"
TowhomtheoldAbbot
"Itis replied :
not, as you say, for although I had rather detain you with me, than otherwise,
yet can I not profane the commandment of my patron, St.
not, as you say, for although I had rather detain you with me, than otherwise,
yet can I not profane the commandment of my patron, St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
4 ThesupremacyofHy,samongtheColumbanmonasteries,
was 6 for a
time after his
It is certain, that his discipline if rigorous was tempered by a sweetness and
gentleness of demeanour, in Columba's administration, that made him be specially loved by all his subjects. The illustrious Colum Cille has been likened unto Andrew,? the Apostle, in his habits and life. 8 This doubtless means, that he was fired with zeal and fidelity towards his Lord and Master, while he was indefatigable in preaching the Divine word, and he embraced the Cross of Christ, because he was crucified to the world. Like a true saint, if he was indulgent towards others, he was little inclined to spare his own
acknowleged,
long
death, by
the houses, dependent
personal labours and mortifications.
Chapterxvii. —* Atchapterxlvii.
2 See "The Martyrology of Donegal,"
Cuimin of Condeire says,9 in an Irish
: 6ItisthusexpressedbyBede "Inqui-
bus omnibus idem monasterium insulanum,
in —
quo ipse requiescit corpore principatum
edited 152, 153.
Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves,
pp.
Here follows a disjointed extract
by
"
tenet. " Historia Ecclesiastica
Anglorum," lib. iii. , cap. iv. , p. 169.
i His feast is celebrated on the 30th of
November.
8 A ancient old-vellum book, which very
is found in the Martyrology of Tamlacht-
Maoilruain, is quoted by the O'Clerys, for such a statement. See Rev. Drs. Todd s
fiom some source, and we are informed,
that there is a defect in the original Manu- script note (3), by Rev. Dr. Todd.
knowledges, that the Rule of St. Columba of Luxeu was originally derived from that of Bangor in Ireland, and not borrowed from
"
Annales Ordinis i. , lib. viii. , sect, xvii. , p. 214. In a subsequent part of this work, Father Mabillon appears to regard St. Co- lumkille's or Columba's Institute, as if it had a distinct government and discipline, from that of St. Benedict. See ibid. , lib. ix. ,
sect, xix. , pp. 249,250.
s See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan,
w—ho calls it "insula . . . primaria. "
"Life of St. Columba," lib. i. , cap. i. , p. 12.
3 to the According
O'Clerys.
4 The learned Father John Mabillon ac-
that ol St. Benedict. See
S. Benedicti," tomus
9
ThefollowingisanEnglishtranslation:
and Reeves' pp. 152, 153.
"
Martyrology of Donegal,"
—
" The holy Colum Cille loves :
Son of Feidhlimidh, of generous
deeds,
There went not for a week into his
holy body
What would satisfy a poor man one
turn. "
I0 The beginning of it is rendered into
Gentis
534
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
10 poem, giving
that Colum
trustworthy biographers. Thus, the distinguished Catholic writer le Comte de Montalembert, assuming the corrupted traditions of the bards to be facts, has unwittingly drawn the following unfavourable and yet false estimate of
Columba's " when disposition
the characteristic virtues of the Saints of
Cille of generous deeds M used not to partake of food during the week, so much as would satisfy a poor man for one meal. The most false and contra- dictory accounts of his character have been published, and even believed by those who have estimated favourably his noble qualifications of head and heart. Legends related of him are often the myths of fancy, and they have received almost equal acceptance, as the authentic and early accounts of his most
asserting,
bold, a warrior, born to become a soldier rather than a monk, known, praised,
and blamed as a soldier, so that even during his lifetime, he was involved in fight ; continuing to be a soldier,^ even upon the island rock from which he went forth to preach, to convert, to enlighten, to reconcile, and to reprimand
1* A
rary,^ who leaves us a reliable portrait of Columba, has stated, that he was
princes
and
nations,
men and
women, laymen
and
clergy.
contempo-
learned, he was chaste, he was charitable, he was an abounding benefit of guests, he was eager, he was noble, he was gentle, he was the physician of the heart of every sage, he was to persons inscrutable, he was a shelter to the naked, lie was a consolation to the poor ; there went not from the world one who was more continual for the remembrance of the cross. ' 6 He was
singu- larly favoured by nature with a fine personal appearance and a majestic figure; and according to an ancient commentary in Irish verse,' 7 his countenance was radiant and full, his body was athletic and well-formed ; his eyes were
grey and luminous, his complexion was ruddy, his skin was white, and his hair was curling. As we have already learned, he was remarkable for the volume andclearnessofhisvoice. HebroughtoverthePictsandScotstotheFaith, nearly as perfectly as St. Patrick converted the Irish, and left his character upon them, so that they became a staunch, loyal, and truly Catholic race, in the
Highlands of Stotland.
18
Before his death, this great caenobiarch was able to
English thus : Macha loves. "
"
Patrick of the Fort of
tic biography, the evil becomes irreparable, and it is no longer possible to separate in popular estimation the true from the spu- rious. This lias been peculiarly the case with
11 The text of this poem, as given by Rev.
Dr. Kelly, reads An oiticne, "in his pil-
grimage ;" a copy in the Brussels Manu- Columba, and has led to a very false esti- script has it, tii nAoimperxc, "of the holy mate of his character. "—" Celtic Scotland : deeds. "
" See " Les Moines d'Occident," tome iii. , liv. xi. , chap, vii. , p. 285.
