Autbert3^ to assist at the
translation
of our saint's relics.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
4to.
There are no less than
Dr. Lanigan supposed it to have been the "
for
Martyrologies, an old Life of St. Fursey, which has
and on
''
three copies of the
Visio Tungdali Mili-
tis," among the Trinity College MSS. , and these are marked as follows: "C. 4, 23;
lowing note, regarding this piece, is on the
"
Visio Tungdali militis Hiberni,
first folio.
an. 1 148, auctore Marco in qua mentio fit SS. Patricii apli Hiberni Malachite ep. Dun. Ruadani Nennise ep. Cluan. Coelestini ep. Armach. Chaini ep. Lundinen. " The ma-
trace of the Irish language
* on the Relying
xvii. Kalend. Februarii ad aeterna commigrasse regna," his death has been assigned, to the 16th of January, and the Bollandists concur. See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Februarii ix. Prsetermissi et in alios dies rejecti, pp.
575» 576.
3 The old author of St. Fursey's Acts,
makes the 9th of February the anniversary of his death. See Colgan's "Acta Sancto- rum Hibernise," xvi. Januarii. Vita S.
Furssei, lib. ii. , cap. xvii. , p.
day for his burial. See Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xyii. , sect. X. , n. 95, p. 463.
438 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 9.
moval of our saint's relics, at the time of translation, which took place four
years after Fursey's death. It is a more probable opinion, according to some, than that contained in our saint's old Acts, and in Desmay's Life, where it is asserted, the feast of Translation or Elevation of Furse/s remains, bySt. EligiusandSt. Autbert,occurredonthe9thofFebruary. Accord- ing to these same authorities, this was also the day of our saint's decease. For, it is supposed, the canonization, mentioned by Desmay, could have occurred, at no other time, than when the first translation or raising of Fursey'srelicstookplace. Suchanopinionhethinks,issustainedbyseveral old and respectable writers. *^ However, this matter has given rise to very opposite views. 7 Without presuming to decide this controverted point, it must suffice to present particulars, regarding our saint, and which have not been given in his Acts, as already written. ^ We have seen, that no sooner was Fursey's decease known,5 than Erchinoald sent a message to Haimoin, requesting him to resign his claim to the reHcs of the saint. This demand was rather unwillingly complied with ; but, the power and influence of the
former, and the favours which, during life, our saint accepted from him, together with the miracles wrought after Fursey's death, afforded Haimoin convincing reasons to satisfy the pious wishes of his benefactor. The body was accordingly removed to Perrone, with great funeral pomp and expense. Erchinoald caused a magnificent church to be built, in which he intended the remains of our saint should be preserved. This church had been com- menced before, but had not been completed at, that juncture, when the holy confessor's death occurred. St. Fursey's remains lay within the portals or porch of the church, whilst Erchinoald used every exertion and spared no cost, in completing the structure. The Patrician had resolved, this
•church should be finished, and in a style of great magnificence, so that, in some measure, it might be rendered worthy the majesty of God, and the sacred purposes for which it was destined. But, the enemy of mankind, envying the progress of every good work, tempted Leutsinda, wife of Erchnoald, to indulge in murmurs, at the great expense of this erection. In a wrathtul and avaricious spirit, she petulantly reproached her husband for expending treasures to a large amount, in behalf of a stranger, whose body alter some days should be reduced to ashes, and become the food of worms. The pious Erchinoald bore these murmurs of his wife with patience, recol- lecting the example set him by holy Job. ^° He warned Leutsinda, that she ought to perform penance for her impious murmurs, and repent without delay. Then, he recalled to her recollection, all those wonderful miracles
wrought by St. Fursey, and how all things had succeeded prosperously, so far as they were concerned. This success was attributed 10 the spiritual patronage of the saint, given in return for any temporal benefits bestowed
5 It is thought, by Colgan, that the date for St. Fursey's tirst burial happened on the 4th of March, because it is slated in his old Acts, book i. , chap, xl , and book ii. , chap. xiv. , that his body lay, for some time, in the porch of the new church at Perrone, until it
canonization seems to be assumed. But, there does not appear to be any record of a canonization, and we a. e probably only to
regard it, as commemorating the translation of liis body, and its expo. siiion, in an uncor- rupt state.
**
was ready for dedication, within thirty days, "
7 See Colgan's pendix, cap. x. , p. 98.
after his death. See Acta Sanctorum Hi- berniae," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Fursaei. Also, Appendix, cap. x. , pp. 82, 86, 89.
