Patrick^s
converts from the shores of Ireland.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
^9 The British — Dynast, having
heard about his — loss, began
from his
companions
whom he
enquire
suspectedoffoulplay whitherFingarhadgone,orwhathadhappenedto him. The ruler even threatened them with imprisonment, to elicit a con-
fession, regarding this whole affair ; but, he soon found from their genuine sorrow, and from their fidelity in his labours and fi^rtunes, that not only were
his companions guiltless of any intention to take away the prince's Hfe, but that they were his tried and true friends. They also offered to show that very place,
where their prince and the stag escaped from their view, asking the ruler, moreover, to send persons better acquainted than they wer^ with the passes of that country, to find what had become of Fingar. This was done : the hermit was found, and brought to the Dynast, who learned from himself, that he desired to retire from the world, and that, if permitted, most wilHngly shouldheliveinanoratory,builtneartheplacehehadselected. Therehe desired to serve God in solitude. Assent to his request was very soon obtained.
Having got ample possessions from the Dynast, St. Fingar erected an oratory. He also obtained the privilege of holding all that grant, his com-
panions had at first obtained, free from every species of impost. In his
"
xxiii. Februarii. Passio SS.
^s See Colgan's nise,"
Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
lance,"
=^ The ancient writer adds
: "Compare- tur, si placet, factum emu antique S. Cle- =^ See Rt. Rev. Patrick F. Moran's mentis miraculo. Nam quod ille pede agni fontis cognovit thesaurum, ist—e acumine teli bullientem venam invenit. " Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibernice," xxiii. Feb- ruarii. Passio S. Guigneri sive Fingaris,
Guigneri sive Fingaris, &c,, cap. iv. , p. 388,
"Early Irish Missions," p. 16.
=7 The terms " labari
and although "labarum" has the ordinary
of "a standard " meaning being military ;
it is probably meant here for "a hunting
&c. , cap. v. , p. 388.
cuspide
" are used,
676 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February23.
oratory, the saint devoted himself to heavenly contemplation, and to the
constant singing of God's praises. But, he resolved, moreover, on a most ascetic course of life ; he rendered the flesh obedient to the spirit, and by
self-mortification, Fingar advanced more in the practice pf holy works. 3°
CHAPTER II.
ST. FINGAR RETURNS TO IRELAND—OFFERED HIS HEREDITARY PRINCIPALITY THERE, WHICH HE REFUSES—Hfe SETS OUT ONCE MORE, WITH SEVEN HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SEVEN COMPANIONS, INCLUDING HIS SISTER PIALA—THEY LAND IN COR- NUBIA—THEIR KIND TREATMENT BY A WOMAN CALLED CORURIA—THEODORIC, KING OF CORNUBIA, ATTACKS AND SLAUGHTERS THE COMPANIONS OF ST. FINGAR.
After he had spent some time engaged in this sort of life, an angelic admonitionwarnedhimtorevisitIreland. Atthistime,hisfatherClitohad been called away from life, and the whole island had been converted to Christianity. His own immediate retainers, it is said, were rejoiced to find their young chief return, while they pressed him most earnestly to assume his father's state, and to become their future ruler. He replied to them, " Excuse me, dear friends, for I have been dedicated to Christ, and I cannot return to discharge worldly duties, for no man putting his hand to the plough and looking backwards is fit for God's kingdom, nor can any person engaged in the spiritual warfare implicate himself in secular concerns, and please him to whom he has been devoted. " He then counselled them, to seek out an energetic and sapient chief among the nobility, who should ably direct Church and State affairs, and who should be deemed an eligible match for his sister Piala,^ who had been baptized. ^ But, when applied to for such a
"
Christ is my spouse, and he hath chosen me as a companion for his kingdom ; to him myvowsaremade,nordurstIviolatethem; and,therefore,nootherspouse than he can I receive. The glory of this world I despise ; for, it cannot be called glory, since it is compounded with misery, and I sigh for that kingdom which our Lord Jesus Christ has promised, and where there is neither sorrow, nor sadness, but perpetual joy and all-abiding happiness. " Her brother, Fingar, finding Piala thus resolute in her intention to reject a temporal
"
Brethren, do not con- tend against God's will ; he thus designs it, and his Providence must rule the future. We must leave our earthly possessions to his guidance, and accord-
ing to his wisdom shall a ruler and a defender be chosen. 3
Bidding a farewell to his friends and country, he prepared for a second
exile. Then having collected nearly eight hundred of the faithfulj-^ among whom were seven bishops^ and his sister Piala, this large band left the coasts
purpose, she had already made a better choice, and she replied,
marriage, and to seek Christ as her bridegroom, said,
=9 See ibid. f cap. vi. , p. 388.
'
Calendars, we have Irish female saints bear-
these latter names.
^° See — vii. , viii. , ibid. y cap.
ing
p. 388. Chapter 11. In Cornish she is called
3 "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- See Colgan's
nia;. " Passio SS. Guigneri sive Fingaris,
&c. , cap. ix. , x. , pp. 388, 389.
* The exact number is said to have been
770, in St. Fingar's Acts,
s These are said to have been baptized by
St. Patrick, and to have been an addition to the number already mentioned in a previous note.
Philleigh, according to the Rev. J. Adams.
