed to him the care of a and its companions. church,
site was to be determined on reaching the banks of a river, bent in the form of a shepherd's crook. With his obedient companions, Mochonna set forth until he arrived at the margin of a stream presenting such an appearance, and there he erected a church. While living in that place, he destroyed a huge mon- ster, which devastated that province, and which killed all it met, with a pesti- ferous breath. According to the legend, that beast was metamorphosed into a rock. It is stated, moreover, that Mochonna wrought many other miracles in that province, where he converted numbers to the true Faith, where he erected several churches, and extirpated the worship of false gods, overturning also their idols. 62 Acurious circumstance is related, also, as
having
the house of a rich named 63 who lived in Mount countryman, Foirtgirnus,
Cainle. 6* When St. Columba was a guest at this house, he decided justly a
dispute between two rustics, whose coming to him he knew beforehand. One
of them, named Sylvanus, was a sorcerer, and he effected most wonderful
thingsbyhisdiabolicalart,asAdamnanrelates. 65 Somewhatafterthemanner
of and Aaron in 66 St. Columba counteracted the efforts of this Moyses Egypt,
magician to impose on the people ; and blood, it is said coloured to resemble milk, was restored to its natural appearance. This account is certainly a very curious and remarkable one, as coming from a writer so enlightened as Adamnan,6? anditillustratesastateofsocietyandofopinion,quitedistinct from what generally prevails in our time.
Various legends of our saint are related by O'Donnell, but which are not to'be found in St. Columba's earlier Acts. Among those fictitious inventions, we may class that story of angels bearing a wooden cross, and placing it over
68 was the engaged celebrating
astonished. Immediately the chief Pontiff approached, and taking it up, he
an altar in Rome, when St. Pope
Gregory Holy Sacrifice of Mass in his own church.
Some clerics who were present endeavoured to remove it, but they could not, and they were greatly
" This cross is not intended for me nor for of any
said to the
you, but it is reserved for a servant of God named Columba, who is living in aremotepartoftheworld. " Whereupon,heorderedcertainclericstopre- pare for a journey, and to bear that gift sent from Heaven to the aforesaid servant of Christ, then dwelling in the Island of Hy. Meantime, our saint had an internal illumination, regarding their journey to him, and its object.
bystanders :
61 In commemoration of the Apostles, that
was usually the number sent to inaugurate
a See Exodus, vii.
6? See also Colgan's "Trias Thauma- turga,"Tertia Vita S. Columke, cap. xviii. ,
any important mission.
62 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," p. 333 ; Quarta Vita S. Columba;, lib. ii. ,
Quinta Vita S. Columboe, lib. iii. , cap. xxv. ,
xxvi. , p. 425.
6i It has been conjectured, that this form
of the name may have been intended to ex-
press the Irish portcchenn, the name of one
cap. xvii. , p. 354.
among St. Patrick's disciples.
64 Some place unknown.
6s See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Book of Hymns of the Ancient Irish
" Life of St. Columba," lib. ii. , cap. 17, and Church, "edited by Rev. Dr. James Henthorn nn. (a, b, c, d), pp. 126, 127. Todd, these words are said to have been ad-
*Surnamecl the and the first Great,
Sovereign Pontiff of this name, began to rule over the Universal Church, A. D. 590, and he died A. D. 604.
69
copy, contained in the leAbhan Imuiun, or
In the Preface to the Altus Prosator
occurred in
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 525
6" Then he said to the attendants : 9
This very night, messengers from Pope Gregory shall be our guests, and take care that suitable provision be made for their entertainment. " At this time, but one baked loaf and a small cup of wine destined for the Holy Sacrifice happened to be in the monastery. Hav- ing ordered both to be produced, he blessed them in the name of Christ, and so greatly were they increased, that abundance was immediately procured, not alone for the guests, but for the whole religious community. On this occasion,
St. Columbawaspresentedwiththatwoodencross7° broughtfromRomeand 1
sentbyPopeGregory. ? Accordingtootheraccounts,theybroughttheHymn
of the a Week,
Hymn
of the week, and other 2 After gifts. ?
for
this, it is related, that St. Columba sent back to Pope St. Gregory, at Rome,73
through three of his disciples, that rhythmical Hymn 74 he had composed in honour of the Most Blessed Trinity,7S while dwelling at Iona,76 and during
77
the time of Aedan,7
of —andof
Gabhran, King Alba, Aedh,79 son to
8l
presenting
Cross in the time of O'Donnell. See "Trias "
Thaumaturga, Vita Quinta S. Columba. *, lib. ii. , cap. xx. , p. 412.
72 According to a Preface of the Altus
Prosator, in the " Leabhar Breac," fol.
109a.
73 If we admit the authenticity of the story
with those circumstances included in the
text, and the chronology sought to be as- signed for the composition of St. Columba's
the Altus Prosator, we must refer it to the closing years of the holy Abbot's life, or to about the period, between A. D. 590 to
A. D. 594.
74 One account has it, that this Hymn had
been composed as a penance, to atone for blood shed in the battle of Cuil Dremne.