^
' Dr. Lanigan thinks it likely, St. Fursey
^ He says, that among others, may be cited, St. Notker, Raban Maur, Usuard and Venerable Bede, who was nearly a synchro- nns. These place him in their martyr- ologies, at this present day ; and, thus, his
died on the i6th of January. See
"
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Fursaei. Ap-
At the i6th of January.
Eccle- siastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap.
xvi. , sect, x. , and n. 92, pp. 461, 462.
'°
Jobii. , 9, 10.
February 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 439
on him. In fine, this religious noble declared, he doubted not, that the
Almighty would preserve his body from all putrefaction or decay henceforth, and that this immunity should be proved, at the time of its removal, and to
reprovetheunworthycomplaintsofhiswife. " Meantime,whennearlythirty days" had elapsed, St. Eligius,^3 or Eloi, Bishop of Noyon, and St. Aut- bertus,^** Bishop of Cambray, were invited to consecrate the church, and to assist at the removal of Saint Fursey's relics from the porch. A great mul- titude of people were present at the ceremonies, that took place, on this re- markable and solemn occasion. 's Among others, Leutsinda attendee'.
However, she was drawn thither, rather through a spirit of curiosity, than of piety, being desirous of witnessing with her own eyes, the state in which the saint's relics should be found. Whilst assistants were preparing to remove his body from the tomb, and bear it into the church enclosure, with pious reverence ; Leutsinda ordered the shroud to be removed from the corpse. But, when attempting to look upon St. Fursey's remains, she found herself suddenly deprived of sight. Then being terrified, and bursting forth into tearsandlamentations,Leutsindaprostratedherselfbeforethebody. She besought the holy Bishops, Eligius and Autbert, to intercede for her, by offer- ing up their prayers to St. Fursey, for the restoration of her vision. She declared at their feet, she had grievously sinned, but that she then sincerely repented. Wherefore, the holy prelates offered up their prayers for the penitent, and being joined by all the people present, Leutsinda was again restored to the use of sight. Giving thanks and praises to God, she devoted herselfandallherpossessionstoSt. Fursey. Afterwards,shesawtheremains
of this holy confessor, in a perfect state, as if he had only departed at that moment. All those, who were present in the church, beheld the sacred re-
mains in a condition of perfect preservation. The holy bishops, who were in attendance, took the venerable relics of the saint in their arms, while hymns were sung. They bore the sacred body into the Church of St. Peter
'^
and St. Paul. It was there deposited behind the high altar,
spices were placed in the coffin, containing the relics of our saint. '7 His
accidit. "—" Annales Ordinis S. Bcnedicti," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect, i. , p. 410.
'*
Bede states, it was buried near the altar,
'^ Venerable Bede says, that the body of
St. Fursey lay twenty-seven days in the porch of the church, before its first transla-
"
tion. See Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
Anglorum," lib. iii. , cap. 19, p. 215.
'« Bede says :" Sed & post annos quatuor constructa domuncula cultiore receptui cor- poris ejusdem, ad orientem altaris adhuc sine macula corruptionis inventum ibidem
digno cum eum honore translatum est. "
'^ These particulars Bede relates, from the little book of St. Fursey's ancient Acts,
bodies of Saints Meldan and Beodan. St. Fursey himself had already entombed
these saints, in the very place then occupied by their remains. Fragrant
in that '^ until some sort of shrine had been place,
for four
fashi9ned, which was destined to exhibit more reverence towards the saint. We are told the body had been buried, at the east side of the altar. ''s Moved by the wonderful miracles daily wrought at the tomb of the saint, Erchinoald and his wife Leutsinda at length founded a college of Regular Canons, which they endowed with ample possessions. The piety of various French
body lay
years
" See
cap. XV. , p. 86.
** Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nias,"xvi. Januarii. VitaS. Furssei,lib. ii. ,
^^
Colgan's
Although Venerable Bede says thirty- seven days elapsed, after the death of St. Fursey, and his first interment ; yet, Dr. Lanigan thinks,it probable, that only twenty- three days intervened between the day of his departure and that of his burial. See "Ec- clesiastical
chap, xvi. , sect, x. , n. 93, p. 463.
'3 His feast occurs, on the 1st of Decern- ber.
''* His festival is held, on the 13th of De- cember.