13 By Adamnan, he is styled "insulanus miles," in the Preface to St. Columba's Life.
** An able and accomplished modern
Scottish historian, William F. Skene, has helped much to correct those errors regard- ing St. Columba. He has remarked: "It is unfortunately the fate of all such men as stand out prominently from among their fellows, and put their stamp upon the age in which they lived, that as the true charac- ter of their sayings and doings fades from men's minds, they become more and more the subject of spurious traditions, and the popular mind invests them with attributes to which they have no claim. When these loose popular traditions and conceptions are col- lected and become embedded in a systema-
a History of Ancient Alban," vol. ii. , book ii. , chap, iv. , pp. 143, 144.
that he was
vindictive, passionate,
Ireland,
,s St. Dalian Forgaill, in his Amhra Cho- luim-chille. See ibid. , p. 146.
,6
"There is no trace here of those darker
features of vindictiveness, love of fighting, and the remorse caused by its indulgence. "
:
Mr. Skene observes " nor do the events of
his life, as we find them rather hinted at than narrated, bear out such an estimate of it.
•» See "Transactions "of the Royal Irish
Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. Calendar of Oengus, notes, p. ci.
l8
During the last century, the people in the Hebrides were almost exclusively Catho- lies, until persecution drove their missiona- riesaway. TherearevillagesintheHigh- lands of Scotland, which have suffered for the defence of their Faith, like the people in Ireland, and they suffered much by bad land
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 535 speak with confidence of Iona's future glory and fame, and his disciples sup-
his and their own credit for 10 Towards many subsequent generations.
ported
the close of St. Columba's life, he must have heard much of that
famous mission undertaken by the Roman Monk, who came to convert
that heathen 20 and the of in so a people, destroyers Christianity large part
of
Britain.
For more than thirty years, the illustrious Abbot worked hard and perse-
veringly, by founding churches and monasteries innumerable, 21 in Scotland as in Ireland ; while he won the love of all, by the force of his bright, manly, cheerful, and genial Irish nature, which the gifts of God's grace served to renderalmostsupremelyperfect. Severalofthegreatestsaintslongedtobeunder his guidance. Thus, St. Fintan Munnu,22 who afterwards became so famous throughout all the churches of Ireland, conceived in his younger years an
2
earnest desire of forsaking his country to visit St. Columba. 3 Being strongly
urged with this desire, he went to a certain old friend, a very wise and vene- rable man, who was named Columb Crag 2 * in the Irish language, to take his advice on the matter. His acquaintance liked well such a holy resolution. " Your devout wish to set sail for St. Columba's Isle, who can presume to oppose ; it hns been inspired by God," said the sage. Thither, at the same time, came two of St. Columba's monks. Being questioned touching their journey, they answered " We are lately come out of Britain, and this day, we
:
"
2s "Is father,St. Columbawell,andingoodhealth? "askedColumbCrag. Shed-
arrived from the ofthe oak-wood of monastery
Calgaich.
your holy
ding tears abundantly, the strangers replied in deep sorrow :
father and patron is well, for a few days past he departed to Christ. " Fintan, Columb, and the rest, who were present, fell prostrate upon the ground, and wept bitterly. Fintan demanded further particulars from them, saying : " VVhom did he ordain as successor? " They answered: "His disciple Baithen. "26 Then,havingapprovedsuchchoice,ColumbaskedFintanwhat he meant to do. Fintan answered, " I shall, with God's grace, repair to that wise and holy man, Baithan, and I will select him for my Abbot, should he wish to receive me. " Then, taking his leave of Columb, and kissing him,
laws, while there are villages in Scotland, in the county of Wexford. His feast occurs
that never yet lost their Catholicity through weal or through woe. The Rev. Thomas Hurke's " Lecture on St. Columkille, in St. Columba's church," New York City, re- ported in the Boston Pilot of March 22nd, 1873.
19 See Rev. John Smith's " Life of St.
Columba," Appendix, p. 161.
20 And " from whose country such lovely
in our Irish Calendars, at the 2ist or Octo- ber, and he died A. D. 634.
23 In the year 597, he is said to have visited Iona. See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Life of St. Columba," Additional Notes O, p. 372.
24 Colgan considers this saint to have been a St. Columba of Eanach, who was veneraied on the 22nd of September, accord-
fair haired slaves had been—brought to the ing to the Martyrologies of Marianus
Cathald and the market-place of Rome. " The Duke of O'Gorman, Maguire
"
Iona," chap, i. , pp. 23, 24.
O'Clerys. This locality of his lay three miles north of Deny, and near a castle, be-
"
Argyll's
21 The Cistercian Monk Jocelin represents
longing to the O'Cahan family. See
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Sexta Thaumaturga," Quarta Vita S. Columbce,
him as the founder of a hundred monasteries.
Trias
lib. i. , cap. ii. , n. 22, p. 373.
25 That is Derry in the north of Ireland,
and it signifies a forest of oak, to which is added the name of a man Calgaich or Gal- gaich. By this name it was known, until the middle of the tenth century,
26 His feast also occurs on this of day, 9th
June, and his Acts follow immediately those of St. Columba, in this volume.
VitaS. Patricii, cap. lxxxix. , p. 85. Prince Ma- n s ODonnell increases the numberto three hundred, including churches and monasteries in Ireland and in Britain
of these one hun- dred were said to have been on the coast, See ibid. , Quinta Vita S. Columba;, pars iii. ,
cap. xlii. , p. 438.