Hymn,
75 Known as the Altus Prosator, a copy of which was in the possession of Colgan, who has published it. The reader is referred to what has been written
81 He is thus called in the
1muiun, or " Book of Hymns of the Ancient Church of Ireland," edited by Rev. Dr.
already regarding it, in the Fifth Chapter of this biography.
teAbliA^
every night
ssonto
Ainmire, King of Erinn, and of Mauritius or Foccas 8o also called Falcus
King of the Romans. In order to test the supernatural prescience of Pope Gregory, or his abilities for literary criticism, the messengers ventured to expunge three of the stanzas, and to substitute others in their place, before
Pontiff. When thus that com- interpolated,
that Poem 8 * to the
position was presented to him, as Gregory had ordered the messenger to read
holy it, before himself and his assistants.
dressed to Boithin. See 204, and p.
Additional Notes A, pp. 220, 221.
7° According to the Preface of the Altus Prosator, in the beAbhan Irnuitm, it was
called in Irish TTl6rx5ein or Great Gem.
71 It was said to have been preserved after- wards in Torach Island, off the north-west coast of Ireland, and it was called the Great
The Pope continued standing until the
77 By this, we are to- probably suppose
the reigns of the monarchs, who are after- wards mentioned.
78 His reign over Scotland, extended from
A. D. 574 to a. d. 606. See Roderick "
79 His reign lasted twenty-seven years, from a. d. 568 to 594. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 206 to 221.
80 The scholiast on the Altus Prosator in
the Liber Hymnorum has it thus, as if
doubtful regarding the chronology. The
former Maurice commenced his reign over
the Roman Empire, A. D. 582, and closed it
A. D. 602. See an account of his acts in Gib-
bon's " of the Decline and Fall of History
the Roman Empire," vol. v. , chap, xlv. , xlvi. ,pp. 345to386. Phocas,whoimme- diately succeeded, commenced his reign, A. D. 602, and died A. D. 610. See ibid. , chap, xlvi. , pp. 383 to 388. Wherefore, it could only have been in the reign of the former, that the Altus Prosator had been composed by St. Columba, whose death occurred be- fore the latter commenced his reign.
76 See the LeAbhar* 1muiun, or " Book of
Hymns of the Ancient Church of Ireland," James Henthorn Todd, Fasciculus ii. ,
edited by Rev. Dr. James Henthorn Todd,
Fasciculus ii. , Preface, p. 204, and Addi-
tional Notes A, p. 220. Some'accounts have
it,thattheAltusProsatorhadbeencom-
posed, at the Nigra cellula, or Duibh Regies,
p. 224.
82
It is said to have been sent as an ex- change present, for the wooden cross, and fortheHymnsoftheWeek-book,transmitted to St. Columba by the Pope. See the Preface to Rev. Dr. Todd's edition of the Altus Prosator.
"
"Leabhar Breac," fol. 109a.
black church," of Derry, as stated in the
Ogygia," Scotia? Regum Ca-
O'Flaherty's
talogus Chronologo-Genealogicus, pp. 473 to 476.
—
526 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
apocryphal stanzas 83 were recited, and on the reader commencing them, he immediately sat down, but he stood up once more when they were read, and he heard the remainder while on his feet. This was specially remarked, by some of the distinguished courtiers present, and they enquired from him the cause. He declared, that he stood, because he observed many Holy Angels standing at the side of the person who was reading, and when he came to the interpolated stanzas,84 the heavenly messengers disappeared, when he imme- diately sat down, but when the stanzas were finished, those good spirits again appearing, the Pope stood in reverence, until the lecture had finished. 8^ The disciples of Columba were quite astonished at this miraculous manifestation, and they were moved to compunction for the imposture they had practised.
They humbly sought pardon, while relating the true cause for the disappear- ance of that angelic vision, and they obtained it from the clement Pontiff. He
poem,
*3 In the Preface to Rev. Dr. Todd's edi-
tion, we read, that three chapters were put into the poem, and that these were made by
Gregory himself, viz. , Hie subiatus, and Orbem, and Vagatur.
84 We are informed, the reason why the first stanza of Altus Prosator has seven lines is, because it praises God ; since that odd number is suitable to Him, as it shows His inequality with His creatures. The other stanzas have six lines each, because in six
greatly praised
were created. There are sixteen syllables in each line. Another reason, assigned for the first stanza contain-
sung by the ancient Irish, and Indulgences seem to have been accorded to the devout reciters. The proper manner for reciting it is described to be, as it had been sung at that Deo—an —
all
days things
first, Quis potest Antiphon occurring at the end of the Hymn should
86 which had been to him while he presented ;
that
commanded the disciples of St. Columba to offer his thanks and courtesies, with indults 87 granted to the author from the Apostolic See. 88 Furthermore,
be sung between every two chapters or ing seven lines, is, that there are seven stanzas. It is added, that many graces are
grades in the Church, or that there are seven
gifts of the Holy Ghost, or that the number
conferred upon those reciting this Hymn, viz. : Angels are present while it is sung ; the Devil shall not know the path of him
seven signifies universality.
85 The Altus Prosator is composed in who sings it every day ; neither shall his
Rythm, of which there are two kinds, Arti- ficialis and Vulgaris. The former has the feet made with equal times, and equal divi- sion, and with equal weight, viz. , arcis and thesis ; and where the subsequent is for the precedent in the right of resolution. In the Vulgaris, there is a correspondence ofsylla- bles, in quatrains and half quatrains ; while thisHymnis composedinthelattermea- sure.