'5 Speaking of our saint's first burial, Ma- billon writes, "id quod v. idus Februarii
History
of Ireland," vol. ii. ,
and near the
440 LTVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 9.
nobles afterwards increased these endowments, to honour God, and his servants,^** there interred. ^^ After this removal of Fursey's remains, owing
to his intercession, with great faith and piety, countless pilgrims flocked
thither to visit his tomb. This circumstance and miracles wrought caused
Erchinoald and his wife Leutsinda to prepare another place, more convenient
of access, and more publicly placed in view, for a second translation of the
relics. Four years after the first deposition of his body, at the eastern side
over St. Peter's altar, these noble persons had a sort of receptacle con-
=**
structed.
Tournay, he was an artist, and he fashioned precious metals with great skill. Desmay tells us, that many reliquaries of saints were known to be extant, and whichSt. Eligiushadmade. Amongstothers,theshrinesofSt. Germanus,'* Bishop of Paris, of St. Severinus, abbot,^5 of Saints Piutus^^ and Quintin,='7 martyrs,ofSt. Lucian,^^ofSt. Genovefua^9andofSt. Columba,3o&c. To this St. Eligius, therefore, Hercenaldus and Leutsinda sent a considerable amount of gold and silver, that he might produce from it a suitable shrine, for the relics of the holy confessor. The venerable bishop exerted all re- sources of his skill and ingenuity in executing the shrine. Having completed it, he invited St.
Autbert3^ to assist at the translation of our saint's relics. This ceremony, took place, on the 9th of February. 32 This was afterwards observed, as an anniversary of this solemn translation at Perrone. When assistants approached his tomb,33 for the purpose of removing the saint's body, his remains were found to be entire, as they had been four years pre- viously, on the day of their deposition. 34 Not only his flesh, but even the colourofhisbody,seemedundecayed. Therelicswereexhibitedinthis state, before the clergy and people, who were present, to their great delight and edification. Precious spices were placed around the body, which was deposited in that shrine, prepared by St. Eligius for its reception. Having covered it in the shrine, hymns of praise were sung, and lights blazed around
^° ** In prima enim, quae ibi fuerat Eccle- ^* His feast occurs, on the 28th of May. sia Beatus Fursaeus sanctos Collagas quos ^5 He was venerated, on the nth of Feb- Beoanum atque Meldanum tumulaverat, ruary,
Before St. Eligius^3 had been consecrated Bishop of Noyan and
animas quorum in visione, qua miranda sustinuit D*monum improperia viderat ; &
^^
Also, called St. Piat, Apostle of Tour- nay, whose feast is on the ist of October,
'^^ His festival occurs, on the of Oc- 31st
tober.
alia
patrocinia pretiosorum
Dei servorum,
quse secum detulerat (exceptis illis quse de
Hyerosolymitatis partibus allata, Latiniaco
Coenobio sul) firmissimo munimine posuerat) quorum meritis usque in hodiernum diem Kex coelestis multi—s virtutum signis locum istum honestavit. " Colgan's "Acta Sane torum Hibernise," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furssei, lib i. , cap. xl. , p. 82, lib. ii. , cap. XV. , xvi. , p. 86, and ibid. Vita S. Fursaei, a Desmseo, cap. xx. , p. 297.
^^
His feast is assigned to the 8lh of Jan-
='
Among these were St. Beoan and St.
uary.
'^'^ Also, called Genevieve, Patroness of
Paris, who is venerated, on the 3rd of Jan- uary.
^o Probably St. Columba, virgin and martyr, whose feast is kept, on the 31st of December,
31 According to Baronius, Autbert was Bishop of Cambray, in the year 648. He survived St. Eligius, for many years. But, we can hardly suppose, that he lived to the year 709, as Sigebert and Baronius state,
32
According to Desmay.
33 q^hc old author of St. Fursey's Life calls
it a sarcophagus.
Meldan, whose relics were placed there by
" The old author says, "ad —orientalem partem altaris domuncula. " Colgan's
**
Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xvi, Januarii. Vita S. Furssei, lib. i. , cap. xli. , p. 82.
=3
According to Baronius, in his Annals,
Eligius, departed this life, A. D. 665, but
according to Miraeus, in his Belgian Chroni-
cle, A. D. 660. His Life has been written. History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , in two books, by his intimate friend St. sect, x. , and n. 95, pp. 462, 463.