2-
His name was subsequently communi- cated to Taghmon, " the houseof Munnu,"
;
Truly our
536 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9
Fintan embarked without delay, and soon he reached the Isle of Hy. There he was entertained with great charity, as an unknown guest; for his name and distinction had not been discovered, by the holy residents in the religious establishment at Iona. The next day after his arrival, however, Fintan made known to Baithan, that he had a desire to confer personally with him. Ever kind and courteous to strangers, Baithan presently sent for him. Being brought into Baithan's presence, Fintan fell down upon his knees. But, the saint made him rise, and then sit down, until the Abbot might learn the object for his voyage. Then did Fintan recount to the saint his name, his family, his country, his conversation, and what had moved him to undertake that perilousnavigation. Lastly,heclosedthisdiscourse,withanhumblerequest to procure his admittance. Baithan understood all that God had decreed con-
: cerninghim,andheknewSt. Columba'sprophecy. Hethensaid "Mychild,
I am bound to render many thanks to the Almighty for your arrival, but know this for certain, that you cannot become our monk. " 2 ? On hearing this sen- tence, Fintan appeared very thoughtful, and he said : u Perchance, I am
unworthy
tobecome
your
monk.
" TowhomtheoldAbbot "Itis replied :
not, as you say, for although I had rather detain you with me, than otherwise,
yet can I not profane the commandment of my patron, St. Columba, through
whose mouth the Holy Ghost hath prophesied concerning you, in the manner following. Being alone with him one day, among other things, he said to me,
a certain brother, named Fintan, son of Tulchan,28 of the Macumoie 29 family,
shall come to you out of Ireland, and beg earnestly to be received among the
monks. He shall be renowned for his religious morals and proficiency in
sacred studies. But this is not pre-ordained for him, in the presence of God,
that he become a monk or be subject to any Abbot ; since he is pre-elected
by the Almighty, for being an Abbot of monks, and for becoming a captain to
leadmanysoulstotheheavenlykingdom. 30 Therefore,detainnottheafore-
said man with you in our Isle, but send him back again into Ireland, that he
may build a monastery 3I in Leinster, near the sea-shore, where feeding a
flock of Christ's sheep and lambs, he may conduct innumerable souls to the
"
' O Baithan, must listen to these you
words, with
sently, after my wished-for and long-desired departure out of this life to Christ,
joys of Paradise. '
The young saint, on hearing this discourse, poured out
abundance of tears, and with thanksgiving to God, he said
:
" Be it done to
my
great
attention, for
pre-
me, according to the prophetical and marvellous prescience of St. Columba. "
So taking with him St. Baithan's benediction, this Fintan returned back into Ireland. 32 Adamnanstates,thatheheardtheforegoingaccount,fromthelips
^The Breviary of Aberdeen perverts the
earlier authorities that St. Fintan — by stating, —
ibid. , cap. xviii. , p. 342.
30 From these Father Flem- expressions,
Munnu who is there called Mundus took ing infers, that St. Fintan Munnu wrote
"
the habit of St. Columba, in Iona. See a special Religious Rule. See Collectanea
Pars /Estivalis, fol. l$ib b. Reprint of Sacra," p. 437.
1852.
3> This was at a place, called from him Teach Munnu, or "the house of Munnu," and now known as Taghmon situated about seven miles west of Wexford. It gives name to a prebend in the diocese of Ferns. There,
28
Tulchan is stated to have been of the
family of Conall, son of Neill, in the Vita
S. Fintani, cap. i. , in the Codex, containing
Lives of the Irish Saints, preserved in
he was buried. See " Acta Colgan's
Marsh's at fol. Library, Dublin,
127.
29 Here Colgan suggests an emendation, that this patronymic should rather be Mocu Maine, as Fintan's mother is called Fedelyn, of the race of Mann, the son of Neill. See
too,
Sanctorum Hibernice," Januarii xxxi. , Vita S. Maidoci, cap. xxxii. , pp. 211, 212.
"Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Vita S. Co-
lumbse, lib. i. , cap. 2, p. 373. But, we find also Quinta Vita S. Columbre, lib. hi. ,
therewasalsoaLaisranusMocumoie. See
cap. lxv. , pp. 442, 443 .
3a See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. ii. , p. 339, and nn. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, p. 373 ;
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 537
ofanagedanda. piouspriest,whowasasoldierofChrist,andnamedOissin,33 son of Ernan, belonging to the family of Mocu Neth Corb. 3* This priest testified, that he had received the foregoing remarkable narrative, from the very words of St. Fintan Mac Tulchan, who was his own Abbot. 35
The term of that already mentioned four years of respite on earth now
drawing on, being laden with old age, and knowing that the period of his wearisome pilgrimage was near its close, the true prophet Columba went
forth in a waggon 36 one day, during the May month, to visit the brothers, who were then at work. He found them at the western side 37 of Iona Island, 38
:
and to them he said " I conceived an earnest desire 39 of going during the
last month of April, to our Saviour, and this he granted to me, if I desired it myself. The Easter solemnities,* which we have lately celebrated were at first selected ; but, because I would not have the joy of such festivities con- verted into mourning, I chose rather deferring my departure out of this world foralittlewhilelonger. " Thissadannouncementfilledthemonkswithgreat affliction of soul ; yet, their pious father began to animate them with very consolingwordsandwithwholesomeexhortations,sofarashecould. Then,
1
turning his face towards the Orient/ while still seated in his chariot, he
blessed the Island of Iona, with all the inhabitants. From that time forward,
the Island was never molested, through the annoyance or deadly stings of vipers. 4 2 Nor was man nor beast ever after known to suffer from their bite. 43 Afterwards, St. Columkille was carried back to his monastery. Within a few days after this benediction, and while Mass was celebrating as usual on a Sunday, the saint elevated his gracious countenance 44 towards Heaven. It was suddenly suffused with a most exquisite and lively blush. At that hour, he saw the Angel of our Lord flitting up and down, within the walls of the oratory. ts As the admirable and tranquil aspect of holy Angels instil exul- tation and comfort into the hearts of the elect, St. Columkille therefore abounded with joy on that occasion. When some who were present enquired
33 There are several Ois<ins, in the Irish 4I An ancient Irish Life
Calendars. Dr. Reeves thinks, he was the that he turned his face in a contrary direc- one venerated at the 1st of May. See a no- tion, i. e. , westwards, when blessing the
tice of him at that date, in the Fifth Volume of this work, Art. vi.
