Silvin was not attached to any
Daniel's " Histoire de France.
Daniel's " Histoire de France.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
, xiii.
Januarii.
De S.
Connano
Guthrie's "General History of Scotland,"
vol. i,, book ii. , p. 123.
"
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," Februarii xvii. De S. Finano Epis-
copo Lisdisfarnensi, n. i, p. 357. ^° "
Episop. Mannise, n. i, p. 60.
3 The parish, which was the nucleus of
this diocese, in the barony of Longford, is shown on the " Ordnance Survey Townlaud
Maps for the County of Galway. " Sheets 88, 100, loi, 108, 109.
4 The parish of Kilconnell, in the barony of the same name, is defined, ibid. Sheets
73, 74, 86, 87.
s See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Feb-
ruarii xvii. Among the pretermitted saints, P- 3-
*•
See what is said at this date.
7 The reader is referred to notices of St.
Mochonna, at this day.
'9 See Colgan's
See Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. vi. , num. 506, p.
275. *^
Seethe Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum,"
tomus iii. , Februarii xvii. De S. Finano
Episcopo Lindislarnensi, in Anglia, sect, ii. ,
a His-
tory of the Abbies, and other Monasteries, Hospitals, Frieries and Cathedral and Col-
num.
15, p. 23. ^'^ ''
See Monasticon Anglicanum :
legiate Churches, with their Dependencies, in England and Wales : also of such Scotch,
Irish, and French Monasteries, as w^ere in any manner connected with Religious Houses
in England. Together with a particular account of their respective Foundations, Grants, and Donations, and a full statement
of their Possessions, as well temporal as spiritual, originally published in Latin by
Sir William Dugdale, Knight, Garter prin-
612 LIVESOPTHEIRISHSAINTS, [Februaryi7.
Article XXVIII. —Reputed Festival of a St. Ronan, Bishop of
THE Scots. \Fifth and Sixth Ce? ituries. '\ In his history, Dempster^ asserts, that a St. Ronan, a bishop of the Scots, lived a. d. 603, and that his festival was held on this day. ^ He is also called a Roman Priest of Cantia. 3 Demp- ster states, that the present Ronan must be distinguished from that monk, called Ronan, or Roman, who so strenuously defended the Roman Paschal observance,'^ in that Synod, convened at Streaneshalch,5 a. d. 664. ^ It is quite evident, Dempster confounds the latter person, supposed to be distinct, with the former, a real historic character. 7 Hence, the Bollandists have only a doubtful record of his festival, at the 17th of February,^
Article XXIX. —St. Silvin, reputed to be an Irish Bishop, at
Alciac, or Auchy, in Belgium. [Seventh and Eighth Centuries^ By many writers, it has been remarked, that in past ages no less than in later times, Ireland seems to have been indifferent to the fame of her illustrious children, who have served and blessed other countries, by their presence and labours. Desirous to remove some part of this reproach, we should not be willing to omit any record, that might tend to recover even a possible appro- piation of fading renown. Thus, St. Silvin, Bishop of Alciac, or Auchy, in Belgium, is said, in an unpublished life, to have been a Scotus, by which term we may consider him an Irishman. His feast occurs on this day,^ in several Calendars. In the city of Rheims, in France, Federicus Flouetus"* had seen a Manuscript Life of St. Silvinus, in which it was asserted, that the present holy man was a Scot by birth. 3 Nor have we any very strong reason to doubt, that such was the case ; for, not only are the names of Sillan-^ or Silvans purely Celtic, but, in the time of this saint, many Irishmen were accustomed to emigrate and to settle in different parts of France. Yet, we have a different account, regarding the place of his birth,^ in a Life of St. Silvin, at first said to have been written by a bishop, called Antenor,7 and afterwards considerably amended, and apparently altered, by some anony- mous writer. He was engaged on this task, by request of an abbess, named
Article xxviii. —' See **Historia Ec-
clesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib.
xvi. , num. 1038, p. 552.
= As we are told, according to a Scottish
Breviary.
3 Now Kent.
* See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Sco-
torum,"tomusii. , lib. xvi. ,num. 1038,p. 552, and num. 1066, pp, 563, 564. The
present saint is said to be higher in dignity, and in point of time, living earlier than the monk Ronan.
s See Venerable Bede's " Historia Eccle-
siastica Gentis Anglomm," lib. iii. , cap. 25,
pp. 233 to 239.
* See Sir Harris Nicolas' "Chronology of
Article xxix. — 'See the Bollandists'
" Acta Sanctorum," Februarii xvii. De S.
Silvino Episcopo Alciaci in Belgio. A pre-
vious commentary, in four sections, precedes
his proper Acts, given in two chapters.
Tomus iii. , pp. 24 to 32, and Appendix, p.
757. *
HehadsentFatherJohnBolandamuli- lated life of this saint, from Rheims.
3 which Father Boland Although the Life,
had not seen, made this saint "natione Scotus ;" yet, the editor thought, that as many holy bishops came from Ireland and Scotland, for the purpose of spreading the Faith in Belgium and adjoining provinces. It is then conjectured, as St. Silvin came a
History," p. 223. This is also called the stranger among the Morini, where several
Synod of Pharense or Phare.
1 Dempster states, that he wrote a book,
"De Tonsura Clericali," and that he go- verned some Scottish churches. See "His- toria Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xvi. , num. 1038, p. 552.
