Still, they never ruled over the whole race of Fergus, who had large territories in Connaught, as
likewise
in Thomond and Kerry.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
Ibar, which he intended to have published, at the 23rd of April.
This "Campus Gesilli," called Mag- gesille, in Irish, was situated in the district of
Hi Falgi or Oflfaly, not far from the LifTy's
70 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
Lenten visit. Then she told him her desire to obtain a supply of corn.
" O Brigid, if you had seen and known the quan- tity of corn in our possession, you should find, that the amount of our gift to
" This is not the
The bishop smiling said
:
must be small. " The
for you have twenty-four waggon-loads of grain in your barn. " Although the bishop had only a very small quantity at first, yet on enquiry, he found the prediction of the holy abbess verified. He gave thanks to God, and then he divided the heaps. Ibar retained twelve waggon-loads for his own use, reserving the remaining twelve for Brigid and her sisterhood. ^^ It would seem, that this visit of the Abbess had been returned by Bishop Ibar, for in the Sixth Life of our Saint it is related, how he then celebrated Mass in a solemn manner for all the people^s who were there. ^*^ In the Third Life of our holy Abbess of Kildare, we find the following recorded miracles. One of her nuns had been afflicted with a severe illness, and this patient asked for a little milk. *7 But, Brigid's community had no cow to afford it ; when, the Saint told a companion to fill with cold water, and then to give the ves- sel to the sufferer. Such an order having been complied with, it was found replenished with milk, and warm as if this had been just drawn from the cow. ^^ When the sick nun tasted this beverage, she recovered. Two females, belonging to her own family, and who were paralysed, lived near St. Brigid. These asked the holy abbess to visit and heal them. She complied with their request. When she arrived, having blessed salt and water, of which those women partook, both were soon restored to health. Afterwards, two Britons, who were blind, had been conducted by their servant, a leper, to the gate of that church, near which the Saint dwelt. They asked her to healthem. Shethentoldthemtoentertherefectoryandtoeat,whileshe
you
virgin replied,
case,
at
present,
should for their salvation. pray
cried " You heal the out,
They indignantly
sick of your own family, but you neglect strangers and attend only to prayer. "
in pascha & in natalitiis Domini. " But, in
a note on this passage, Colgan remarks, that the text is here vitiated ; for, in the Book of the Island, "oblatas panis" is read for "duos Eucheas," and in the Fourth
"
Life, lib. ii. , cap. xxii. ,
while in both these Acts are wanting the words, "in pascha & in natalitiis Domini. " The author of the Third Life would seem to insinuate, in Colgan's opinion, that those miraculously transmuted portions of bread were usually exhibited on the festivals of
both saints partook of meat, during Lent, was owing to a prevailing scarcity of other
prescribed food, and owing to a dispensation from usual Lenten observances. The nuns
of St. Brigid, rejecting their permission, seem to have given way to a species of vain
glory, preferring to obedience the practice of their customary Lenten mortifications.
Vita S. li. lii. , Brigidie," cap.
sec. xlvii. , p. 592, ibid.
*5 <'Ibarus ad cellam vir sanctus venerat
alma
Dicere missarum populis sollemnia
cunctis. "
^ Immediately after the lines previously
quoted, Colgan says, that certain portions of the Poem seem to be missing. The last line is marked, as if for a note, which, how- ever, has been omitted in the proper place.
See "Vita Sexta S. Brigidte," sec. lii. , p. ""
593. Trias Thaumaturga.
=^7 In the Lections in St, Brigid's Office
taken from the Breviary of Aberdeen, we find a similar statement made in reference to this remarkable recovery. See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 289.
=« In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life this account is given, pp. 19, 20,
Easter and of the Nativity, for a commemo- ""
ration. And, by the term Eucheas may be understood the Eucharistic breads, not
sacramentally consecrated, or perhaps only blessed bread, or resembling the Eucharistic
species. However, that account in the Fourth Life, as given in the text, seems to
controvert his opinion, regarding their pre- servation, for any popular exposition.
»*See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Tertia Vita S. Brigidse, cap. liv. , pp, 552, 553, and nn. 27, 28, p. 543, ibid. Quarta Vita S. Brigidse, lib. ii. , cap. xxiii. , xxiv. , P' 553» i^d. The foregoing incidents are somewhat differently given in the Fifth Life, where we are told, Ibar had not more than four or five measures of com in his bam, when Brigid first arrived. The reason, why
in duos panes ;"
See "
Quinta p. 580, ibid.
See, also, an account of this miracle in the "Vita Sexta S. Brigidee,"
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 71
She received this reproof by meekly going out from the church, and taking blessed water to them. When she had sprinkled them with it, the leper was cleansed and the blind men saw. All three praised God, and returned thanks for such benefits as He there bestowed on them.