34 The family to which St. Kevin of Glen-
dalough and St. Conlaeth of Kildare be-
Island.
42 No live snakes or vipers have ever been
seen in Hy, while many of a very venomous nature are found on the opposite coast. The Rev. Dr. Reeves saw one dead and preserved
longed.
35 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's in a bottle at Iona, however, but it had been
"Life of St. Columba," lib. i. , cap. 2, pp. killed in the Ross of Mull, at a stream which
1 8 to 23.
36 The Comte de Montalembert has it,
"
—il se faisait trainer sur un char a bceufs. "
overflowed the road. See his Adamnan's "Life of St. Columba," lib. ii. , cap. 28, and n. (d), pp. 142, 143.
referring viperarum venena trisulcarum linguarum," we have an indication of the classic source, whence they were borrowed, In the Georgics of Virgil, we read concern- ing the snake " Ardu—us ad solem, et Unguis micat ore trisulcis. " Lib. iii. , 1, 439. It is remarkable that without the slightest altera- tion, the same line occurs in the Aineid,
lib. ii. , 1. 475.
44 " A glad heart maketh a cheerful coun-
tenance. " Proverbs, xv. , 13.
" Les Moines d'Occilent," tome
iii. ,
43 In those words of Adamnan to
liv. xi. , chap, vii. , p. 278.
37 An Irish Life states, that he went to
visit the ploughmen, who were in the north part of the Island.
38 Adamnan relates that the monks were
"
in occidua insula; Ionre laborantes parte. " It is now called the Machar, and it is known to be the most fertile part of the island of Iona.
39 Adamnan uses the words " desiderio desidervi," borrowed from St. Luke, xxii. ,
15.
most probably died
of
14th April.
the snakes,
"
——when St.
40 In the year 597 Columba Vita Prima S. Columbre, cap. xvii. , p.
Easter Day fell on the
323.
46 As Adamnan states
" rursum
4S See "Trias Colgan's
Thaumaturga,"
incorrectly states,
it,
per
538 LIVES OF THE IRISHSAINTS. [June 9.
about the cause for his exultation, our holy Abbot looking aloft answered : " I. o ! an Angel of our Lord, sent to require a certain deposit very dear to God, came into the church. After looking down over us and blessing us, he
6 the roof of the departed again/ through
and without
church,*?
On the next 8 the Abbot and his faithful attendant Diar- Saturday/ holy
mit went out to bless a farm which was near. On entering it, and seeing'two
" I con- gratulate my beloved monks, for if I must needs depart this year, they have been left a sufficient annual provision. " Hearing this sentence, Diarmit
:
became very sorrowful, and he observed " You have very often afflicted us
this year, dear Father, because you speak so frequently, regarding your depar-
:
ture from this world. " The saint then said " I will acquaint you with a
secret and that unreservedly, touching my death, if you promise faithfully, not to disclose it before I depart. " Diarmit gave him his faithful word and promise of secrecy on bended knees. Then the glorious saint replied : "This day, in the Sacred volume, is called the Sabbath, which is interpreted the day of rest, and truly this day is a Sabbath s° to me, because it shall be the last
rest. The next ensuing midnight of holy Sunday,* I shall be gathered to our fathers ; for even now, our Lord Jesus vouchsafes to invite me. I shall depart to him at midnight, as himself hath revealed to me. " After this sorrowful communication, he returned back towards the monastery, having left the barn. His attendant Diarmit wept bitterly ; but, the saint endeavoured toconsolehim. Whilegoingtowardsthemonastery,StColumkillerested
parasticiam ecclesiae reversus," &c. About the meaning of this term "parasticiam," commentators have held various conjectures, bat there can hardly be a doubt but it means " the roof," as shown in the subse-
quent note.
4 ? In Vita Secunda S. Columbae, the Angel
is said to have vanished through the roof of thechurch. Seeibid. ,cap. xxi. ,p. 329.
48 By Adamnan, and by other ancient
writers, adopting the Jewish term, it is ex- pressed in Latin by the term " Sabbatus. " A tliousand years after his time, the Reformers of the sixteenth century applied the term to the Lord's Day or Sunday. In the Roman Breviary, and Missal, the Saturday is invari- able called Sabbatus, and Sunday, Domi- nica.
49 These were probably reserved as a sur-
leaving any sign of his egress. Wonderful and incomparable, therefore, is the subtility of the Angelic nature. " None of those that were present understood what deposit it was the Angel came to demand. But, the holy patron called his own soul, which God had committed to his charge, by the epithet of "a deposit. " This precious pledge Columba rendered to his Maker, within six
days after such announcement.
heaps of winnowed grain 49 within, Columba gave thanks, and said
:
day of my laborious life, and after the fatigue of my labours, on it shall I 1
halfway,
spot. s
plus from the preceding year.
50 Bowden's
SI " " The meaning of Dominica nocte is,
according to the Rev. Dr. Reeves, the night preceding Sunday. See his Adamnan's
"
Life of St. Columba," lib. ii. , cap. 45, and n. (1), p. 181, lib. iii. , cap. 12, nn. (d, e), pp. 210, 211, lib. iii. , cap. 23, n. (d), p. 230.