^ See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Feb- ruarii xvii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 3.
Scots had preached, that some writer sup- posed he too must have been a Scot. But, we must observe, this conjecture of Bollan- dus rests on no solid grounds, to invalidate his Irish birth,
* name often occurs in This form of the
our Annals,
s See Mabillon's
"
Benedicti," Tomus i. , lib. xiv. , p. 413.
Annales Ordinis S.
February 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 613
Leutwith or Lseutevit. This amended biography makes Silvin to descend fromanoblefamily,andtobebornintheterritoryofThoulouse. ^ Heis said to have lived in the time of King Charles 1. 9 and of Childeric, or Chil- peric. '° When a young man, he espoused a maiden, according to the rite then prevailing ; but, the grace of God wholly taking possession of him, he
"
every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or chil- dren, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundred-fold, and shall possess life everlasting. "" Doubtless, with the free consent of his affianced spouse, they resolved on a mutual separation, and Silvin decided on embrac- ing a religious life. He seems to have remained in the world, until after the
Vinciac War," waged by Charles against Raghenfrid, or Ragemfrid. The latter was totally defeated, with great slaughter, while his troops were dispersed. '3
When Silvan began his missionary career, the fame of his sanctity and eloquencewentabroad,whilemanysoulswereconvertedtoGod. Hewent to the Teruanensian region,^4 where the people were yet uncultured in the maxims and practices of religious feeling. In a short time, by word and ex- ample, Silvin effected a wonderful change. ^s His self-denying life was a sub- ject for admiration among his converts. His humility was unfeigned, and yet recognised, by them, and for this very reason, he was loved as a father, while he was revered, as if he were a great lord and master. Doing good to all men, but especially to those, who belonged to the household of the faith;'^ hewasprudentinteaching,devoutinfeeling,incessantinmissionary work, full of integrity, correcting first what he found to be deserving of repre- hension in himself, and thus was he justly prepared to reprove the faults of others. '7 Meantime, while remarkable for his comeliness of mien and cheer- ful look, he was clothed in a poor habit, but rich in God's graces, his con- stant study was to gain over souls, and in uniting them to the fold of Christ, he hoped to increase the more his individual merits. In his humble habita- tion, guests and strangers were received, as if he beheld Christ in their
^ Mabillon writes, that he was born at
Thoulouse. Seeibid. hb. Tomusii. , xix. ,
p. 3.
7 Thisseemstohavebeenthemostancient
archives, until the Abbess Leutwith found Franke. a. d. 638-752, p. 181.
reflected deeply on these words of our Divine Redeemer,
"TheterriblebattleofVinciwas
near Crevecoeur, on the 21st of March, a. d. 717. See Henri Martin's "Histoire de
France, depuis les Temps les plus recules it lay neglected among some conventual jusq'en 1789," Tome ii. , Liv. xi. Gauie
Life of St. Silvin known ; but, unfortunately,
the parchment leaves corroded, and in great part destroyed.
^ Some will have it, that the present saint was born not at Thoulouse, but at Thosa, or Doest, near Bruges, or rather, at another Thosa, in Brabant ; for, in his old Life, it is stated, that he travelled westwards to preach the Gospel. See Rev. Alban Butler's
" Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints. " Vol. ii. February xvii. 9 Better known as Charles-Martel. See
*'
an account of him in L. S. Mercier's His-
toire de France, depuis Clovis jusq'au regne de Louis XVI. " Tome i. , pp. 157 to 166.
Pope Gregory III. , the Emperor Leo, and Charles-Martel, died the same year, a. d. 741.
'^ See L. P. Auquetil's
" This king ruled from A. D. 716 to about 721. See an account of him in Le P. G.
giens. Sect, vi. , p. 55.
^^ Tefvanna or Terovenne was a city of
Artesia or Artois, in Gaul, and an episco- pate under the Archbishopric of Rheims,
formerly the capita—l of the Morini, "ad Legiam fluvium" Ferrarius' " Novum
Lexicon Geographicum," Tomus ii. , p. 255. Edition of Michael Antonius Baudrand.
^s <« Usuard is the first wh—o styles St. Silvin bishop of Terouenne. " Rev. Alban Butler's "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and other principal Saints," vol. ii. , Feb- ruary xvii.
^'^
See Galatians vi. , 10.
^7 Mabillon shows he could not have been
bishop of Terouenne, and he thinks, more- over, that St.
Silvin was not attached to any
Daniel's " Histoire de France. " "
pp. 455 to 465.
Tome
church. See " Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," Tomus ii. , lib. xix. , pp. 3, 4,
i. ,
particular
" Matthew xix. , 29.