=*
It is remarked by Colgan, that the
Britons were accustomed, in their language, to substitute P for the Irish c or K. Thus, we find Piran for Kieran or Ciaran : and so, he thinks, we might have Piala, for the
name of this holy virgin, which originally perhaps was Caila, Ciara or Kiara. In our
February 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 677
of Ireland. They arrived, at a port,^ where they found a vessel of sufficient capacity to enable their large company to embark. 7
After leaving the Irish coasts, tliis holy company sailed under happy auspicestotheshoresofacountry,calledCornubia. TheretheymetHia, an Irish virgin, who had set out after them,^ and who was miraculously con- veyedoverthesea,asalreadyrelatedinherActs. 9 Theyallarrivedataport, called Heul, and there on embarking, they sought out the retreat of a holy virgin, Coruria, who lived not very far from the place where they landed. Cor- nubia wa^ Cornwall, according to Colgan,^° and most other writers. Our Irish hagiologist adduces a very strong argument, in favour of his opinion, from the mention made of St. Hia and the port, Heul," so denominated from a little river called Haile, which there flows into the sea. Now, the town of St. lies in Cornwall has got its name from lia,^^ an Irish- woman of great piety, who joined the martyrs, and who lived there. While the holy com- pany of pilgrims were seeking a spot, where they might take some refresh- ment, St. Fingar saw that water did not abound, where the Cornish virgin lived. However, offering up his prayers, and fixing his staff in the ground, a limpid fountain sprung up at that place. ^3
To enjoy full leisure for heavenly contemplation, the holy companions are said to have retired into a place, called Conetconia or Conetcoma,'^ which is thought to have been in Cornwall. 's Some are inclined to derive
"
thisdenominationfrom Cornu-Walliae,"ashavingbeenformerlyapartof
Wales. Wearetold,'^thatinthelatterpartofthefifthorthebeginningof
the sixth century, a numerous company of Irish Saints, bishops and abbots, with the sons and daughters of kings and nobles, landed there at Pendinas. ^7
Then, they became scattered, over the western part of the country, and at
extended to the pilgrims a warm welcome and great hospitality. Not having straw to provide them with beds, she stripped the very roof from her cottage
to furnish material, for their sleeping ; and, having only a single cow, that was even slaughtered to provide a meal, for the strangers. By a great
miracle, on the following morning, her cottage was found roofed, and her cow alive. This and many another supernatural occurrence caused St. Fingar
and
these Acts relates, that they met with a holy woman, named Coruria, who
their several erected stations, they
chapels
hermitages.
^
See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect, x. , p. 297.
7 This is an instance worth noting, to
show the size of vessels constructed, at an
early period. Even, if the legend date not back to a very remote age, it is at least an old one, and it only relates what should be credible to the reader, at the time it was
p. 301.
written. ^""
See Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. i,, chap, vi. , sect, x. , p. 297.
9 See the notices regarding her, at the
25th of January, Art. xiv.
'° See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae,"
xxiii. Februarii, n. 6, p. 391.
" The river, that flows into the harbour of
St. lies, is called Haile, seemingly the samenameasHeul,andbywhichnotonly the river but the harbour also was probably called, before lia or Hia settled there. See
Dr. " Ecclesiastical Lanigan's
Portus vero ipse Cenionis ostium Ptole- msec nuncupatur h, Geneu procul dubio Bri- tannica dictione, quae ostium et ingressum notat : idque loquitur Tre-genia oppidum
adjunctum, hoc est, si interpreteris, oppidum ad ostium. "
'S See Cressy's "Church History of Bri-
tany," book x. , chap, xxi. , p. 223. "ByLeland.
'^Thiswasapeninsula, andastony rock, where the church of St. les, now St. Ives, stands.
'^ See " Churches in West Corn- Blight's
wall," p. I. Oxford, 1865.
of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vi,, sect, x. , n. 108,
History
^^
See William Camden's "Britannia,"
p. 140. Ed. Londini, fol. , A. D. 1607. "
'3 See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber* nise," xxiii. Februarii. Passio SS. Guigneri sive Fingaris, &c. , cap. xi. , xii. , xiii. , p. 389.
^^ It has been thought, that this must have been the place, noticed by William Camden, in his description of Cornwall :
^^ The of legend
678 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 23.
and his holy company, to be received with admiration and respect, wherever they went ; while, the faith and love of Christ gre\Y, in the hearts of the faith- ful. The Irish pilgrims travelled through the woods, but soon a rumour of their arrival reached a powerful tyrant, called Theodoric, or Theodore, King ofCornubia. DetestingthemasChristians,hecollectedanarmedforce, and set out to surprise them, lest they should bring any of his subjects to the fold of Christ. When he came upon them, St. Fingar happened to be removed at some little distance from his friends, and he had retired to a valley. There he fixed the end of his staff in the ground, and a fountain miraculously burst forth, when he withdrcAV. Afterwards, water continued to flow therefrom, to the time when the author, Anselm, wrote his Acts. Mean- time, Theodoric fell upon his companions, who were assembled together, and all were inhumanly butchered ; the heads of some were cut off, while the
bodies of others were transfixed and mano;led, in a most horrible manner. ^9
CHAPTER III.
ST. FINGAR JOINS HIS COMPANIONS, AND EXHORTS THEM TO CONSTANCY—HE IS BE- HEADED BY THEODORIC—HONOURS PAID TO THE MARTYRS, AND MIRACLES AETER THEIR DEATH—PROBABLE DATE AND PLACE OF THEIR MARTYDOM—CONCLUSION.
While preparing to continue their tour towards Fingar's retreat, it is said,
then do the work of
your
master. " The in a tyrant
rage
cried " You out,
"
*9 See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
^ Ibid. There, it is said, she was in - terred.