86
enemies perceive him that day on which he sings it ; and, moreover, there shall be no strife in that house where it is frequently
sung. It protects from every kind of death, except death on the pillow ; there shall be neither hunger nor nakedness in the place where it is frequently sung ; besides many other temporal and spiritual benefits accrue. There is a quatrain, on the lower margin of the "Leabhar Breac," fol. 109a, which thus
and it is —
One
while Columcille was alone with Boithin in Hy, they had no food but a sieve of oats, when the messengers of Pope Gregory ar- rived there. Our saint told Boithin to en- tertain them, while he went to the mill taking his burden from a certain stone, called Blathnat or Moelblatha, which was in the Regies, or monastery church of Hy. It was shown there, when the scholiast wrote this account. St. Columba composed —his Hymn, Adjutorlaborantium,ontheway butwhe- ther this was a distinct one from the Altus Prosator or not is doubtful, as narrated. However, it is stated, when he cast his first charge into the mill, he then extemporane-
legend regarding
it states, that reads in reference to this
ously composed the first chapter, and that while the sack of grain was being ground,
the other chapters followed in succession, until both the work of the mill and his own intellectual efforts were ended about the same time.
87 The Altus Prosator was often recited or
subject, coeval with the Manuscript itself:
geib 111 aLcu]' cobafecric, tlA t>Am cenc x>o •oeman r>up,
rhfpb S^bar* ipn bich, 11a cich na cinn^e yop cub.
" Sing the Altus seven times,
Yield not thy right to the hard de-
mon, Thereisnodiseaseintheworld,
"
No difficulty that it will not banish. See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Vita S. Columbce, lib. ii. , cap. \\ ; ,,
p. 412, and n. 12, p. 452.
88
June 9. LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 527
it is related, the Pope considered, although the Triune God was admirably praised in His creatures throughout that Poem, He was not sufficiently so exalted in His attributes. To atone for such defect, St. Columba composed afterwards the Hymn " In te Christe," when the Sovereign Pontiffs criticism
had been reported thus by his disciples. ^
Furthermore, it is related, that having a desire to visit Rome, St. Columba
sent for St. Mochonna, chosing him from among all his other monks to be his companion. This was because he knew the learning and accomplishments
of that disciple. Both were honourably received by Pope St. Gregory ;9° and when the Sovereign Pontiff understood from the holy Abbot Columba the
name, dignity and holiness of his attendant, he desired, that the guest should
See of Tours- thensaidtobevacant requiredaprelateofstationandofmerit,Mochonna was selected to be its administrator. This city had been undercharge of the illustrious St. Martin^2 whose body had been there interred. St. Columba
be called Mauricius 9 1 — and as the thenceforward, episcopal
and the newly-appointed administrator, having accomplished the objects of their Roman pilgrimage, directed their course to Tours. At this time, the chiefs and people of that city knew not where the relics of their patron had been interred. However, the fame of Columba's sanctity and prophetic spirit had preceded him, and the inhabitants of Tours eagerly asked him with a promise of rich gifts, that he would deign to enlighten them on the matter, so that they might find their patron's tomb, and suitably honour his holy re- mains. The Abbot yielded to their prayers, and stated, that he would only accept a single treasure, which was to be found in St. Martin's grave. To this request assent was given, and Columba showed where the venerated body lay. The grave was opened, and there was found beside the remains a Missal. The people of Tours were hardly willing St. Columba should bear from them such a prize, and they demanded another favour before it was yielded, namely, that one of his companions—a good and suitable person— should be left them to govern the church of Tours. This, too, St. Columba was able to grant, and he then declared, that St. Mochonna had been destined by theSovereignPontifffortheSeeofTours. Suchannouncementgreatlypleased them, and he was allowed to take away the book so greatly valu—ed as belonging
—tin. 93 Onthe
whenMacarius anothername
to Blessed Mar night
ofthat
forMauricius firstenteredonthedutiesofhisnewappointment,St. Martin
is said to have appeared during their sleep to many of the clergy and people of Tours, warning them to pay as much respect and obedience to his successor as to himself were he still living. Macarius thus elevated to the episcopacy,94 is said to have governed that See most holily, for three years and half a-year. But, when the time of his dissolution approached, calling together his disci-
:
ples, he said to them u That hour, which I have eagerly desired from my
8* See Rev. Dr. Todd's LeabriAp Imttnth, or "Book of Hymns of the Ancient Irish Church," pp. 204, 222.
90 It is remarked, by Colgan, that if this visit of our saint to Rome took place, it must have been after the return of Columba from the Assembly at Drumcheat, as St. Gregory did not become Pope until a. d. 490, and his death is referred to March 12th, A. D. 604. St. Columba's departure from life is generally set down, at A. D. 597.
91 Colgan's version of Prince O'Donnell's
Life has it added, " seu peregrina vocabula
seu Latinum — seu ra- fastidiens, prseferens,
maturga," Quinta Vita S. Columbae, lib. iii. , cap. xxvii. , p. 435.
92 Patron of Tours, and whose feast occurs at the Iith of November.
93 The foregoing narrative is said to have
been taken from the Acts of St. Eugene,
Bishop of Ardstraw, and from the Legend of St. Mochonna. But, Colgan, who had
an epitome of St. Eugene's Life, declares, that he found in it no mention of these ac-
counts, nor had he in possession any such legend of St. Mochonna.