Histoire de France. " PremiereRaceditedesMerovin-
''
fought
6i4 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February17.
persons. Re washed their feet, while he gave them food and clothing ; for he desired on the last day to be among the number of those to whom should
"
be said,
me to drink : I was a stranger and you took me in : naked, and you covered me : sick, and you visited me : I was in prison, and you came to me. "'^
"
Mindful, too, of the Royal Prophet's words,
that I may not sin with my tongue,"^9 his vocal organs were usually employed either in preaching God's word, or in hymning the Divine praises. More solicitous to adorn his soul with graces, than his person with fine dress, he imitated the Saviour of the world in a contempt for its riches ; his prudence
and judgment were shown, by regarding secular affairs as transitory, and by desiring only the love of God and of his neighbour, that this might tend to
I was and I was hungry and you gave me to eat thirsty
you gave
his eternal gain. Through no desire of charge, or to gratify human curiosity, but rather to satisfy his devotion, Silvin visited the shrines of many saints, and he travelled much for his own comfort. ''^ He for the
spiritual prayed intercession of God's holy servants, to aid him on the way to glory ; and he
knew, that as no person can be saved through his own efforts, so was it necessary to ask Divine assistance. He even travelled as far as the Holy
Land, visiting among other places Calvary, where our Lord was crucified,
and the Jordan, where he was baptized. Having thus satisfied his devotion,
he left that distant country, and returned. He cultivated most kindly rela-
tions with the secular clergy and religious. He was renowned as a holy
confessor, while multitudes flocked to receive his salutary admonitions in the
tribunal of penance. For the four Cardinal Virtues of Prudence, Justice,
FortitudeandTemperance,St. Silvinwasdistinguished; andtakingthemas
a shield and a coat of mail, he was able to repel all temptations of the most
wicked one. He preached most eloquently, and daily, both to the clergy
and to the people, in his church, where he fervently prayed. This holy
bishop was ever under the guardianship of his protecting angel, who led him
safely to the end of his life. The father of orphans, the defender of widows,
the protector of virgins, the glory of monks, St. Silvin was a promoter of
peace, cautious in preaching and holy in work. He took care to observe
the Apostolic admonition, lest preaching to others he should become himself
^'^
strengthening himself in the grace of God, and becoming all things to all men, that he might gain souls to Christ. He referred all things toGod,andgavewhateverhepossessedtotheLord. Thusonproperty,be- longing to himself, St. Silvan erected two churches. One of these was in a place called Mundini Cisterna,*^' and the other lay in Remicensi Campana. *^ Here he was accustomed very frequently to celebrate the Almighty praises. St. Silvan, besides redeeming several captives, converted many of them to the Christian Faith. It was his custom, when infirm persons flocked to him, first to procure their conversion, and afterwards, when their souls were refreshed by sacramental graces, to send them away healed from their bodily infirmities. So great was his abstinence, that it is said, for forty years together, he did not taste even bread ; he being content with the herbs and fruits of the
earth. '* His clothing was of a very humble description, except when wear;
a cast-away,
'8 See Matthew xxv. , 35, 36. »9 Psalms xxxviii. , 2.
"3 This, according to some, is rendered, St. Remy, Campaigne. Others state, that in the diocese of Rheims, there was a Priory of Our Lady of la Perthe, and formerly be- longingtoAuchy. TheBoUandists,how- ever, do not determine the exact locality where this saint lived.
"See Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xix. , p. 3.
=°
Chatelain, in his notices of the French
Saints, treats about the virtues of St. Silvin,
p. 659.
»'
I. Cor. ix. , 27.
" Also called, Municisterna, in another
manuscript. The place is commonly de- nominated Meunice.
:
I will take heed to my ways,
February 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 615
ingthevestmentsforreligiousceremonials. Hepractisedvariousausterities, sleeping on the bare earth, wearing an iron chain next liis skin,'5 desiring to
lead a hermit's poor life, only for his episcopal engagements, and even sigh-
ing for the martyr's crown. He made a pilgrimage to Rome, and visited the
shrine of St. Peter. Silvan wrought many miracles ; he relieved possessed
persons, he cured lepers, he healed paralytics, the lame, the blind, and the
infirm. But the time for his release at last approached, and he fell into a
fever. During this illness, he caused the holy Sacrifice of the Mass to be
celebrated in his presence, and the psalms to be sung, while he was frequently
refreshed with the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ. Giving holy
admonitions to those surrounding his death-bed, he left all present a great
example of perseverence to the end. In the supreme moment of his exit
from this world, he had an angelic vision. He recovered strength to exclaim
in a clear voice " the of the Lord come to me the : Behold, Angels ; Behold,
Angels of the Lord come to me ! " His departure took place on a Sabbath ^"^
and as generally supposed at Auchy, in the district of Artois, on
evening,
the 15th of February,27 about a. d. 718,^^ or 720. ^9 He was buried however, on the 1 7th of this month, and it is the date generally assigned for his
feast. 3° As the angels rejoiced in heaven, at the coming of such a saint, the faithful on earth lamented his departure ; his funeral solemnities were cele-
brated in a becoming manner, and while the dirge was sung, priests, clerics, nunsandpeoplewereintears. Hisremainsweredepositedinthemonastery
at Auchy, or Auxy-les-Moines,3^ several monks, from the adjoining religious house of St. Richarius,32 or Riquier, at Centule,33 affectionately and piously
assisting at his obsequies. A nobly-descended nun, called Siccherdis, caused his tomb or shrine to be magnificently adorned with gold and precious stones. 34 The BoUandist Acts contain details of many great miracles. 35 wrought at the shrine of St. Silvin, long after his happy departure. To pre- serve his remains from the Northmen impieties, they were brought, at first to Dijon, and afterwards to the monastery of Besua, for preservation. 3^ It is probable, the chief part of those sacred lipsance. were again taken back to Auchy. In 951, his relics were removed to St. Bertin's monastery,37 at St. Omers, and there the greater part of them were preserved, towards the close
^s See ibid.