Ouen, Bishop of Rouen,
St. Fursey.
s-*
Dr. Lanigan refers the Translation of
St. Fursey's body, four years after his death, to the 9th of February. See "Ecclesiastical
February 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 441
the sanctuary. These reHcs were then placed on the eastern side, over the high altar, which was dedicated to St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and behind that altar, as the old writer of our saint's Acts relates. 35 He also remarks, from that date to his own time, any persons who approached to offer up their devotions and lawful petitions before the shrine of Saint Fursey were seen to obtain whatever favours they sought. 36 The year, succeeding this translation of our saint's relics, was remarkable for a general failure of the vine-cropthroughoutthewholeofFrance; sothat,itwaswithgreatdifficulty, winecouldbeprocuredforcelebrationoftheDivineMysteries. Ithappened, that a noble lady, at Perrone, with a great part of her family, suffered from some grievous illness. As her life had been despaired of, her last moment was hourly expected. On a certain night, she had a vision. It seemed to her, she was told to send to the church, in which St. Fursey's body lay, and to ask for herself and family some of the wine, which was there required for the Eucharistic Sacrifice. She immediately called a trusty servant, and related the particulars of her nocturnal vision. Being sent to the church, this servant asked the cleric who was sacristan, at the time, for that wine, which would restore his mistress to health. On account of its scarcity, the sacristan refused to comply with this request, but he advised the servant to go and fetch water to his mistress, from St. Fursey's well, which was to be found near the mountain summit. The servant filled the vessel, which he hadbrought,withthiswater,andboreithomewards. Thewaterwasmira- culously changed into wine, before the sick woman tasted it, to the bearer's greatastonishment,forheknewfromwhatsourceithadbeendrawn. Im- mediately after the pious matron tasted this liquid, she was restored to health, as likewise was the case, in reference to other infirm persons in the family. Whereupon, accompanied by her relations, domestics and friends, this noble lady proceeded at once to St. Fursey's church, bearing lights, with offerings of gold and silver. Here she prostrated herself in prayer, and she offered acts of thanksgiving to God, and to his servant, St. Fursey.
She then dedicated the remainder of her life to a devout worship of Almighty God, and to a pious veneration for the patron saint of that church. There she desired her remains to be laid after death. 37 We are told by Desmay,38 that not only do the people of Perrone derive strength and health from the use of this water, when suffering from fever or from any other kind of dis- ease ; but, even all infirm persons, from parts more distant, when with faith and piety, they venerated holy St. Fursey and used that water, which by an ancient custom of the church had been blessed. There were six different kinds of diseases, especially enumerated, in the hymn of lauds, recited on the saint's festival. 39 Such account is to be found, in an old office of St. Fursey. These maladies were known to be removed, by a devout venera- tion of the patron saint. ^o A small aperture was to be seen in the old tomb
**
3S See Colgan's
nise," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furssei, lib.
3' They are thus named, in the following lines :—
Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
86.
3^ In the time of Bede, the fame of miracles
wrought at St. Fursey's tomb was very great. See "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglo-
rum," lib. iii. , cap. xix. , p. 215.
"
37 See, also, Mabillon's
S. Benedict! ," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect. 1. , p. 410.
ii. , cap. xvii. , p.
"
Annales Ordinis
Febris, Spasmus, Paralysis, Calculus, et Hernia, Curantur, ac Hydropsis, Breviter, et omnia
Quce sanare nequit Physis, Sanat ejus gratia. "
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
'° Desmay says, that this hymn was to be found in our saint's office, before issuing an edition of the new breviary. Sometime
3^ See
niae," ix. Februarii. Vita S. Furssei, cap. xxi. , p. 298.
Colgan's
442 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February 9.
of St. Fursey, in the time of Desmay. ^i Into this opening, infirm persons were accustomed to introduce pocket-handkerchiefs, or hnens, to touch the holyman'sremainswiththem. Also,those,whowereafflictedwithhead- ache, apphed their heads to this aperture, when they frequently experienced im,mediaterelieffromsuchmalady. Inmemoryofvariousbenefitsreceived by them, different valetudinarians, who had recovered their strength through St. Fursey's intercession,^^ at several periods, down to the seventeenth century, wished to perpetuate such personal favours. As memorials, they hung up several waxen images, before the holy confessor's altar. -^3 Desmay vindicates this, as an ancient and pious custom in the church,'*'* although it excited the ire and calumnies of Calvinists in his day. -^s As expiatory offerings, the Phillistines hung up before the ark five golden emerods and five golden mice ;^*^ while, as perpetual memorials, the Jews always willed them, there to continue. '*^ The Church has wisely provided,'*^ however, that nothing unbecoming, or of a dishonest signification be permitted, in practises of this kind.