A woman came one day to St. Brigid. That visitor drove a cow, with its calf, which had been intended as an offering for the abbess. However, the calfstrayedawayintoaverythickwood. Findingshecbuldnotdrivethe cow without it, the woman called out with a loud voice, that Brigid might assist her. Immediately, the cow went gently with her conductor, and direct to the virgin's house. Brigid then told the woman to feel in no way con- cerned about the calf, which should soon follow in the traces of its dam. Another day, when the Octave of Easter had closed,=9 Brigid said to her
" Hath that beer reserved for our Easter been given out, for solemnity
nuns,
I am solicitous regarding Bishop Mel, and the guests of Christ T The nuns replied, that God would send them a sufficiency. Then they brought on their shoulders a vessel filled with water to the Saint, that she might bless it, according to her usual custom. Supposing it to be beer, their abbess said, " We give thanks to God, who hath reserved this for our bishop. " On exa- mination, it was found, that water had been changed into such a beverage, as had been mentioned by the Saint. 3° At a certain time, likewise, she suffered from sore eyes ; and on hearing about her affliction, the same Bishop Mel sent a message she should visit him, so that both might seek a physician to heal her. Brigid said, although not desiring to visit a corporal physician, yet she would act as the bishop directed. It so happened, the Saint fell from her chariot, into the ford of a certain river,3'^ whilst on her way with the bishop to seek the practitioner. Her head struck against a stone, and a great quantity of blood began to flow from her wound. 3^ After such an accident, that medical professor whom they sought, met them on their way. 33
: PlacinghishandontheSaint'shead,hecriedout "Oholyvirgin,aphysi-
cian infinitely superior to me hath healed thy head, and always seek that physician, who is able to expel all manner of disease from thee. " Bishop
Melthensaidtoher "Ishallneveragainadviseyoutoseekanyhuman
:
physician. "34
The fame of Brigid's holiness, in a short time, caused this wonder-worker
to be known and universally admired by the bishops, clergy, reHgious, and people of Ireland. Her miracles had most beneficial effects on the newly- converted Christians, while they caused a great many conversions among thePagans. St. Melandotherdistinguishedprelatesheldwithherfrequent spiritual conferences and took her counsel. 35 After the foregoing occurrences, as related by her biographers, Bishops Mel and Melchu, with St. Brigid,36
=5 This account occurs in Professor O'Loo- Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. xxvii. , xxviii. , ney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, pp. 19, 20. p; 529. See, also, Vita Quinta S. Brigid®,
3° This miraculous occurrence is more cap. xlvii. , xlviii. , and n. 12, pp. 578, 579,
minutely detailed, in the Fifth Life, chap. xxxvi.
3^ This is briefly stated in the Lections of the Breviary of Aberdeen for St. Brigid's Office. See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 289.
3^ The Third Life adds, that when it was mixed with water, two mute women were restored to the use of speech.
33 These accounts are also given in Pro- fessor O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, pp. 19 to 22.
34 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
640, ibid. In the latter Life, it is stated, St. Jbrigid suffered from a pain in her head. That physician, to whom Mel sent her, was Bishop Echeus, Echenus or Echianus, of whom it is said, he was skilled in the know- ledge and practice of various diseases, and in the remedies for their cure,
35 See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an Irish Priest, chap, iv. , pp. 39, 46.
36 From the poetical description in our Saint's Sixth Life, it would seem, that this journey had been undertaken in the middle of the Summer] season, and with a view of
72 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
proceeded towards the plain of Theba,37 or Teffia, where the aforesaid prelate,
Mel, had a large monastery. s^ During this journey, the favoured virgin wrought
many miracles. 39 The ancient principality of Anghaile4° seems to have been 1 their point of destination. While the Virgin and her companions dwelt
there, the King of Thebaic gave a banquet, at some distance from their
dwelling. An awkward servant, on approaching the royal table to remove a precious vessel of priceless material and workmanship,42 chanced to let it
fall, when it was immediately broken in pieces. 43 Full of anger, this king arbitarily ordered him to be bound and put to death. But, on hearing about such a cruel and an unjust sentence. Bishop Mel sought the king to intercede for that captive. The chief, however, would not grant his petition. Then Mel gathered up the fragments of the broken vessel, and brought them to St. Brigid. He asked her to repair it, and she effected this task. 44 The captive was subsequently liberated ; while the fame of such a miracle diffused itself throughout that part of the country. 45
Near this place, St. Brigid was asked to visit another pious virgin,46 called Briga,47and at the house of this latter. Her house was at a place called Kilbrige. 4^ Our saint accepted such an invitation at the time, as she had often done on similar occasions. Arrivingatthehouse,shewasreceivedwithgreatjoyandhonour. Accordingtotheusualcustomoftreatingguests,herfeetwerewashed; and, after the water had been removed, it cured another nun, whose feet were
assisting at a council held by St. Patrick.
At this Synod, many prelates were present, from remote places. Regarding those bis- hops and our Saint, it is added : —
" Cum quibus ilia suis perrexitsanctapuellis;
O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Hu- idhrin. " Edited by Dr. O'Donovan, n. 277, p. xxxviii.
4' The King of Longford, he is rather in-
rutilus torrentia sol
ardent confinia Cancri, Fit calor in terris, fervet sol igneus astris. "
37 Colgan says of Thebe or Theba, that it was a plain known as Teffia or Teffa, other-
by an Irish Priest, chap, iv. , p. 41.
4^ The writer of her Third Life this says,
vessel among our ancestors was called *'"
Septiformis Calyx. It might be a curious subject for enquiry, to ascertain the exact form and material of this cup or chalice. Have we amongst our ancient vessels any of a peculiar shape, to which this and the following description jnight apply? The many-sided mether, ordrinking cup of the ancient Irish, may have been one of its
43 From this account, we may infer, that the material was either glass or pottery- ware.
44 This account is contained, but in a brief way, in the Lections of the Breviary of Aberdeen. See Bishop Forbes' "Kalen- dars of Scottish Saints," p. 289.
45 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Tertia Vita S. Brigida;, cap. xxix. , pp. 529, 530. Sexta Vita S. Brigidae, sees, xxvi. , xxvii. , pp. 587, 588.
4^ She is called Brigid the daughter of Conaille [Congal] in Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of the Saint, pp. 21, 22.
47 This Briga or Brigh is supposed to have been venerated at the 21st of January, or again her feast may be found at the 9th of March.