=^
Mabillon states, that he died on the xiii. of the April Kalends. See " Annales Or- dinis S. Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xix. , P' 3-
"7 In some of the old Belgian Breviaries, and Martyrologies, his festival is placed at this date. In a Manuscript copy of Flora- rius, it is called the day of his Translation. Hermann Greuen has a St. Silvius, at the 15th, and St. Silvin, at the 17th of Peb-
ruary. He probably thought they were dis-
tinct persons.
^^ **
dictine Martyrology ; Arnold Wion, Bene- d ictus Dorganius, Petrus Canisius, Autbertus Miraeus, Molanus, in " Natalibus Sanctorum Belgii," Galesinius, Saussay, in "xMartyr-
**
ologium Gallicanum," as also the
ologium Romanum :" all these place St.
Silvin's feast, at the 17th of February,
3' See Rev. S. Baring-Gould, p. 318.
32 His feast occurs, at the 26th of April. 33 This is a town in Ponthieu. St. Richa-
rius began to found his monastery here about
A. D. 638.
34 See Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xix. , pp. 3, 4.
35 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Februarii xvii. Vita S. Silvini Episcopi,
See Rev. Alban Butler's
the Fathers, Martyrs, and other principal Saints," vol. ii. , February xvii.
"9 See Rev. S.
** Lives of
nums.
3^ This occurred about A. D. 881, or a little
later. See De Chesne, who adduces a
Manuscript Chronicle of the monastery, at Besua, as an authority for such statement,
37 The Abbot Johannes Iperius, in his "Chronicon Monasterii Bertiniani," cap.
26, gives a very interesting and detailed ac« count of this translation.
Baring-Gould's
the Saints," vol. ii. , February xvii. , p. 318.
3° In most of the ancient Martyrologies his festival is found at the 17th of February. Thus, in a very ancient MS. copy of Usuard ; in a Martyrology ascribed to Venerable Bede ; Molanus, in his additions to Usuard ; Constantinus Ghinius, in "Natalibus SS. Canonicorum ;" Hugh Menard, in his Bene-
cap. ii. ,
21, 22, 23, 24, 25, p. 31.
Lives of
Martyr-
6i6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[February 17.
of the last century. At the time of the French Revolution, this magnificent
establishment was left the melancholy, but still noble, ruins it exhibits, at the
present time, and St. Silvin's relics, with others, must have been dispersed.
The jaw-bone and arm of this holy man were preserved at Auchy,38 in the
seventeenth century ; and, it is probable, they have not been destroyed or lost.
Article XXX. —St. Lurach, of the Poems, Bishop of Derryloran,
County of Londonderry. {^Sixth Century. '] Prayer and the remembrance
of God's* presence are two most powerful means for enabling us to persevere in virtue ; while, our great saints were conscious of the lights afforded by
them, in their onward progress through the dangers of temptation. St. Lurach belonged to the Fir Li, or " Men of Li. "^ These gave name to that
territory, in which Aghadowey is situated, and they were descended from Laeghaire. Lurach was lineally descended, in the sixth degree, from Colla Uais, Monarcli of Ireland. ^ The present saint was a distantly related cousin of St. Guaire Beg, venerated on the 9th, and St. Guaire Mor, venerated on the22ndofJanuary. 3 TheO'CIerysstate,thatSt. Lurach-*sprungfromthe race of Colla Uais, Monarch of Erin ; and they also add, that Darerca, the sister of St. Patrick, was his mother. He is styled Lurach, of the Poems,
"
Martyrology of Donegal," where his feast is set down, at the 17th of February. s The pedigree of this holy bishop is thus traced, bytheRev. Dr. Reeves. ^ HewasthesonofCuanacli,sontoDaire,sonof
Fedhlim, son to Echin, son of Fiachra Tort, founder of the Hy-Tuirtre. This latter was son of Colla Uais. 7 Following the natural inferences of such a line, his time should fall within the sixth century. The present holy man,
"
son of Cuana, in the
Lurach, has been incorrectly called,
hostiarius Patricii;" and, he is said to have
been of in the Trim,
of Meath. ^ He is more— to be of Doire county said, reliably,
ent church The ruins of an anci—
on the site
in Uladh.
of that originally founded by this holy man are to be seen, close to Cook— town, in the county of Tyrone. Near these remains are two large forts
'° The
in the diocese of Armagh. " The church ruins are within an enclosed
grave-yard. " Abelfrysurmountedoneofthegables,whichisyettolerably
Lurain,9
probably
oneoftheseis andtheother circular,
square.
living
hereisa
rectory,
38 According to Arnoldus Raysius, "In
Hierogazophylacio Belgico," and the Bol- landists.
Article xxx. —* See Rev. Dr. Reeves'
"Archbishop Colton's Metropolitan Visi- tation of the Diocese of Derry," A. D.
Mcccxcvii. , nn. (\v c) pp. 80, 81.
^ He ruled, from A. D. 327 to 331. The three Collas were sons of Eochaidh Domlen, and although famous by their warlike ex- ploits, they were infamous by their destruc-
^ See his edition of "Archbishop Colton's Visitation of the Diocese of Deny, "n. (w)
80.