94 In the Catalogue of the Bishops of
Claudius
tione latentis mysterii," &c. "TriasThau- tion of a Mochonna, Macarius or Mauri-
day,
Tours,
by
Robert,
there is no men-
528 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
youth now advances, my dear brethren, and I am about to go to Christ. This shallhappenwithinthreedays. " Thatannouncementfillednotonlyhisdis- ciples with grief, but also the citizens ; however, the saint exhorted them to have no sorrow for him about to die, since it pleased God, and rather to rejoice that his exile on earth was about to end. Having dismissed a crowd of spectators then present, when the exact time for his dissolution was near, only his clergy and monks were present. Then he had a most consoling vision. Suddenly appeared St. Martin, the patron of that See, as also St. Columba, coming from the Island of Iona, and above all, the Saviour of the world, Christ Jesus, with a host of the heavenly spirits, the Apostles, and other Saints. The dying prelate was enraptured with this glorious vision, and all the clergy and monks, who were around him, had their sight of that heavenly host, while ravishing hymns and canticles were heard. Then, too,
:
resounded these words, as if with one voice " Come with us, Macarius,
comewithus,todwellinthekingdomofthyFatherforever. " Thusinvited by the Angels, and visited by Christ, Macarius passed away to the joys of Heaven. When that heavenly band dispersed, St. Columba returned to his
own monastery through Divine agency. ? 5
About the middle of the year 593, our holy Abbot entertained the greatest
hope of his immediate departure from this life. It does not appear, however, that on this occasion he had been visited with sickness. ? 6 After returning from Ireland to his monastery at Iona, the glorious Abbot one day mani- fested a marvellous sweetness and radiance on his expressive countenance. ? ? Casting his eyes heavenwards, he was wholly replenished with joy and de- light j but, a little time afterwards, the joyousness of his face was converted into sadness and his aspect was changed into sorrow. Two of his monks, who were named respectively Lugneus Mocublai, and Pilu, a Saxon, saw this remarkable change, while standing at the door of his hut, which was situated
great 'entreaty,?
8 an
explanation
for that unwonted on appearance. Falling
When these perceived it, they felt greatly afflicted, because
on a little hill.
of their sad presentiment. They obtained of him, however, but not without
their knees and shedding tears, with a faithful promise of never revealing the
secret during the saint's lifetime, their eager curiosity was at length gratified.
At first, St. Columba said, that he did not wish to cause them more pain, because he saw them so dejected, and because he loved them most sincerely.
:
Afterwards,hespokeinthismanner "Tothispresentday,thricetenyears
of my peregrination in Britain have elapsed ; and in the meantime, for these many days, I have devotedly begged of God that he would be pleased at the end of this thirty years to finish my earthly pilgrimage, and to call me to my heavenly country.
Lugaid approaches, and tell him the wicked man he brings in his ship must be landed in the Island Malea,52 or Mull," for his feet shall not pollute the soil ofthis Island. " Accordingly, in obedience to the saint's command, Diarmit went down to the sea-shore, and conveyed his message to Lugaid. Having heard these words, the unhappy man vowed he should never taste food, until he had seen and spoken to St. Columba. Thereupon, Diermait returned to the Abbot and reported his words. Having learned this, Columba himself went to the port, while Baithen, who was told about the crime, 5 * seems to have carried with him a volume of the Sacred Scriptures, as if to oblige the culprit to vow upon it, that he would accept a weighty penance for his flagrant guilt. The wretched man prostrated himself on the shore and at the knees of the holy Abbot, promising that he would fulfil whatever pen-
" This man is a son of perdition,
ance might be imposed on him. The saint replied
you repent in tears and in mourning among the Britons, and never return to Scotiasolongasyoulive,perchancetheAlmightywouldpardonyou. "56 Then
turning to his attendants, Columba said
:
who although he promises to do penance shall fail to fulfil his engagement, but soon shall he return to Scotia, where he must perish at the hands of his enemies. " All this happened, and just as the saint predicted. Soon did the wretch return to Hibernia, and in the territory 5 ? of Lea s 8 or Li, 5 ? he was mur-
60
While Mochonna—to whom we have already alluded—dwelt in the
monastery of Hy, St. Columba engaged him in the work of transcription ; and when daylight failed the young monk for his task, a supernatural brightness filled his cell by night. This was observed with envy by certain false brethren,
and it is stated, that at the hour for refreshment, poison had been conveyed into the cup set before him. However, at that moment, St. Columba, who was alone in his hermit's cell, had a Divine monition regarding this con-
spiracy. He relieved Mochonna from all danger, by suddenly raising his hand and blessing the cup from a distance. Instantly, the poison effervesced
dered by his enemies.