* See "Church History of Cressy's
Ijrittany," book x. , chap, xxi. , p. 223.
s and its re- for an account of this town,
sources, the reader may consult Lewis'
"Topographical Dictionary of England,"
nioe," xxiii. Februarii.
sive
Passio SS. Guigneri
Fingaris, &c. , cap.
xiv. ,
xv. ,
xvi. ,
p.
389. — CHAPTER III.
^
See Dr. Lanigan's "Ec- clesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. ,
chap, vi. , sect, x. , p. 297.
were attacked. ' It has been
that — conjectured, through
that his
some mistake of a copyist, this name has been substituted for Coroticus supposed to have been that marauder, and a nominal Christian sea-rover, who carried off so many of St.
Patrick^s converts from the shores of Ireland. ^ Although it may be allowed, that at the time of his first departure. St. Fin- gar and his companions went to Armoric Britain ; yet, even some Breton hagiologists think, he thence returned to Ireland, and afterwards, setting out on his second expedition, that he landed at Heul or Hayle, where he was
joined by St. Hya, from whom is named the town of St. Ives. 3 With many
others, St. Fingar was slain, as we are told, by Theodoric, a Prince of Corn- wall. 4 The narrative in the Acts should lead us to infer, that as the landing of the holy pilgrims was on the north shore of the most remote south-western extremity of this county, in England, so it must have been the theatre for their martyrdom. This event would seem to have occurred, not very long after their arrival, near St. Ives. s
It is related, in his Acts, that Fingar joined his companions, when he heard tlie terrible tumult, which preceded and accompanied their martyrdom.
companions
Hecried inthe out,
" brothers, this Behold,
ofthese
is the place of our rest ; here shall God put an end to our labours. Come,
therefore, brothers, and let us be cheerfully immolated for him, who gave his life for many. Let us not fear those, who can merely kill the body, but rather him, who can cast both body and soul into hell. Children of Satan,
hearing
holy victims,
=
quoted. See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
Letter of Rev. J. Adams, already vol. ii. , pp. 628, 629. ^ **
February 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 679
shall not escape my hands, nor my sword. " The saint joyfully offered him- self, as an acceptable sacrifice to God, and the tyrant drawing his sword be- headed the innocent martyr. We are not obliged to receive as facts all those incidents recorded, and which follow. It is said, that a fountain signalized the spot where these martyrs suffered, and that the staff of St. Fingar, being fixed in the ground, grew up to be a tree, which was pointed out, at tlie time his Acts were written. What seems equally wonderful, the particular species of this tree was unknown to the examiners. The bodies of those holy
martyrs lay unburied in the field, where they had been slaughtered ; for, the people feared the tyrant's vengeance were any honours paid to their remains. But, a certain man, named Gor, had a triple vision, which he related to his wife ; and he said, that a saint warned him in the night, to visit the place of martyrdom. Hiswifetriedtodissuadehimfromthispurpose,lesthemight incur the king's anger. The next day, however, being engaged in the chase, Gor's dogs hunted a stag to the very spot, where the body of St. Fingar lay. There the dogs ceased barking, and together with the stag, they rested, as if in veneration for the holy martyr. Moved by such a spectacle, Gor buried the body in an honourable manner. He then gathered the remains of the other victims, and as they were found, he buried each one on that very spot, where his body lay. It is likely, St. Phiala's relics were there met with, and deposited in like manner.
When the Church began to extend its influences in Cornubia, the people earnestly desired to erect a church over St. Fingar's remains. It is said, that the holy martyr himself appeared in a nocturnal vision to all the inhabitants, who were admonished to send provisions for the support of the workmen. Other remarkable miracles are recorded, regarding this period, and times sub- sequent. The remains of this holy martyr, Fingar, seem to have been deposited in a sarcophagus, and a sacristan was attached to his church. The faithful were accustomed to resort there, with great devotion. Many sick persons, also, who prayed with faith, were healed from their infirmities, and were restored to health. ^
Albert le Grande maintains, that the Cornubia spoken of in Fingar's Acts was Cornouaille, in Britany. 7 The martyrdom of St. Fingar and his companions, has been assigned by Colgan, to about the year 450 f while Ussher9 places it, about a. d. 460; and John Wilson,^° at the still later period of about the year 500. Besides, in these Acts, we do not find the term, "rex," but rather, "judex," used, in reference to him, who first gave the grant of land in Britain ; nor does it appear he was a tyrant, but rather a most benevolent man, and a great friend to St. Fingar and his companions. It is known, however, that a Theodoric, son of Budic, and a Count of Cor- nouaille," lived late in the sixth century. There appears no reason, how- ever, for considering him as a persecutor and tyrant. '^ Wherefore, Colgan very fairly arrives at the conclusion, that not Armoric Britain, but rather Cornwall, was the principality, in which St. Fingar and his companions were martyred. ^3 a Teudric or Theodoric, King of Glamorgan, lived about the
"Index Chronologicus," ad A. D. CCCCLX. , p. 521.
i'^
In his "Martyrologium Anglicanum. " " See Dom. Gui Alexis Lobineau's " His- toire de Bretagne," Tome i. , liv. i. , sect. xliii. to xlv. , pp. 12, 13. A Paris, 1707, 2
vols. fol.
'^ Unless it should be said, tlmt his having
put to death Macliau, the usurper of his
nise," xxiii, Februaiii. Passio SS. Guigneri sive Fingaris, &c. , cap. xvii. , xviii. , xix. , XX. , xxi. , xxii. , xxiii. , xxiv. , xxv. , xxvi. , xxvii. , pp. 3S9, 390.
