"—"
Martyrologium
Ro- manum.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
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medical care necessary for each individual, are exactly studied, and all requi- site observations are entered in the registers. According to those particular developments, which his disease presents, a patient is classed either among the hospital inmates, or he is provided with a proper nurse, from among the many infirmarians, resident in the city and in its neighbourhood. Medical officers, in this latter case, acquaint the nurse with the character and moral disposition of their new pensionary, and advise them as to the precautions and mode of action which must be observed. The medical practitioner of a section is also charged with the physical and moral treatment of this new subject. The doctor must prescribe, whatever may be deemed necessary, and attend to the punctual execution of his prescriptions. A great majority of patients are lodgedinthehousesofagriculturists; and,incasesofaccident,refusaltoeat, proclivity to suicide, danger to individuals and the public, or wild excitement, such insane persons are transferred to the government hospital, where they are kept under strict but unobtrusive surveillance. After this crisis has passed, as generally happens, an invalid is returned to his former caretakers, or at least, he is placed under the charge of a sectional medical attendant, who is best acquainted with his ailments. A perfect system of medical and of nurse-tending intercommunication is maintained, while the local clergy contri- bute powerfully to assist scientific efforts, by bringing calm consolation and devotional feeling into the bosoms of many bereaved but docile creatures.
Isolation from former scenes, friends, and acquaintances, and becoming accustomed to novel distractions, pre-occupations, labours and familiars, are found to be attended with the most happy effects, in this local treatment of mental maladies. The insane are thus constrained, to modify their habits of acting and of thinking, to forget the objects of their resentment or irregular affec- tion, whilst introduced to a new circle of reasonable and of charitable persons, who never act with neglect, disdain, or anger, when discharging the ordinary course of their patronizing and fomily duties. Every reasonable liberty is accorded their afflicted charge. The affectionate care bestowed, and a patient endurance of strange caprices, often insensibly influence the demented to a better state of feeling, elevate their depressed spirits, and excite an awakened intelligence, altogether unusual; whilst, in many instances, the marks of friend- ship, of confidence, and of kindness, lavished on a lunatic, effectually dissipate his melancholy, his state of desolation, his fancied grievances and troubles.
His mind is thenceforward open to consolation and hope. If restored to the enjoyment of reason, and to the home of his own family, as frequently happens, touching scenes of mutual affection and regret, on the part of the patient and of his nurse-tenders, form not the least remarkable features of St. Dympna's interesting colony.
It would be impossible, within the limits assigned in this disquisition, to describe in detail all those interesting particulars, regarding the condition of over eight hundred afflicted persons, residing in Gheel and in its environs. But, it will be desirable to consider the influences, which religion exercises, as an ex- cellent auxiliary in treating mental disorders. Nearly all the insane are capable of fulfilling their religious obligations. " A priest, who thoroughly appreciates his exalted mission, gives enlightened counsel and consolation to the afflicted; thus effectually aiding any curative treatment, adopted by the resident physi- cian. " AlthoughtheinhabitantsofGheelprofesstheCatholicreligion,yet
Colony of Gheel," pp. 78, and 209 to 247.
" The statements made in connection with this portion of the subject, I prefer taking from the " Rapport sur I'Etablisse- ment d' alienes de Gheel," par M. le Dr. Bulckens, medecin inspecteur, pp. 74, 75, 76.
" During my visit to the infirmary, in company with two of the local clergymen, this happy concurrence of action was very pleasingly illustrated, in more than one in- stance.
'3 in the medical report, dated 22nd of
358
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
tolerance and liberty of worship are perfectly enjoyed, by pensionaries of different creeds. '3 Notwithstanding occasional diversity of religious belief or practice, neither difficulties nor disabilities are allowed to interfere with special doctrinalrequirements,onthepartoftheirkeepers. Whatevermaybethecom- munion to which the patients happen to belong, all are classed under the same rule of religious liberty, and they become objects of like affectionate solicitude. Ministers of different sects are permitted to visit their co-religionists, and to communicate freely with them, under all relations compatible with their peculiar state.
The insane of Gheel attach great importance to a permission accorded them of frequenting religious exercises. On Sundays and the principal festi- vals, over three hundred patients assist regularly at Divine services; whilst a lesser number, as a matter of course, frequent the churches on each week-day. It is very touching, to behold the pious attitude and recollection of those afflicted creatures, especially within the privileged church of St. Dympna, who, as patroness of the demented, gathers the larger portion of them to her splendid temple. This holy patroness, always continuing to unite the sane and insane population of Gheel, under her protection and regards, especially influences a very considerable congregation of the latter class, to celebrate her annual feasts and novenas. All the healthy and unexcitable patients assist at her procession, conducting themselves in the most orderly and respectful manner; while the local medical inspectors have never yet discovered a single case, in which a religious exercise or a pious practice degenerated into any form of idiosyncrasy, prejudicial to the corporal or mental well-being of their insane.
At stated periods, on the annual recurrence of certain religious celebra- tions, many former ])ensionaries, who have recovered the exercise of reason, return to Gheel, and, as a token of gratitude, offer their devotions to its holy patroness. Married persons, with their children, receive kind attention and hospitality, diuing the lime of their stay, from those nurses, who had formerly charge of some particular visitant from among their guests. The parish vicaires and chajjlains, attached to various religious institutions in Gheel and in its neighbourhood, exercise religious offices on behalf of the afflicted, when occa- sion demands. After death, those pensionaries, whose friends are in com- fortable circumstances, receive rites of interment, comformable to instructions given by surviving members of their families. Indigent deceased patients are interred at the public expense. It is always customary for their former cus-
todians, to procure a celebration of the Holy Sacrifice, for the happy repose of their departed aliaies.
In the year 1847, Cardinal Engelbert Sterckx, the former Archbishop of Malines, and Primate of Belgium, visited Gheel, where, at the request of its pastor and the pious inhabitants of this city, an inspection of St. Dympna's relics, preserved in the great silver shrine, took place, on the 8th day of July. At the liour of five o'clock in the evening, a procession was formed at the church of St. Amand, and the Cardinal with his assistants advanced towards the great church of St. Dympna. The venerable canons of Mechlin Cathe- dral, A. Gennere and C. J. Crokaert, the Very Rev. C. Eyskens, pastor of the parochial church, and the dean of Gheel district, P. E. Molenberghs, dean
andpastorofHerenlhals,J. H. Vandermeren,deanandpastorofTurnhout, A. Mafoy, dean and pastor of Diest, clothed in sacred vestments, with a great number of the clergy and laity accompanying, and while the bells
February, I S60—the latest issuedto the lime Gheel, togetlier with 21 Dissenters, consist- of my visit—779 Catliolics aliaus resided at ing of Protestants and of Jews.
Migr 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
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rang, proceeded towards the church of Gheel's patron saint. Having there chaunted the Litany of the Saints, the great silver shrine, containing the sacred rehcs of that glorious virgin and martyr St. Dympna, was brought before the Cardinal to the nave of her church, and deposited on a table before the choir. Another wooden shrine was also brought to the same place.