4« See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an Irish Priest, chap, iv,, p. 42,
Tempore quo rum
gemino-
Sidera perlustrat ;
wise called Anghaile, in the county of Long- "
ford. See "Trias Thaumaturga, Vita Tertia S. Brigidse, n. i6, p. 543.
38 This monastery was Ardagh, whic—h afterwards grew into an Episcopal See. Ibid, n. 17.
39 In favour of the blind, lame and af- flicted. We are told, also, that during the progress of herself and of her companions,
**
rectis properando gressibus ibant
Fluminis ad ripam cujusdam nomine Bannae. "
It seems more probable, however, that Baruac should be the reading, as probably the River Barrow is meant.
4° The Muintir-Fearghaill or family of the O'Ferralls were its chief lords for many
centuries, although in point of genealogy, the O'Quinns of the same race were their seniors. They had sometimes sovereignty over that sub-section of Fergus's race, on the east side of the Shannon.
Still, they never ruled over the whole race of Fergus, who had large territories in Connaught, as likewise in Thomond and Kerry. See "The Topographical Poems of John
class. It is said to have been "a richly "
exactly called in the
"
Life of St. Brigid,"
ornamented vessel in Professor Irish Life of St. Brigid, pp. 21, 22.
O'Looney's
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 73
crippled. <5 One day a woman came to our saint, with a present of apples,so whileBrigiddweltintheplainofTheba. Beforethatwomanlefttheplace, some lepers came up demanding alms. Brigid told the woman to divide
" I forlepers,butforyourselfandforyournuns. " Sucharemarkdispleased
our saint, and she rebuked that woman for her want of charity, telling her at the same time, her trees should never afterwards bear fruit. s' On returning to her house, the woman found not a single apple remaining in her orchard ; although,onlyashorttimebefore,hertreeswerebendingwithfruit. Thence- forward, her garden remained barren, according to St. Brigid's prediction, s^
At another time, St. Brigid journeyed through the plain of Thebe in her chariot, when, with many cattle, she saw a man, his wife and whole family, labouring and bearing heavy burthens. These greatly wearied them, as the heat of summer was then excessive. Compassionating these people, our saint gave them the horses, which were under her own chariot, to assist their efforts. At this time, with her nuns, she sat down on the way-side.
this fruit with them. Then her visitor
replied,
brought
these not apples,
"
near, that a well of water may be produced, for some persons shall come
hither, who although having food, shall require drink. " Having obeyed her orders, and dug a few feet, a fountain immediately spnmg up in the place. 53 After some short time, with a great number of persons on horse and foot,
accompanying him, a certain chief came to the place. Having learned, that
St. Brigid had given away her horses, he presented her with two untrained
ones. These became as tractable under her management, as if they had
been accustomed to the traces of her chariot,s-* Afterwards, some of St.
Patrick's disciples and family are related to have passed the same way.
These said to " We have laboured on our food, but Brigid : journey, having
no drink. " The sisters of our saint replied, that running water had been prepared for them to drink, and that the abbess had predicted their arrival. Then all eat and drank together, while the fame of our saint was extolled. Thanksgiving was likewise returned to the Almighty, for such a blessing.
While St. Brigid was travelling, with a great crowd, two lepers followed her, and according to her usual custom, she kindly received them. How- ever, these miserable creatures quarrelled with each other, and proceeded to blows. Meantime, the arm of that man, who struck first, became curved, so that he could not lift it ; while, the right hand of his opponent, which had been raised, could not be moved again to its natural position. The hands of these lepers remained in the condition described, until St. Brigid on com- ing up healed them. Then they repented. ss At another time, our saint's chariot was brought to carry a sick man, who was at the point of death. About even-tide, he was conveyed to the place, where our saint resided ; and, on that very night, his recovery set in, so that by morning he was able to walk. On finding this to be the case, some lepers asked for her
Brigid then said to her religious daughters,
Dig beneath the sod which is
45 See, Tertia Vita S. Brigidae, cap. xxx,, p. 530. Vita Quinta S. Brigidse, cap. xlv. , xlvi. , p. 578. Vita Sexta S. Brigidse, sees. xiv. , xviii. , pp. 584, 585.
s° This anecdote is contained in Professor
O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, pp. 23, 24.
5' This anecdote is more briefly related in
the Lections of Si. Brigid's Office in the 589. Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
BreviaryofAberdeen. SeeBishopForbes'
ssThesameaccountisgiveninProfessor
O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, pp. 23, 24.
"Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 289. 5' See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga.
"
Vita Tertia S. Brigidse, cap. xxxi. , p. 530. Vita Sexta S. Brigidse, sec. xxx. , p. 586, ibid.
53 See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an
Irish Priest, chap, iv. , p. 45.
S4 The foregoing circumstances are related,
with more prolixity, in the Sexta Vita S.