Article V. —St. Colman, of Cluain Eraird, or Clonard, County OF Meath. [^Possibly in the Seventh Century? ^ A stranger, viewing the towers, abbeys and monasteries, dispersed throughout the county of Meath,
would be inclined to exclaim,
" "* The This was the land of saints, indeed !
present holy man is styled Mocolmoc, Cluana Iraird, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 9th of February. If what follows be correct, he must have been a nephew to the celebrated founder of Clonard,3 in the ancient territory of Meath ; for, we are told, that Rioghnach,'* sister of Finnen, ol Cluain Eraird was his mother. Her parents, therefore, seem to have been Fintan, descended from the family of Loschain, and her mother's name was Talech. The present St. Colman must have Hved, in that case, in the sixth century. According to the published Martyrology of Donegal,s on this day was venerated, Colman, of Cluain Eraird. In Harris' Ware, we read, that a
before he wrote, the new edition had been observavit Metaphrastes. Multa etiam hujus
pubUshed. '''InhisepistletoPopeHormisdaSjSt.
generis signa in sede D. Virginis Lauretana Ger- exstant. "
** Acta Sanctorum Hiber- formerly noticed at the tombs of holy martyrs. niae," ix, Februarii. Vita S. Furssei, cap.
St. Csecilia's body, Blosius relates this cir- cumstance.
^'^
Desmay says, that during ages preced-
ing his own time, numberless miracles had
been wrought, at the tomb of our saint. So mains of towns and villages near each, many blind persons had been restored to the
use of sight, so many lame to that of walk-
ing, and so many, afllicted with all sorts of
diseases, to a perfect state of health, that if
an exact relation of each particular case were
recorded, the biographer declares, he should
never be able to conclude the Life of our
saint.
manus testifies, that such were *5 See many openings
Colgan's
Even, a short time before Desmay wrote the
Life ot St. P^ursey, the illustrious Cardinal
Paulus Sfrondatus discovered an aperture of
like character A. D, 1599, at the tomb ol St. passage,, Q. 13. Cecilia. In his book, on the discovery of -^^
-•^ See the
and fourth
1 2th of Deceml^er.
* In a note, Dr. Todd says at Rioghnach,
twenty-first chapter, section of the Life, by Desmay.
^* " De qua inter alios veteres Theodoretns libro 8, de curandis Grsec. affect. Idem ad Vitam Danielis Stillitse tmdecima Decembris
xxi. , p. 298.
'**' See i. Kings, chap. vi.
'*' So writes Tostatus Abulensis, on this
at the time of the Council
Especially, of Trent, —
'
who makes " from the number
The writer,
Article v.
this remark, continues,
of these religious foundations, and the re-
arises a fair conclusion, that the population
of Meath, i—n ages far remote, was very con- "
siderable. " Robert Thompson's Statis-
tical Survey of the County of Meath," chap,
i. , sect, i. , p. 4.
=
"The words within brackets are added in the more recent hand. "
s Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 42, 43.
Edited by Rev. Dr.
Dr. Lanigan supposed it to have been the "
for
Martyrologies, an old Life of St. Fursey, which has
and on
''
three copies of the
Visio Tungdali Mili-
tis," among the Trinity College MSS. , and these are marked as follows: "C. 4, 23;
lowing note, regarding this piece, is on the
"
Visio Tungdali militis Hiberni,
first folio.
an. 1 148, auctore Marco in qua mentio fit SS. Patricii apli Hiberni Malachite ep. Dun. Ruadani Nennise ep. Cluan. Coelestini ep. Armach. Chaini ep. Lundinen. " The ma-
trace of the Irish language
* on the Relying
xvii. Kalend. Februarii ad aeterna commigrasse regna," his death has been assigned, to the 16th of January, and the Bollandists concur. See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Februarii ix. Prsetermissi et in alios dies rejecti, pp.
575» 576.
3 The old author of St. Fursey's Acts,
makes the 9th of February the anniversary of his death. See Colgan's "Acta Sancto- rum Hibernise," xvi. Januarii. Vita S.
Furssei, lib. ii. , cap. xvii. , p.
day for his burial. See Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xyii. , sect. X. , n. 95, p. 463.
438 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 9.