51 a. d. 332.
s' Like most of the names of islands *in
Adamnan, an adjective agreeing with insn- lam is here employed. See lib. i. , cap. 41, and lib. ii. , cap. 22.
from Bior to Camus. " Genealogical Mann-
script, at p. 334. The Bior is the Moyla River, locally called "the water," which
rising in Ballynascreen, on the west of the county Londonderry, flows eastwards. Pass-
53 In Ptolemy the Greek geographer, this
Island appears as MaXeos. Off the south-
western extremity, called the Ross, lies the
Isle of Iona. In his " Scotichronicon," part, the northern limit of the diocese of Fordun has it written Mule. See lib. ii. ,
cap. x. The Northern writers style it Myl, in their chronicles.
is a well-known churchyard on the Bann, _
aboutamilesouthofColeraine. SeeCol-
54 The declaration is made by Adamnan, gan's
"
Trias Thaumaturga," Septima Vita
in these terms: "O Baithenee, hie homo fratricidium in modum perpetravic Cain, et cum sua matre mcechatus est. "
55 This was a usual term of monastic pen-
S. Patricii, lib. ii. , cap. exxxviii. , p. 148, and
n. 221, p. 183, and Quarta Vita S. Co-
lumbse, lib. i. , cap. xxii. , p. 343, and nn. 69,
7°> P- 377-
58 inthe BookofArmagh, Tirechancalls
it bee, in fob 15^, &•
59 ln Irish bi, or mag ti, or from the in-
habitants, pj\ bi. Giraldus Cambrensis employs the last name, in the form Ferli. See " Opera," edited by James F. Dimock, vol. v. "Expugnatio Hibernica," lib. ii. , cap. xvii. , p. 343.
6° See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Life of St. Columba," lib. i. , cap. 22, and nn. (a, b, c, d, e), pp. 51 to 53.
ance or service, as may be seen, by re- "
fering to Venerable Bede's Historia Eccle- siastica Gentis Anglorum. "
5s See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Tertia Vita S. Columbse, cap. vii. , pp. 332. 333 ; Quarta Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. xxii. , p. 343 ; Quinta Vita S. Columbce, lib. ii. , cap. xxxiv. ,p. 415.
57 The territory lay on the west side of the River Bann, being thus defined by Mac Firbis : pr» bi o bmop 50 CA-mur, " Fir-Li
:
" If for twelve years 55
ing Castledawson, it falls into Lough Neagh. At the Synod of Rathbreasil, in 1 1 10, it was constituted, and it still continues to be, in
Armagh. Camus, the northern boundary,
5 2 4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
andflowedoverthevessel; thenSt. Mochonnadrainedtheremainingbeverage,
and escaped all danger. Finding, however, that he was still envied by those
monks, St. Columba willed that Mochonna should remove elsewhere ; and
sending for him, it was signified, that he should be consecrated as bishop.
Having been adorned with the ring, pastoral staff, and other emblems of
episcopal authority, he was sent into the territory of the Picts, with twelve
other 61 Columba committed to him the care of a and its companions. church,
site was to be determined on reaching the banks of a river, bent in the form of a shepherd's crook. With his obedient companions, Mochonna set forth until he arrived at the margin of a stream presenting such an appearance, and there he erected a church. While living in that place, he destroyed a huge mon- ster, which devastated that province, and which killed all it met, with a pesti- ferous breath. According to the legend, that beast was metamorphosed into a rock. It is stated, moreover, that Mochonna wrought many other miracles in that province, where he converted numbers to the true Faith, where he erected several churches, and extirpated the worship of false gods, overturning also their idols. 62 Acurious circumstance is related, also, as
having
the house of a rich named 63 who lived in Mount countryman, Foirtgirnus,
Cainle. 6* When St. Columba was a guest at this house, he decided justly a
dispute between two rustics, whose coming to him he knew beforehand. One
of them, named Sylvanus, was a sorcerer, and he effected most wonderful
thingsbyhisdiabolicalart,asAdamnanrelates. 65 Somewhatafterthemanner
of and Aaron in 66 St. Columba counteracted the efforts of this Moyses Egypt,
magician to impose on the people ; and blood, it is said coloured to resemble milk, was restored to its natural appearance. This account is certainly a very curious and remarkable one, as coming from a writer so enlightened as Adamnan,6? anditillustratesastateofsocietyandofopinion,quitedistinct from what generally prevails in our time.
Various legends of our saint are related by O'Donnell, but which are not to'be found in St. Columba's earlier Acts. Among those fictitious inventions, we may class that story of angels bearing a wooden cross, and placing it over
68 was the engaged celebrating
astonished. Immediately the chief Pontiff approached, and taking it up, he
an altar in Rome, when St. Pope
Gregory Holy Sacrifice of Mass in his own church.
Some clerics who were present endeavoured to remove it, but they could not, and they were greatly
" This cross is not intended for me nor for of any
said to the
you, but it is reserved for a servant of God named Columba, who is living in aremotepartoftheworld. " Whereupon,heorderedcertainclericstopre- pare for a journey, and to bear that gift sent from Heaven to the aforesaid servant of Christ, then dwelling in the Island of Hy. Meantime, our saint had an internal illumination, regarding their journey to him, and its object.
bystanders :
61 In commemoration of the Apostles, that
was usually the number sent to inaugurate
a See Exodus, vii.
6? See also Colgan's "Trias Thauma- turga,"Tertia Vita S. Columke, cap. xviii. ,
any important mission.
62 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," p. 333 ; Quarta Vita S. Columba;, lib. ii. ,
Quinta Vita S. Columboe, lib. iii. , cap. xxv. ,
xxvi. , p. 425.
6i It has been conjectured, that this form
of the name may have been intended to ex-
press the Irish portcchenn, the name of one
cap. xvii. , p. 354.
among St. Patrick's disciples.