S2 No doubt, this had been a station of holiesttraditions,inAdamnan'stime.
53 The first cross erected there was proba- bly a rude one.
was 6 for a
time after his
It is certain, that his discipline if rigorous was tempered by a sweetness and
gentleness of demeanour, in Columba's administration, that made him be specially loved by all his subjects. The illustrious Colum Cille has been likened unto Andrew,? the Apostle, in his habits and life. 8 This doubtless means, that he was fired with zeal and fidelity towards his Lord and Master, while he was indefatigable in preaching the Divine word, and he embraced the Cross of Christ, because he was crucified to the world. Like a true saint, if he was indulgent towards others, he was little inclined to spare his own
acknowleged,
long
death, by
the houses, dependent
personal labours and mortifications.
Chapterxvii. —* Atchapterxlvii.
2 See "The Martyrology of Donegal,"
Cuimin of Condeire says,9 in an Irish
: 6ItisthusexpressedbyBede "Inqui-
bus omnibus idem monasterium insulanum,
in —
quo ipse requiescit corpore principatum
edited 152, 153.
Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves,
pp.
Here follows a disjointed extract
by
"
tenet. " Historia Ecclesiastica
Anglorum," lib. iii. , cap. iv. , p. 169.
i His feast is celebrated on the 30th of
November.
8 A ancient old-vellum book, which very
is found in the Martyrology of Tamlacht-
Maoilruain, is quoted by the O'Clerys, for such a statement. See Rev. Drs. Todd s
fiom some source, and we are informed,
that there is a defect in the original Manu- script note (3), by Rev. Dr. Todd.
knowledges, that the Rule of St. Columba of Luxeu was originally derived from that of Bangor in Ireland, and not borrowed from
"
Annales Ordinis i. , lib. viii. , sect, xvii. , p. 214. In a subsequent part of this work, Father Mabillon appears to regard St. Co- lumkille's or Columba's Institute, as if it had a distinct government and discipline, from that of St. Benedict. See ibid. , lib. ix. ,
sect, xix. , pp. 249,250.
s See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan,
w—ho calls it "insula . . . primaria. "
"Life of St. Columba," lib. i. , cap. i. , p. 12.
3 to the According
O'Clerys.
4 The learned Father John Mabillon ac-
that ol St. Benedict. See
S. Benedicti," tomus
9
ThefollowingisanEnglishtranslation:
and Reeves' pp. 152, 153.
"
Martyrology of Donegal,"
—
" The holy Colum Cille loves :
Son of Feidhlimidh, of generous
deeds,
There went not for a week into his
holy body
What would satisfy a poor man one
turn. "
I0 The beginning of it is rendered into
Gentis
534
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9.
10 poem, giving
that Colum
trustworthy biographers. Thus, the distinguished Catholic writer le Comte de Montalembert, assuming the corrupted traditions of the bards to be facts, has unwittingly drawn the following unfavourable and yet false estimate of
Columba's " when disposition
the characteristic virtues of the Saints of
Cille of generous deeds M used not to partake of food during the week, so much as would satisfy a poor man for one meal. The most false and contra- dictory accounts of his character have been published, and even believed by those who have estimated favourably his noble qualifications of head and heart. Legends related of him are often the myths of fancy, and they have received almost equal acceptance, as the authentic and early accounts of his most
asserting,
bold, a warrior, born to become a soldier rather than a monk, known, praised,
and blamed as a soldier, so that even during his lifetime, he was involved in fight ; continuing to be a soldier,^ even upon the island rock from which he went forth to preach, to convert, to enlighten, to reconcile, and to reprimand
1* A
rary,^ who leaves us a reliable portrait of Columba, has stated, that he was
princes
and
nations,
men and
women, laymen
and
clergy.
contempo-
learned, he was chaste, he was charitable, he was an abounding benefit of guests, he was eager, he was noble, he was gentle, he was the physician of the heart of every sage, he was to persons inscrutable, he was a shelter to the naked, lie was a consolation to the poor ; there went not from the world one who was more continual for the remembrance of the cross. ' 6 He was
singu- larly favoured by nature with a fine personal appearance and a majestic figure; and according to an ancient commentary in Irish verse,' 7 his countenance was radiant and full, his body was athletic and well-formed ; his eyes were
grey and luminous, his complexion was ruddy, his skin was white, and his hair was curling. As we have already learned, he was remarkable for the volume andclearnessofhisvoice. HebroughtoverthePictsandScotstotheFaith, nearly as perfectly as St. Patrick converted the Irish, and left his character upon them, so that they became a staunch, loyal, and truly Catholic race, in the
Highlands of Stotland.
18
Before his death, this great caenobiarch was able to
English thus : Macha loves. "
"
Patrick of the Fort of
tic biography, the evil becomes irreparable, and it is no longer possible to separate in popular estimation the true from the spu- rious. This lias been peculiarly the case with
11 The text of this poem, as given by Rev.
Dr. Kelly, reads An oiticne, "in his pil-
grimage ;" a copy in the Brussels Manu- Columba, and has led to a very false esti- script has it, tii nAoimperxc, "of the holy mate of his character. "—" Celtic Scotland : deeds. "
" See " Les Moines d'Occident," tome iii. , liv. xi. , chap, vii. , p. 285.
