Madden's "Shrines and
Sepulchres
of the Old and New World," vol.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v4
Fur- ther observations on a Lecture, delivered in
the Town House, Tullamore. " By Benjamin Quiverful, p. 12.
"
Lecture delivered in the Town House, TuUa- more, and republished with an Appendix. "
By Benjamin Quiverful, p. 12 ; Dublin, 1859, l2mo.
^ This St. Fintan had for his lather Tulcan, and for his mother Fedelmia. For eighteen years, he studied with St. Synell
Mac Maynacur, AbWot over the monastery of Cluain-inis, in Lough Erne. St. Fintan
Irish History. Further observations on a
Then, Abbot Lase-
224 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April i8.
from St. Munnu. The latter
benediction ? Indeed, I can truly tell you, that at the right hand of His eter- nal Father, Christ himself felt the insult, when you spoke evil concerning me. For, I am one of the members, over whom He, as the Head, presides ; and, the head feels pain, whenever any one of the members is wounded. Where- fore, even before this month ends, your own kinsman shall put you to death, and cut off your head, wliile your body shall be cast into the River Barrow,5' and shall not afterwards be seen. " This prophecy was fulfilled, and in the manner announced by God's holy servant ; for, that month had not closed, before Subne was killed by the son of his own brother, near a rivulet, called
Blathach,s9 and his head was cast into the river. '°
While the Council was — the Paschal contro- engaged, considering
versy, St. Munnu is said to liave observed " Let us be brief in our remarks : but, in the name of God, let us proceed to a trial. Three different choices are given to you, O Laserian. Let two books, one of the old order, and another of the new, be cast into the fire together, and let us see which of them shall escape the flames. Or, let two monks, one of your house, and another of mine, be shut up in the same house, which may be set on fire, and then we shall see, who of both these men shall escape unharmed. Or, let us go together to the tomb of a holy monk, and raise him to life, and he will manifest to us, which order we ought to observe, for the celebration of Easter this year. "*'
:
answeredhim "Wewillnotproceedtoatrialwithyou because,weknow,
;
for your sake, on account of your labours and sanctity, if you desired Mount Margy to occupy the place of this White Field, and the White Field to be removed where Mount Margy now remains, God would immediately cause this to be done. " At that time, they were assembled in the White Field, which was under the foot of Mount Margy. In presence of all the people
appears that unanimity prevailed among the people, and the clergy then con- vened, before departing for their respective homes. *^'
In the estimation of some persons, the exact spot, where this assembly
blessing
replied :
Why
dost thou ask a
leper's
assembled, St. Munnu also said to the Abbot Laserian
break up this Council, that each person may depart to his own place. " It
5^ This word in Ussher is " Berow," and he has a marginal annotation, "Al. Berbha. " 59 This might have been an ancient name for the stream, on which Old Leighlin
stands.
*" From the obscure way, in which this
statement is recorded, we are at a loss to known, whether his head was cast into the Blathach or into the Barrow.
^' Were we to place reliance, on all this legendary account, it should appear proba- ble, from this passage, the Synod of Magh Lene must have been assembled, before the Easter of that year.
" To the foregoing account, we find added
"
Vel. ut in alio libro plenius legitur, Consentientes igiiur omnes juxta sententiam vir—i sancti, adpropria cum ^audio sunt reversi. '' "Britannicarum Ecclesiarum
Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , pp. 484, 485.
'^ Pope Honorius commenced his Pontifi-
cate, on the 27th of October, 625. In Blair's "Chronological and Historical Tables," num. 33, he is represented, as having reigned fourteen years.
'* Commenting on this Epistle, the Pro-
testant local historian, Ryan, remarks:
"This document evinces, pretty clearly, the
tone of authority assumed by the Bishop of
Rome, at a very early period ; and must,
assuredly, strike all, as containing an unjus-
tifiable degree of arrogance, coming, as it
did, from a person, who had no earthly, or
heavenly authority whatever to dictate to the
Irish people on either spiritual, or temporal affairs. This was the view taken, at least, in
effect, by many of the Irish clergy, as will
he seen in the See " and sequel. " History
Antiquities of the County of Carlow," chap. ii. , pp. 23, 24. Strange to say, the writer's inconclusiveness of reasoning is perfectly
shown in the "sequel" by himself; but stranger still is the fact, he did not reflect, that not alone the whole Irish Catholic Church, but even eveiy sect of Protestants has since accepted, without hesitation, or in- quiry, the "authority assumed by the Bishop of Rome, "in deciding this once controverted question, regarding the most suitable time
for celebrating Easter.
in Ussher:
"
:
St. Laserain then
" It is now time to
April i8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
'
had been convened, may readily be inferred, from ancient Acts of our early saints. The holy Fintan, it is said, having urged our saint to a strange sort of miraculous test, the Abbot Laserian declined it, owing to the respect enter- tained for his former master. Again, it was thought, that the Divine inter- position should not thus be sought fatuitously, in a matter so clear and certain. Wherefore, St. Fintan concluded, that each one should follow the course he judged right. Pope Honorius *3 wrote to the Irish Bishops, in
635, exhorting them not to oppose an example, set by the Universal Church, in ancient and modern times. '< Yet, the account of his Pontificate,*' given us by most authors, contains nothing, which might in any way serve to illus- trate St. Laserian's biography. Pope Honorius reminded the Irish, that they were placed in a remote part of the world, and that they were few in number, as compared with those adopting the Roman custom. ** Although the Northern Irish observed their own peculiar practice on this point, for a longer period ; yet, those, who lived in the south of Ireland, soon conformed to the canonical rite for observing Easter,*' which seems to have been urged on their attention,bytheSovereignPontiffsinRome. *^ TwoyearsafterthisSynod, it is said, St. Gobban surrendered his abbey to St. Laserian's rule. *' This latter was a chief instrument, in finally settling the Easter question, for the
south of Ireland. ? " St. Laserian did not
survive those events, — long having
been summoned to his eternal reward,'" on the 14th of the May Kalends
according to his published Acts. These admit incompleteness, in narrating
all the miracles and wondrous deeds performed by our saint, during the course jof his life. Under the year 638, the Annals of the Four Masters, and those of Ulster, record the death of Dalaise Mac h U-Imdae, Abbot of Leithglinn, i. e. Half Glen, now Old Leighlin. '' The year of his death was 639," as stated by Ussher /* or 640, according to another account. The Annals of Ulster, Senat-raac-Magus,arequotedfortheformerstatement; andeventheyseem
•5 " II gouverna I'Eglise douze ans, onze dum in Campo Lene celebratair. Pascha
mois, et seize jours, et mourut le 12 Octo- bre, 638. "—Rohrbacher's "Historic Uni- verselle de I'Eglise Catholique," tome X. , liv. xliii. , p. 76. _
* See Venerable Bede's " Historia Ec-"
clesiastica Gentis Anglonim," lib. ii. ,
cap. 19.