moval of our saint's relics, at the time of translation, which took place four
years after Fursey's death. It is a more probable opinion, according to some, than that contained in our saint's old Acts, and in Desmay's Life, where it is asserted, the feast of Translation or Elevation of Furse/s remains, bySt. EligiusandSt. Autbert,occurredonthe9thofFebruary. Accord- ing to these same authorities, this was also the day of our saint's decease. For, it is supposed, the canonization, mentioned by Desmay, could have occurred, at no other time, than when the first translation or raising of Fursey'srelicstookplace. Suchanopinionhethinks,issustainedbyseveral old and respectable writers. *^ However, this matter has given rise to very opposite views. 7 Without presuming to decide this controverted point, it must suffice to present particulars, regarding our saint, and which have not been given in his Acts, as already written. ^ We have seen, that no sooner was Fursey's decease known,5 than Erchinoald sent a message to Haimoin, requesting him to resign his claim to the reHcs of the saint. This demand was rather unwillingly complied with ; but, the power and influence of the
former, and the favours which, during life, our saint accepted from him, together with the miracles wrought after Fursey's death, afforded Haimoin convincing reasons to satisfy the pious wishes of his benefactor. The body was accordingly removed to Perrone, with great funeral pomp and expense. Erchinoald caused a magnificent church to be built, in which he intended the remains of our saint should be preserved. This church had been com- menced before, but had not been completed at, that juncture, when the holy confessor's death occurred. St. Fursey's remains lay within the portals or porch of the church, whilst Erchinoald used every exertion and spared no cost, in completing the structure. The Patrician had resolved, this
•church should be finished, and in a style of great magnificence, so that, in some measure, it might be rendered worthy the majesty of God, and the sacred purposes for which it was destined. But, the enemy of mankind, envying the progress of every good work, tempted Leutsinda, wife of Erchnoald, to indulge in murmurs, at the great expense of this erection. In a wrathtul and avaricious spirit, she petulantly reproached her husband for expending treasures to a large amount, in behalf of a stranger, whose body alter some days should be reduced to ashes, and become the food of worms. The pious Erchinoald bore these murmurs of his wife with patience, recol- lecting the example set him by holy Job. ^° He warned Leutsinda, that she ought to perform penance for her impious murmurs, and repent without delay. Then, he recalled to her recollection, all those wonderful miracles
wrought by St. Fursey, and how all things had succeeded prosperously, so far as they were concerned. This success was attributed 10 the spiritual patronage of the saint, given in return for any temporal benefits bestowed
5 It is thought, by Colgan, that the date for St. Fursey's tirst burial happened on the 4th of March, because it is slated in his old Acts, book i. , chap, xl , and book ii. , chap. xiv. , that his body lay, for some time, in the porch of the new church at Perrone, until it
canonization seems to be assumed. But, there does not appear to be any record of a canonization, and we a. e probably only to
regard it, as commemorating the translation of liis body, and its expo. siiion, in an uncor- rupt state.
**
was ready for dedication, within thirty days, "
7 See Colgan's pendix, cap. x. , p. 98.
after his death. See Acta Sanctorum Hi- berniae," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Fursaei. Also, Appendix, cap. x. , pp. 82, 86, 89.
^
' Dr. Lanigan thinks it likely, St. Fursey
^ He says, that among others, may be cited, St. Notker, Raban Maur, Usuard and Venerable Bede, who was nearly a synchro- nns. These place him in their martyr- ologies, at this present day ; and, thus, his
died on the i6th of January. See
"
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Fursaei. Ap-
At the i6th of January.
Eccle- siastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap.
xvi. , sect, x. , and n. 92, pp. 461, 462.
'°
Jobii. , 9, 10.
February 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 439
on him. In fine, this religious noble declared, he doubted not, that the
Almighty would preserve his body from all putrefaction or decay henceforth, and that this immunity should be proved, at the time of its removal, and to
reprovetheunworthycomplaintsofhiswife. " Meantime,whennearlythirty days" had elapsed, St. Eligius,^3 or Eloi, Bishop of Noyon, and St. Aut- bertus,^** Bishop of Cambray, were invited to consecrate the church, and to assist at the removal of Saint Fursey's relics from the porch. A great mul- titude of people were present at the ceremonies, that took place, on this re- markable and solemn occasion. 's Among others, Leutsinda attendee'.
However, she was drawn thither, rather through a spirit of curiosity, than of piety, being desirous of witnessing with her own eyes, the state in which the saint's relics should be found. Whilst assistants were preparing to remove his body from the tomb, and bear it into the church enclosure, with pious reverence ; Leutsinda ordered the shroud to be removed from the corpse. But, when attempting to look upon St. Fursey's remains, she found herself suddenly deprived of sight. Then being terrified, and bursting forth into tearsandlamentations,Leutsindaprostratedherselfbeforethebody. She besought the holy Bishops, Eligius and Autbert, to intercede for her, by offer- ing up their prayers to St. Fursey, for the restoration of her vision. She declared at their feet, she had grievously sinned, but that she then sincerely repented. Wherefore, the holy prelates offered up their prayers for the penitent, and being joined by all the people present, Leutsinda was again restored to the use of sight. Giving thanks and praises to God, she devoted herselfandallherpossessionstoSt. Fursey. Afterwards,shesawtheremains
of this holy confessor, in a perfect state, as if he had only departed at that moment. All those, who were present in the church, beheld the sacred re-
mains in a condition of perfect preservation. The holy bishops, who were in attendance, took the venerable relics of the saint in their arms, while hymns were sung. They bore the sacred body into the Church of St. Peter
'^
and St. Paul. It was there deposited behind the high altar,
spices were placed in the coffin, containing the relics of our saint. '7 His
accidit. "—" Annales Ordinis S. Bcnedicti," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect, i. , p. 410.