Brigidoe, sees, xxxi,, xxxii,, xxxiv , pp. 588,
y4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
chariot. This vehicle, with her horses, the virgin is said to have bestowed on them. 56
Being invited, St. Brigid went to a certain nunnery, in the territory of Theba, to celebrate Easter. The pious abbess57 of the place, on Holy Thursday,ss asked all her sisters, who would wish to wash the feet of certain infirm nuns. 59 All seeming to feel repugnance for this office, St. Brigid de- clared her willingness to assume such a task ; and the abbess was pleased with a compliance, which she knew to have been inspired by heaven. Four of the nuns were then infirm ; one was a paralytic, another had been subject to epileptic fits, one was a leper, and another had been blind. ^° Our saint
: firstbegantowashtheparalytic,whosaidtoher "Oholymother,prayto
Christ for me, that I may be healed. " Brigid prayed for her, and she was
^^
While our saint remained in this part of the country, she occupied a cell for some days, and it chanced, also that a boy who had been mute and a paralytic^^ was there, although St. Brigid was ignorant about his infirmities. Some passengers arrived, who asked for food. ^3 Our saint enquired from this boy, if he knew where the cellar key was to be found. He immediately spoke and said " I do. " Brigid replied, " Go, and bring it to me. "^4 The paralytic, hereupon, arose cured, and pre- sented the keys, whilst, afterwards, with the holy virgin, he ministered food totheguests,aftertheScottishmanner. ^s Whenreturninghome,thisbo/s friends were greatly astonished on finding him both walking and speaking. The boy told them circumstantially how he had been healed ; and all who heard his account gave thanks to God and praised His holy servant. ^^ At a time, the holy bishops Maol and Maolchu^? came to St. Brigid. They asked, if she would accompany them on a visit to their sanctified patron, Patrick, then dwelling in the plain of Bregh. ^^ Our saint replied, that she very much desired to do so, as she wished to obtain his blessing. Then those holy bishops set out on their journey, with Brigid and her companions. A certain cleric, who had a large family, with cattle and two waggons, asked
instantly restored to health.
5* Vita S.
**
Trias Thaumaturga. " Sexta
See, also, Brigidse,
sees,
xxxviii. , xxxix. , p.
St. Brigid, pp. 23, 24.
"^^ Tliis is somewhat related in differently
the Lessons of St. Brigid's Office in the Breviary of Aberdeen. See Bishop Forbes* "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 289.
^s Colgan has appended a note, to the corresponding La—tin passage, in which he proceeds to show a question not so much debated now as in his time—that the Irish were anciently called Scots, as St. Brigid is remarked to have dwelt then, in the country of Theba, near Meath, and that the author of her Fourth Life must have lived at a re- mote period, the Irish having been commonly called Scots, in his time. See "Trias Thau- maturga. " Quarta Vita S. Brigidce, n. 18, p, 564.
^^ This miracle is also related, in the Quinta Vita S. Brigidaj, cap. xlix. , p. 579. See " Trias Thaumaturga. "
^7 So called in the Fourth Life of our
saint. In the Third Life, they are named
Mel and Melchu.
«'o a
590.
57 She had probably been the subject of
St. Brigid, in an affiliate house.
58 See "Life of St. Brigid," by an Irish
Priest, pp. 43, 44.
59 This account is varied in the Lections
of St. Brigid's Office as found in the Bre- viary of Aberdeen. See Bishop Forbes'
**
^°
24.
" This miracle is also recorded in the
"Vita Sexta S. Brigidse," sec. xix. , p. 585. See "Trias Thaumaturga. " There, how- ever, it is stated, in addition, that the other three afflicted persons were healed by St. Brigid, after praying her to interpose on their behalf.
Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 289.
In the Irish Life of St. Brigid, belong- ing to Professor O'Looney, we are told in- stead, that "there were four diseased per- sons in the house, viz. , a man in a decline, a maniac, a blind man and a leper," pp. 23,
transposed form of the name Magh-Breagh, a famous St. Brigid," by an Irish Priest, calls him "a plain in East Meath. See "The Topo-
^='
probably breaghmhagh,
Relating this incident, "The Life of
deaf and dumb child. " See chap, iv. , p. 44. *3 This anecdote is somewhat differently related in Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of
graphical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na naomh O'Huidhrin. " Edited by
John O'Donovan, LL. D. , p. xv. , n. 63.
February i-l LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 75
permission to accompany the saints, that he might minister to their wants on
the journey; but, the bishops would not consent, lest their travelling might be impeded by the number of beasts and the amount of baggage. Then, St.
"
Brigid said to the bishops ; assist those people. "
Proceed you before us, I shall remain, and
The bishops obeyed her, and the saint, remaining with the cleric's family, askedwhytheydidnotputtheirbaggageinthewaggons. Shewasinformed
that two infirm persons, a paralytic man, and a blind woman, occupied them. The fellow-travellers of Brigid refreshed themselves and slept for the night,
while she fasted and kept vigil. On the following morning, this spouse of Christ blessed some water. ^9 Pouring it on the paralytic and on the blind woman, both were restored ; one to the use of his limbs, the other to her eyesight. Then, according to our saint's orders, their baggage was placed in the waggons, while prosecuting their journey and giving unfeigned thanks toGod. Withtheirpermissionandblessing,oursaintandhercompanions parted company, in order to hasten progress.
On seeing a certain rustic greatly concerned regarding his cattle, and being near the house in which our saint lived, Brigid told her nuns to enquire about the cause of his grief ; when he replied, that his whole family, consist- ing of twelve persons, lay sick at home, and there was no. woman found to milk his cows. Our saint told her nuns to perform this kindly office. Having complied with her order, the religious sisters were invited by that man to partake of some refreshment. With this request they com- plied, while their holy abbess fasted. All having dined, the saint of God blessed some water, with which she sprinkled the house and its sick in- mates. The holy virgin's presence and her ministrations restored all those infirm persons to health. Then they gave thanks to God, and invoked bless- ings on his glorious servant. Subsequently, in a direct course, St. Brigid and her companions^o proceed to a place called Tailten,7i where St. Patrick, with an
assembly of holy bishops and saints, held a council. 72 Brigid was received by the assembly with becoming honour. 73 Here she is related to have vin- dicated the character of Bishop Bron74 in a miraculous manner. 73 Tailten has been identified76 with the modern Telltown,77 a parish78 in the barony of
^ Thus, the circumstance is related, in her Fourth Life. In the Third, it is said, our saint used the "morning dew," as ma- Uries for their restoration.