^ St. Fintan is said to have died A. D. 634,
"
according to the Annals of the Four
Ma«ter>" and those of Ulster. He reached
the patriarchal age of nine' y years, and, as we learn I rora other sources, had become de-
crepit. The Annals of Tighernath place his death at A. D. 636, which, we are told, is the true year. His festival is kept on the 21st
Romanum et caetera sibi a seile Apostolica
ordinata recipienda sanciisse, legatos sapien- tes Romam missos triennali itinera reliisse
cum reliquiis pretiosis martyram. Excom- municatiunes sedis apostolicx fuerunt causa
hujus synodi apud Australes Scotos. Epis- tola Cleri Romani subelecto Jo. 4° an. 639.
Dilectissimis et sanotissimis, Tomiano, Co-
lumbano, Cronano, Dimao, et Baitlieno
epi-. copis ;Cromano, Eriuanoque, Laistrano,
Scellano, et Segeno I'resbyteris ; Sarano
CKterisque, doctoribus seu abbatibus Sco- '
tis, etc.
^See Archdall's "MonasticonHibemi-
of October. See O'Donovan's Annals of
the Four Masters," vol 1. , pp. 252. 253.
°* This maybe inferred, from the follow- ing record, which we here insert, omitting a
few explanatory notes. In the B Appendix, and among the notes on certain fly-leaves at
? ° See Ryan's History and Antiquities of the County of Carlow," chap, ii. , p. 25.
' Archdall places his death, as occurring A. D. 638, and the year before St. Cobban's
departure. See " Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 37.
MS. Calendar ol the Saints of Ireland, once in the possession of the Irish Franciscans at Louvain, we find
'' . See Dr. O'Donovan's vol. Edition,-
the end of the
original
i. .
the following memoranda :
"
S. Cummianus
pp. 256, 257, and n. (c). liiJ.
" See tlie " Annals of Clonmacnoise. " '< Tiie "Annals of Innisfallen "are quoted
cum," p. 37. ""
cpistola xi. ad Legienuni, post mentionem for this date. See Usshers " Britannicarum ''
Patricii papse nostri (ait) et cycli ejus, Ecclesiarura Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. "
dicit successores Alvei, Querani Cloniensis, 486, and Index Chronologicus," A. D, Brendini, Nessani, Lugidi . 1. moLuA, syno- Dcxxxix. , p. 538. /iiti.
P
225
326 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April r8.
to be depended upon for the latter, by Papebroke. 's It has been stated, that St. Laserianwas buried in the church, which he had founded, at Leighhn /* and such a tradition is quite in accordance, with the practice of ecclesiastics having been interred, within our churches, in early times. 77 In 1 216, the town of Leighlin was incorporated, and the extent of its liberties was marked, in
"
different places, with a stone,? * bearing for inscription :
Terminus Burgens.
Lechhnen. hie lapis est. " One of these termini stood near Leighlin Bridge,
anothernearWells,andathirdinthemountains. Accordingtoalocaltra-
dition, it is held, that four ancient churches or religious establishments were
formerlydependenciesonOldLeighlinMonastery. ThesewereTomard,"
where the ruins of an exceedingly antique church are yet seen, surrounded by
a graveyard, and tenanted by the dead of many past generations ; ivy-covered
Killinane,*° to which similar observations apply ;* Wells,*'' lying about two
miles on the Barrow's distant, right
banks — on the
;
The present village
a city of Old Leighlin had been much more numerously peopled, even within the memory of persons now living. It looks desolate and ruinous, through all its ancient streets, which seem to have been built, without much regard for regularity of plan. Loose and broken stone walls now mark the site of former houses and garden-enclosures. Yet, it was formerly a town of note, and it had been governed by a corporation. Until the close of the last
century, it retained the privilege of sending representatives to the Irish Parha- ment. *3 The branch-formed stream, below which this town was built, is at
present named the Ballynolan River.
The Bishop and Chapter of Leighlin represented to the Holy See, in the
thirteenth century, that their church, being situated in the immediate neigh- bourhood of a mountainous and sterile country, was subject to great dangers, owing to the plots and snares laid by robbers, for the people and clergy fre-
quenting it, even for the purpose of assisting at synods. Their petition referred principally, for a transference of the See, to a safer, and to a more suitable place, within the diocese. Pope Innocent IV. , in 1247, as a consequence of this representation, wrote for further information, on the subject, to the Arch- bishop, Prior, and Archdeacon of Dublin. *• We do not iind, however, any
—slopes of the surrounding hills. higher
it was formerly
" He adds : "Dequibus annalibus alibi apud ipsum (scil Usserium) aut Colganum legisse videor, quod ^rae vulgaris annos uno anno prsecurrant, sic S. Lasreani mors, vel saltern illius sepultura, anno DCXL. ad- scribenda, accidisset tertia feria Paschee die xvi. Aprilis celebrati apud Lagenios, juxta
Canones tam ferventer operoseque ab eo
propugnatos, ut ab ipsa temporis festivi cir- cumstantia accidentali ejus glorias accederet
craggy, vast. " Pope's Homer's "Iliad," Booli xxi. , lines 469, 470.
" On the " Ordnance Survey Maps for the
County of Carlow," sheet 12, this old ruined
building is called St. Briget's Church,
See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus
ii. , xviii. Aprilis. Vita S. Lasreani, Com- quities of the County of Carlow," chap, mentarius Prsevius, sees. 6, 7, p. 544, and xxxi. , p. 342.
aliquid. "
Ryan's History
cap. iii. , sees. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, mi. (a, b, c,
d, e, f), pp. 546, 547.
7° See Harris' Ware, vol. i. . Bishops of
Leighlin," p. 454.
? ' Somecuriousandreconditeinformation
regarding ancient burial customs is given, in that very interesting book. Dr. Richard R.
Madden's "Shrines and Sepulchres of the Old and New World," vol. ii. , chap, ii. , pp. 57, 58. For authorities, the Decrees of
former Synods are cited.