13 By Adamnan, he is styled "insulanus miles," in the Preface to St. Columba's Life.
** An able and accomplished modern
Scottish historian, William F. Skene, has helped much to correct those errors regard- ing St. Columba. He has remarked: "It is unfortunately the fate of all such men as stand out prominently from among their fellows, and put their stamp upon the age in which they lived, that as the true charac- ter of their sayings and doings fades from men's minds, they become more and more the subject of spurious traditions, and the popular mind invests them with attributes to which they have no claim. When these loose popular traditions and conceptions are col- lected and become embedded in a systema-
a History of Ancient Alban," vol. ii. , book ii. , chap, iv. , pp. 143, 144.
that he was
vindictive, passionate,
Ireland,
,s St. Dalian Forgaill, in his Amhra Cho- luim-chille. See ibid. , p. 146.
,6
"There is no trace here of those darker
features of vindictiveness, love of fighting, and the remorse caused by its indulgence. "
:
Mr. Skene observes " nor do the events of
his life, as we find them rather hinted at than narrated, bear out such an estimate of it.
•» See "Transactions "of the Royal Irish
Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. Calendar of Oengus, notes, p. ci.
l8
During the last century, the people in the Hebrides were almost exclusively Catho- lies, until persecution drove their missiona- riesaway. TherearevillagesintheHigh- lands of Scotland, which have suffered for the defence of their Faith, like the people in Ireland, and they suffered much by bad land
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 535 speak with confidence of Iona's future glory and fame, and his disciples sup-
his and their own credit for 10 Towards many subsequent generations.
ported
the close of St. Columba's life, he must have heard much of that
famous mission undertaken by the Roman Monk, who came to convert
that heathen 20 and the of in so a people, destroyers Christianity large part
of
Britain.
For more than thirty years, the illustrious Abbot worked hard and perse-
veringly, by founding churches and monasteries innumerable, 21 in Scotland as in Ireland ; while he won the love of all, by the force of his bright, manly, cheerful, and genial Irish nature, which the gifts of God's grace served to renderalmostsupremelyperfect. Severalofthegreatestsaintslongedtobeunder his guidance. Thus, St. Fintan Munnu,22 who afterwards became so famous throughout all the churches of Ireland, conceived in his younger years an
2
earnest desire of forsaking his country to visit St. Columba. 3 Being strongly
urged with this desire, he went to a certain old friend, a very wise and vene- rable man, who was named Columb Crag 2 * in the Irish language, to take his advice on the matter. His acquaintance liked well such a holy resolution. " Your devout wish to set sail for St. Columba's Isle, who can presume to oppose ; it hns been inspired by God," said the sage. Thither, at the same time, came two of St. Columba's monks. Being questioned touching their journey, they answered " We are lately come out of Britain, and this day, we
:
"
2s "Is father,St. Columbawell,andingoodhealth? "askedColumbCrag. Shed-
arrived from the ofthe oak-wood of monastery
Calgaich.
your holy
ding tears abundantly, the strangers replied in deep sorrow :
father and patron is well, for a few days past he departed to Christ. " Fintan, Columb, and the rest, who were present, fell prostrate upon the ground, and wept bitterly. Fintan demanded further particulars from them, saying : " VVhom did he ordain as successor? " They answered: "His disciple Baithen. "26 Then,havingapprovedsuchchoice,ColumbaskedFintanwhat he meant to do. Fintan answered, " I shall, with God's grace, repair to that wise and holy man, Baithan, and I will select him for my Abbot, should he wish to receive me. " Then, taking his leave of Columb, and kissing him,
laws, while there are villages in Scotland, in the county of Wexford. His feast occurs
that never yet lost their Catholicity through weal or through woe. The Rev. Thomas Hurke's " Lecture on St. Columkille, in St. Columba's church," New York City, re- ported in the Boston Pilot of March 22nd, 1873.
19 See Rev. John Smith's " Life of St.
Columba," Appendix, p. 161.
20 And " from whose country such lovely
in our Irish Calendars, at the 2ist or Octo- ber, and he died A. D. 634.
23 In the year 597, he is said to have visited Iona. See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's "Life of St. Columba," Additional Notes O, p. 372.
24 Colgan considers this saint to have been a St. Columba of Eanach, who was veneraied on the 22nd of September, accord-
fair haired slaves had been—brought to the ing to the Martyrologies of Marianus
Cathald and the market-place of Rome. " The Duke of O'Gorman, Maguire
"
Iona," chap, i. , pp. 23, 24.
O'Clerys. This locality of his lay three miles north of Deny, and near a castle, be-
"
Argyll's
21 The Cistercian Monk Jocelin represents
longing to the O'Cahan family. See
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Sexta Thaumaturga," Quarta Vita S. Columbce,
him as the founder of a hundred monasteries.
Trias
lib. i. , cap. ii. , n. 22, p. 373.
25 That is Derry in the north of Ireland,
and it signifies a forest of oak, to which is added the name of a man Calgaich or Gal- gaich. By this name it was known, until the middle of the tenth century,
26 His feast also occurs on this of day, 9th
June, and his Acts follow immediately those of St. Columba, in this volume.
VitaS. Patricii, cap. lxxxix. , p. 85. Prince Ma- n s ODonnell increases the numberto three hundred, including churches and monasteries in Ireland and in Britain
of these one hun- dred were said to have been on the coast, See ibid. , Quinta Vita S. Columba;, pars iii. ,
cap. xlii. , p. 438.