In presence of the aforesaid venerable and reverend persons, and of the Rev. P. H. Thiels, rector of St. Dympna's church, of the noble Lord Charles, prince of Rouge-pre and Count of Merode, of the noble Lord Adrian, Charles Maria, Marquis of Levis-Mirepoix, and of his wife, Maria, Countess Merode, of Mr. Van Praet, prefect, of other members belonging to the municipality, and of the churchwardens, of the Gheel clergy, and of those from neighbouring parishes, together with a large congregation of every rank and condition, his Eminence opened those two shrines. Within the first was found a wooden case, closed with three locks, which were opeiied, and some cotton having been removed, the following relics of the holy virgin and martyr, St. Dympna, were found, viz. : four of the larger and two of the smaller bones, with a small portion of a stone, together with letters duly sealed, copies of which were taken, and afterwards appended by his Eminence to the pastoral, in which this whole process of examination has been described. Having exposed those sacred relics, to the view and veneration of all who were present, they were afterwards wrapped round with red silk tissue, each relic having been im- pressed with the Cardinal's small seal, within the silk covering, and again marked with the seal of his Eminence, on the outside, before they were deposited in a new case, previously prepared for such a purpose. On the interior, this capsula was lined with green silk, and on the exterior, a cover of red silk velvet was drawn over it. All this ceremony proceeded, according to the form and benediction, prescribed in the Roman Pontifical. After the
Cardinal had affixed his seal to a document of attestation, the latter was placed in the capsula, which was closed by three locks.
Within the wooden shrine was also found another wooden capsula, con- taining the following relic of St. Dympna, viz. , a portion of bone of consider- able size, which was sealed by the Cardinal Archbishop and placed within a red silk cover, duly bound with red silk bands and again sealed. This relic was thenplacedwithinanewwoodencase,speciallypreparedtoreceiveit, and lined on the interior with green silk, while red silk velvet covered the outside, which was ornamented with gilt iron decorations. After the blessing had been given, a parchment was also sealed, and placed within the capsula^ which was closed with one lock.
Having thus deposed the aforesaid cases, within their respective shrines, the Cardinal declared, that they should always be regarded and venerated, as containing the true and authentic relics of Holy Dympna, virgin and martyr. In faith of which proceedings, the Cardinal Archbishop wrote an attestation, one copy of which he ordered to be enclosed within the great silver shrine, with the relics of the saint, another was to remain with the churchwardens, and a third copy was delivered to the burgomaster of Gheel city. ^+
In Ireland, likewise, St. Dympna was honoured. It is said the Church of Kill-Delga, or Kildalkey,^5 had our saint for its patron. This was the name
'* The Latin document containing the peiied to be present, told me, they reme n- foregoing account is signed, "Engelber- bered having seen those relics at that
Tus, Card. Arch. Mechl. De mandate Eminentise suae A Genere, secret," and it may be read, in the Appendix to the Rev. Mr. Kuyl's larger work, pp. Ii8 to 120. The sacristan of St. Dympna's church, and a respectable inhabitant of the city, who hap-
time, and in reply to my question answered, the largest bones were only of such a size, as might belong to a very young female of not more than fifteen years of age. The great silver shrine is kept, in the old sacristy, be- hind St. Dympna's side chapel, and in the
360
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAII^TS. [May . 15.
of an ancient churcli, which is now totally destroyed. It gives title to a parish,'^ which is situated between the parish of Trim, in East Meath, and the boundary of West Meath. It was dedicated to St. Damhnat, or Dymphna, whosefestivalwasformerlycelebratedthere,onthe15thofMay. Nearthe site of the old church, there was a holy well, called Tobar-Damhnata, which was nearly dried up, when Mr. John O'Donovan examined this locality. '7 Amongst the Irish charters in that splendid Manuscript, known as the Book of Kehs, and which is preserved in Trinity College Library, we find a curious
entry relative to Cill Delga, or Kildalkey. Conchobhar O'Maelsechlainn bestowed it, with its territory and lands, on God and on St. Columkille for ever, in atonement for an act of treachery, and for a violation of protection solemnly given to Gilla Columb, an alumnus of Kells. '^ Sureties and guarantees were given, for the observance of this compact, by distinguished nobility and clergy, in the presence of the men of Meath, ecclesiastics and laics. '?
Tedavnet Cemetery, County of Monaghan.
The parish of Tedavnet,=° or Tydavnet, in the diocese of Clogher, is held to have derived its name from our saint; and, it has been interpreted to mean Teach, or Tigh, " a house " and Davnet—corresponding with Dympna—
right transept of her great church.
'5 Her Irish church is called Cill"Oel5A,
or ChiLl 'Oelcce, now Anglicized Kil- dalkey.
'* In the barony of Liine.
'. See Dr. ODonovan's " Annals of the Four Masters, vol. i. , pp. 330, 331, and note [i], ibid.
sit is also remarked, that "they all, both laity and clcry, gave their blessing to every king who should not violate this free- dom for ever ; and they all gave their curse to any king who should violate it ; and though it is dangerous for every king to vio- late Columkille, it is particularly dangerous to the King of Tara, for he is the relative of Columkille. " See, " Miscellany of the Irish
'** It was stipulated, that no king or chief-
tain could claim rent, tribute, hosting, Archxological Society," vol. i. , pp. 136 to
coigny or other exaction, from Ciil Delga, 141, and notes, ibid.
as before ; nor, durst he molest it hereafter, '° It is situated within the b. arony of
while staying in the territory.
Monaghan, . and it is described, on the " Ord-
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 361
beingadded. Atpresent,anoldgraveyard,wellfilledwithgraves,istobe seen within the parish ; but, moreover, nearly every vestige of a former church, which was there, has disappeared. ^' This parish is intersected by a rapid stream,^^ descending from the Slievebaugh Mountains, which entirely enclose the parish on the north and west. The highest point on these is Cairnmore, where a most extensive and interesting prospect may be obtained. ^3 In the parish of Lavey, county of Cavan, there is a church dedicated to St. Dympna. At Luddington, Lincolnshire, there is a church also built in her honour.
Although, the 15th of May is held to be the chief festival
memorations of our holy Virgin and Martyr occur throughout the year. On the principal feasts of St. Dympna, her great shrine is placed near the chief entrancedoorofhergreatchurch,inGheel,forpublicveneration. Afterthe grand and long circuit taken in public procession, made on the 14th of May, which is the vigil of her feast, this shrine rests there, until evening on the 15th of May, when it is returned to the sacristy. On Pentecost Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, the same exposition takes place, while a shorter line of proces- sion is formed, on Pentecost Tuesday, by the ecclesiastics and laics of Gheel. Oftentimes, upon other memorable occasions during the year, this procession is repeated. Her feast is celebrated with an Ecclesiastical Office, in the an- cient Breviary of the churches of Gheel, and of Antwerp ; and, to it is appended her invocation. *-^ In the Legend of St. Dympna, already men- tioned, the same prayer is found, with another to St. Gerebevn. ^s From the foregoing and other sources. Bishop De Burgo'^ compiled an office^? of Three Nocturns and Nine Lessons for this holy Virgin and Martyr, at the 15thofMay. *^ TheLegendandOfficeofSt. Dympnaarepreservedamong the Manuscripts of Trinity College, Dublin. =9 There are proper Lessons for the Office of St. Dympna, in that collection of Irish Saints' Offices, printed at Paris, in 1769. 3° In the supplement to the Mechlin and Irish editions of the Roman Missal is found a Collect, 3' at the 15th of May, 3' in honour of this holy Virgin and Martyr. 33 The Roman Martyrology honours St. Dympna, on the 15th
nance Survey Town land Maps for the County of Monaghan," sheets 5, 6, 8, 9. It contains 26,502a. The townland proper is on sheet 6.