1^ The limit of the neighbouring lands, '" There fixed from eldest times; black,
_
'°
It is half-way, between Leighlin-bridge
and, Castlelawn, rising
and the Royal Oak.
"
One gable and a side
wall (sixty-three feet in length) are standing,
and the ruin is bisected by another wall. A window, in a —ruinous state, is observable in the east end," " and Anti-
*'
On the "Ordnance Survey Maps for the County of C. irlow," sheet 16, Killinane Church is marked "in ruins. "
*'0n the "Ordnance Survey Maps of
the County of Carlow," sheet 15, Wells Church is marked out as " in ruins. " Near it, the "Ancient Boundary Stone," is like- wise noted.
*' See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiberni-
cum," p. 36.
'* See Theiner's "Vetera Monumenta
Hibernorum et Scotorum Historiam lUus- trantia," p. 49.
^
April i8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 237
change to have followed after this inquiry. ^s The valley, or nook, in which the church of Old Leighlin now stands, was anciently known by the name of Glen Derg, or the Red Glen. This seems established, from an entry in the An- nalsoftheFourMasters,ata. d. io15; wherewehaveanaccount,concerning the violation of a mutual league and oath, when murder was perpetrated at Leithghlinn Church, in Glen Derg. ^* The present Protestant parochial church isnotheremeant; but,onitssite,mayhavestoodamoreancientcathedral, and this is even very probable. *' The graveyard is of large dimensions, and it has been used for interments, from the earliest Christian times. Fragments of old tombs and crosses, with other interesting antiquarian objects, have been turned up, in digging graves ; but, few of those antiques have been preserved, ornowremainforthetourist'sinspection. *^ Onenteringtheoldcathedral,*' under its solid square belfry's first stage, there may be seen some fine ribbed stone masonry, very much resembling the beautiful groined workmanship, within the belfry of Holy Cross Abbey, county of Tipperary. There are seven perforations, evidently intended for the play of ropes, attached to so many bells. Here again may we indulge our reader's fancy, with a local legend, as related by our guide. Seven silver-toned bells had been ordered from the city of Rome for this massive tower, and they had even arrived in the city of Dublin. Then these bells were placed upon waggons, to which bullocks were yoked, in order to be conveyed towards Old Leighlin. The teams laboured with difficulty along a road, skirting the western slopes of the Dublin mountains, until they approached Blessington. There, that weird
. creature, the red-haired woman, once more presented her unwelcome form, and the result was unpropitious. 9° Never were those carillons, which so me-
's Further interesting particulars may be found, regarding the subsequent history of this place, in the " Old Irish Ecclesiastical Record," vol. ii. The " See of Leighlin,"
pp. 54410551.
** In Dr. O'Donovan's vol. edition,
thus runs in reference to this transaction
:
'' Applicable to this structure are the lines
of our patriotic and distinguished writer. Dr. R. R. Madden, although he addressed them to a different, and moie distant fane : —
" The solemn chant is heard no more Within that venerable pile,
ii. , pp. 786, 787, St. Moling's reputed prophecy
"Donndurgen, and the royal Bard ot Lances,
Shall violate friendship at Glinngerg ; mutual oaths shall not prevent bloodshed. "
In an edition of the "Four Masters,"
from which Mr. T. O'Conorhas drawn his ac-
count, the place in question is more correctly called Glen Derg, and the church built there is also mentioned. In Mr. O'Donovan's edition, no notice has been taken of this church.
*' . See Mr. O'Conor's communication, in
the MS. Carlow Letters, written for the
Irish Ordnance Survey, p. 227.
^ The writer was told by his guide, a
middle-aged native of Old Leighlin, who had always resided there, that many curious pieces of oxidized iron had been found, in or about the graveyard, and that these had Ijeen forged by blacksmiths, into different objects. What appeared to have been the stand of a chalice was seen, by this man ; but, it was claimed by the Protestant minister, who was
thought, at that time, to possess it.
The — from aisle to Virgin's praise
aisle
The sounds, the sights, that gave a soul
To piety, no more are there.
No more absorb each sense, control
Each thought, and wrap the mind in prayer. "
—" Shrines and Sepulchres of the Old and
New World," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , p. 634.
s" The dells around St. Laserian's grand old cathedral were not destined to echo the musical chime of the Italian bell-founder, nor could the peasant of Idrone turn with a
" From the tumult within and without, to the peace that abideth on High, When the deep solemn sound from
the belfry comes down like a voice from the sky. "
See the beautiful composition of our dear and so lately deceased National Poet, Denis Florence MacCarthy, "The Bell Founder," part il, stanza 9.
— The that bore vesper hymn softly
more rapt delight—
.
this Martyrology, piiblislied by the Kev. nmnici Martyolo^ii editiane Canisiiis. " Matthew Kelly, at the same date, is found Tliere, he is said to liave been venerated " in
•'. Molaisse See "Calen- Hibernia," or, as others " in Leithghlinne. " say,
"
228 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April i8.
lodiously peal on continental ears, heard joyously ringing an invitation to festival celebrations, or sounding in dirge-lilce cadences a summons to funeral rites, within the vales of Old Leighlin. When the red-haired 'Woman crossed the drivers' path, their bullocks failed in strength, and foundered; while their waggons broke down, and the seven sweet-toned bells ever afterwards
"
remained at Blessington. There, for many a long day, the
musical, magical trolled a rich burthen of harmonious sounds, along the heath-covered sides of the Dublin mountains. The name of St. Laserian occurs, in our old Irish Martyrologies, at the diurnal date assigned for. his death. '' Even, in some of the foreign Martyrologies, St. Laserian's name is found, at the i8th of April. S'^ In his Catalogue, enumerating the chief Saints of Ireland, Father
bells
"
"
when giving his alphabetical list of holy Irishmen. But, in the digest of
"
Henry Fitzsimon calls our saint,
Lafrianum Abbatem," at this same day,
saints' names, at the various months, our saint is called,
Lasrianum,"93 in
an edition of his Catalogue, ])ublished by O'Sullivan Beare, where the name
is rightly given as I^asrianus, Abb, at this day. The anonymous Catalogue of
Irish Saints, published in the same work, also calls him Lasrianus. 94 The
Martyrology of Donegal on this day records Malaissi, son of Cairell, Abbot of Leithghlinn, in Leinster. It also states, that he belonged to the race of F"iatach Finn, King of Erin, and that he was descended from the seed of Heremon-Maithghein—so her name is here written—daughter to Aedhan, son toGabhran,KingofAlba,whowashismother. 95 Acertainveryancientvellum book states, as we are informed, that Molaissi of Leithghlinn, in his manners and life, was like to Boniface the Pope. '* It seems strange, however, that De Burgo has omitted giving the office for this renowned saint, in his " Officia Propria Sanctorum Hibernise. " Certainly, this omission can hardly be accotmted for, on the score of sufficient materials not being available, to such an adept in Irish ecclesiastical history, as this learned man undoubtedly was ; nor should the important and ancient diocese of Leighlin want Proper Les- sons, for its celebrated patron. Yet, De Burgo has left unwritten the offices ofmanyotherpatronsofourIrishdioceses. TiieCircleoftheSeasons'^has a notice of St. Laserian, at the i8th of April ; and, he was venerated, like- wise, in Scotland. Thus, the Kalendar of Drummond has an entry of St. Lasren,? ' at this same date. In a Synod held at Dublin, under Alexander
9' Thus, in the Martyrology ofTallajjht, mistake, by noting, "In Anglia Lasseriani at the 14th of the Kalends of May, we find Kpiscopi et Confessoris. "
id " this cntiy:—Lasorenus, est, Molassins,
Abbas Lethghnnensis," according to the liol- landist Editor. However, in tlie edition of
XheBollandistEditorwrites,thathehas the same, with Abbot and Confessor affixed,
only,
dar of Irish Saints, p. xxi. But Iberia had probably been inserted,
^ In additions to Usuard's Maityrology, owing to the omission of the letter « for printed at Lubec and Cologne, A. D. 1490, "Ibernia. " See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus
"
we find at this day :
copi, et Confessoiis. " In another edition, Commentarius, sec. 2, p. 543.