2-
His name was subsequently communi- cated to Taghmon, " the houseof Munnu,"
;
Truly our
536 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 9
Fintan embarked without delay, and soon he reached the Isle of Hy. There he was entertained with great charity, as an unknown guest; for his name and distinction had not been discovered, by the holy residents in the religious establishment at Iona. The next day after his arrival, however, Fintan made known to Baithan, that he had a desire to confer personally with him. Ever kind and courteous to strangers, Baithan presently sent for him. Being brought into Baithan's presence, Fintan fell down upon his knees. But, the saint made him rise, and then sit down, until the Abbot might learn the object for his voyage. Then did Fintan recount to the saint his name, his family, his country, his conversation, and what had moved him to undertake that perilousnavigation. Lastly,heclosedthisdiscourse,withanhumblerequest to procure his admittance. Baithan understood all that God had decreed con-
: cerninghim,andheknewSt. Columba'sprophecy. Hethensaid "Mychild,
I am bound to render many thanks to the Almighty for your arrival, but know this for certain, that you cannot become our monk. " 2 ? On hearing this sen- tence, Fintan appeared very thoughtful, and he said : u Perchance, I am
unworthy
tobecome
your
monk.
" TowhomtheoldAbbot "Itis replied :
not, as you say, for although I had rather detain you with me, than otherwise,
yet can I not profane the commandment of my patron, St. Columba, through
whose mouth the Holy Ghost hath prophesied concerning you, in the manner following. Being alone with him one day, among other things, he said to me,
a certain brother, named Fintan, son of Tulchan,28 of the Macumoie 29 family,
shall come to you out of Ireland, and beg earnestly to be received among the
monks. He shall be renowned for his religious morals and proficiency in
sacred studies. But this is not pre-ordained for him, in the presence of God,
that he become a monk or be subject to any Abbot ; since he is pre-elected
by the Almighty, for being an Abbot of monks, and for becoming a captain to
leadmanysoulstotheheavenlykingdom. 30 Therefore,detainnottheafore-
said man with you in our Isle, but send him back again into Ireland, that he
may build a monastery 3I in Leinster, near the sea-shore, where feeding a
flock of Christ's sheep and lambs, he may conduct innumerable souls to the
"
' O Baithan, must listen to these you
words, with
sently, after my wished-for and long-desired departure out of this life to Christ,
joys of Paradise. '
The young saint, on hearing this discourse, poured out
abundance of tears, and with thanksgiving to God, he said
:
" Be it done to
my
great
attention, for
pre-
me, according to the prophetical and marvellous prescience of St. Columba. "
So taking with him St. Baithan's benediction, this Fintan returned back into Ireland. 32 Adamnanstates,thatheheardtheforegoingaccount,fromthelips
^The Breviary of Aberdeen perverts the
earlier authorities that St. Fintan — by stating, —
ibid. , cap. xviii. , p. 342.
30 From these Father Flem- expressions,
Munnu who is there called Mundus took ing infers, that St. Fintan Munnu wrote
"
the habit of St. Columba, in Iona. See a special Religious Rule. See Collectanea
Pars /Estivalis, fol. l$ib b. Reprint of Sacra," p. 437.
1852.
3> This was at a place, called from him Teach Munnu, or "the house of Munnu," and now known as Taghmon situated about seven miles west of Wexford. It gives name to a prebend in the diocese of Ferns. There,
28
Tulchan is stated to have been of the
family of Conall, son of Neill, in the Vita
S. Fintani, cap. i. , in the Codex, containing
Lives of the Irish Saints, preserved in
he was buried. See " Acta Colgan's
Marsh's at fol. Library, Dublin,
127.
29 Here Colgan suggests an emendation, that this patronymic should rather be Mocu Maine, as Fintan's mother is called Fedelyn, of the race of Mann, the son of Neill. See
too,
Sanctorum Hibernice," Januarii xxxi. , Vita S. Maidoci, cap. xxxii. , pp. 211, 212.
"Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Vita S. Co-
lumbse, lib. i. , cap. 2, p. 373. But, we find also Quinta Vita S. Columbre, lib. hi. ,
therewasalsoaLaisranusMocumoie. See
cap. lxv. , pp. 442, 443 .
3a See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quarta Vita S. Columbse, lib. i. , cap. ii. , p. 339, and nn. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, p. 373 ;
June 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 537
ofanagedanda. piouspriest,whowasasoldierofChrist,andnamedOissin,33 son of Ernan, belonging to the family of Mocu Neth Corb. 3* This priest testified, that he had received the foregoing remarkable narrative, from the very words of St. Fintan Mac Tulchan, who was his own Abbot. 35
The term of that already mentioned four years of respite on earth now
drawing on, being laden with old age, and knowing that the period of his wearisome pilgrimage was near its close, the true prophet Columba went
forth in a waggon 36 one day, during the May month, to visit the brothers, who were then at work. He found them at the western side 37 of Iona Island, 38
:
and to them he said " I conceived an earnest desire 39 of going during the
last month of April, to our Saviour, and this he granted to me, if I desired it myself. The Easter solemnities,* which we have lately celebrated were at first selected ; but, because I would not have the joy of such festivities con- verted into mourning, I chose rather deferring my departure out of this world foralittlewhilelonger. " Thissadannouncementfilledthemonkswithgreat affliction of soul ; yet, their pious father began to animate them with very consolingwordsandwithwholesomeexhortations,sofarashecould. Then,
1
turning his face towards the Orient/ while still seated in his chariot, he
blessed the Island of Iona, with all the inhabitants. From that time forward,
the Island was never molested, through the annoyance or deadly stings of vipers. 4 2 Nor was man nor beast ever after known to suffer from their bite. 43 Afterwards, St. Columkille was carried back to his monastery. Within a few days after this benediction, and while Mass was celebrating as usual on a Sunday, the saint elevated his gracious countenance 44 towards Heaven. It was suddenly suffused with a most exquisite and lively blush. At that hour, he saw the Angel of our Lord flitting up and down, within the walls of the oratory. ts As the admirable and tranquil aspect of holy Angels instil exul- tation and comfort into the hearts of the elect, St. Columkille therefore abounded with joy on that occasion. When some who were present enquired
33 There are several Ois<ins, in the Irish 4I An ancient Irish Life
Calendars. Dr. Reeves thinks, he was the that he turned his face in a contrary direc- one venerated at the 1st of May. See a no- tion, i. e. , westwards, when blessing the
tice of him at that date, in the Fifth Volume of this work, Art. vi.