'*
Bede states, it was buried near the altar,
'^ Venerable Bede says, that the body of
St. Fursey lay twenty-seven days in the porch of the church, before its first transla-
"
tion. See Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
Anglorum," lib. iii. , cap. 19, p. 215.
'« Bede says :" Sed & post annos quatuor constructa domuncula cultiore receptui cor- poris ejusdem, ad orientem altaris adhuc sine macula corruptionis inventum ibidem
digno cum eum honore translatum est. "
'^ These particulars Bede relates, from the little book of St. Fursey's ancient Acts,
bodies of Saints Meldan and Beodan. St. Fursey himself had already entombed
these saints, in the very place then occupied by their remains. Fragrant
in that '^ until some sort of shrine had been place,
for four
fashi9ned, which was destined to exhibit more reverence towards the saint. We are told the body had been buried, at the east side of the altar. ''s Moved by the wonderful miracles daily wrought at the tomb of the saint, Erchinoald and his wife Leutsinda at length founded a college of Regular Canons, which they endowed with ample possessions. The piety of various French
body lay
years
" See
cap. XV. , p. 86.
** Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nias,"xvi. Januarii. VitaS. Furssei,lib. ii. ,
^^
Colgan's
Although Venerable Bede says thirty- seven days elapsed, after the death of St. Fursey, and his first interment ; yet, Dr. Lanigan thinks,it probable, that only twenty- three days intervened between the day of his departure and that of his burial. See "Ec- clesiastical
chap, xvi. , sect, x. , n. 93, p. 463.
'3 His feast occurs, on the 1st of Decern- ber.
''* His festival is held, on the 13th of De- cember.
'5 Speaking of our saint's first burial, Ma- billon writes, "id quod v. idus Februarii
History
of Ireland," vol. ii. ,
and near the
440 LTVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 9.
nobles afterwards increased these endowments, to honour God, and his servants,^** there interred. ^^ After this removal of Fursey's remains, owing
to his intercession, with great faith and piety, countless pilgrims flocked
thither to visit his tomb. This circumstance and miracles wrought caused
Erchinoald and his wife Leutsinda to prepare another place, more convenient
of access, and more publicly placed in view, for a second translation of the
relics. Four years after the first deposition of his body, at the eastern side
over St. Peter's altar, these noble persons had a sort of receptacle con-
=**
structed.
Tournay, he was an artist, and he fashioned precious metals with great skill. Desmay tells us, that many reliquaries of saints were known to be extant, and whichSt. Eligiushadmade. Amongstothers,theshrinesofSt. Germanus,'* Bishop of Paris, of St. Severinus, abbot,^5 of Saints Piutus^^ and Quintin,='7 martyrs,ofSt. Lucian,^^ofSt. Genovefua^9andofSt. Columba,3o&c. To this St. Eligius, therefore, Hercenaldus and Leutsinda sent a considerable amount of gold and silver, that he might produce from it a suitable shrine, for the relics of the holy confessor. The venerable bishop exerted all re- sources of his skill and ingenuity in executing the shrine. Having completed it, he invited St.
Autbert3^ to assist at the translation of our saint's relics. This ceremony, took place, on the 9th of February. 32 This was afterwards observed, as an anniversary of this solemn translation at Perrone. When assistants approached his tomb,33 for the purpose of removing the saint's body, his remains were found to be entire, as they had been four years pre- viously, on the day of their deposition. 34 Not only his flesh, but even the colourofhisbody,seemedundecayed. Therelicswereexhibitedinthis state, before the clergy and people, who were present, to their great delight and edification. Precious spices were placed around the body, which was deposited in that shrine, prepared by St. Eligius for its reception. Having covered it in the shrine, hymns of praise were sung, and lights blazed around
^° ** In prima enim, quae ibi fuerat Eccle- ^* His feast occurs, on the 28th of May. sia Beatus Fursaeus sanctos Collagas quos ^5 He was venerated, on the nth of Feb- Beoanum atque Meldanum tumulaverat, ruary,
Before St. Eligius^3 had been consecrated Bishop of Noyan and
animas quorum in visione, qua miranda sustinuit D*monum improperia viderat ; &
^^
Also, called St. Piat, Apostle of Tour- nay, whose feast is on the ist of October,
'^^ His festival occurs, on the of Oc- 31st
tober.