printed at Cologne, A. D. 1 521, we also meet, •>* See"HistorioeCatholicasIberniteCom- "Laceriano Episcopo et Confessore," with pendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , p. 50,
this entry interposed,
"
st(b nomine Lafriaiii in posteriore Ger-
S. Laceriani : Epis- ii. , xviii. Aprilis. Vita S. Lisreani, Prsevius
"
Petro Diacono et and cap. xii. , p. 55.
"
natalis Lafriani Abbatis et Confessoris. " quoted
Confessore,''
an old is poem
Molaissi, a flame of fire,
Son ofMaithgliem of Monadh, &c. "
and afterwards,
In Hibernia '5 In — of
proof which,
The BoUandist, Papebroke, remarks, that these different entries must be understood. as referring to the same person. The writer of the Horarian MS. inserts, "Lafriani Ab- batis," without any addition of the place to which he belonged. He then duplicates this
"
:
9' See Edition by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 104 to 107.
"Seep. 109.
9^ Thus at xiv. Kl. Mail. Apud Hiberniam
Hispania. "
April 1. 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 229
Bicknor, Archbishop, the day of St. Laserian's departure is prescribed to be held as a Double, throughout the province of Dublin. ''' In the diocese of
Leighlin, of which this holy Abbot and Bishop is special patron, this festival is celebrated, as a Double of the first class, with an a Octave. The feast itself
occurs, on the i8th of April. In our ancient Kalendars, at this date, his office has an honoured place ;'°° and, it was celebrated with Nine Lessons,'"' although, indeed, we find, it had a lesser number. '" If the relics of Saint Laserian had been preserved, in the old church of Leighlin, after his deposi- tion, it is possible, they were taken away, or destroyed, during the tenth, or eleventh ccntury. '°3 Still, the churcii, in which they lay, may have escaped desecration, or destruction. At present, the modern Catholic Church, in the Town of Leighlin. Bridge, has been properly dedicated to our saint, as the local patron ; we know not, if elsewhere, any other church has been placed under his invocation.
This great servant of God, like many other holy prelates, appears to have united the active to the contemplative life, as we may learn, from the record
of those various saints' Acts, which have come down to our times.
the founders of our early churches were not only men, practised in the devout exercises of prayer, meditation and austere penance ; they laboured much to build material edifices, in honour of the. Almighty, while preparing tiieir own and other souls, to become living temples of the Holy Ghost. There can be no manner of doubt, but their example and instruction served to spread the Gospel seeds of Divine truth, in the minds of their i)riniitive and docile people, whose manners were not corrupted, by many so-called refinements of modern civilization. It is true, that a life of virtue and earnestness must en- counter trials and opposition, at all times, and under the most favourable cir- cumstances ; but, the testimony of a serene conscience and the resolute efforts of a will rightly directed must ultimately triumph, in the contest of Faithandgoodworks. Withsuchmotivesandmeansforexertionandself- sacrifice, the saints have always laboured, with zeal and efficacy, in their Master's household. Having well ordered their personal concerns, example inspirits other men to admire and afterwards imitate those, who seem to
Sanctus episcopus et Confessor La-ren glo- riose adChri>tumconscenclit. "—BishopFur- bes"'Kalendarsof Scott shSaint? ,"pp. 10, II.
"When giving us this information, we find the following in. -iccurate statement, in a note appended, as found in Harris' edition
"*'
" The sense of these dou- ble festival are (x/r) when, to the greater honour of the Saint the . Anthems are ordered to be rehearsed entire before and after each whereas in common festivals, only the beginning of the Anthem is repeated before and after the psalm. And there arc nine lessons repealed in the service—whereas
;
in others there are but three" Vol. i. ,
" Bishops of leighlin," p. 454. It should have Ijeen said, that in common festivals, which are not doubles, the banning of the Anthem or Antiphonis repeated before each psalm ; but, it is repeated entire, after each psalm; and, it is not true, that in all festival. *, not doubles, there are only three lessons. Even, in the Double Offices, duiini^ thereci- lal of Little Hours, the . Antipiion is only re- cited ill part Ijeioie, but entire after those diflTerent ps. ilms, therein occurring. At least, such is the usage, according to the Roman rite.
Thus, the Manusciipt in Trinity Col- lege, Dublin, and which is classeil B. i, i. ,
formerly belonging lotiieCuldee Aniiphona- riumof Armagh Metropolitan Church, has, in its Calendar list, April 18, Kal. xiv. , Maii. Sancti Laseriani episcopi et confessoris, iSrc. ;
18, Kal. xviii. Maii. ijancti L. aseriani
In Trinity College, Dublin, a MS. classed B. I, 4, contains, nt A|)ril the l8lh, K. il. xiv. , Maii. Sancti La^eriani Epis. et
Conf. Patron, Leigldenensis, Ijuplex, ix.
the l8th, Kal. xiv. , Mai, . Sancti Lasiiani. Epis.
the Town House, Tullamore. " By Benjamin Quiverful, p. 12.