7 See " De Sanctis Britaniag Armoricae. "
^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernice,"xxv. Januarii. De S. Hia Virgine, n. 2, p. 165,
and xxiii. Februarii. Passio SS.
Guigneri sive Fingaris, &c. , nn. 6, 7, 8, p. 391.
9 See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Anti-
quitates," cap. xvii. , pp. 451, 452, and Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical Plistory of
principality,
was an act of cruelty. See
68o LIVES 01^ THE IRISH SAINTS.
[February 23.
latter end of the-sixth century. ^4 There are more serious historical difficulties
in the way of a hypothesis in his, than in the other case. Colgan was not
aware of these difficulties, as, apparently he had not read the Epistle against Coroticus; and,heknewofnothingexceptthecrueltiesattributedtohim.
According to the Bollandists, the English Martyrology has the festival of these holy martyrs, not at the present date, but at the 23rd of March. ^s Albert le Grande informs us, that St. Fingar's festival was celebrated at Vannes,^^onthe13thofDecember. ^7 InCatholicBritany,theFrenchstill hold in great veneration, the memories of their former patrons. How different is the case, in the remote English Cornwall. There, it is not exist- ing cathedrals and parish churches, so much as religious ruins of abbeys and monasteries, priories and chantries, colleges and convents, that summon up the memory of a Catholic ancestry, and that extort a tear for the degeneracy of their present descendants. When history informs the people of Cornwall, that these sacred ruins had been, in good old Catholic times, the nurseries of
theseatsof andof their refuge ofthe distressed learning gratuitous education,
nature should recoil at the Vandal spirit of those barbarous times, which de-
—— — — piety and literature of arts and hospitality the home of the stranger the
creedtheir ^^ andwhichburied and destruction, religion, literature,
hospi- tality, beneath their ruins. The chant of vespers and midnight matins no longer resounds through their hallowed precincts, but the scream of the
night-bird still echoes through their ruins, and sounds like the death-knell of departed Catholicity ! Even the rude moor-stone cross, whose rough surface still retains the dear memorial of a Saviour's love, and, not unfrequently, the
"
tender representation of the thrice-blessed
of time, is still visible on the roads and cross-ways of the country. This is not without its lesson and its warning. It tells the piety of a sainted ancestry, and those golden days of patriarchal simplicity, w^hen religion held a first place in the minds of mortals, and when all those external pious helps were adopted, to keep before the eye appropriate symbols, which filled the mind with veneration for the past and hope for the future. Exiled from their own Island, the holy persons who have left it, diffused its glories elsewhere. Foreign Libraries, Record Offices, and scattered Archives, contain notices of many Irish Saints, who have been venerated in distant countries. Not the least remarkable of those holy persons are the martyrs, who have bravely contended for the laurelled crown of victory. They adopted as a motto,
persecution.
Article II. —Findchadan or Fionnchadhan, of Ard. In the Mar-
tyrology of Tallagh' is entered Findchadan na h Arda, and in that of Donegal,'
we read, on this day, as having been venerated, Fionnchadhan, of Ard. The
" ad astra. " Their firm and aspera
when
or duty led them to the arena ; and, their courageous examples should embolden the weak and faltering, when most discouraged by difficuUies or
Martyrology
of Marianus O'Gorman accords. 3 The " a word, Ard, signifies
Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect, x. , n. 108, p. 301.
**
This city is situated in the Department of Morbihan.
'? See "vDe Sanctis Britannije Armories. "
'^
'•'See "Acta Sanctorum
Hibernise,"
xxiii. P'ebruarii, n. lo, p. 391.
^*See Ussher's vol. SeeDr. " of
*'
"Works," vi. , 1548. Lingard's History Eng-
Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xiv. , pp. 82, 83.
'S See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Februarii xxiii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 360.
land," vol. vi. , chap, iii. , iv. , and vol. vii. ,
strong
hearts
quailed not,
danger
Virgin Mother," as if in mockery,
In the Parliaments of 1534, 1536, 1540,
i.
Article ii. —* Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
p. xvi.
'EditedbyDrs. Toddand Reeves, pp. 56. 57.
chap.
February 23. ] LIVES OB THE IRISH SAINTS. 681
height," and it is applied, in a compound way, with the name ot many Irish localities. As taken singly, the etymon Ard or Arda is generally understood to mean the Ards or Heights of Ulster. These are co-extensive with the baroniesofArds,inthepresentcountyofDown. Aswehaveseen,inthe preceding article, Colgan had a far-fetched conjecture, to identify the present holy person, with the martyr, St. Fingar.
Article III. —St. Ernin Cass, of Leighlin, County of Carlow. The name, Cass, of Leth-glinn, is inserted in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 23rd of February. In a subsequent entry, at the same date, Ernine Lethglinn, is added. It is different, in a later Calendar. This day, accord- ing to the Martyrology of Donegal,^ was venerated, Ernin Cas, of Leith- ghienn. The compound name appears thus to liave been intended only for a single individual saint, and not for two distinct persons, at the same day and place. The present town of Old Leighlin3 was the site of St. Cobban's* original monastic establishment, but the See of Leighlin, Old Leighlin or LaughlinwasfoundedherebySt. Laserian,sabouta. d. 632. Atown,or city, of considerable extent, grew up in this place,^ and it had quite a historic renown in our Annals. The ancient Cathedral of Leighlin having become ruinous, it was rebuilt by King Henry II. and by Bishop Donat.