^ This also agrees with Colgan's reading.
See Rev. Anthony Cogan's "Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol.
Guthrie's "General History of Scotland,"
vol. i,, book ii. , p. 123.
"
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," Februarii xvii. De S. Finano Epis-
copo Lisdisfarnensi, n. i, p. 357. ^° "
Episop. Mannise, n. i, p. 60.
3 The parish, which was the nucleus of
this diocese, in the barony of Longford, is shown on the " Ordnance Survey Townlaud
Maps for the County of Galway. " Sheets 88, 100, loi, 108, 109.
4 The parish of Kilconnell, in the barony of the same name, is defined, ibid. Sheets
73, 74, 86, 87.
s See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Feb-
ruarii xvii. Among the pretermitted saints, P- 3-
*•
See what is said at this date.
7 The reader is referred to notices of St.
Mochonna, at this day.
'9 See Colgan's
See Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. vi. , num. 506, p.
275. *^
Seethe Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum,"
tomus iii. , Februarii xvii. De S. Finano
Episcopo Lindislarnensi, in Anglia, sect, ii. ,
a His-
tory of the Abbies, and other Monasteries, Hospitals, Frieries and Cathedral and Col-
num.
15, p. 23. ^'^ ''
See Monasticon Anglicanum :
legiate Churches, with their Dependencies, in England and Wales : also of such Scotch,
Irish, and French Monasteries, as w^ere in any manner connected with Religious Houses
in England. Together with a particular account of their respective Foundations, Grants, and Donations, and a full statement
of their Possessions, as well temporal as spiritual, originally published in Latin by
Sir William Dugdale, Knight, Garter prin-
612 LIVESOPTHEIRISHSAINTS, [Februaryi7.
Article XXVIII. —Reputed Festival of a St. Ronan, Bishop of
THE Scots. \Fifth and Sixth Ce? ituries. '\ In his history, Dempster^ asserts, that a St. Ronan, a bishop of the Scots, lived a. d. 603, and that his festival was held on this day. ^ He is also called a Roman Priest of Cantia. 3 Demp- ster states, that the present Ronan must be distinguished from that monk, called Ronan, or Roman, who so strenuously defended the Roman Paschal observance,'^ in that Synod, convened at Streaneshalch,5 a. d. 664. ^ It is quite evident, Dempster confounds the latter person, supposed to be distinct, with the former, a real historic character. 7 Hence, the Bollandists have only a doubtful record of his festival, at the 17th of February,^
Article XXIX. —St. Silvin, reputed to be an Irish Bishop, at
Alciac, or Auchy, in Belgium. [Seventh and Eighth Centuries^ By many writers, it has been remarked, that in past ages no less than in later times, Ireland seems to have been indifferent to the fame of her illustrious children, who have served and blessed other countries, by their presence and labours. Desirous to remove some part of this reproach, we should not be willing to omit any record, that might tend to recover even a possible appro- piation of fading renown. Thus, St. Silvin, Bishop of Alciac, or Auchy, in Belgium, is said, in an unpublished life, to have been a Scotus, by which term we may consider him an Irishman. His feast occurs on this day,^ in several Calendars. In the city of Rheims, in France, Federicus Flouetus"* had seen a Manuscript Life of St. Silvinus, in which it was asserted, that the present holy man was a Scot by birth. 3 Nor have we any very strong reason to doubt, that such was the case ; for, not only are the names of Sillan-^ or Silvans purely Celtic, but, in the time of this saint, many Irishmen were accustomed to emigrate and to settle in different parts of France. Yet, we have a different account, regarding the place of his birth,^ in a Life of St. Silvin, at first said to have been written by a bishop, called Antenor,7 and afterwards considerably amended, and apparently altered, by some anony- mous writer. He was engaged on this task, by request of an abbess, named
Article xxviii. —' See **Historia Ec-
clesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib.
xvi. , num. 1038, p. 552.
= As we are told, according to a Scottish
Breviary.
3 Now Kent.
* See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Sco-
torum,"tomusii. , lib. xvi. ,num. 1038,p. 552, and num. 1066, pp, 563, 564. The
present saint is said to be higher in dignity, and in point of time, living earlier than the monk Ronan.
s See Venerable Bede's " Historia Eccle-
siastica Gentis Anglomm," lib. iii. , cap. 25,
pp. 233 to 239.
* See Sir Harris Nicolas' "Chronology of
Article xxix. — 'See the Bollandists'
" Acta Sanctorum," Februarii xvii. De S.
Silvino Episcopo Alciaci in Belgio. A pre-
vious commentary, in four sections, precedes
his proper Acts, given in two chapters.
Tomus iii. , pp. 24 to 32, and Appendix, p.
757. *
HehadsentFatherJohnBolandamuli- lated life of this saint, from Rheims.
3 which Father Boland Although the Life,
had not seen, made this saint "natione Scotus ;" yet, the editor thought, that as many holy bishops came from Ireland and Scotland, for the purpose of spreading the Faith in Belgium and adjoining provinces. It is then conjectured, as St. Silvin came a
History," p. 223. This is also called the stranger among the Morini, where several
Synod of Pharense or Phare.
1 Dempster states, that he wrote a book,
"De Tonsura Clericali," and that he go- verned some Scottish churches. See "His- toria Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xvi. , num. 1038, p. 552.