7° According to Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, one of these was
Bishop Mel, pp.
This "Campus Gesilli," called Mag- gesille, in Irish, was situated in the district of
Hi Falgi or Oflfaly, not far from the LifTy's
70 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
Lenten visit. Then she told him her desire to obtain a supply of corn.
" O Brigid, if you had seen and known the quan- tity of corn in our possession, you should find, that the amount of our gift to
" This is not the
The bishop smiling said
:
must be small. " The
for you have twenty-four waggon-loads of grain in your barn. " Although the bishop had only a very small quantity at first, yet on enquiry, he found the prediction of the holy abbess verified. He gave thanks to God, and then he divided the heaps. Ibar retained twelve waggon-loads for his own use, reserving the remaining twelve for Brigid and her sisterhood. ^^ It would seem, that this visit of the Abbess had been returned by Bishop Ibar, for in the Sixth Life of our Saint it is related, how he then celebrated Mass in a solemn manner for all the people^s who were there. ^*^ In the Third Life of our holy Abbess of Kildare, we find the following recorded miracles. One of her nuns had been afflicted with a severe illness, and this patient asked for a little milk. *7 But, Brigid's community had no cow to afford it ; when, the Saint told a companion to fill with cold water, and then to give the ves- sel to the sufferer. Such an order having been complied with, it was found replenished with milk, and warm as if this had been just drawn from the cow. ^^ When the sick nun tasted this beverage, she recovered. Two females, belonging to her own family, and who were paralysed, lived near St. Brigid. These asked the holy abbess to visit and heal them. She complied with their request. When she arrived, having blessed salt and water, of which those women partook, both were soon restored to health. Afterwards, two Britons, who were blind, had been conducted by their servant, a leper, to the gate of that church, near which the Saint dwelt. They asked her to healthem. Shethentoldthemtoentertherefectoryandtoeat,whileshe
you
virgin replied,
case,
at
present,
should for their salvation. pray
cried " You heal the out,
They indignantly
sick of your own family, but you neglect strangers and attend only to prayer. "
in pascha & in natalitiis Domini. " But, in
a note on this passage, Colgan remarks, that the text is here vitiated ; for, in the Book of the Island, "oblatas panis" is read for "duos Eucheas," and in the Fourth
"
Life, lib. ii. , cap. xxii. ,
while in both these Acts are wanting the words, "in pascha & in natalitiis Domini. " The author of the Third Life would seem to insinuate, in Colgan's opinion, that those miraculously transmuted portions of bread were usually exhibited on the festivals of
both saints partook of meat, during Lent, was owing to a prevailing scarcity of other
prescribed food, and owing to a dispensation from usual Lenten observances. The nuns
of St. Brigid, rejecting their permission, seem to have given way to a species of vain
glory, preferring to obedience the practice of their customary Lenten mortifications.
Vita S. li. lii. , Brigidie," cap.
sec. xlvii. , p. 592, ibid.
*5 <'Ibarus ad cellam vir sanctus venerat
alma
Dicere missarum populis sollemnia
cunctis. "
^ Immediately after the lines previously
quoted, Colgan says, that certain portions of the Poem seem to be missing. The last line is marked, as if for a note, which, how- ever, has been omitted in the proper place.
See "Vita Sexta S. Brigidte," sec. lii. , p. ""
593. Trias Thaumaturga.
=^7 In the Lections in St, Brigid's Office
taken from the Breviary of Aberdeen, we find a similar statement made in reference to this remarkable recovery. See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 289.
=« In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life this account is given, pp. 19, 20,
Easter and of the Nativity, for a commemo- ""
ration. And, by the term Eucheas may be understood the Eucharistic breads, not
sacramentally consecrated, or perhaps only blessed bread, or resembling the Eucharistic
species. However, that account in the Fourth Life, as given in the text, seems to
controvert his opinion, regarding their pre- servation, for any popular exposition.
»*See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Tertia Vita S. Brigidse, cap. liv. , pp, 552, 553, and nn. 27, 28, p. 543, ibid. Quarta Vita S. Brigidse, lib. ii. , cap. xxiii. , xxiv. , P' 553» i^d. The foregoing incidents are somewhat differently given in the Fifth Life, where we are told, Ibar had not more than four or five measures of com in his bam, when Brigid first arrived. The reason, why
in duos panes ;"
See "
Quinta p. 580, ibid.
See, also, an account of this miracle in the "Vita Sexta S. Brigidee,"
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 71
She received this reproof by meekly going out from the church, and taking blessed water to them. When she had sprinkled them with it, the leper was cleansed and the blind men saw. All three praised God, and returned thanks for such benefits as He there bestowed on them.