64 Some place unknown.
6s See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's " Book of Hymns of the Ancient Irish
" Life of St. Columba," lib. ii. , cap. 17, and Church, "edited by Rev. Dr. James Henthorn nn. (a, b, c, d), pp. 126, 127. Todd, these words are said to have been ad-
*Surnamecl the and the first Great,
Sovereign Pontiff of this name, began to rule over the Universal Church, A. D. 590, and he died A. D. 604.
69
copy, contained in the leAbhan Imuiun, or
In the Preface to the Altus Prosator
occurred in
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 525
6" Then he said to the attendants : 9
This very night, messengers from Pope Gregory shall be our guests, and take care that suitable provision be made for their entertainment. " At this time, but one baked loaf and a small cup of wine destined for the Holy Sacrifice happened to be in the monastery. Hav- ing ordered both to be produced, he blessed them in the name of Christ, and so greatly were they increased, that abundance was immediately procured, not alone for the guests, but for the whole religious community. On this occasion,
St. Columbawaspresentedwiththatwoodencross7° broughtfromRomeand 1
sentbyPopeGregory. ? Accordingtootheraccounts,theybroughttheHymn
of the a Week,
Hymn
of the week, and other 2 After gifts. ?
for
this, it is related, that St. Columba sent back to Pope St. Gregory, at Rome,73
through three of his disciples, that rhythmical Hymn 74 he had composed in honour of the Most Blessed Trinity,7S while dwelling at Iona,76 and during
77
the time of Aedan,7
of —andof
Gabhran, King Alba, Aedh,79 son to
8l
presenting
Cross in the time of O'Donnell. See "Trias "
Thaumaturga, Vita Quinta S. Columba. *, lib. ii. , cap. xx. , p. 412.
72 According to a Preface of the Altus
Prosator, in the " Leabhar Breac," fol.
109a.
73 If we admit the authenticity of the story
with those circumstances included in the
text, and the chronology sought to be as- signed for the composition of St. Columba's
the Altus Prosator, we must refer it to the closing years of the holy Abbot's life, or to about the period, between A. D. 590 to
A. D. 594.
74 One account has it, that this Hymn had
been composed as a penance, to atone for blood shed in the battle of Cuil Dremne.
Hymn,
75 Known as the Altus Prosator, a copy of which was in the possession of Colgan, who has published it. The reader is referred to what has been written
81 He is thus called in the
1muiun, or " Book of Hymns of the Ancient Church of Ireland," edited by Rev. Dr.
already regarding it, in the Fifth Chapter of this biography.
teAbliA^
every night
ssonto
Ainmire, King of Erinn, and of Mauritius or Foccas 8o also called Falcus
King of the Romans. In order to test the supernatural prescience of Pope Gregory, or his abilities for literary criticism, the messengers ventured to expunge three of the stanzas, and to substitute others in their place, before
Pontiff. When thus that com- interpolated,
that Poem 8 * to the
position was presented to him, as Gregory had ordered the messenger to read
holy it, before himself and his assistants.
dressed to Boithin. See 204, and p.
Additional Notes A, pp. 220, 221.
7° According to the Preface of the Altus Prosator, in the beAbhan Irnuitm, it was
called in Irish TTl6rx5ein or Great Gem.
71 It was said to have been preserved after- wards in Torach Island, off the north-west coast of Ireland, and it was called the Great
The Pope continued standing until the
77 By this, we are to- probably suppose
the reigns of the monarchs, who are after- wards mentioned.
78 His reign over Scotland, extended from
A. D. 574 to a. d. 606. See Roderick "
79 His reign lasted twenty-seven years, from a. d. 568 to 594. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 206 to 221.
80 The scholiast on the Altus Prosator in
the Liber Hymnorum has it thus, as if
doubtful regarding the chronology. The
former Maurice commenced his reign over
the Roman Empire, A. D. 582, and closed it
A. D. 602. See an account of his acts in Gib-
bon's " of the Decline and Fall of History
the Roman Empire," vol. v. , chap, xlv. , xlvi. ,pp. 345to386. Phocas,whoimme- diately succeeded, commenced his reign, A. D. 602, and died A. D. 610. See ibid. , chap, xlvi. , pp. 383 to 388. Wherefore, it could only have been in the reign of the former, that the Altus Prosator had been composed by St. Columba, whose death occurred be- fore the latter commenced his reign.
76 See the LeAbhar* 1muiun, or " Book of
Hymns of the Ancient Church of Ireland," James Henthorn Todd, Fasciculus ii. ,
edited by Rev. Dr. James Henthorn Todd,
Fasciculus ii. , Preface, p. 204, and Addi-
tional Notes A, p. 220. Some'accounts have
it,thattheAltusProsatorhadbeencom-
posed, at the Nigra cellula, or Duibh Regies,
p. 224.
82
It is said to have been sent as an ex- change present, for the wooden cross, and fortheHymnsoftheWeek-book,transmitted to St. Columba by the Pope. See the Preface to Rev. Dr. Todd's edition of the Altus Prosator.
"
"Leabhar Breac," fol. 109a.
black church," of Derry, as stated in the
Ogygia," Scotia? Regum Ca-
O'Flaherty's
talogus Chronologo-Genealogicus, pp. 473 to 476.