°' The accompanying illustration, from a sketch taken by the writer in June, 1878, has been copied on the wood, by William F. Wakeman, and engraved by Mrs. Millard.
" The sources of the Blackwater River, which flows into Lough Neagh.
^3 See Lewis' " Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 662.
^"^ It has the following prayer : " Amator pudicitse Deus, supplicationibus nostris tri- bue, ut beatse Dympnse virginis et martyris tuse, cujus annuse solennitatis memoriam re- censemus, ejus apud te meritis et interces- sionibus adjuvemur. "
=5 " Qu£e est secunda in Breviario de unc Martyre non Pontifice," adds Henschenius.
^* See " Officia Propria Sanctorum Hiber- nise," Die XV. Mail, pp. 54 to 57.
^^ It is classed as a Duplex Majus.
'^ We find, also, in Latin elegiac measure, two Hymns, in her honour, appended to Father Thomas Sirin's " Sancti Rumoldi, Martyris Inclyti, Archiepiscopi Dubliniensis, Mechliniensium Apostoli," &c. , pp. 397, 398.
^^ That Manuscript, which is classed E 3, 8, contains a Letter from N. Laffan to Dr. Talbot of Dublin, in 1622, cum Legenda et officio B. Diphnae, Virginis etMartyris. This tract is most elegantly and legibly written,
3° See pp. 12 to 14, in " Officia Propria Quorundam Sanctorum, ex Breviariis appro- batis, juxta Decreta Benedicti XIV. CoUecta. Additis quibusdam, Breviarii Romani, novis festis. His accedunt Officia Propria et Missse SS. Hiberniae Patronorum," Parisiis : et vseneunt Dublinii, mdcclxix. , i2mo.
^i It can be thus rendered into English, for the Mass of her festival : " O God, the lover of purity, grant to us, entreating Thee, that as we celebrate the festival of blessed Dympna, Thy virgin and martyr, we may obtain Thy assistance, through her merits and prayers. "
^2 See " Missale Romanum," Ap. cxxxv.
33 Ruinart, in his Preface to the " Acta Primorum Martyrum, sincera et selecta," tells us, that formerly the principal actions of the martyrs were inserted amongst the prayers of the Mass, as could be easily shown by the most ancient liturgies of the churches of France, by the Mosarabic liturgy, and by that of St. Gregory. See vol. i.
3* " In Brabantia S. Dympnse virginis et
;
yet, other com-
jussa est decollari.
"—" Martyrologium Ro- manum. " Idibus Maii.
35 In " Natalibus Sanctorum Belgii. "
3* See " Fasti Belgici et Burgundici. "
37 See "Martyrologium Gallicanum. "
3* There we read, " Diphna Mart. 15
p. 199, ibid.
*3 IntheMartyrologyofDonegal,wefind
the following Irish entry, relative to this saint, at May 15. 'OimpiiA ogh Acuf rnAi\ci^. In English : " Dimpna, virgin and martyr. "
•
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
of May, by the notice of her principal feast. 3* Besides the notices of St. Dympna and of St. Gerebern, found in the ancient Martyrology of the Church of St. Gudule, at Brussels, we find similar but usually briefer notes, in the MS. Florarium, as also in the Martyrologies of Cologne and of Lubeck, printed a. d. 1490, and in the additions of Greven to Usuard. In the additions to Mo- lanus, in Canisius, in Galesinius, and in the modern Roman Martyrology, we find references to St. Dympna. Molanus,3s Mirseus,^^ and Saussay,^? with other hagiographers, have more extended notices of this holy virgin and martyr. Father Henry Fitz-simons' Catalogue of some Irish Saints records this holy Virgin and Martyr,38 ^t the same date, as also Father Stephen White,39inhiswork. Convaus,atthe15thofMay,entersSt. Dympna,on his List of Irish Saints. ^° Also, in that anonymous list, published by O'Sullevan Beare,atthesamedate,wefind"Dympna,Gerebernus. " InScotland,like- wise, she was venerated, and we find her name on Adam King's Kalendar,'*' asalsoinhisusualmendaciousway,byThomasDempster. 4* Atthe15thof May, her feast is entered by the 0'Clerys,*3 in the Martyrology of Donegal. * Onthisday,theprincipalfestivalofourSaintis observed,tocommemorate the elevation and translation of her sacred relics,"*' according to Father Hen- schenn. 't^ There is no notice of St. Dympna in the Martyrologies of Tam- lacht, or Marianus Gorman, at the 15th of May. The Canon Craywinckel procured for Henschenius certain records of the cliurch of St. Dympna, written in two volumes. From these authorities, we also learn, tliat the Feast of the Decollation of St. Dympna, with a solemn office, occurs on the 30th of May. Yet,inthe"MS. FlorariumSanctorum,"theFeastofherTranslation is set down, at that day. ^? In the Utrecht MSS. , as we are told by Hen- schenius, it is stated, that her decollation took place, on the third of the kalends of June, which corresponds with the 30th of May. '^ The same state- ment is found, in the printed Legend of her Life, and in Surius. 45 In Greven's^"
362
martyris, filiae Regis Hiberniae, quae pro fide cestum spirantis, amplexus declinans, ibi Christi et virginitate servanda, a patre latuit, K. B. "—" Menologium Scoticum,"
^ Edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, Maii, Surius, Molan, Genebrard ;" and pp. 128, 129.
again," Gerebernus Abb, 15 Maii, in Vita Dimnse. " See O'. Sullevan Beare's "His- toriae Catholicse Ibemice Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. x. , xi. , xii. , pp. 48, 50, 53, 54.
"" See " Apologia pro Hibernia," cap. ii. , p. 15. Thi-s wiiter here takes exception to the statement of Giraldus Cambrensis, fliat our Island wanted a list of martyr saints. See also cap. iv. , pp. 39, 42.
^''Thus: " S. Dimphna, princeps hreredi- taria Ibernice, supra modum pulchra et martyr inclytissima, Geli, prope Antverp- vam, 15 Maii. "
•'5 The office and Mass for this festival may be seen, in the Rev. Mr. Kuyl's larger work, pp. 120 to 123 Appendix,
•* In his time, on account of the Indul- gences granted by the Holy See, in favour of those who received llie Sacraments of the Church devoutly, at that period, so many ;is six hundred, seven hundred, eight hundred persons, and even a greater number, were known to approach the tribunal of penance and partake of Holy Communion. The number is in all probability greatly aug- meiited at this present time,
^^ At the same day, we also read in the ancient Martyrology of the Church of St. Gudule at Brussels : " Apud Ghele villam Brat)antiae, natale bealorum m. irtyrum,
*' Thus at the 15th of May: "S. Dympna
virgin docliter to ye king of irland marteri-
seid be hir ahvin father vnder Ico ye 3. "-
Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish (jereberni Presbyteri, et Dympna filix
Saints," p. 152.