A woman came one day to St. Brigid. That visitor drove a cow, with its calf, which had been intended as an offering for the abbess. However, the calfstrayedawayintoaverythickwood. Findingshecbuldnotdrivethe cow without it, the woman called out with a loud voice, that Brigid might assist her. Immediately, the cow went gently with her conductor, and direct to the virgin's house. Brigid then told the woman to feel in no way con- cerned about the calf, which should soon follow in the traces of its dam. Another day, when the Octave of Easter had closed,=9 Brigid said to her
" Hath that beer reserved for our Easter been given out, for solemnity
nuns,
I am solicitous regarding Bishop Mel, and the guests of Christ T The nuns replied, that God would send them a sufficiency. Then they brought on their shoulders a vessel filled with water to the Saint, that she might bless it, according to her usual custom. Supposing it to be beer, their abbess said, " We give thanks to God, who hath reserved this for our bishop. " On exa- mination, it was found, that water had been changed into such a beverage, as had been mentioned by the Saint. 3° At a certain time, likewise, she suffered from sore eyes ; and on hearing about her affliction, the same Bishop Mel sent a message she should visit him, so that both might seek a physician to heal her. Brigid said, although not desiring to visit a corporal physician, yet she would act as the bishop directed. It so happened, the Saint fell from her chariot, into the ford of a certain river,3'^ whilst on her way with the bishop to seek the practitioner. Her head struck against a stone, and a great quantity of blood began to flow from her wound. 3^ After such an accident, that medical professor whom they sought, met them on their way. 33
: PlacinghishandontheSaint'shead,hecriedout "Oholyvirgin,aphysi-
cian infinitely superior to me hath healed thy head, and always seek that physician, who is able to expel all manner of disease from thee. " Bishop
Melthensaidtoher "Ishallneveragainadviseyoutoseekanyhuman
:
physician. "34
The fame of Brigid's holiness, in a short time, caused this wonder-worker
to be known and universally admired by the bishops, clergy, reHgious, and people of Ireland. Her miracles had most beneficial effects on the newly- converted Christians, while they caused a great many conversions among thePagans. St. Melandotherdistinguishedprelatesheldwithherfrequent spiritual conferences and took her counsel. 35 After the foregoing occurrences, as related by her biographers, Bishops Mel and Melchu, with St. Brigid,36
=5 This account occurs in Professor O'Loo- Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. xxvii. , xxviii. , ney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, pp. 19, 20. p; 529. See, also, Vita Quinta S. Brigid®,
3° This miraculous occurrence is more cap. xlvii. , xlviii. , and n. 12, pp. 578, 579,
minutely detailed, in the Fifth Life, chap. xxxvi.
3^ This is briefly stated in the Lections of the Breviary of Aberdeen for St. Brigid's Office. See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 289.
3^ The Third Life adds, that when it was mixed with water, two mute women were restored to the use of speech.
33 These accounts are also given in Pro- fessor O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, pp. 19 to 22.
34 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga,"
640, ibid. In the latter Life, it is stated, St. Jbrigid suffered from a pain in her head. That physician, to whom Mel sent her, was Bishop Echeus, Echenus or Echianus, of whom it is said, he was skilled in the know- ledge and practice of various diseases, and in the remedies for their cure,
35 See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an Irish Priest, chap, iv. , pp. 39, 46.
36 From the poetical description in our Saint's Sixth Life, it would seem, that this journey had been undertaken in the middle of the Summer] season, and with a view of
72 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
proceeded towards the plain of Theba,37 or Teffia, where the aforesaid prelate,
Mel, had a large monastery. s^ During this journey, the favoured virgin wrought
many miracles. 39 The ancient principality of Anghaile4° seems to have been 1 their point of destination. While the Virgin and her companions dwelt
there, the King of Thebaic gave a banquet, at some distance from their
dwelling. An awkward servant, on approaching the royal table to remove a precious vessel of priceless material and workmanship,42 chanced to let it
fall, when it was immediately broken in pieces. 43 Full of anger, this king arbitarily ordered him to be bound and put to death. But, on hearing about such a cruel and an unjust sentence. Bishop Mel sought the king to intercede for that captive. The chief, however, would not grant his petition. Then Mel gathered up the fragments of the broken vessel, and brought them to St. Brigid. He asked her to repair it, and she effected this task. 44 The captive was subsequently liberated ; while the fame of such a miracle diffused itself throughout that part of the country. 45
Near this place, St. Brigid was asked to visit another pious virgin,46 called Briga,47and at the house of this latter. Her house was at a place called Kilbrige. 4^ Our saint accepted such an invitation at the time, as she had often done on similar occasions. Arrivingatthehouse,shewasreceivedwithgreatjoyandhonour. Accordingtotheusualcustomoftreatingguests,herfeetwerewashed; and, after the water had been removed, it cured another nun, whose feet were
assisting at a council held by St. Patrick.
At this Synod, many prelates were present, from remote places. Regarding those bis- hops and our Saint, it is added : —
" Cum quibus ilia suis perrexitsanctapuellis;
O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O'Hu- idhrin. " Edited by Dr. O'Donovan, n. 277, p. xxxviii.
4' The King of Longford, he is rather in-
rutilus torrentia sol
ardent confinia Cancri, Fit calor in terris, fervet sol igneus astris. "
37 Colgan says of Thebe or Theba, that it was a plain known as Teffia or Teffa, other-
by an Irish Priest, chap, iv. , p. 41.
4^ The writer of her Third Life this says,
vessel among our ancestors was called *'"
Septiformis Calyx. It might be a curious subject for enquiry, to ascertain the exact form and material of this cup or chalice. Have we amongst our ancient vessels any of a peculiar shape, to which this and the following description jnight apply? The many-sided mether, ordrinking cup of the ancient Irish, may have been one of its
43 From this account, we may infer, that the material was either glass or pottery- ware.
44 This account is contained, but in a brief way, in the Lections of the Breviary of Aberdeen. See Bishop Forbes' "Kalen- dars of Scottish Saints," p. 289.
45 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Tertia Vita S. Brigida;, cap. xxix. , pp. 529, 530. Sexta Vita S. Brigidae, sees, xxvi. , xxvii. , pp. 587, 588.
4^ She is called Brigid the daughter of Conaille [Congal] in Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of the Saint, pp. 21, 22.
47 This Briga or Brigh is supposed to have been venerated at the 21st of January, or again her feast may be found at the 9th of March.
4« See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an Irish Priest, chap, iv,, p. 42,
Tempore quo rum
gemino-
Sidera perlustrat ;
wise called Anghaile, in the county of Long- "
ford. See "Trias Thaumaturga, Vita Tertia S. Brigidse, n. i6, p. 543.