—
526 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
apocryphal stanzas 83 were recited, and on the reader commencing them, he immediately sat down, but he stood up once more when they were read, and he heard the remainder while on his feet. This was specially remarked, by some of the distinguished courtiers present, and they enquired from him the cause. He declared, that he stood, because he observed many Holy Angels standing at the side of the person who was reading, and when he came to the interpolated stanzas,84 the heavenly messengers disappeared, when he imme- diately sat down, but when the stanzas were finished, those good spirits again appearing, the Pope stood in reverence, until the lecture had finished. 8^ The disciples of Columba were quite astonished at this miraculous manifestation, and they were moved to compunction for the imposture they had practised.
They humbly sought pardon, while relating the true cause for the disappear- ance of that angelic vision, and they obtained it from the clement Pontiff. He
poem,
*3 In the Preface to Rev. Dr. Todd's edi-
tion, we read, that three chapters were put into the poem, and that these were made by
Gregory himself, viz. , Hie subiatus, and Orbem, and Vagatur.
84 We are informed, the reason why the first stanza of Altus Prosator has seven lines is, because it praises God ; since that odd number is suitable to Him, as it shows His inequality with His creatures. The other stanzas have six lines each, because in six
greatly praised
were created. There are sixteen syllables in each line. Another reason, assigned for the first stanza contain-
sung by the ancient Irish, and Indulgences seem to have been accorded to the devout reciters. The proper manner for reciting it is described to be, as it had been sung at that Deo—an —
all
days things
first, Quis potest Antiphon occurring at the end of the Hymn should
86 which had been to him while he presented ;
that
commanded the disciples of St. Columba to offer his thanks and courtesies, with indults 87 granted to the author from the Apostolic See. 88 Furthermore,
be sung between every two chapters or ing seven lines, is, that there are seven stanzas. It is added, that many graces are
grades in the Church, or that there are seven
gifts of the Holy Ghost, or that the number
conferred upon those reciting this Hymn, viz. : Angels are present while it is sung ; the Devil shall not know the path of him
seven signifies universality.
85 The Altus Prosator is composed in who sings it every day ; neither shall his
Rythm, of which there are two kinds, Arti- ficialis and Vulgaris. The former has the feet made with equal times, and equal divi- sion, and with equal weight, viz. , arcis and thesis ; and where the subsequent is for the precedent in the right of resolution. In the Vulgaris, there is a correspondence ofsylla- bles, in quatrains and half quatrains ; while thisHymnis composedinthelattermea- sure.
86
enemies perceive him that day on which he sings it ; and, moreover, there shall be no strife in that house where it is frequently
sung. It protects from every kind of death, except death on the pillow ; there shall be neither hunger nor nakedness in the place where it is frequently sung ; besides many other temporal and spiritual benefits accrue. There is a quatrain, on the lower margin of the "Leabhar Breac," fol. 109a, which thus
and it is —
One
while Columcille was alone with Boithin in Hy, they had no food but a sieve of oats, when the messengers of Pope Gregory ar- rived there. Our saint told Boithin to en- tertain them, while he went to the mill taking his burden from a certain stone, called Blathnat or Moelblatha, which was in the Regies, or monastery church of Hy. It was shown there, when the scholiast wrote this account. St. Columba composed —his Hymn, Adjutorlaborantium,ontheway butwhe- ther this was a distinct one from the Altus Prosator or not is doubtful, as narrated. However, it is stated, when he cast his first charge into the mill, he then extemporane-
legend regarding
it states, that reads in reference to this
ously composed the first chapter, and that while the sack of grain was being ground,
the other chapters followed in succession, until both the work of the mill and his own intellectual efforts were ended about the same time.
87 The Altus Prosator was often recited or
subject, coeval with the Manuscript itself:
geib 111 aLcu]' cobafecric, tlA t>Am cenc x>o •oeman r>up,
rhfpb S^bar* ipn bich, 11a cich na cinn^e yop cub.
" Sing the Altus seven times,
Yield not thy right to the hard de-
mon, Thereisnodiseaseintheworld,
"
No difficulty that it will not banish. See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Vita S. Columbce, lib. ii. , cap. \\ ; ,,
p. 412, and n. 12, p. 452.