*" Thus, at May xv. : "In monasterio
S. Filaiii occultatio Dympn. x virginis, quae patris sui regis Hirlandix, idolatrix, et in-
Regis Hibernice. Qui a Rege patre Vir- ginis persecuti, simul pro Christo cresis capi- tibus occuhucrunt. Quorum Genebernus ad Troiam Rhenensem, qua; Xanthis dicitur,
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
363
additions to the " Carthusian Martyrology," printed at Brussels, we find the feast of the virgin St, Dympna's translation at Gheel, on the 27th of October. The Acts of this holy Virgin and Martyr have been dramatized,^' and have been frequently represented in such form at the convent schools of Bel- gium.
Among the emblems of St. Dympna, we find an old engraving, exhibiting the holy virgin and martyr, with a sword in her hand, piercing the devil^s^ one, also, in which she is represented as being beheaded by the king her father ;53 one in which she appears leading the devil bound ;54 and again she is figured kneeling at mass, whilst her father is murdering the priest. ss A modern engraving represents the saint, bearing in the right hand a sword, which rests on the grotesque head of a demon, who is bound beneath her feet,
on a tiled floor. On the left hand rests an open book, on which her eyes are cast, as if reading. A flowing robe is fastened across the saint's breast, by a clasp, and the garment falls in heavy folds, over the inner dress. A band confines ihe long flowing hair over her forehead, and a ^/^rw/^ surrounds her head. A piece of tapestry is placed behind the saint. On either side of her, but in the back ground, appear in miniature two separate groups. One group represents the holy virgin kneeling, with her hands joined in prayer, while the king, her father, wields a double-handed scimitar, with which he aims a stroke at her neck ; on the other side, St. Gerebern appears kneeling, while a soldier is in the act of transfixing his body with a spear. The initials of both saints, S. D. and S. G. , appear on two different shields, with crowns and rosettes, on the upper corners of the engraving. s^ which from the inscription, it would seem, was executed at Antwerp. 57
Nearly all the editions of van Craeywinckel's work, hitherto published in the Low Countries, contain, as a frontispiece, rude engravings of St. Dympna, holding the devil chained beside her, while bearing in one hand a sword, and in the other a branch of palm. She wears a crown on the head, and flowing robes, to denote her regal dignity. In the background, a small chapel and a
translatus est. Corpus vero S. Dympnas Dymphna and Gerebern, Angels and the
Virginis apud prajfatam villam Ghele, niullis miraculis corruscando, quiescit. "
t* In the Appendix to the Rev. Mr. Kuyl's larger work, p. 123, the Mass, collects, antiphons, etc. , for this feast, are in- dicated.
45 " Prsedicta autem corporis venerandae virginis translatio facta est decima quinta die Maij, quo ejus festum celebratur. Decol- lata vero fuit ejusdemmensis die tricessimo. " —" De Probaiis Sanctorum Historiis," tomus iii. , xv. Mali, p. 347.
5° The same writer says, that the body of St. Dympna was preserved, shut up in a triple coffin. When visited by the Bishop of Metz, a stone, with her name inscribed on it, was found placed upon the breast of this holy virgin,
King with his soldiers, &c.
5= See Very Rev. F. C. Husenbeth's " Em-
blems of Saints, by which they are distin- guished in works of Art," p. 50. London, i860,
ssCallot's "Les Images de tousles Saints. " Paris, 1636.
54 >< jjig j^tt^il^ute (jg,. Heiligen. " Han- over, 1843. In an extract, transcribed from Ribadeneira's Vies des Saints, we are in- formed, that amongst other miracles wrought by God, through this saint, exorcising the Devil from possessed persons is considered most remarkable : " Voila pourquoi, on I'a peinte tenant un diable enchaine. " Tome v. , Mai 15, p. 219. To the patriotic and distinguished Irish writer, R. R. Madden, Esq. , . M. R. I. A. , I am indebted for this ex- tract, and for other communications, in refer- ence- to St. Dymphna, written by religious ladies in Belgium and forwarded at his re-
5' We have now before us an Operetta, in
the Flemish language, intituled, " Sinte
Dimphna's Marteldood," or "Martyrdom of
St. Dymphna. " It is in Three Acts, and quest to Ireland.
with Six Scenes. Written by S. Daems,
Norbertijner Kanunnik-Regulier der Abdij
van Tongerloo, with the Music, by van B.
Raes, organist ofWesterloo. Into this possession of Monsignor William Yore, Operetta are introduced, besides St. D. D. , and formerly V. G. of the Diocese of
ss " golitudo, sive vitse Fa^minarum Ana- choritarum. "—Jollain cxcudit, 1666.
56 xhis engraving I have seen in the
364
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
cottage are usually represented, with miniature figures, denoting her martyr-
dom and that of St. Gerebern. Rays of light are seen descending from the
clouds. Underneath, are found the words : " S. Dympna, ora pro nobis. "
Little variation as to the engraved details will be found, in these various fron-
tispieces. Medals of the saint were formerly struck in her honour, and the
red lion was seen on the reverse, to denote the royal emblem on the ancient
5^
Irisli standard.
There is an excellent engraving, which represents St. Dympna kneeling
before a hut, surmounted by a cross, and under the shade of some trees. St. Gerebern stands beside her in sacerdotal dress, wliilstan executioner presses the head of this holy priest forward with one hand, and prepares with the other uplifted to strike off the martyr's head with a sword. The king appears direct- ing this execution, and standing in the foreground, A small cross and book rest beside St. Dympna, who seems resigned to the will of heaven. A chalice or ciborium, with Eucharistic particles overturned, is seen at the feet of St. Gerebern. Over the hut, " Potius mori quam foedari," is written as a motto. 59 At Antwerp, the writer has liad an opportunity for inspection of highly artistic work, designed to honour this holy Martyr and Virgin. ^°
In the church of St. Paul,^^ Dublin, over tlie side altar of the Blessed Sacrament, there is a large fresco painting. ^^ It was designed, at the sugges- tion of the Very Rev. Monsignor Yore, to represent St. Dympna and St. P'rancis of Sales, in a kneeling posture, and adoring the Sacred Heart of our Redeemer, who appears above both saints. In the Cathedral Church, Marl- borough Street, Dublin, there is also a very beautiful painting of St. Dympna, more than life size, with several of the other ancient saints of Ireland. It is probable, that many additional memorials of our saint may be found, in vari- ous other Irish churches, chapels, and religious institutions.
Dublin. naturally coloured, and the virgin is repre- ss The words: "|tj. ©imgi^na, fllaeglr & sented with a very youthful countenance.
fHartflarfS, bill boor Olis," appear beneath, in the Gothic character.
Artificial flowers cover the whole background over the interior of this case, which is faced with plate glass. The panelling and onia-
5' See Father Thomas Sirin's " Sancti
Rumoldi Martyris Inclyti, Archiepiscopi ments of this shrine are very elal^orate and
Dubliniensis, Mechliniensium Apostoli," &c. Dissertatio Historica de Patria S. Rumoldi, Art. xi.