38 This monastery was Ardagh, whic—h afterwards grew into an Episcopal See. Ibid, n. 17.
39 In favour of the blind, lame and af- flicted. We are told, also, that during the progress of herself and of her companions,
**
rectis properando gressibus ibant
Fluminis ad ripam cujusdam nomine Bannae. "
It seems more probable, however, that Baruac should be the reading, as probably the River Barrow is meant.
4° The Muintir-Fearghaill or family of the O'Ferralls were its chief lords for many
centuries, although in point of genealogy, the O'Quinns of the same race were their seniors. They had sometimes sovereignty over that sub-section of Fergus's race, on the east side of the Shannon.
Still, they never ruled over the whole race of Fergus, who had large territories in Connaught, as likewise in Thomond and Kerry. See "The Topographical Poems of John
class. It is said to have been "a richly "
exactly called in the
"
Life of St. Brigid,"
ornamented vessel in Professor Irish Life of St. Brigid, pp. 21, 22.
O'Looney's
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 73
crippled. <5 One day a woman came to our saint, with a present of apples,so whileBrigiddweltintheplainofTheba. Beforethatwomanlefttheplace, some lepers came up demanding alms. Brigid told the woman to divide
" I forlepers,butforyourselfandforyournuns. " Sucharemarkdispleased
our saint, and she rebuked that woman for her want of charity, telling her at the same time, her trees should never afterwards bear fruit. s' On returning to her house, the woman found not a single apple remaining in her orchard ; although,onlyashorttimebefore,hertreeswerebendingwithfruit. Thence- forward, her garden remained barren, according to St. Brigid's prediction, s^
At another time, St. Brigid journeyed through the plain of Thebe in her chariot, when, with many cattle, she saw a man, his wife and whole family, labouring and bearing heavy burthens. These greatly wearied them, as the heat of summer was then excessive. Compassionating these people, our saint gave them the horses, which were under her own chariot, to assist their efforts. At this time, with her nuns, she sat down on the way-side.
this fruit with them. Then her visitor
replied,
brought
these not apples,
"
near, that a well of water may be produced, for some persons shall come
hither, who although having food, shall require drink. " Having obeyed her orders, and dug a few feet, a fountain immediately spnmg up in the place. 53 After some short time, with a great number of persons on horse and foot,
accompanying him, a certain chief came to the place. Having learned, that
St. Brigid had given away her horses, he presented her with two untrained
ones. These became as tractable under her management, as if they had
been accustomed to the traces of her chariot,s-* Afterwards, some of St.
Patrick's disciples and family are related to have passed the same way.
These said to " We have laboured on our food, but Brigid : journey, having
no drink. " The sisters of our saint replied, that running water had been prepared for them to drink, and that the abbess had predicted their arrival. Then all eat and drank together, while the fame of our saint was extolled. Thanksgiving was likewise returned to the Almighty, for such a blessing.
While St. Brigid was travelling, with a great crowd, two lepers followed her, and according to her usual custom, she kindly received them. How- ever, these miserable creatures quarrelled with each other, and proceeded to blows. Meantime, the arm of that man, who struck first, became curved, so that he could not lift it ; while, the right hand of his opponent, which had been raised, could not be moved again to its natural position. The hands of these lepers remained in the condition described, until St. Brigid on com- ing up healed them. Then they repented. ss At another time, our saint's chariot was brought to carry a sick man, who was at the point of death. About even-tide, he was conveyed to the place, where our saint resided ; and, on that very night, his recovery set in, so that by morning he was able to walk. On finding this to be the case, some lepers asked for her
Brigid then said to her religious daughters,
Dig beneath the sod which is
45 See, Tertia Vita S. Brigidae, cap. xxx,, p. 530. Vita Quinta S. Brigidse, cap. xlv. , xlvi. , p. 578. Vita Sexta S. Brigidse, sees. xiv. , xviii. , pp. 584, 585.
s° This anecdote is contained in Professor
O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, pp. 23, 24.
5' This anecdote is more briefly related in
the Lections of Si. Brigid's Office in the 589. Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
BreviaryofAberdeen. SeeBishopForbes'
ssThesameaccountisgiveninProfessor
O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, pp. 23, 24.
"Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 289. 5' See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga.
"
Vita Tertia S. Brigidse, cap. xxxi. , p. 530. Vita Sexta S. Brigidse, sec. xxx. , p. 586, ibid.
53 See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an
Irish Priest, chap, iv. , p. 45.
S4 The foregoing circumstances are related,
with more prolixity, in the Sexta Vita S.