"
Lecture delivered in the Town House, TuUa- more, and republished with an Appendix. "
By Benjamin Quiverful, p. 12 ; Dublin, 1859, l2mo.
^ This St. Fintan had for his lather Tulcan, and for his mother Fedelmia. For eighteen years, he studied with St. Synell
Mac Maynacur, AbWot over the monastery of Cluain-inis, in Lough Erne. St. Fintan
Irish History. Further observations on a
Then, Abbot Lase-
224 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April i8.
from St. Munnu. The latter
benediction ? Indeed, I can truly tell you, that at the right hand of His eter- nal Father, Christ himself felt the insult, when you spoke evil concerning me. For, I am one of the members, over whom He, as the Head, presides ; and, the head feels pain, whenever any one of the members is wounded. Where- fore, even before this month ends, your own kinsman shall put you to death, and cut off your head, wliile your body shall be cast into the River Barrow,5' and shall not afterwards be seen. " This prophecy was fulfilled, and in the manner announced by God's holy servant ; for, that month had not closed, before Subne was killed by the son of his own brother, near a rivulet, called
Blathach,s9 and his head was cast into the river. '°
While the Council was — the Paschal contro- engaged, considering
versy, St. Munnu is said to liave observed " Let us be brief in our remarks : but, in the name of God, let us proceed to a trial. Three different choices are given to you, O Laserian. Let two books, one of the old order, and another of the new, be cast into the fire together, and let us see which of them shall escape the flames. Or, let two monks, one of your house, and another of mine, be shut up in the same house, which may be set on fire, and then we shall see, who of both these men shall escape unharmed. Or, let us go together to the tomb of a holy monk, and raise him to life, and he will manifest to us, which order we ought to observe, for the celebration of Easter this year. "*'
:
answeredhim "Wewillnotproceedtoatrialwithyou because,weknow,
;
for your sake, on account of your labours and sanctity, if you desired Mount Margy to occupy the place of this White Field, and the White Field to be removed where Mount Margy now remains, God would immediately cause this to be done. " At that time, they were assembled in the White Field, which was under the foot of Mount Margy. In presence of all the people
appears that unanimity prevailed among the people, and the clergy then con- vened, before departing for their respective homes. *^'
In the estimation of some persons, the exact spot, where this assembly
blessing
replied :
Why
dost thou ask a
leper's
assembled, St. Munnu also said to the Abbot Laserian
break up this Council, that each person may depart to his own place. " It
5^ This word in Ussher is " Berow," and he has a marginal annotation, "Al. Berbha. " 59 This might have been an ancient name for the stream, on which Old Leighlin
stands.
*" From the obscure way, in which this
statement is recorded, we are at a loss to known, whether his head was cast into the Blathach or into the Barrow.
^' Were we to place reliance, on all this legendary account, it should appear proba- ble, from this passage, the Synod of Magh Lene must have been assembled, before the Easter of that year.
" To the foregoing account, we find added
"
Vel. ut in alio libro plenius legitur, Consentientes igiiur omnes juxta sententiam vir—i sancti, adpropria cum ^audio sunt reversi. '' "Britannicarum Ecclesiarum
Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , pp. 484, 485.
'^ Pope Honorius commenced his Pontifi-
cate, on the 27th of October, 625. In Blair's "Chronological and Historical Tables," num. 33, he is represented, as having reigned fourteen years.
'* Commenting on this Epistle, the Pro-
testant local historian, Ryan, remarks:
"This document evinces, pretty clearly, the
tone of authority assumed by the Bishop of
Rome, at a very early period ; and must,
assuredly, strike all, as containing an unjus-
tifiable degree of arrogance, coming, as it
did, from a person, who had no earthly, or
heavenly authority whatever to dictate to the
Irish people on either spiritual, or temporal affairs. This was the view taken, at least, in
effect, by many of the Irish clergy, as will
he seen in the See " and sequel. " History
Antiquities of the County of Carlow," chap. ii. , pp. 23, 24. Strange to say, the writer's inconclusiveness of reasoning is perfectly
shown in the "sequel" by himself; but stranger still is the fact, he did not reflect, that not alone the whole Irish Catholic Church, but even eveiy sect of Protestants has since accepted, without hesitation, or in- quiry, the "authority assumed by the Bishop of Rome, "in deciding this once controverted question, regarding the most suitable time
for celebrating Easter.
in Ussher:
"
:
St. Laserain then
" It is now time to
April i8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
'
had been convened, may readily be inferred, from ancient Acts of our early saints. The holy Fintan, it is said, having urged our saint to a strange sort of miraculous test, the Abbot Laserian declined it, owing to the respect enter- tained for his former master. Again, it was thought, that the Divine inter- position should not thus be sought fatuitously, in a matter so clear and certain. Wherefore, St. Fintan concluded, that each one should follow the course he judged right. Pope Honorius *3 wrote to the Irish Bishops, in
635, exhorting them not to oppose an example, set by the Universal Church, in ancient and modern times. '< Yet, the account of his Pontificate,*' given us by most authors, contains nothing, which might in any way serve to illus- trate St. Laserian's biography. Pope Honorius reminded the Irish, that they were placed in a remote part of the world, and that they were few in number, as compared with those adopting the Roman custom. ** Although the Northern Irish observed their own peculiar practice on this point, for a longer period ; yet, those, who lived in the south of Ireland, soon conformed to the canonical rite for observing Easter,*' which seems to have been urged on their attention,bytheSovereignPontiffsinRome. *^ TwoyearsafterthisSynod, it is said, St. Gobban surrendered his abbey to St. Laserian's rule. *' This latter was a chief instrument, in finally settling the Easter question, for the
south of Ireland. ? " St. Laserian did not
survive those events, — long having
been summoned to his eternal reward,'" on the 14th of the May Kalends
according to his published Acts. These admit incompleteness, in narrating
all the miracles and wondrous deeds performed by our saint, during the course jof his life. Under the year 638, the Annals of the Four Masters, and those of Ulster, record the death of Dalaise Mac h U-Imdae, Abbot of Leithglinn, i. e. Half Glen, now Old Leighlin. '' The year of his death was 639," as stated by Ussher /* or 640, according to another account. The Annals of Ulster, Senat-raac-Magus,arequotedfortheformerstatement; andeventheyseem
•5 " II gouverna I'Eglise douze ans, onze dum in Campo Lene celebratair. Pascha
mois, et seize jours, et mourut le 12 Octo- bre, 638. "—Rohrbacher's "Historic Uni- verselle de I'Eglise Catholique," tome X. , liv. xliii. , p. 76. _
* See Venerable Bede's " Historia Ec-"
clesiastica Gentis Anglonim," lib. ii. ,
cap. 19.