357
medical care necessary for each individual, are exactly studied, and all requi- site observations are entered in the registers. According to those particular developments, which his disease presents, a patient is classed either among the hospital inmates, or he is provided with a proper nurse, from among the many infirmarians, resident in the city and in its neighbourhood. Medical officers, in this latter case, acquaint the nurse with the character and moral disposition of their new pensionary, and advise them as to the precautions and mode of action which must be observed. The medical practitioner of a section is also charged with the physical and moral treatment of this new subject. The doctor must prescribe, whatever may be deemed necessary, and attend to the punctual execution of his prescriptions. A great majority of patients are lodgedinthehousesofagriculturists; and,incasesofaccident,refusaltoeat, proclivity to suicide, danger to individuals and the public, or wild excitement, such insane persons are transferred to the government hospital, where they are kept under strict but unobtrusive surveillance. After this crisis has passed, as generally happens, an invalid is returned to his former caretakers, or at least, he is placed under the charge of a sectional medical attendant, who is best acquainted with his ailments. A perfect system of medical and of nurse-tending intercommunication is maintained, while the local clergy contri- bute powerfully to assist scientific efforts, by bringing calm consolation and devotional feeling into the bosoms of many bereaved but docile creatures.
Isolation from former scenes, friends, and acquaintances, and becoming accustomed to novel distractions, pre-occupations, labours and familiars, are found to be attended with the most happy effects, in this local treatment of mental maladies. The insane are thus constrained, to modify their habits of acting and of thinking, to forget the objects of their resentment or irregular affec- tion, whilst introduced to a new circle of reasonable and of charitable persons, who never act with neglect, disdain, or anger, when discharging the ordinary course of their patronizing and fomily duties. Every reasonable liberty is accorded their afflicted charge. The affectionate care bestowed, and a patient endurance of strange caprices, often insensibly influence the demented to a better state of feeling, elevate their depressed spirits, and excite an awakened intelligence, altogether unusual; whilst, in many instances, the marks of friend- ship, of confidence, and of kindness, lavished on a lunatic, effectually dissipate his melancholy, his state of desolation, his fancied grievances and troubles.
His mind is thenceforward open to consolation and hope. If restored to the enjoyment of reason, and to the home of his own family, as frequently happens, touching scenes of mutual affection and regret, on the part of the patient and of his nurse-tenders, form not the least remarkable features of St. Dympna's interesting colony.
It would be impossible, within the limits assigned in this disquisition, to describe in detail all those interesting particulars, regarding the condition of over eight hundred afflicted persons, residing in Gheel and in its environs. But, it will be desirable to consider the influences, which religion exercises, as an ex- cellent auxiliary in treating mental disorders. Nearly all the insane are capable of fulfilling their religious obligations. " A priest, who thoroughly appreciates his exalted mission, gives enlightened counsel and consolation to the afflicted; thus effectually aiding any curative treatment, adopted by the resident physi- cian. " AlthoughtheinhabitantsofGheelprofesstheCatholicreligion,yet
Colony of Gheel," pp. 78, and 209 to 247.
" The statements made in connection with this portion of the subject, I prefer taking from the " Rapport sur I'Etablisse- ment d' alienes de Gheel," par M. le Dr. Bulckens, medecin inspecteur, pp. 74, 75, 76.
" During my visit to the infirmary, in company with two of the local clergymen, this happy concurrence of action was very pleasingly illustrated, in more than one in- stance.
'3 in the medical report, dated 22nd of
358
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
tolerance and liberty of worship are perfectly enjoyed, by pensionaries of different creeds. '3 Notwithstanding occasional diversity of religious belief or practice, neither difficulties nor disabilities are allowed to interfere with special doctrinalrequirements,onthepartoftheirkeepers. Whatevermaybethecom- munion to which the patients happen to belong, all are classed under the same rule of religious liberty, and they become objects of like affectionate solicitude. Ministers of different sects are permitted to visit their co-religionists, and to communicate freely with them, under all relations compatible with their peculiar state.
The insane of Gheel attach great importance to a permission accorded them of frequenting religious exercises. On Sundays and the principal festi- vals, over three hundred patients assist regularly at Divine services; whilst a lesser number, as a matter of course, frequent the churches on each week-day. It is very touching, to behold the pious attitude and recollection of those afflicted creatures, especially within the privileged church of St. Dympna, who, as patroness of the demented, gathers the larger portion of them to her splendid temple. This holy patroness, always continuing to unite the sane and insane population of Gheel, under her protection and regards, especially influences a very considerable congregation of the latter class, to celebrate her annual feasts and novenas. All the healthy and unexcitable patients assist at her procession, conducting themselves in the most orderly and respectful manner; while the local medical inspectors have never yet discovered a single case, in which a religious exercise or a pious practice degenerated into any form of idiosyncrasy, prejudicial to the corporal or mental well-being of their insane.
At stated periods, on the annual recurrence of certain religious celebra- tions, many former ])ensionaries, who have recovered the exercise of reason, return to Gheel, and, as a token of gratitude, offer their devotions to its holy patroness. Married persons, with their children, receive kind attention and hospitality, diuing the lime of their stay, from those nurses, who had formerly charge of some particular visitant from among their guests. The parish vicaires and chajjlains, attached to various religious institutions in Gheel and in its neighbourhood, exercise religious offices on behalf of the afflicted, when occa- sion demands. After death, those pensionaries, whose friends are in com- fortable circumstances, receive rites of interment, comformable to instructions given by surviving members of their families. Indigent deceased patients are interred at the public expense. It is always customary for their former cus-
todians, to procure a celebration of the Holy Sacrifice, for the happy repose of their departed aliaies.
In the year 1847, Cardinal Engelbert Sterckx, the former Archbishop of Malines, and Primate of Belgium, visited Gheel, where, at the request of its pastor and the pious inhabitants of this city, an inspection of St. Dympna's relics, preserved in the great silver shrine, took place, on the 8th day of July. At the liour of five o'clock in the evening, a procession was formed at the church of St. Amand, and the Cardinal with his assistants advanced towards the great church of St. Dympna. The venerable canons of Mechlin Cathe- dral, A. Gennere and C. J. Crokaert, the Very Rev. C. Eyskens, pastor of the parochial church, and the dean of Gheel district, P. E. Molenberghs, dean
andpastorofHerenlhals,J. H. Vandermeren,deanandpastorofTurnhout, A. Mafoy, dean and pastor of Diest, clothed in sacred vestments, with a great number of the clergy and laity accompanying, and while the bells
February, I S60—the latest issuedto the lime Gheel, togetlier with 21 Dissenters, consist- of my visit—779 Catliolics aliaus resided at ing of Protestants and of Jews.
Migr 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
359
rang, proceeded towards the church of Gheel's patron saint. Having there chaunted the Litany of the Saints, the great silver shrine, containing the sacred rehcs of that glorious virgin and martyr St. Dympna, was brought before the Cardinal to the nave of her church, and deposited on a table before the choir. Another wooden shrine was also brought to the same place.