heard about his — loss, began
from his
companions
whom he
enquire
suspectedoffoulplay whitherFingarhadgone,orwhathadhappenedto him. The ruler even threatened them with imprisonment, to elicit a con-
fession, regarding this whole affair ; but, he soon found from their genuine sorrow, and from their fidelity in his labours and fi^rtunes, that not only were
his companions guiltless of any intention to take away the prince's Hfe, but that they were his tried and true friends. They also offered to show that very place,
where their prince and the stag escaped from their view, asking the ruler, moreover, to send persons better acquainted than they wer^ with the passes of that country, to find what had become of Fingar. This was done : the hermit was found, and brought to the Dynast, who learned from himself, that he desired to retire from the world, and that, if permitted, most wilHngly shouldheliveinanoratory,builtneartheplacehehadselected. Therehe desired to serve God in solitude. Assent to his request was very soon obtained.
Having got ample possessions from the Dynast, St. Fingar erected an oratory. He also obtained the privilege of holding all that grant, his com-
panions had at first obtained, free from every species of impost. In his
"
xxiii. Februarii. Passio SS.
^s See Colgan's nise,"
Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
lance,"
=^ The ancient writer adds
: "Compare- tur, si placet, factum emu antique S. Cle- =^ See Rt. Rev. Patrick F. Moran's mentis miraculo. Nam quod ille pede agni fontis cognovit thesaurum, ist—e acumine teli bullientem venam invenit. " Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibernice," xxiii. Feb- ruarii. Passio S. Guigneri sive Fingaris,
Guigneri sive Fingaris, &c,, cap. iv. , p. 388,
"Early Irish Missions," p. 16.
=7 The terms " labari
and although "labarum" has the ordinary
of "a standard " meaning being military ;
it is probably meant here for "a hunting
&c. , cap. v. , p. 388.
cuspide
" are used,
676 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [February23.
oratory, the saint devoted himself to heavenly contemplation, and to the
constant singing of God's praises. But, he resolved, moreover, on a most ascetic course of life ; he rendered the flesh obedient to the spirit, and by
self-mortification, Fingar advanced more in the practice pf holy works. 3°
CHAPTER II.
ST. FINGAR RETURNS TO IRELAND—OFFERED HIS HEREDITARY PRINCIPALITY THERE, WHICH HE REFUSES—Hfe SETS OUT ONCE MORE, WITH SEVEN HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-SEVEN COMPANIONS, INCLUDING HIS SISTER PIALA—THEY LAND IN COR- NUBIA—THEIR KIND TREATMENT BY A WOMAN CALLED CORURIA—THEODORIC, KING OF CORNUBIA, ATTACKS AND SLAUGHTERS THE COMPANIONS OF ST. FINGAR.
After he had spent some time engaged in this sort of life, an angelic admonitionwarnedhimtorevisitIreland. Atthistime,hisfatherClitohad been called away from life, and the whole island had been converted to Christianity. His own immediate retainers, it is said, were rejoiced to find their young chief return, while they pressed him most earnestly to assume his father's state, and to become their future ruler. He replied to them, " Excuse me, dear friends, for I have been dedicated to Christ, and I cannot return to discharge worldly duties, for no man putting his hand to the plough and looking backwards is fit for God's kingdom, nor can any person engaged in the spiritual warfare implicate himself in secular concerns, and please him to whom he has been devoted. " He then counselled them, to seek out an energetic and sapient chief among the nobility, who should ably direct Church and State affairs, and who should be deemed an eligible match for his sister Piala,^ who had been baptized. ^ But, when applied to for such a
"
Christ is my spouse, and he hath chosen me as a companion for his kingdom ; to him myvowsaremade,nordurstIviolatethem; and,therefore,nootherspouse than he can I receive. The glory of this world I despise ; for, it cannot be called glory, since it is compounded with misery, and I sigh for that kingdom which our Lord Jesus Christ has promised, and where there is neither sorrow, nor sadness, but perpetual joy and all-abiding happiness. " Her brother, Fingar, finding Piala thus resolute in her intention to reject a temporal
"
Brethren, do not con- tend against God's will ; he thus designs it, and his Providence must rule the future. We must leave our earthly possessions to his guidance, and accord-
ing to his wisdom shall a ruler and a defender be chosen. 3
Bidding a farewell to his friends and country, he prepared for a second
exile. Then having collected nearly eight hundred of the faithfulj-^ among whom were seven bishops^ and his sister Piala, this large band left the coasts
purpose, she had already made a better choice, and she replied,
marriage, and to seek Christ as her bridegroom, said,
=9 See ibid. f cap. vi. , p. 388.
'
Calendars, we have Irish female saints bear-
these latter names.
^° See — vii. , viii. , ibid. y cap.
ing
p. 388. Chapter 11. In Cornish she is called
3 "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- See Colgan's
nia;. " Passio SS. Guigneri sive Fingaris,
&c. , cap. ix. , x. , pp. 388, 389.
* The exact number is said to have been
770, in St. Fingar's Acts,
s These are said to have been baptized by
St. Patrick, and to have been an addition to the number already mentioned in a previous note.
Philleigh, according to the Rev. J. Adams.