Brigidoe, sees, xxxi,, xxxii,, xxxiv , pp. 588,
y4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
chariot. This vehicle, with her horses, the virgin is said to have bestowed on them. 56
Being invited, St. Brigid went to a certain nunnery, in the territory of Theba, to celebrate Easter. The pious abbess57 of the place, on Holy Thursday,ss asked all her sisters, who would wish to wash the feet of certain infirm nuns. 59 All seeming to feel repugnance for this office, St. Brigid de- clared her willingness to assume such a task ; and the abbess was pleased with a compliance, which she knew to have been inspired by heaven. Four of the nuns were then infirm ; one was a paralytic, another had been subject to epileptic fits, one was a leper, and another had been blind. ^° Our saint
: firstbegantowashtheparalytic,whosaidtoher "Oholymother,prayto
Christ for me, that I may be healed. " Brigid prayed for her, and she was
^^
While our saint remained in this part of the country, she occupied a cell for some days, and it chanced, also that a boy who had been mute and a paralytic^^ was there, although St. Brigid was ignorant about his infirmities. Some passengers arrived, who asked for food. ^3 Our saint enquired from this boy, if he knew where the cellar key was to be found. He immediately spoke and said " I do. " Brigid replied, " Go, and bring it to me. "^4 The paralytic, hereupon, arose cured, and pre- sented the keys, whilst, afterwards, with the holy virgin, he ministered food totheguests,aftertheScottishmanner. ^s Whenreturninghome,thisbo/s friends were greatly astonished on finding him both walking and speaking. The boy told them circumstantially how he had been healed ; and all who heard his account gave thanks to God and praised His holy servant. ^^ At a time, the holy bishops Maol and Maolchu^? came to St. Brigid. They asked, if she would accompany them on a visit to their sanctified patron, Patrick, then dwelling in the plain of Bregh. ^^ Our saint replied, that she very much desired to do so, as she wished to obtain his blessing. Then those holy bishops set out on their journey, with Brigid and her companions. A certain cleric, who had a large family, with cattle and two waggons, asked
instantly restored to health.
5* Vita S.
**
Trias Thaumaturga. " Sexta
See, also, Brigidse,
sees,
xxxviii. , xxxix. , p.
St. Brigid, pp. 23, 24.
"^^ Tliis is somewhat related in differently
the Lessons of St. Brigid's Office in the Breviary of Aberdeen. See Bishop Forbes* "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 289.
^s Colgan has appended a note, to the corresponding La—tin passage, in which he proceeds to show a question not so much debated now as in his time—that the Irish were anciently called Scots, as St. Brigid is remarked to have dwelt then, in the country of Theba, near Meath, and that the author of her Fourth Life must have lived at a re- mote period, the Irish having been commonly called Scots, in his time. See "Trias Thau- maturga. " Quarta Vita S. Brigidce, n. 18, p, 564.
^^ This miracle is also related, in the Quinta Vita S. Brigidaj, cap. xlix. , p. 579. See " Trias Thaumaturga. "
^7 So called in the Fourth Life of our
saint. In the Third Life, they are named
Mel and Melchu.
«'o a
590.
57 She had probably been the subject of
St. Brigid, in an affiliate house.
58 See "Life of St. Brigid," by an Irish
Priest, pp. 43, 44.
59 This account is varied in the Lections
of St. Brigid's Office as found in the Bre- viary of Aberdeen. See Bishop Forbes'
**
^°
24.
" This miracle is also recorded in the
"Vita Sexta S. Brigidse," sec. xix. , p. 585. See "Trias Thaumaturga. " There, how- ever, it is stated, in addition, that the other three afflicted persons were healed by St. Brigid, after praying her to interpose on their behalf.
Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 289.
In the Irish Life of St. Brigid, belong- ing to Professor O'Looney, we are told in- stead, that "there were four diseased per- sons in the house, viz. , a man in a decline, a maniac, a blind man and a leper," pp. 23,
transposed form of the name Magh-Breagh, a famous St. Brigid," by an Irish Priest, calls him "a plain in East Meath. See "The Topo-
^='
probably breaghmhagh,
Relating this incident, "The Life of
deaf and dumb child. " See chap, iv. , p. 44. *3 This anecdote is somewhat differently related in Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of
graphical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na naomh O'Huidhrin. " Edited by
John O'Donovan, LL. D. , p. xv. , n. 63.
February i-l LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 75
permission to accompany the saints, that he might minister to their wants on
the journey; but, the bishops would not consent, lest their travelling might be impeded by the number of beasts and the amount of baggage. Then, St.
"
Brigid said to the bishops ; assist those people. "
Proceed you before us, I shall remain, and
The bishops obeyed her, and the saint, remaining with the cleric's family, askedwhytheydidnotputtheirbaggageinthewaggons. Shewasinformed
that two infirm persons, a paralytic man, and a blind woman, occupied them. The fellow-travellers of Brigid refreshed themselves and slept for the night,
while she fasted and kept vigil. On the following morning, this spouse of Christ blessed some water. ^9 Pouring it on the paralytic and on the blind woman, both were restored ; one to the use of his limbs, the other to her eyesight. Then, according to our saint's orders, their baggage was placed in the waggons, while prosecuting their journey and giving unfeigned thanks toGod. Withtheirpermissionandblessing,oursaintandhercompanions parted company, in order to hasten progress.
On seeing a certain rustic greatly concerned regarding his cattle, and being near the house in which our saint lived, Brigid told her nuns to enquire about the cause of his grief ; when he replied, that his whole family, consist- ing of twelve persons, lay sick at home, and there was no. woman found to milk his cows. Our saint told her nuns to perform this kindly office. Having complied with her order, the religious sisters were invited by that man to partake of some refreshment. With this request they com- plied, while their holy abbess fasted. All having dined, the saint of God blessed some water, with which she sprinkled the house and its sick in- mates. The holy virgin's presence and her ministrations restored all those infirm persons to health. Then they gave thanks to God, and invoked bless- ings on his glorious servant. Subsequently, in a direct course, St. Brigid and her companions^o proceed to a place called Tailten,7i where St. Patrick, with an
assembly of holy bishops and saints, held a council. 72 Brigid was received by the assembly with becoming honour. 73 Here she is related to have vin- dicated the character of Bishop Bron74 in a miraculous manner. 73 Tailten has been identified76 with the modern Telltown,77 a parish78 in the barony of
^ Thus, the circumstance is related, in her Fourth Life. In the Third, it is said, our saint used the "morning dew," as ma- Uries for their restoration.
7° According to Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, one of these was
Bishop Mel, pp.