In presence of the aforesaid venerable and reverend persons, and of the Rev. P. H. Thiels, rector of St. Dympna's church, of the noble Lord Charles, prince of Rouge-pre and Count of Merode, of the noble Lord Adrian, Charles Maria, Marquis of Levis-Mirepoix, and of his wife, Maria, Countess Merode, of Mr. Van Praet, prefect, of other members belonging to the municipality, and of the churchwardens, of the Gheel clergy, and of those from neighbouring parishes, together with a large congregation of every rank and condition, his Eminence opened those two shrines. Within the first was found a wooden case, closed with three locks, which were opeiied, and some cotton having been removed, the following relics of the holy virgin and martyr, St. Dympna, were found, viz. : four of the larger and two of the smaller bones, with a small portion of a stone, together with letters duly sealed, copies of which were taken, and afterwards appended by his Eminence to the pastoral, in which this whole process of examination has been described. Having exposed those sacred relics, to the view and veneration of all who were present, they were afterwards wrapped round with red silk tissue, each relic having been im- pressed with the Cardinal's small seal, within the silk covering, and again marked with the seal of his Eminence, on the outside, before they were deposited in a new case, previously prepared for such a purpose. On the interior, this capsula was lined with green silk, and on the exterior, a cover of red silk velvet was drawn over it. All this ceremony proceeded, according to the form and benediction, prescribed in the Roman Pontifical. After the
Cardinal had affixed his seal to a document of attestation, the latter was placed in the capsula, which was closed by three locks.
Within the wooden shrine was also found another wooden capsula, con- taining the following relic of St. Dympna, viz. , a portion of bone of consider- able size, which was sealed by the Cardinal Archbishop and placed within a red silk cover, duly bound with red silk bands and again sealed. This relic was thenplacedwithinanewwoodencase,speciallypreparedtoreceiveit, and lined on the interior with green silk, while red silk velvet covered the outside, which was ornamented with gilt iron decorations. After the blessing had been given, a parchment was also sealed, and placed within the capsula^ which was closed with one lock.
Having thus deposed the aforesaid cases, within their respective shrines, the Cardinal declared, that they should always be regarded and venerated, as containing the true and authentic relics of Holy Dympna, virgin and martyr. In faith of which proceedings, the Cardinal Archbishop wrote an attestation, one copy of which he ordered to be enclosed within the great silver shrine, with the relics of the saint, another was to remain with the churchwardens, and a third copy was delivered to the burgomaster of Gheel city. ^+
In Ireland, likewise, St. Dympna was honoured. It is said the Church of Kill-Delga, or Kildalkey,^5 had our saint for its patron. This was the name
'* The Latin document containing the peiied to be present, told me, they reme n- foregoing account is signed, "Engelber- bered having seen those relics at that
Tus, Card. Arch. Mechl. De mandate Eminentise suae A Genere, secret," and it may be read, in the Appendix to the Rev. Mr. Kuyl's larger work, pp. Ii8 to 120. The sacristan of St. Dympna's church, and a respectable inhabitant of the city, who hap-
time, and in reply to my question answered, the largest bones were only of such a size, as might belong to a very young female of not more than fifteen years of age. The great silver shrine is kept, in the old sacristy, be- hind St. Dympna's side chapel, and in the
360
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAII^TS. [May . 15.
of an ancient churcli, which is now totally destroyed. It gives title to a parish,'^ which is situated between the parish of Trim, in East Meath, and the boundary of West Meath. It was dedicated to St. Damhnat, or Dymphna, whosefestivalwasformerlycelebratedthere,onthe15thofMay. Nearthe site of the old church, there was a holy well, called Tobar-Damhnata, which was nearly dried up, when Mr. John O'Donovan examined this locality. '7 Amongst the Irish charters in that splendid Manuscript, known as the Book of Kehs, and which is preserved in Trinity College Library, we find a curious
entry relative to Cill Delga, or Kildalkey. Conchobhar O'Maelsechlainn bestowed it, with its territory and lands, on God and on St. Columkille for ever, in atonement for an act of treachery, and for a violation of protection solemnly given to Gilla Columb, an alumnus of Kells. '^ Sureties and guarantees were given, for the observance of this compact, by distinguished nobility and clergy, in the presence of the men of Meath, ecclesiastics and laics. '?
Tedavnet Cemetery, County of Monaghan.
The parish of Tedavnet,=° or Tydavnet, in the diocese of Clogher, is held to have derived its name from our saint; and, it has been interpreted to mean Teach, or Tigh, " a house " and Davnet—corresponding with Dympna—
right transept of her great church.
'5 Her Irish church is called Cill"Oel5A,
or ChiLl 'Oelcce, now Anglicized Kil- dalkey.
'* In the barony of Liine.
'. See Dr. ODonovan's " Annals of the Four Masters, vol. i. , pp. 330, 331, and note [i], ibid.
sit is also remarked, that "they all, both laity and clcry, gave their blessing to every king who should not violate this free- dom for ever ; and they all gave their curse to any king who should violate it ; and though it is dangerous for every king to vio- late Columkille, it is particularly dangerous to the King of Tara, for he is the relative of Columkille. " See, " Miscellany of the Irish
'** It was stipulated, that no king or chief-
tain could claim rent, tribute, hosting, Archxological Society," vol. i. , pp. 136 to
coigny or other exaction, from Ciil Delga, 141, and notes, ibid.
as before ; nor, durst he molest it hereafter, '° It is situated within the b. arony of
while staying in the territory.
Monaghan, . and it is described, on the " Ord-
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 361
beingadded. Atpresent,anoldgraveyard,wellfilledwithgraves,istobe seen within the parish ; but, moreover, nearly every vestige of a former church, which was there, has disappeared. ^' This parish is intersected by a rapid stream,^^ descending from the Slievebaugh Mountains, which entirely enclose the parish on the north and west. The highest point on these is Cairnmore, where a most extensive and interesting prospect may be obtained. ^3 In the parish of Lavey, county of Cavan, there is a church dedicated to St. Dympna. At Luddington, Lincolnshire, there is a church also built in her honour.
Although, the 15th of May is held to be the chief festival
memorations of our holy Virgin and Martyr occur throughout the year. On the principal feasts of St. Dympna, her great shrine is placed near the chief entrancedoorofhergreatchurch,inGheel,forpublicveneration. Afterthe grand and long circuit taken in public procession, made on the 14th of May, which is the vigil of her feast, this shrine rests there, until evening on the 15th of May, when it is returned to the sacristy. On Pentecost Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, the same exposition takes place, while a shorter line of proces- sion is formed, on Pentecost Tuesday, by the ecclesiastics and laics of Gheel. Oftentimes, upon other memorable occasions during the year, this procession is repeated. Her feast is celebrated with an Ecclesiastical Office, in the an- cient Breviary of the churches of Gheel, and of Antwerp ; and, to it is appended her invocation. *-^ In the Legend of St. Dympna, already men- tioned, the same prayer is found, with another to St. Gerebevn. ^s From the foregoing and other sources. Bishop De Burgo'^ compiled an office^? of Three Nocturns and Nine Lessons for this holy Virgin and Martyr, at the 15thofMay. *^ TheLegendandOfficeofSt. Dympnaarepreservedamong the Manuscripts of Trinity College, Dublin. =9 There are proper Lessons for the Office of St. Dympna, in that collection of Irish Saints' Offices, printed at Paris, in 1769. 3° In the supplement to the Mechlin and Irish editions of the Roman Missal is found a Collect, 3' at the 15th of May, 3' in honour of this holy Virgin and Martyr. 33 The Roman Martyrology honours St. Dympna, on the 15th
nance Survey Town land Maps for the County of Monaghan," sheets 5, 6, 8, 9. It contains 26,502a. The townland proper is on sheet 6.