=*
It is remarked by Colgan, that the
Britons were accustomed, in their language, to substitute P for the Irish c or K. Thus, we find Piran for Kieran or Ciaran : and so, he thinks, we might have Piala, for the
name of this holy virgin, which originally perhaps was Caila, Ciara or Kiara. In our
February 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 677
of Ireland. They arrived, at a port,^ where they found a vessel of sufficient capacity to enable their large company to embark. 7
After leaving the Irish coasts, tliis holy company sailed under happy auspicestotheshoresofacountry,calledCornubia. TheretheymetHia, an Irish virgin, who had set out after them,^ and who was miraculously con- veyedoverthesea,asalreadyrelatedinherActs. 9 Theyallarrivedataport, called Heul, and there on embarking, they sought out the retreat of a holy virgin, Coruria, who lived not very far from the place where they landed. Cor- nubia wa^ Cornwall, according to Colgan,^° and most other writers. Our Irish hagiologist adduces a very strong argument, in favour of his opinion, from the mention made of St. Hia and the port, Heul," so denominated from a little river called Haile, which there flows into the sea. Now, the town of St. lies in Cornwall has got its name from lia,^^ an Irish- woman of great piety, who joined the martyrs, and who lived there. While the holy com- pany of pilgrims were seeking a spot, where they might take some refresh- ment, St. Fingar saw that water did not abound, where the Cornish virgin lived. However, offering up his prayers, and fixing his staff in the ground, a limpid fountain sprung up at that place. ^3
To enjoy full leisure for heavenly contemplation, the holy companions are said to have retired into a place, called Conetconia or Conetcoma,'^ which is thought to have been in Cornwall. 's Some are inclined to derive
"
thisdenominationfrom Cornu-Walliae,"ashavingbeenformerlyapartof
Wales. Wearetold,'^thatinthelatterpartofthefifthorthebeginningof
the sixth century, a numerous company of Irish Saints, bishops and abbots, with the sons and daughters of kings and nobles, landed there at Pendinas. ^7
Then, they became scattered, over the western part of the country, and at
extended to the pilgrims a warm welcome and great hospitality. Not having straw to provide them with beds, she stripped the very roof from her cottage
to furnish material, for their sleeping ; and, having only a single cow, that was even slaughtered to provide a meal, for the strangers. By a great
miracle, on the following morning, her cottage was found roofed, and her cow alive. This and many another supernatural occurrence caused St. Fingar
and
these Acts relates, that they met with a holy woman, named Coruria, who
their several erected stations, they
chapels
hermitages.
^
See Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect, x. , p. 297.
7 This is an instance worth noting, to
show the size of vessels constructed, at an
early period. Even, if the legend date not back to a very remote age, it is at least an old one, and it only relates what should be credible to the reader, at the time it was
p. 301.
written. ^""
See Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. i,, chap, vi. , sect, x. , p. 297.
9 See the notices regarding her, at the
25th of January, Art. xiv.
'° See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae,"
xxiii. Februarii, n. 6, p. 391.
" The river, that flows into the harbour of
St. lies, is called Haile, seemingly the samenameasHeul,andbywhichnotonly the river but the harbour also was probably called, before lia or Hia settled there. See
Dr. " Ecclesiastical Lanigan's
Portus vero ipse Cenionis ostium Ptole- msec nuncupatur h, Geneu procul dubio Bri- tannica dictione, quae ostium et ingressum notat : idque loquitur Tre-genia oppidum
adjunctum, hoc est, si interpreteris, oppidum ad ostium. "
'S See Cressy's "Church History of Bri-
tany," book x. , chap, xxi. , p. 223. "ByLeland.
'^Thiswasapeninsula, andastony rock, where the church of St. les, now St. Ives, stands.
'^ See " Churches in West Corn- Blight's
wall," p. I. Oxford, 1865.
of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vi,, sect, x. , n. 108,
History
^^
See William Camden's "Britannia,"
p. 140. Ed. Londini, fol. , A. D. 1607. "
'3 See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber* nise," xxiii. Februarii. Passio SS. Guigneri sive Fingaris, &c. , cap. xi. , xii. , xiii. , p. 389.
^^ It has been thought, that this must have been the place, noticed by William Camden, in his description of Cornwall :
^^ The of legend
678 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 23.
and his holy company, to be received with admiration and respect, wherever they went ; while, the faith and love of Christ gre\Y, in the hearts of the faith- ful. The Irish pilgrims travelled through the woods, but soon a rumour of their arrival reached a powerful tyrant, called Theodoric, or Theodore, King ofCornubia. DetestingthemasChristians,hecollectedanarmedforce, and set out to surprise them, lest they should bring any of his subjects to the fold of Christ. When he came upon them, St. Fingar happened to be removed at some little distance from his friends, and he had retired to a valley. There he fixed the end of his staff in the ground, and a fountain miraculously burst forth, when he withdrcAV. Afterwards, water continued to flow therefrom, to the time when the author, Anselm, wrote his Acts. Mean- time, Theodoric fell upon his companions, who were assembled together, and all were inhumanly butchered ; the heads of some were cut off, while the
bodies of others were transfixed and mano;led, in a most horrible manner. ^9
CHAPTER III.
ST. FINGAR JOINS HIS COMPANIONS, AND EXHORTS THEM TO CONSTANCY—HE IS BE- HEADED BY THEODORIC—HONOURS PAID TO THE MARTYRS, AND MIRACLES AETER THEIR DEATH—PROBABLE DATE AND PLACE OF THEIR MARTYDOM—CONCLUSION.
While preparing to continue their tour towards Fingar's retreat, it is said,
then do the work of
your
master. " The in a tyrant
rage
cried " You out,
"
*9 See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
^ Ibid. There, it is said, she was in - terred.