34 The family to which St. Kevin of Glen-
dalough and St. Conlaeth of Kildare be-
Island.
42 No live snakes or vipers have ever been
seen in Hy, while many of a very venomous nature are found on the opposite coast. The Rev. Dr. Reeves saw one dead and preserved
longed.
35 See Rev. Dr. Reeves' Adamnan's in a bottle at Iona, however, but it had been
"Life of St. Columba," lib. i. , cap. 2, pp. killed in the Ross of Mull, at a stream which
1 8 to 23.
36 The Comte de Montalembert has it,
"
—il se faisait trainer sur un char a bceufs. "
overflowed the road. See his Adamnan's "Life of St. Columba," lib. ii. , cap. 28, and n. (d), pp. 142, 143.
referring viperarum venena trisulcarum linguarum," we have an indication of the classic source, whence they were borrowed, In the Georgics of Virgil, we read concern- ing the snake " Ardu—us ad solem, et Unguis micat ore trisulcis. " Lib. iii. , 1, 439. It is remarkable that without the slightest altera- tion, the same line occurs in the Aineid,
lib. ii. , 1. 475.
44 " A glad heart maketh a cheerful coun-
tenance. " Proverbs, xv. , 13.
" Les Moines d'Occilent," tome
iii. ,
43 In those words of Adamnan to
liv. xi. , chap, vii. , p. 278.
37 An Irish Life states, that he went to
visit the ploughmen, who were in the north part of the Island.
38 Adamnan relates that the monks were
"
in occidua insula; Ionre laborantes parte. " It is now called the Machar, and it is known to be the most fertile part of the island of Iona.
39 Adamnan uses the words " desiderio desidervi," borrowed from St. Luke, xxii. ,
15.
most probably died
of
14th April.
the snakes,
"
——when St.
40 In the year 597 Columba Vita Prima S. Columbre, cap. xvii. , p.
Easter Day fell on the
323.
46 As Adamnan states
" rursum
4S See "Trias Colgan's
Thaumaturga,"
incorrectly states,
it,
per
538 LIVES OF THE IRISHSAINTS. [June 9.
about the cause for his exultation, our holy Abbot looking aloft answered : " I. o ! an Angel of our Lord, sent to require a certain deposit very dear to God, came into the church. After looking down over us and blessing us, he
6 the roof of the departed again/ through
and without
church,*?
On the next 8 the Abbot and his faithful attendant Diar- Saturday/ holy
mit went out to bless a farm which was near. On entering it, and seeing'two
" I con- gratulate my beloved monks, for if I must needs depart this year, they have been left a sufficient annual provision. " Hearing this sentence, Diarmit
:
became very sorrowful, and he observed " You have very often afflicted us
this year, dear Father, because you speak so frequently, regarding your depar-
:
ture from this world. " The saint then said " I will acquaint you with a
secret and that unreservedly, touching my death, if you promise faithfully, not to disclose it before I depart. " Diarmit gave him his faithful word and promise of secrecy on bended knees. Then the glorious saint replied : "This day, in the Sacred volume, is called the Sabbath, which is interpreted the day of rest, and truly this day is a Sabbath s° to me, because it shall be the last
rest. The next ensuing midnight of holy Sunday,* I shall be gathered to our fathers ; for even now, our Lord Jesus vouchsafes to invite me. I shall depart to him at midnight, as himself hath revealed to me. " After this sorrowful communication, he returned back towards the monastery, having left the barn. His attendant Diarmit wept bitterly ; but, the saint endeavoured toconsolehim. Whilegoingtowardsthemonastery,StColumkillerested
parasticiam ecclesiae reversus," &c. About the meaning of this term "parasticiam," commentators have held various conjectures, bat there can hardly be a doubt but it means " the roof," as shown in the subse-
quent note.
4 ? In Vita Secunda S. Columbae, the Angel
is said to have vanished through the roof of thechurch. Seeibid. ,cap. xxi. ,p. 329.
48 By Adamnan, and by other ancient
writers, adopting the Jewish term, it is ex- pressed in Latin by the term " Sabbatus. " A tliousand years after his time, the Reformers of the sixteenth century applied the term to the Lord's Day or Sunday. In the Roman Breviary, and Missal, the Saturday is invari- able called Sabbatus, and Sunday, Domi- nica.
49 These were probably reserved as a sur-
leaving any sign of his egress. Wonderful and incomparable, therefore, is the subtility of the Angelic nature. " None of those that were present understood what deposit it was the Angel came to demand. But, the holy patron called his own soul, which God had committed to his charge, by the epithet of "a deposit. " This precious pledge Columba rendered to his Maker, within six
days after such announcement.
heaps of winnowed grain 49 within, Columba gave thanks, and said
:
day of my laborious life, and after the fatigue of my labours, on it shall I 1
halfway,
spot. s
plus from the preceding year.
50 Bowden's
SI " " The meaning of Dominica nocte is,
according to the Rev. Dr. Reeves, the night preceding Sunday. See his Adamnan's
"
Life of St. Columba," lib. ii. , cap. 45, and n. (1), p. 181, lib. iii. , cap. 12, nn. (d, e), pp. 210, 211, lib. iii. , cap. 23, n. (d), p. 230.
S2 No doubt, this had been a station of holiesttraditions,inAdamnan'stime.
53 The first cross erected there was proba- bly a rude one.