88
June 9. LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 527
it is related, the Pope considered, although the Triune God was admirably praised in His creatures throughout that Poem, He was not sufficiently so exalted in His attributes. To atone for such defect, St. Columba composed afterwards the Hymn " In te Christe," when the Sovereign Pontiffs criticism
had been reported thus by his disciples. ^
Furthermore, it is related, that having a desire to visit Rome, St. Columba
sent for St. Mochonna, chosing him from among all his other monks to be his companion. This was because he knew the learning and accomplishments
of that disciple. Both were honourably received by Pope St. Gregory ;9° and when the Sovereign Pontiff understood from the holy Abbot Columba the
name, dignity and holiness of his attendant, he desired, that the guest should
See of Tours- thensaidtobevacant requiredaprelateofstationandofmerit,Mochonna was selected to be its administrator. This city had been undercharge of the illustrious St. Martin^2 whose body had been there interred. St. Columba
be called Mauricius 9 1 — and as the thenceforward, episcopal
and the newly-appointed administrator, having accomplished the objects of their Roman pilgrimage, directed their course to Tours. At this time, the chiefs and people of that city knew not where the relics of their patron had been interred. However, the fame of Columba's sanctity and prophetic spirit had preceded him, and the inhabitants of Tours eagerly asked him with a promise of rich gifts, that he would deign to enlighten them on the matter, so that they might find their patron's tomb, and suitably honour his holy re- mains. The Abbot yielded to their prayers, and stated, that he would only accept a single treasure, which was to be found in St. Martin's grave. To this request assent was given, and Columba showed where the venerated body lay. The grave was opened, and there was found beside the remains a Missal. The people of Tours were hardly willing St. Columba should bear from them such a prize, and they demanded another favour before it was yielded, namely, that one of his companions—a good and suitable person— should be left them to govern the church of Tours. This, too, St. Columba was able to grant, and he then declared, that St. Mochonna had been destined by theSovereignPontifffortheSeeofTours. Suchannouncementgreatlypleased them, and he was allowed to take away the book so greatly valu—ed as belonging
—tin. 93 Onthe
whenMacarius anothername
to Blessed Mar night
ofthat
forMauricius firstenteredonthedutiesofhisnewappointment,St. Martin
is said to have appeared during their sleep to many of the clergy and people of Tours, warning them to pay as much respect and obedience to his successor as to himself were he still living. Macarius thus elevated to the episcopacy,94 is said to have governed that See most holily, for three years and half a-year. But, when the time of his dissolution approached, calling together his disci-
:
ples, he said to them u That hour, which I have eagerly desired from my
8* See Rev. Dr. Todd's LeabriAp Imttnth, or "Book of Hymns of the Ancient Irish Church," pp. 204, 222.
90 It is remarked, by Colgan, that if this visit of our saint to Rome took place, it must have been after the return of Columba from the Assembly at Drumcheat, as St. Gregory did not become Pope until a. d. 490, and his death is referred to March 12th, A. D. 604. St. Columba's departure from life is generally set down, at A. D. 597.
91 Colgan's version of Prince O'Donnell's
Life has it added, " seu peregrina vocabula
seu Latinum — seu ra- fastidiens, prseferens,
maturga," Quinta Vita S. Columbae, lib. iii. , cap. xxvii. , p. 435.
92 Patron of Tours, and whose feast occurs at the Iith of November.
93 The foregoing narrative is said to have
been taken from the Acts of St. Eugene,
Bishop of Ardstraw, and from the Legend of St. Mochonna. But, Colgan, who had
an epitome of St. Eugene's Life, declares, that he found in it no mention of these ac-
counts, nor had he in possession any such legend of St. Mochonna.
94 In the Catalogue of the Bishops of
Claudius
tione latentis mysterii," &c. "TriasThau- tion of a Mochonna, Macarius or Mauri-
day,
Tours,
by
Robert,
there is no men-
528 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
youth now advances, my dear brethren, and I am about to go to Christ. This shallhappenwithinthreedays. " Thatannouncementfillednotonlyhisdis- ciples with grief, but also the citizens ; however, the saint exhorted them to have no sorrow for him about to die, since it pleased God, and rather to rejoice that his exile on earth was about to end. Having dismissed a crowd of spectators then present, when the exact time for his dissolution was near, only his clergy and monks were present. Then he had a most consoling vision. Suddenly appeared St. Martin, the patron of that See, as also St. Columba, coming from the Island of Iona, and above all, the Saviour of the world, Christ Jesus, with a host of the heavenly spirits, the Apostles, and other Saints. The dying prelate was enraptured with this glorious vision, and all the clergy and monks, who were around him, had their sight of that heavenly host, while ravishing hymns and canticles were heard. Then, too,
:
resounded these words, as if with one voice " Come with us, Macarius,
comewithus,todwellinthekingdomofthyFatherforever. " Thusinvited by the Angels, and visited by Christ, Macarius passed away to the joys of Heaven. When that heavenly band dispersed, St. Columba returned to his
own monastery through Divine agency. ? 5
About the middle of the year 593, our holy Abbot entertained the greatest
hope of his immediate departure from this life. It does not appear, however, that on this occasion he had been visited with sickness. ? 6 After returning from Ireland to his monastery at Iona, the glorious Abbot one day mani- fested a marvellous sweetness and radiance on his expressive countenance. ? ? Casting his eyes heavenwards, he was wholly replenished with joy and de- light j but, a little time afterwards, the joyousness of his face was converted into sadness and his aspect was changed into sorrow. Two of his monks, who were named respectively Lugneus Mocublai, and Pilu, a Saxon, saw this remarkable change, while standing at the door of his hut, which was situated
great 'entreaty,?
8 an
explanation
for that unwonted on appearance. Falling
When these perceived it, they felt greatly afflicted, because
on a little hill.
of their sad presentiment. They obtained of him, however, but not without
their knees and shedding tears, with a faithful promise of never revealing the
secret during the saint's lifetime, their eager curiosity was at length gratified.
At first, St. Columba said, that he did not wish to cause them more pain, because he saw them so dejected, and because he loved them most sincerely.
:
Afterwards,hespokeinthismanner "Tothispresentday,thricetenyears
of my peregrination in Britain have elapsed ; and in the meantime, for these many days, I have devotedly begged of God that he would be pleased at the end of this thirty years to finish my earthly pilgrimage, and to call me to my heavenly country.