^ St. Fintan is said to have died A. D. 634,
"
according to the Annals of the Four
Ma«ter>" and those of Ulster. He reached
the patriarchal age of nine' y years, and, as we learn I rora other sources, had become de-
crepit. The Annals of Tighernath place his death at A. D. 636, which, we are told, is the true year. His festival is kept on the 21st
Romanum et caetera sibi a seile Apostolica
ordinata recipienda sanciisse, legatos sapien- tes Romam missos triennali itinera reliisse
cum reliquiis pretiosis martyram. Excom- municatiunes sedis apostolicx fuerunt causa
hujus synodi apud Australes Scotos. Epis- tola Cleri Romani subelecto Jo. 4° an. 639.
Dilectissimis et sanotissimis, Tomiano, Co-
lumbano, Cronano, Dimao, et Baitlieno
epi-. copis ;Cromano, Eriuanoque, Laistrano,
Scellano, et Segeno I'resbyteris ; Sarano
CKterisque, doctoribus seu abbatibus Sco- '
tis, etc.
^See Archdall's "MonasticonHibemi-
of October. See O'Donovan's Annals of
the Four Masters," vol 1. , pp. 252. 253.
°* This maybe inferred, from the follow- ing record, which we here insert, omitting a
few explanatory notes. In the B Appendix, and among the notes on certain fly-leaves at
? ° See Ryan's History and Antiquities of the County of Carlow," chap, ii. , p. 25.
' Archdall places his death, as occurring A. D. 638, and the year before St. Cobban's
departure. See " Monasticon Hibernicum," p. 37.
MS. Calendar ol the Saints of Ireland, once in the possession of the Irish Franciscans at Louvain, we find
'' . See Dr. O'Donovan's vol. Edition,-
the end of the
original
i. .
the following memoranda :
"
S. Cummianus
pp. 256, 257, and n. (c). liiJ.
" See tlie " Annals of Clonmacnoise. " '< Tiie "Annals of Innisfallen "are quoted
cum," p. 37. ""
cpistola xi. ad Legienuni, post mentionem for this date. See Usshers " Britannicarum ''
Patricii papse nostri (ait) et cycli ejus, Ecclesiarura Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. "
dicit successores Alvei, Querani Cloniensis, 486, and Index Chronologicus," A. D, Brendini, Nessani, Lugidi . 1. moLuA, syno- Dcxxxix. , p. 538. /iiti.
P
225
326 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April r8.
to be depended upon for the latter, by Papebroke. 's It has been stated, that St. Laserianwas buried in the church, which he had founded, at Leighhn /* and such a tradition is quite in accordance, with the practice of ecclesiastics having been interred, within our churches, in early times. 77 In 1 216, the town of Leighlin was incorporated, and the extent of its liberties was marked, in
"
different places, with a stone,? * bearing for inscription :
Terminus Burgens.
Lechhnen. hie lapis est. " One of these termini stood near Leighlin Bridge,
anothernearWells,andathirdinthemountains. Accordingtoalocaltra-
dition, it is held, that four ancient churches or religious establishments were
formerlydependenciesonOldLeighlinMonastery. ThesewereTomard,"
where the ruins of an exceedingly antique church are yet seen, surrounded by
a graveyard, and tenanted by the dead of many past generations ; ivy-covered
Killinane,*° to which similar observations apply ;* Wells,*'' lying about two
miles on the Barrow's distant, right
banks — on the
;
The present village
a city of Old Leighlin had been much more numerously peopled, even within the memory of persons now living. It looks desolate and ruinous, through all its ancient streets, which seem to have been built, without much regard for regularity of plan. Loose and broken stone walls now mark the site of former houses and garden-enclosures. Yet, it was formerly a town of note, and it had been governed by a corporation. Until the close of the last
century, it retained the privilege of sending representatives to the Irish Parha- ment. *3 The branch-formed stream, below which this town was built, is at
present named the Ballynolan River.
The Bishop and Chapter of Leighlin represented to the Holy See, in the
thirteenth century, that their church, being situated in the immediate neigh- bourhood of a mountainous and sterile country, was subject to great dangers, owing to the plots and snares laid by robbers, for the people and clergy fre-
quenting it, even for the purpose of assisting at synods. Their petition referred principally, for a transference of the See, to a safer, and to a more suitable place, within the diocese. Pope Innocent IV. , in 1247, as a consequence of this representation, wrote for further information, on the subject, to the Arch- bishop, Prior, and Archdeacon of Dublin. *• We do not iind, however, any
—slopes of the surrounding hills. higher
it was formerly
" He adds : "Dequibus annalibus alibi apud ipsum (scil Usserium) aut Colganum legisse videor, quod ^rae vulgaris annos uno anno prsecurrant, sic S. Lasreani mors, vel saltern illius sepultura, anno DCXL. ad- scribenda, accidisset tertia feria Paschee die xvi. Aprilis celebrati apud Lagenios, juxta
Canones tam ferventer operoseque ab eo
propugnatos, ut ab ipsa temporis festivi cir- cumstantia accidentali ejus glorias accederet
craggy, vast. " Pope's Homer's "Iliad," Booli xxi. , lines 469, 470.
" On the " Ordnance Survey Maps for the
County of Carlow," sheet 12, this old ruined
building is called St. Briget's Church,
See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus
ii. , xviii. Aprilis. Vita S. Lasreani, Com- quities of the County of Carlow," chap, mentarius Prsevius, sees. 6, 7, p. 544, and xxxi. , p. 342.
aliquid. "
Ryan's History
cap. iii. , sees. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, mi. (a, b, c,
d, e, f), pp. 546, 547.
7° See Harris' Ware, vol. i. . Bishops of
Leighlin," p. 454.
? ' Somecuriousandreconditeinformation
regarding ancient burial customs is given, in that very interesting book. Dr. Richard R.
Madden's "Shrines and Sepulchres of the Old and New World," vol. ii. , chap, ii. , pp. 57, 58. For authorities, the Decrees of
former Synods are cited.
1^ The limit of the neighbouring lands, '" There fixed from eldest times; black,
_
'°
It is half-way, between Leighlin-bridge
and, Castlelawn, rising
and the Royal Oak.