^ See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Feb- ruarii xvii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 3.
Scots had preached, that some writer sup- posed he too must have been a Scot. But, we must observe, this conjecture of Bollan- dus rests on no solid grounds, to invalidate his Irish birth,
* name often occurs in This form of the
our Annals,
s See Mabillon's
"
Benedicti," Tomus i. , lib. xiv. , p. 413.
Annales Ordinis S.
February 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 613
Leutwith or Lseutevit. This amended biography makes Silvin to descend fromanoblefamily,andtobebornintheterritoryofThoulouse. ^ Heis said to have lived in the time of King Charles 1. 9 and of Childeric, or Chil- peric. '° When a young man, he espoused a maiden, according to the rite then prevailing ; but, the grace of God wholly taking possession of him, he
"
every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or chil- dren, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundred-fold, and shall possess life everlasting. "" Doubtless, with the free consent of his affianced spouse, they resolved on a mutual separation, and Silvin decided on embrac- ing a religious life. He seems to have remained in the world, until after the
Vinciac War," waged by Charles against Raghenfrid, or Ragemfrid. The latter was totally defeated, with great slaughter, while his troops were dispersed. '3
When Silvan began his missionary career, the fame of his sanctity and eloquencewentabroad,whilemanysoulswereconvertedtoGod. Hewent to the Teruanensian region,^4 where the people were yet uncultured in the maxims and practices of religious feeling. In a short time, by word and ex- ample, Silvin effected a wonderful change. ^s His self-denying life was a sub- ject for admiration among his converts. His humility was unfeigned, and yet recognised, by them, and for this very reason, he was loved as a father, while he was revered, as if he were a great lord and master. Doing good to all men, but especially to those, who belonged to the household of the faith;'^ hewasprudentinteaching,devoutinfeeling,incessantinmissionary work, full of integrity, correcting first what he found to be deserving of repre- hension in himself, and thus was he justly prepared to reprove the faults of others. '7 Meantime, while remarkable for his comeliness of mien and cheer- ful look, he was clothed in a poor habit, but rich in God's graces, his con- stant study was to gain over souls, and in uniting them to the fold of Christ, he hoped to increase the more his individual merits. In his humble habita- tion, guests and strangers were received, as if he beheld Christ in their
^ Mabillon writes, that he was born at
Thoulouse. Seeibid. hb. Tomusii. , xix. ,
p. 3.
7 Thisseemstohavebeenthemostancient
archives, until the Abbess Leutwith found Franke. a. d. 638-752, p. 181.
reflected deeply on these words of our Divine Redeemer,
"TheterriblebattleofVinciwas
near Crevecoeur, on the 21st of March, a. d. 717. See Henri Martin's "Histoire de
France, depuis les Temps les plus recules it lay neglected among some conventual jusq'en 1789," Tome ii. , Liv. xi. Gauie
Life of St. Silvin known ; but, unfortunately,
the parchment leaves corroded, and in great part destroyed.
^ Some will have it, that the present saint was born not at Thoulouse, but at Thosa, or Doest, near Bruges, or rather, at another Thosa, in Brabant ; for, in his old Life, it is stated, that he travelled westwards to preach the Gospel. See Rev. Alban Butler's
" Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints. " Vol. ii. February xvii. 9 Better known as Charles-Martel. See
*'
an account of him in L. S. Mercier's His-
toire de France, depuis Clovis jusq'au regne de Louis XVI. " Tome i. , pp. 157 to 166.
Pope Gregory III. , the Emperor Leo, and Charles-Martel, died the same year, a. d. 741.
'^ See L. P. Auquetil's
" This king ruled from A. D. 716 to about 721. See an account of him in Le P. G.
giens. Sect, vi. , p. 55.
^^ Tefvanna or Terovenne was a city of
Artesia or Artois, in Gaul, and an episco- pate under the Archbishopric of Rheims,
formerly the capita—l of the Morini, "ad Legiam fluvium" Ferrarius' " Novum
Lexicon Geographicum," Tomus ii. , p. 255. Edition of Michael Antonius Baudrand.
^s <« Usuard is the first wh—o styles St. Silvin bishop of Terouenne. " Rev. Alban Butler's "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and other principal Saints," vol. ii. , Feb- ruary xvii.
^'^
See Galatians vi. , 10.
^7 Mabillon shows he could not have been
bishop of Terouenne, and he thinks, more- over, that St.
Silvin was not attached to any
Daniel's " Histoire de France. " "
pp. 455 to 465.
Tome
church. See " Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," Tomus ii. , lib. xix. , pp. 3, 4,
i. ,
particular
" Matthew xix. , 29.