°' The accompanying illustration, from a sketch taken by the writer in June, 1878, has been copied on the wood, by William F. Wakeman, and engraved by Mrs. Millard.
" The sources of the Blackwater River, which flows into Lough Neagh.
^3 See Lewis' " Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 662.
^"^ It has the following prayer : " Amator pudicitse Deus, supplicationibus nostris tri- bue, ut beatse Dympnse virginis et martyris tuse, cujus annuse solennitatis memoriam re- censemus, ejus apud te meritis et interces- sionibus adjuvemur. "
=5 " Qu£e est secunda in Breviario de unc Martyre non Pontifice," adds Henschenius.
^* See " Officia Propria Sanctorum Hiber- nise," Die XV. Mail, pp. 54 to 57.
^^ It is classed as a Duplex Majus.
'^ We find, also, in Latin elegiac measure, two Hymns, in her honour, appended to Father Thomas Sirin's " Sancti Rumoldi, Martyris Inclyti, Archiepiscopi Dubliniensis, Mechliniensium Apostoli," &c. , pp. 397, 398.
^^ That Manuscript, which is classed E 3, 8, contains a Letter from N. Laffan to Dr. Talbot of Dublin, in 1622, cum Legenda et officio B. Diphnae, Virginis etMartyris. This tract is most elegantly and legibly written,
3° See pp. 12 to 14, in " Officia Propria Quorundam Sanctorum, ex Breviariis appro- batis, juxta Decreta Benedicti XIV. CoUecta. Additis quibusdam, Breviarii Romani, novis festis. His accedunt Officia Propria et Missse SS. Hiberniae Patronorum," Parisiis : et vseneunt Dublinii, mdcclxix. , i2mo.
^i It can be thus rendered into English, for the Mass of her festival : " O God, the lover of purity, grant to us, entreating Thee, that as we celebrate the festival of blessed Dympna, Thy virgin and martyr, we may obtain Thy assistance, through her merits and prayers. "
^2 See " Missale Romanum," Ap. cxxxv.
33 Ruinart, in his Preface to the " Acta Primorum Martyrum, sincera et selecta," tells us, that formerly the principal actions of the martyrs were inserted amongst the prayers of the Mass, as could be easily shown by the most ancient liturgies of the churches of France, by the Mosarabic liturgy, and by that of St. Gregory. See vol. i.
3* " In Brabantia S. Dympnse virginis et
;
yet, other com-
jussa est decollari.
"—" Martyrologium Ro- manum. " Idibus Maii.
35 In " Natalibus Sanctorum Belgii. "
3* See " Fasti Belgici et Burgundici. "
37 See "Martyrologium Gallicanum. "
3* There we read, " Diphna Mart. 15
p. 199, ibid.
*3 IntheMartyrologyofDonegal,wefind
the following Irish entry, relative to this saint, at May 15. 'OimpiiA ogh Acuf rnAi\ci^. In English : " Dimpna, virgin and martyr. "
•
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
of May, by the notice of her principal feast. 3* Besides the notices of St. Dympna and of St. Gerebern, found in the ancient Martyrology of the Church of St. Gudule, at Brussels, we find similar but usually briefer notes, in the MS. Florarium, as also in the Martyrologies of Cologne and of Lubeck, printed a. d. 1490, and in the additions of Greven to Usuard. In the additions to Mo- lanus, in Canisius, in Galesinius, and in the modern Roman Martyrology, we find references to St. Dympna. Molanus,3s Mirseus,^^ and Saussay,^? with other hagiographers, have more extended notices of this holy virgin and martyr. Father Henry Fitz-simons' Catalogue of some Irish Saints records this holy Virgin and Martyr,38 ^t the same date, as also Father Stephen White,39inhiswork. Convaus,atthe15thofMay,entersSt. Dympna,on his List of Irish Saints. ^° Also, in that anonymous list, published by O'Sullevan Beare,atthesamedate,wefind"Dympna,Gerebernus. " InScotland,like- wise, she was venerated, and we find her name on Adam King's Kalendar,'*' asalsoinhisusualmendaciousway,byThomasDempster. 4* Atthe15thof May, her feast is entered by the 0'Clerys,*3 in the Martyrology of Donegal. * Onthisday,theprincipalfestivalofourSaintis observed,tocommemorate the elevation and translation of her sacred relics,"*' according to Father Hen- schenn. 't^ There is no notice of St. Dympna in the Martyrologies of Tam- lacht, or Marianus Gorman, at the 15th of May. The Canon Craywinckel procured for Henschenius certain records of the cliurch of St. Dympna, written in two volumes. From these authorities, we also learn, tliat the Feast of the Decollation of St. Dympna, with a solemn office, occurs on the 30th of May. Yet,inthe"MS. FlorariumSanctorum,"theFeastofherTranslation is set down, at that day. ^? In the Utrecht MSS. , as we are told by Hen- schenius, it is stated, that her decollation took place, on the third of the kalends of June, which corresponds with the 30th of May. '^ The same state- ment is found, in the printed Legend of her Life, and in Surius. 45 In Greven's^"
362
martyris, filiae Regis Hiberniae, quae pro fide cestum spirantis, amplexus declinans, ibi Christi et virginitate servanda, a patre latuit, K. B. "—" Menologium Scoticum,"
^ Edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, Maii, Surius, Molan, Genebrard ;" and pp. 128, 129.
again," Gerebernus Abb, 15 Maii, in Vita Dimnse. " See O'. Sullevan Beare's "His- toriae Catholicse Ibemice Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. x. , xi. , xii. , pp. 48, 50, 53, 54.
"" See " Apologia pro Hibernia," cap. ii. , p. 15. Thi-s wiiter here takes exception to the statement of Giraldus Cambrensis, fliat our Island wanted a list of martyr saints. See also cap. iv. , pp. 39, 42.
^''Thus: " S. Dimphna, princeps hreredi- taria Ibernice, supra modum pulchra et martyr inclytissima, Geli, prope Antverp- vam, 15 Maii. "
•'5 The office and Mass for this festival may be seen, in the Rev. Mr. Kuyl's larger work, pp. 120 to 123 Appendix,
•* In his time, on account of the Indul- gences granted by the Holy See, in favour of those who received llie Sacraments of the Church devoutly, at that period, so many ;is six hundred, seven hundred, eight hundred persons, and even a greater number, were known to approach the tribunal of penance and partake of Holy Communion. The number is in all probability greatly aug- meiited at this present time,
^^ At the same day, we also read in the ancient Martyrology of the Church of St. Gudule at Brussels : " Apud Ghele villam Brat)antiae, natale bealorum m. irtyrum,
*' Thus at the 15th of May: "S. Dympna
virgin docliter to ye king of irland marteri-
seid be hir ahvin father vnder Ico ye 3. "-
Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish (jereberni Presbyteri, et Dympna filix
Saints," p. 152.