"
One gable and a side
wall (sixty-three feet in length) are standing,
and the ruin is bisected by another wall. A window, in a —ruinous state, is observable in the east end," " and Anti-
*'
On the "Ordnance Survey Maps for the County of C. irlow," sheet 16, Killinane Church is marked "in ruins. "
*'0n the "Ordnance Survey Maps of
the County of Carlow," sheet 15, Wells Church is marked out as " in ruins. " Near it, the "Ancient Boundary Stone," is like- wise noted.
*' See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiberni-
cum," p. 36.
'* See Theiner's "Vetera Monumenta
Hibernorum et Scotorum Historiam lUus- trantia," p. 49.
^
April i8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 237
change to have followed after this inquiry. ^s The valley, or nook, in which the church of Old Leighlin now stands, was anciently known by the name of Glen Derg, or the Red Glen. This seems established, from an entry in the An- nalsoftheFourMasters,ata. d. io15; wherewehaveanaccount,concerning the violation of a mutual league and oath, when murder was perpetrated at Leithghlinn Church, in Glen Derg. ^* The present Protestant parochial church isnotheremeant; but,onitssite,mayhavestoodamoreancientcathedral, and this is even very probable. *' The graveyard is of large dimensions, and it has been used for interments, from the earliest Christian times. Fragments of old tombs and crosses, with other interesting antiquarian objects, have been turned up, in digging graves ; but, few of those antiques have been preserved, ornowremainforthetourist'sinspection. *^ Onenteringtheoldcathedral,*' under its solid square belfry's first stage, there may be seen some fine ribbed stone masonry, very much resembling the beautiful groined workmanship, within the belfry of Holy Cross Abbey, county of Tipperary. There are seven perforations, evidently intended for the play of ropes, attached to so many bells. Here again may we indulge our reader's fancy, with a local legend, as related by our guide. Seven silver-toned bells had been ordered from the city of Rome for this massive tower, and they had even arrived in the city of Dublin. Then these bells were placed upon waggons, to which bullocks were yoked, in order to be conveyed towards Old Leighlin. The teams laboured with difficulty along a road, skirting the western slopes of the Dublin mountains, until they approached Blessington. There, that weird
. creature, the red-haired woman, once more presented her unwelcome form, and the result was unpropitious. 9° Never were those carillons, which so me-
's Further interesting particulars may be found, regarding the subsequent history of this place, in the " Old Irish Ecclesiastical Record," vol. ii. The " See of Leighlin,"
pp. 54410551.
** In Dr. O'Donovan's vol. edition,
thus runs in reference to this transaction
:
'' Applicable to this structure are the lines
of our patriotic and distinguished writer. Dr. R. R. Madden, although he addressed them to a different, and moie distant fane : —
" The solemn chant is heard no more Within that venerable pile,
ii. , pp. 786, 787, St. Moling's reputed prophecy
"Donndurgen, and the royal Bard ot Lances,
Shall violate friendship at Glinngerg ; mutual oaths shall not prevent bloodshed. "
In an edition of the "Four Masters,"
from which Mr. T. O'Conorhas drawn his ac-
count, the place in question is more correctly called Glen Derg, and the church built there is also mentioned. In Mr. O'Donovan's edition, no notice has been taken of this church.
*' . See Mr. O'Conor's communication, in
the MS. Carlow Letters, written for the
Irish Ordnance Survey, p. 227.
^ The writer was told by his guide, a
middle-aged native of Old Leighlin, who had always resided there, that many curious pieces of oxidized iron had been found, in or about the graveyard, and that these had Ijeen forged by blacksmiths, into different objects. What appeared to have been the stand of a chalice was seen, by this man ; but, it was claimed by the Protestant minister, who was
thought, at that time, to possess it.
The — from aisle to Virgin's praise
aisle
The sounds, the sights, that gave a soul
To piety, no more are there.
No more absorb each sense, control
Each thought, and wrap the mind in prayer. "
—" Shrines and Sepulchres of the Old and
New World," vol. ii. , chap, xi. , p. 634.
s" The dells around St. Laserian's grand old cathedral were not destined to echo the musical chime of the Italian bell-founder, nor could the peasant of Idrone turn with a
" From the tumult within and without, to the peace that abideth on High, When the deep solemn sound from
the belfry comes down like a voice from the sky. "
See the beautiful composition of our dear and so lately deceased National Poet, Denis Florence MacCarthy, "The Bell Founder," part il, stanza 9.
— The that bore vesper hymn softly
more rapt delight—
.
this Martyrology, piiblislied by the Kev. nmnici Martyolo^ii editiane Canisiiis. " Matthew Kelly, at the same date, is found Tliere, he is said to liave been venerated " in
•'. Molaisse See "Calen- Hibernia," or, as others " in Leithghlinne. " say,
"
228 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April i8.
lodiously peal on continental ears, heard joyously ringing an invitation to festival celebrations, or sounding in dirge-lilce cadences a summons to funeral rites, within the vales of Old Leighlin. When the red-haired 'Woman crossed the drivers' path, their bullocks failed in strength, and foundered; while their waggons broke down, and the seven sweet-toned bells ever afterwards
"
remained at Blessington. There, for many a long day, the
musical, magical trolled a rich burthen of harmonious sounds, along the heath-covered sides of the Dublin mountains. The name of St. Laserian occurs, in our old Irish Martyrologies, at the diurnal date assigned for. his death. '' Even, in some of the foreign Martyrologies, St. Laserian's name is found, at the i8th of April. S'^ In his Catalogue, enumerating the chief Saints of Ireland, Father
bells
"
"
when giving his alphabetical list of holy Irishmen. But, in the digest of
"
Henry Fitzsimon calls our saint,
Lafrianum Abbatem," at this same day,
saints' names, at the various months, our saint is called,
Lasrianum,"93 in
an edition of his Catalogue, ])ublished by O'Sullivan Beare, where the name
is rightly given as I^asrianus, Abb, at this day. The anonymous Catalogue of
Irish Saints, published in the same work, also calls him Lasrianus. 94 The
Martyrology of Donegal on this day records Malaissi, son of Cairell, Abbot of Leithghlinn, in Leinster. It also states, that he belonged to the race of F"iatach Finn, King of Erin, and that he was descended from the seed of Heremon-Maithghein—so her name is here written—daughter to Aedhan, son toGabhran,KingofAlba,whowashismother. 95 Acertainveryancientvellum book states, as we are informed, that Molaissi of Leithghlinn, in his manners and life, was like to Boniface the Pope. '* It seems strange, however, that De Burgo has omitted giving the office for this renowned saint, in his " Officia Propria Sanctorum Hibernise. " Certainly, this omission can hardly be accotmted for, on the score of sufficient materials not being available, to such an adept in Irish ecclesiastical history, as this learned man undoubtedly was ; nor should the important and ancient diocese of Leighlin want Proper Les- sons, for its celebrated patron. Yet, De Burgo has left unwritten the offices ofmanyotherpatronsofourIrishdioceses. TiieCircleoftheSeasons'^has a notice of St. Laserian, at the i8th of April ; and, he was venerated, like- wise, in Scotland. Thus, the Kalendar of Drummond has an entry of St. Lasren,? ' at this same date. In a Synod held at Dublin, under Alexander
9' Thus, in the Martyrology ofTallajjht, mistake, by noting, "In Anglia Lasseriani at the 14th of the Kalends of May, we find Kpiscopi et Confessoris. "
id " this cntiy:—Lasorenus, est, Molassins,
Abbas Lethghnnensis," according to the liol- landist Editor. However, in tlie edition of
XheBollandistEditorwrites,thathehas the same, with Abbot and Confessor affixed,
only,
dar of Irish Saints, p. xxi. But Iberia had probably been inserted,
^ In additions to Usuard's Maityrology, owing to the omission of the letter « for printed at Lubec and Cologne, A. D. 1490, "Ibernia. " See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus
"
we find at this day :
copi, et Confessoiis. " In another edition, Commentarius, sec. 2, p. 543.