* See "Church History of Cressy's
Ijrittany," book x. , chap, xxi. , p. 223.
s and its re- for an account of this town,
sources, the reader may consult Lewis'
"Topographical Dictionary of England,"
nioe," xxiii. Februarii.
sive
Passio SS. Guigneri
Fingaris, &c. , cap.
xiv. ,
xv. ,
xvi. ,
p.
389. — CHAPTER III.
^
See Dr. Lanigan's "Ec- clesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. ,
chap, vi. , sect, x. , p. 297.
were attacked. ' It has been
that — conjectured, through
that his
some mistake of a copyist, this name has been substituted for Coroticus supposed to have been that marauder, and a nominal Christian sea-rover, who carried off so many of St.
Patrick^s converts from the shores of Ireland. ^ Although it may be allowed, that at the time of his first departure. St. Fin- gar and his companions went to Armoric Britain ; yet, even some Breton hagiologists think, he thence returned to Ireland, and afterwards, setting out on his second expedition, that he landed at Heul or Hayle, where he was
joined by St. Hya, from whom is named the town of St. Ives. 3 With many
others, St. Fingar was slain, as we are told, by Theodoric, a Prince of Corn- wall. 4 The narrative in the Acts should lead us to infer, that as the landing of the holy pilgrims was on the north shore of the most remote south-western extremity of this county, in England, so it must have been the theatre for their martyrdom. This event would seem to have occurred, not very long after their arrival, near St. Ives. s
It is related, in his Acts, that Fingar joined his companions, when he heard tlie terrible tumult, which preceded and accompanied their martyrdom.
companions
Hecried inthe out,
" brothers, this Behold,
ofthese
is the place of our rest ; here shall God put an end to our labours. Come,
therefore, brothers, and let us be cheerfully immolated for him, who gave his life for many. Let us not fear those, who can merely kill the body, but rather him, who can cast both body and soul into hell. Children of Satan,
hearing
holy victims,
=
quoted. See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
Letter of Rev. J. Adams, already vol. ii. , pp. 628, 629. ^ **
February 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 679
shall not escape my hands, nor my sword. " The saint joyfully offered him- self, as an acceptable sacrifice to God, and the tyrant drawing his sword be- headed the innocent martyr. We are not obliged to receive as facts all those incidents recorded, and which follow. It is said, that a fountain signalized the spot where these martyrs suffered, and that the staff of St. Fingar, being fixed in the ground, grew up to be a tree, which was pointed out, at tlie time his Acts were written. What seems equally wonderful, the particular species of this tree was unknown to the examiners. The bodies of those holy
martyrs lay unburied in the field, where they had been slaughtered ; for, the people feared the tyrant's vengeance were any honours paid to their remains. But, a certain man, named Gor, had a triple vision, which he related to his wife ; and he said, that a saint warned him in the night, to visit the place of martyrdom. Hiswifetriedtodissuadehimfromthispurpose,lesthemight incur the king's anger. The next day, however, being engaged in the chase, Gor's dogs hunted a stag to the very spot, where the body of St. Fingar lay. There the dogs ceased barking, and together with the stag, they rested, as if in veneration for the holy martyr. Moved by such a spectacle, Gor buried the body in an honourable manner. He then gathered the remains of the other victims, and as they were found, he buried each one on that very spot, where his body lay. It is likely, St. Phiala's relics were there met with, and deposited in like manner.
When the Church began to extend its influences in Cornubia, the people earnestly desired to erect a church over St. Fingar's remains. It is said, that the holy martyr himself appeared in a nocturnal vision to all the inhabitants, who were admonished to send provisions for the support of the workmen. Other remarkable miracles are recorded, regarding this period, and times sub- sequent. The remains of this holy martyr, Fingar, seem to have been deposited in a sarcophagus, and a sacristan was attached to his church. The faithful were accustomed to resort there, with great devotion. Many sick persons, also, who prayed with faith, were healed from their infirmities, and were restored to health. ^
Albert le Grande maintains, that the Cornubia spoken of in Fingar's Acts was Cornouaille, in Britany. 7 The martyrdom of St. Fingar and his companions, has been assigned by Colgan, to about the year 450 f while Ussher9 places it, about a. d. 460; and John Wilson,^° at the still later period of about the year 500. Besides, in these Acts, we do not find the term, "rex," but rather, "judex," used, in reference to him, who first gave the grant of land in Britain ; nor does it appear he was a tyrant, but rather a most benevolent man, and a great friend to St. Fingar and his companions. It is known, however, that a Theodoric, son of Budic, and a Count of Cor- nouaille," lived late in the sixth century. There appears no reason, how- ever, for considering him as a persecutor and tyrant. '^ Wherefore, Colgan very fairly arrives at the conclusion, that not Armoric Britain, but rather Cornwall, was the principality, in which St. Fingar and his companions were martyred. ^3 a Teudric or Theodoric, King of Glamorgan, lived about the
"Index Chronologicus," ad A. D. CCCCLX. , p. 521.
i'^
In his "Martyrologium Anglicanum. " " See Dom. Gui Alexis Lobineau's " His- toire de Bretagne," Tome i. , liv. i. , sect. xliii. to xlv. , pp. 12, 13. A Paris, 1707, 2
vols. fol.
'^ Unless it should be said, tlmt his having
put to death Macliau, the usurper of his
nise," xxiii, Februaiii. Passio SS. Guigneri sive Fingaris, &c. , cap. xvii. , xviii. , xix. , XX. , xxi. , xxii. , xxiii. , xxiv. , xxv. , xxvi. , xxvii. , pp. 3S9, 390.