*" Thus, at May xv. : "In monasterio
S. Filaiii occultatio Dympn. x virginis, quae patris sui regis Hirlandix, idolatrix, et in-
Regis Hibernice. Qui a Rege patre Vir- ginis persecuti, simul pro Christo cresis capi- tibus occuhucrunt. Quorum Genebernus ad Troiam Rhenensem, qua; Xanthis dicitur,
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
363
additions to the " Carthusian Martyrology," printed at Brussels, we find the feast of the virgin St, Dympna's translation at Gheel, on the 27th of October. The Acts of this holy Virgin and Martyr have been dramatized,^' and have been frequently represented in such form at the convent schools of Bel- gium.
Among the emblems of St. Dympna, we find an old engraving, exhibiting the holy virgin and martyr, with a sword in her hand, piercing the devil^s^ one, also, in which she is represented as being beheaded by the king her father ;53 one in which she appears leading the devil bound ;54 and again she is figured kneeling at mass, whilst her father is murdering the priest. ss A modern engraving represents the saint, bearing in the right hand a sword, which rests on the grotesque head of a demon, who is bound beneath her feet,
on a tiled floor. On the left hand rests an open book, on which her eyes are cast, as if reading. A flowing robe is fastened across the saint's breast, by a clasp, and the garment falls in heavy folds, over the inner dress. A band confines ihe long flowing hair over her forehead, and a ^/^rw/^ surrounds her head. A piece of tapestry is placed behind the saint. On either side of her, but in the back ground, appear in miniature two separate groups. One group represents the holy virgin kneeling, with her hands joined in prayer, while the king, her father, wields a double-handed scimitar, with which he aims a stroke at her neck ; on the other side, St. Gerebern appears kneeling, while a soldier is in the act of transfixing his body with a spear. The initials of both saints, S. D. and S. G. , appear on two different shields, with crowns and rosettes, on the upper corners of the engraving. s^ which from the inscription, it would seem, was executed at Antwerp. 57
Nearly all the editions of van Craeywinckel's work, hitherto published in the Low Countries, contain, as a frontispiece, rude engravings of St. Dympna, holding the devil chained beside her, while bearing in one hand a sword, and in the other a branch of palm. She wears a crown on the head, and flowing robes, to denote her regal dignity. In the background, a small chapel and a
translatus est. Corpus vero S. Dympnas Dymphna and Gerebern, Angels and the
Virginis apud prajfatam villam Ghele, niullis miraculis corruscando, quiescit. "
t* In the Appendix to the Rev. Mr. Kuyl's larger work, p. 123, the Mass, collects, antiphons, etc. , for this feast, are in- dicated.
45 " Prsedicta autem corporis venerandae virginis translatio facta est decima quinta die Maij, quo ejus festum celebratur. Decol- lata vero fuit ejusdemmensis die tricessimo. " —" De Probaiis Sanctorum Historiis," tomus iii. , xv. Mali, p. 347.
5° The same writer says, that the body of St. Dympna was preserved, shut up in a triple coffin. When visited by the Bishop of Metz, a stone, with her name inscribed on it, was found placed upon the breast of this holy virgin,
King with his soldiers, &c.
5= See Very Rev. F. C. Husenbeth's " Em-
blems of Saints, by which they are distin- guished in works of Art," p. 50. London, i860,
ssCallot's "Les Images de tousles Saints. " Paris, 1636.
54 >< jjig j^tt^il^ute (jg,. Heiligen. " Han- over, 1843. In an extract, transcribed from Ribadeneira's Vies des Saints, we are in- formed, that amongst other miracles wrought by God, through this saint, exorcising the Devil from possessed persons is considered most remarkable : " Voila pourquoi, on I'a peinte tenant un diable enchaine. " Tome v. , Mai 15, p. 219. To the patriotic and distinguished Irish writer, R. R. Madden, Esq. , . M. R. I. A. , I am indebted for this ex- tract, and for other communications, in refer- ence- to St. Dymphna, written by religious ladies in Belgium and forwarded at his re-
5' We have now before us an Operetta, in
the Flemish language, intituled, " Sinte
Dimphna's Marteldood," or "Martyrdom of
St. Dymphna. " It is in Three Acts, and quest to Ireland.
with Six Scenes. Written by S. Daems,
Norbertijner Kanunnik-Regulier der Abdij
van Tongerloo, with the Music, by van B.
Raes, organist ofWesterloo. Into this possession of Monsignor William Yore, Operetta are introduced, besides St. D. D. , and formerly V. G. of the Diocese of
ss " golitudo, sive vitse Fa^minarum Ana- choritarum. "—Jollain cxcudit, 1666.
56 xhis engraving I have seen in the
364
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
cottage are usually represented, with miniature figures, denoting her martyr-
dom and that of St. Gerebern. Rays of light are seen descending from the
clouds. Underneath, are found the words : " S. Dympna, ora pro nobis. "
Little variation as to the engraved details will be found, in these various fron-
tispieces. Medals of the saint were formerly struck in her honour, and the
red lion was seen on the reverse, to denote the royal emblem on the ancient
5^
Irisli standard.
There is an excellent engraving, which represents St. Dympna kneeling
before a hut, surmounted by a cross, and under the shade of some trees. St. Gerebern stands beside her in sacerdotal dress, wliilstan executioner presses the head of this holy priest forward with one hand, and prepares with the other uplifted to strike off the martyr's head with a sword. The king appears direct- ing this execution, and standing in the foreground, A small cross and book rest beside St. Dympna, who seems resigned to the will of heaven. A chalice or ciborium, with Eucharistic particles overturned, is seen at the feet of St. Gerebern. Over the hut, " Potius mori quam foedari," is written as a motto. 59 At Antwerp, the writer has liad an opportunity for inspection of highly artistic work, designed to honour this holy Martyr and Virgin. ^°
In the church of St. Paul,^^ Dublin, over tlie side altar of the Blessed Sacrament, there is a large fresco painting. ^^ It was designed, at the sugges- tion of the Very Rev. Monsignor Yore, to represent St. Dympna and St. P'rancis of Sales, in a kneeling posture, and adoring the Sacred Heart of our Redeemer, who appears above both saints. In the Cathedral Church, Marl- borough Street, Dublin, there is also a very beautiful painting of St. Dympna, more than life size, with several of the other ancient saints of Ireland. It is probable, that many additional memorials of our saint may be found, in vari- ous other Irish churches, chapels, and religious institutions.
Dublin. naturally coloured, and the virgin is repre- ss The words: "|tj. ©imgi^na, fllaeglr & sented with a very youthful countenance.
fHartflarfS, bill boor Olis," appear beneath, in the Gothic character.
Artificial flowers cover the whole background over the interior of this case, which is faced with plate glass. The panelling and onia-
5' See Father Thomas Sirin's " Sancti
Rumoldi Martyris Inclyti, Archiepiscopi ments of this shrine are very elal^orate and
Dubliniensis, Mechliniensium Apostoli," &c. Dissertatio Historica de Patria S. Rumoldi, Art. xi.