printed at Cologne, A. D. 1 521, we also meet, •>* See"HistorioeCatholicasIberniteCom- "Laceriano Episcopo et Confessore," with pendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , p. 50,
this entry interposed,
"
st(b nomine Lafriaiii in posteriore Ger-
S. Laceriani : Epis- ii. , xviii. Aprilis. Vita S. Lisreani, Prsevius
"
Petro Diacono et and cap. xii. , p. 55.
"
natalis Lafriani Abbatis et Confessoris. " quoted
Confessore,''
an old is poem
Molaissi, a flame of fire,
Son ofMaithgliem of Monadh, &c. "
and afterwards,
In Hibernia '5 In — of
proof which,
The BoUandist, Papebroke, remarks, that these different entries must be understood. as referring to the same person. The writer of the Horarian MS. inserts, "Lafriani Ab- batis," without any addition of the place to which he belonged. He then duplicates this
"
:
9' See Edition by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 104 to 107.
"Seep. 109.
9^ Thus at xiv. Kl. Mail. Apud Hiberniam
Hispania. "
April 1. 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 229
Bicknor, Archbishop, the day of St. Laserian's departure is prescribed to be held as a Double, throughout the province of Dublin. ''' In the diocese of
Leighlin, of which this holy Abbot and Bishop is special patron, this festival is celebrated, as a Double of the first class, with an a Octave. The feast itself
occurs, on the i8th of April. In our ancient Kalendars, at this date, his office has an honoured place ;'°° and, it was celebrated with Nine Lessons,'"' although, indeed, we find, it had a lesser number. '" If the relics of Saint Laserian had been preserved, in the old church of Leighlin, after his deposi- tion, it is possible, they were taken away, or destroyed, during the tenth, or eleventh ccntury. '°3 Still, the churcii, in which they lay, may have escaped desecration, or destruction. At present, the modern Catholic Church, in the Town of Leighlin. Bridge, has been properly dedicated to our saint, as the local patron ; we know not, if elsewhere, any other church has been placed under his invocation.
This great servant of God, like many other holy prelates, appears to have united the active to the contemplative life, as we may learn, from the record
of those various saints' Acts, which have come down to our times.
the founders of our early churches were not only men, practised in the devout exercises of prayer, meditation and austere penance ; they laboured much to build material edifices, in honour of the. Almighty, while preparing tiieir own and other souls, to become living temples of the Holy Ghost. There can be no manner of doubt, but their example and instruction served to spread the Gospel seeds of Divine truth, in the minds of their i)riniitive and docile people, whose manners were not corrupted, by many so-called refinements of modern civilization. It is true, that a life of virtue and earnestness must en- counter trials and opposition, at all times, and under the most favourable cir- cumstances ; but, the testimony of a serene conscience and the resolute efforts of a will rightly directed must ultimately triumph, in the contest of Faithandgoodworks. Withsuchmotivesandmeansforexertionandself- sacrifice, the saints have always laboured, with zeal and efficacy, in their Master's household. Having well ordered their personal concerns, example inspirits other men to admire and afterwards imitate those, who seem to
Sanctus episcopus et Confessor La-ren glo- riose adChri>tumconscenclit. "—BishopFur- bes"'Kalendarsof Scott shSaint? ,"pp. 10, II.
"When giving us this information, we find the following in. -iccurate statement, in a note appended, as found in Harris' edition
"*'
" The sense of these dou- ble festival are (x/r) when, to the greater honour of the Saint the . Anthems are ordered to be rehearsed entire before and after each whereas in common festivals, only the beginning of the Anthem is repeated before and after the psalm. And there arc nine lessons repealed in the service—whereas
;
in others there are but three" Vol. i. ,
" Bishops of leighlin," p. 454. It should have Ijeen said, that in common festivals, which are not doubles, the banning of the Anthem or Antiphonis repeated before each psalm ; but, it is repeated entire, after each psalm; and, it is not true, that in all festival. *, not doubles, there are only three lessons. Even, in the Double Offices, duiini^ thereci- lal of Little Hours, the . Antipiion is only re- cited ill part Ijeioie, but entire after those diflTerent ps. ilms, therein occurring. At least, such is the usage, according to the Roman rite.
Thus, the Manusciipt in Trinity Col- lege, Dublin, and which is classeil B. i, i. ,
formerly belonging lotiieCuldee Aniiphona- riumof Armagh Metropolitan Church, has, in its Calendar list, April 18, Kal. xiv. , Maii. Sancti Laseriani episcopi et confessoris, iSrc. ;
18, Kal. xviii. Maii. ijancti L. aseriani
In Trinity College, Dublin, a MS. classed B. I, 4, contains, nt A|)ril the l8lh, K. il. xiv. , Maii. Sancti La^eriani Epis. et
Conf. Patron, Leigldenensis, Ijuplex, ix.
the l8th, Kal. xiv. , Mai, . Sancti Lasiiani. Epis.