7 See " De Sanctis Britaniag Armoricae. "
^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernice,"xxv. Januarii. De S. Hia Virgine, n. 2, p. 165,
and xxiii. Februarii. Passio SS.
Guigneri sive Fingaris, &c. , nn. 6, 7, 8, p. 391.
9 See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Anti-
quitates," cap. xvii. , pp. 451, 452, and Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical Plistory of
principality,
was an act of cruelty. See
68o LIVES 01^ THE IRISH SAINTS.
[February 23.
latter end of the-sixth century. ^4 There are more serious historical difficulties
in the way of a hypothesis in his, than in the other case. Colgan was not
aware of these difficulties, as, apparently he had not read the Epistle against Coroticus; and,heknewofnothingexceptthecrueltiesattributedtohim.
According to the Bollandists, the English Martyrology has the festival of these holy martyrs, not at the present date, but at the 23rd of March. ^s Albert le Grande informs us, that St. Fingar's festival was celebrated at Vannes,^^onthe13thofDecember. ^7 InCatholicBritany,theFrenchstill hold in great veneration, the memories of their former patrons. How different is the case, in the remote English Cornwall. There, it is not exist- ing cathedrals and parish churches, so much as religious ruins of abbeys and monasteries, priories and chantries, colleges and convents, that summon up the memory of a Catholic ancestry, and that extort a tear for the degeneracy of their present descendants. When history informs the people of Cornwall, that these sacred ruins had been, in good old Catholic times, the nurseries of
theseatsof andof their refuge ofthe distressed learning gratuitous education,
nature should recoil at the Vandal spirit of those barbarous times, which de-
—— — — piety and literature of arts and hospitality the home of the stranger the
creedtheir ^^ andwhichburied and destruction, religion, literature,
hospi- tality, beneath their ruins. The chant of vespers and midnight matins no longer resounds through their hallowed precincts, but the scream of the
night-bird still echoes through their ruins, and sounds like the death-knell of departed Catholicity ! Even the rude moor-stone cross, whose rough surface still retains the dear memorial of a Saviour's love, and, not unfrequently, the
"
tender representation of the thrice-blessed
of time, is still visible on the roads and cross-ways of the country. This is not without its lesson and its warning. It tells the piety of a sainted ancestry, and those golden days of patriarchal simplicity, w^hen religion held a first place in the minds of mortals, and when all those external pious helps were adopted, to keep before the eye appropriate symbols, which filled the mind with veneration for the past and hope for the future. Exiled from their own Island, the holy persons who have left it, diffused its glories elsewhere. Foreign Libraries, Record Offices, and scattered Archives, contain notices of many Irish Saints, who have been venerated in distant countries. Not the least remarkable of those holy persons are the martyrs, who have bravely contended for the laurelled crown of victory. They adopted as a motto,
persecution.
Article II. —Findchadan or Fionnchadhan, of Ard. In the Mar-
tyrology of Tallagh' is entered Findchadan na h Arda, and in that of Donegal,'
we read, on this day, as having been venerated, Fionnchadhan, of Ard. The
" ad astra. " Their firm and aspera
when
or duty led them to the arena ; and, their courageous examples should embolden the weak and faltering, when most discouraged by difficuUies or
Martyrology
of Marianus O'Gorman accords. 3 The " a word, Ard, signifies
Ireland," vol. i. , chap, vi. , sect, x. , n. 108, p. 301.
**
This city is situated in the Department of Morbihan.
'? See "vDe Sanctis Britannije Armories. "
'^
'•'See "Acta Sanctorum
Hibernise,"
xxiii. P'ebruarii, n. lo, p. 391.
^*See Ussher's vol. SeeDr. " of
*'
"Works," vi. , 1548. Lingard's History Eng-
Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates," cap. xiv. , pp. 82, 83.
'S See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Februarii xxiii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 360.
land," vol. vi. , chap, iii. , iv. , and vol. vii. ,
strong
hearts
quailed not,
danger
Virgin Mother," as if in mockery,
In the Parliaments of 1534, 1536, 1540,
i.
Article ii. —* Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
p. xvi.
'EditedbyDrs. Toddand Reeves, pp. 56. 57.
chap.
February 23. ] LIVES OB THE IRISH SAINTS. 681
height," and it is applied, in a compound way, with the name ot many Irish localities. As taken singly, the etymon Ard or Arda is generally understood to mean the Ards or Heights of Ulster. These are co-extensive with the baroniesofArds,inthepresentcountyofDown. Aswehaveseen,inthe preceding article, Colgan had a far-fetched conjecture, to identify the present holy person, with the martyr, St. Fingar.
Article III. —St. Ernin Cass, of Leighlin, County of Carlow. The name, Cass, of Leth-glinn, is inserted in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 23rd of February. In a subsequent entry, at the same date, Ernine Lethglinn, is added. It is different, in a later Calendar. This day, accord- ing to the Martyrology of Donegal,^ was venerated, Ernin Cas, of Leith- ghienn. The compound name appears thus to liave been intended only for a single individual saint, and not for two distinct persons, at the same day and place. The present town of Old Leighlin3 was the site of St. Cobban's* original monastic establishment, but the See of Leighlin, Old Leighlin or LaughlinwasfoundedherebySt. Laserian,sabouta. d. 632. Atown,or city, of considerable extent, grew up in this place,^ and it had quite a historic renown in our Annals. The ancient Cathedral of Leighlin having become ruinous, it was rebuilt by King Henry II. and by Bishop Donat.