Histoire de France. " PremiereRaceditedesMerovin-
''
fought
6i4 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February17.
persons. Re washed their feet, while he gave them food and clothing ; for he desired on the last day to be among the number of those to whom should
"
be said,
me to drink : I was a stranger and you took me in : naked, and you covered me : sick, and you visited me : I was in prison, and you came to me. "'^
"
Mindful, too, of the Royal Prophet's words,
that I may not sin with my tongue,"^9 his vocal organs were usually employed either in preaching God's word, or in hymning the Divine praises. More solicitous to adorn his soul with graces, than his person with fine dress, he imitated the Saviour of the world in a contempt for its riches ; his prudence
and judgment were shown, by regarding secular affairs as transitory, and by desiring only the love of God and of his neighbour, that this might tend to
I was and I was hungry and you gave me to eat thirsty
you gave
his eternal gain. Through no desire of charge, or to gratify human curiosity, but rather to satisfy his devotion, Silvin visited the shrines of many saints, and he travelled much for his own comfort. ''^ He for the
spiritual prayed intercession of God's holy servants, to aid him on the way to glory ; and he
knew, that as no person can be saved through his own efforts, so was it necessary to ask Divine assistance. He even travelled as far as the Holy
Land, visiting among other places Calvary, where our Lord was crucified,
and the Jordan, where he was baptized. Having thus satisfied his devotion,
he left that distant country, and returned. He cultivated most kindly rela-
tions with the secular clergy and religious. He was renowned as a holy
confessor, while multitudes flocked to receive his salutary admonitions in the
tribunal of penance. For the four Cardinal Virtues of Prudence, Justice,
FortitudeandTemperance,St. Silvinwasdistinguished; andtakingthemas
a shield and a coat of mail, he was able to repel all temptations of the most
wicked one. He preached most eloquently, and daily, both to the clergy
and to the people, in his church, where he fervently prayed. This holy
bishop was ever under the guardianship of his protecting angel, who led him
safely to the end of his life. The father of orphans, the defender of widows,
the protector of virgins, the glory of monks, St. Silvin was a promoter of
peace, cautious in preaching and holy in work. He took care to observe
the Apostolic admonition, lest preaching to others he should become himself
^'^
strengthening himself in the grace of God, and becoming all things to all men, that he might gain souls to Christ. He referred all things toGod,andgavewhateverhepossessedtotheLord. Thusonproperty,be- longing to himself, St. Silvan erected two churches. One of these was in a place called Mundini Cisterna,*^' and the other lay in Remicensi Campana. *^ Here he was accustomed very frequently to celebrate the Almighty praises. St. Silvan, besides redeeming several captives, converted many of them to the Christian Faith. It was his custom, when infirm persons flocked to him, first to procure their conversion, and afterwards, when their souls were refreshed by sacramental graces, to send them away healed from their bodily infirmities. So great was his abstinence, that it is said, for forty years together, he did not taste even bread ; he being content with the herbs and fruits of the
earth. '* His clothing was of a very humble description, except when wear;
a cast-away,
'8 See Matthew xxv. , 35, 36. »9 Psalms xxxviii. , 2.
"3 This, according to some, is rendered, St. Remy, Campaigne. Others state, that in the diocese of Rheims, there was a Priory of Our Lady of la Perthe, and formerly be- longingtoAuchy. TheBoUandists,how- ever, do not determine the exact locality where this saint lived.
"See Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xix. , p. 3.
=°
Chatelain, in his notices of the French
Saints, treats about the virtues of St. Silvin,
p. 659.
»'
I. Cor. ix. , 27.
" Also called, Municisterna, in another
manuscript. The place is commonly de- nominated Meunice.
:
I will take heed to my ways,
February 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 615
ingthevestmentsforreligiousceremonials. Hepractisedvariousausterities, sleeping on the bare earth, wearing an iron chain next liis skin,'5 desiring to
lead a hermit's poor life, only for his episcopal engagements, and even sigh-
ing for the martyr's crown. He made a pilgrimage to Rome, and visited the
shrine of St. Peter. Silvan wrought many miracles ; he relieved possessed
persons, he cured lepers, he healed paralytics, the lame, the blind, and the
infirm. But the time for his release at last approached, and he fell into a
fever. During this illness, he caused the holy Sacrifice of the Mass to be
celebrated in his presence, and the psalms to be sung, while he was frequently
refreshed with the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ. Giving holy
admonitions to those surrounding his death-bed, he left all present a great
example of perseverence to the end. In the supreme moment of his exit
from this world, he had an angelic vision. He recovered strength to exclaim
in a clear voice " the of the Lord come to me the : Behold, Angels ; Behold,
Angels of the Lord come to me ! " His departure took place on a Sabbath ^"^
and as generally supposed at Auchy, in the district of Artois, on
evening,
the 15th of February,27 about a. d. 718,^^ or 720. ^9 He was buried however, on the 1 7th of this month, and it is the date generally assigned for his
feast. 3° As the angels rejoiced in heaven, at the coming of such a saint, the faithful on earth lamented his departure ; his funeral solemnities were cele-
brated in a becoming manner, and while the dirge was sung, priests, clerics, nunsandpeoplewereintears. Hisremainsweredepositedinthemonastery
at Auchy, or Auxy-les-Moines,3^ several monks, from the adjoining religious house of St. Richarius,32 or Riquier, at Centule,33 affectionately and piously
assisting at his obsequies. A nobly-descended nun, called Siccherdis, caused his tomb or shrine to be magnificently adorned with gold and precious stones. 34 The BoUandist Acts contain details of many great miracles. 35 wrought at the shrine of St. Silvin, long after his happy departure. To pre- serve his remains from the Northmen impieties, they were brought, at first to Dijon, and afterwards to the monastery of Besua, for preservation. 3^ It is probable, the chief part of those sacred lipsance. were again taken back to Auchy. In 951, his relics were removed to St. Bertin's monastery,37 at St. Omers, and there the greater part of them were preserved, towards the close
^s See ibid.
=^
Mabillon states, that he died on the xiii. of the April Kalends. See " Annales Or- dinis S. Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xix. , P' 3-
"7 In some of the old Belgian Breviaries, and Martyrologies, his festival is placed at this date. In a Manuscript copy of Flora- rius, it is called the day of his Translation. Hermann Greuen has a St. Silvius, at the 15th, and St. Silvin, at the 17th of Peb-
ruary. He probably thought they were dis-
tinct persons.
^^ **
dictine Martyrology ; Arnold Wion, Bene- d ictus Dorganius, Petrus Canisius, Autbertus Miraeus, Molanus, in " Natalibus Sanctorum Belgii," Galesinius, Saussay, in "xMartyr-
**
ologium Gallicanum," as also the
ologium Romanum :" all these place St.
Silvin's feast, at the 17th of February,
3' See Rev. S. Baring-Gould, p. 318.
32 His feast occurs, at the 26th of April. 33 This is a town in Ponthieu. St. Richa-
rius began to found his monastery here about
A. D. 638.
34 See Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xix. , pp. 3, 4.
35 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Februarii xvii. Vita S. Silvini Episcopi,
See Rev. Alban Butler's
the Fathers, Martyrs, and other principal Saints," vol. ii. , February xvii.
"9 See Rev. S.
** Lives of
nums.
3^ This occurred about A. D. 881, or a little
later. See De Chesne, who adduces a
Manuscript Chronicle of the monastery, at Besua, as an authority for such statement,
37 The Abbot Johannes Iperius, in his "Chronicon Monasterii Bertiniani," cap.
26, gives a very interesting and detailed ac« count of this translation.
Baring-Gould's
the Saints," vol. ii. , February xvii. , p. 318.
3° In most of the ancient Martyrologies his festival is found at the 17th of February. Thus, in a very ancient MS. copy of Usuard ; in a Martyrology ascribed to Venerable Bede ; Molanus, in his additions to Usuard ; Constantinus Ghinius, in "Natalibus SS. Canonicorum ;" Hugh Menard, in his Bene-
cap. ii. ,
21, 22, 23, 24, 25, p. 31.
Lives of
Martyr-
6i6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[February 17.
of the last century. At the time of the French Revolution, this magnificent
establishment was left the melancholy, but still noble, ruins it exhibits, at the
present time, and St. Silvin's relics, with others, must have been dispersed.
The jaw-bone and arm of this holy man were preserved at Auchy,38 in the
seventeenth century ; and, it is probable, they have not been destroyed or lost.
Article XXX. —St. Lurach, of the Poems, Bishop of Derryloran,
County of Londonderry. {^Sixth Century. '] Prayer and the remembrance
of God's* presence are two most powerful means for enabling us to persevere in virtue ; while, our great saints were conscious of the lights afforded by
them, in their onward progress through the dangers of temptation. St. Lurach belonged to the Fir Li, or " Men of Li. "^ These gave name to that
territory, in which Aghadowey is situated, and they were descended from Laeghaire. Lurach was lineally descended, in the sixth degree, from Colla Uais, Monarcli of Ireland. ^ The present saint was a distantly related cousin of St. Guaire Beg, venerated on the 9th, and St. Guaire Mor, venerated on the22ndofJanuary. 3 TheO'CIerysstate,thatSt. Lurach-*sprungfromthe race of Colla Uais, Monarch of Erin ; and they also add, that Darerca, the sister of St. Patrick, was his mother. He is styled Lurach, of the Poems,
"
Martyrology of Donegal," where his feast is set down, at the 17th of February. s The pedigree of this holy bishop is thus traced, bytheRev. Dr. Reeves. ^ HewasthesonofCuanacli,sontoDaire,sonof
Fedhlim, son to Echin, son of Fiachra Tort, founder of the Hy-Tuirtre. This latter was son of Colla Uais. 7 Following the natural inferences of such a line, his time should fall within the sixth century. The present holy man,
"
son of Cuana, in the
Lurach, has been incorrectly called,
hostiarius Patricii;" and, he is said to have
been of in the Trim,
of Meath. ^ He is more— to be of Doire county said, reliably,
ent church The ruins of an anci—
on the site
in Uladh.
of that originally founded by this holy man are to be seen, close to Cook— town, in the county of Tyrone. Near these remains are two large forts
'° The
in the diocese of Armagh. " The church ruins are within an enclosed
grave-yard. " Abelfrysurmountedoneofthegables,whichisyettolerably
Lurain,9
probably
oneoftheseis andtheother circular,
square.
living
hereisa
rectory,
38 According to Arnoldus Raysius, "In
Hierogazophylacio Belgico," and the Bol- landists.
Article xxx. —* See Rev. Dr. Reeves'
"Archbishop Colton's Metropolitan Visi- tation of the Diocese of Derry," A. D.
Mcccxcvii. , nn. (\v c) pp. 80, 81.
^ He ruled, from A. D. 327 to 331. The three Collas were sons of Eochaidh Domlen, and although famous by their warlike ex- ploits, they were infamous by their destruc-
^ See his edition of "Archbishop Colton's Visitation of the Diocese of Deny, "n. (w)
80.
^ This also agrees with Colgan's reading.
See Rev. Anthony Cogan's "Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol.