alia
patrocinia pretiosorum
Dei servorum,
quse secum detulerat (exceptis illis quse de
Hyerosolymitatis partibus allata, Latiniaco
Coenobio sul) firmissimo munimine posuerat) quorum meritis usque in hodiernum diem Kex coelestis multi—s virtutum signis locum istum honestavit. " Colgan's "Acta Sane torum Hibernise," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furssei, lib i. , cap. xl. , p. 82, lib. ii. , cap. XV. , xvi. , p. 86, and ibid. Vita S. Fursaei, a Desmseo, cap. xx. , p. 297.
^^
His feast is assigned to the 8lh of Jan-
='
Among these were St. Beoan and St.
uary.
'^'^ Also, called Genevieve, Patroness of
Paris, who is venerated, on the 3rd of Jan- uary.
^o Probably St. Columba, virgin and martyr, whose feast is kept, on the 31st of December,
31 According to Baronius, Autbert was Bishop of Cambray, in the year 648. He survived St. Eligius, for many years. But, we can hardly suppose, that he lived to the year 709, as Sigebert and Baronius state,
32
According to Desmay.
33 q^hc old author of St. Fursey's Life calls
it a sarcophagus.
Meldan, whose relics were placed there by
" The old author says, "ad —orientalem partem altaris domuncula. " Colgan's
**
Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xvi, Januarii. Vita S. Furssei, lib. i. , cap. xli. , p. 82.
=3
According to Baronius, in his Annals,
Eligius, departed this life, A. D. 665, but
according to Miraeus, in his Belgian Chroni-
cle, A. D. 660. His Life has been written. History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , in two books, by his intimate friend St. sect, x. , and n. 95, pp. 462, 463.
Ouen, Bishop of Rouen,
St. Fursey.
s-*
Dr. Lanigan refers the Translation of
St. Fursey's body, four years after his death, to the 9th of February. See "Ecclesiastical
February 9. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 441
the sanctuary. These reHcs were then placed on the eastern side, over the high altar, which was dedicated to St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and behind that altar, as the old writer of our saint's Acts relates. 35 He also remarks, from that date to his own time, any persons who approached to offer up their devotions and lawful petitions before the shrine of Saint Fursey were seen to obtain whatever favours they sought. 36 The year, succeeding this translation of our saint's relics, was remarkable for a general failure of the vine-cropthroughoutthewholeofFrance; sothat,itwaswithgreatdifficulty, winecouldbeprocuredforcelebrationoftheDivineMysteries. Ithappened, that a noble lady, at Perrone, with a great part of her family, suffered from some grievous illness. As her life had been despaired of, her last moment was hourly expected. On a certain night, she had a vision. It seemed to her, she was told to send to the church, in which St. Fursey's body lay, and to ask for herself and family some of the wine, which was there required for the Eucharistic Sacrifice. She immediately called a trusty servant, and related the particulars of her nocturnal vision. Being sent to the church, this servant asked the cleric who was sacristan, at the time, for that wine, which would restore his mistress to health. On account of its scarcity, the sacristan refused to comply with this request, but he advised the servant to go and fetch water to his mistress, from St. Fursey's well, which was to be found near the mountain summit. The servant filled the vessel, which he hadbrought,withthiswater,andboreithomewards. Thewaterwasmira- culously changed into wine, before the sick woman tasted it, to the bearer's greatastonishment,forheknewfromwhatsourceithadbeendrawn. Im- mediately after the pious matron tasted this liquid, she was restored to health, as likewise was the case, in reference to other infirm persons in the family. Whereupon, accompanied by her relations, domestics and friends, this noble lady proceeded at once to St. Fursey's church, bearing lights, with offerings of gold and silver. Here she prostrated herself in prayer, and she offered acts of thanksgiving to God, and to his servant, St. Fursey.
She then dedicated the remainder of her life to a devout worship of Almighty God, and to a pious veneration for the patron saint of that church. There she desired her remains to be laid after death. 37 We are told by Desmay,38 that not only do the people of Perrone derive strength and health from the use of this water, when suffering from fever or from any other kind of dis- ease ; but, even all infirm persons, from parts more distant, when with faith and piety, they venerated holy St. Fursey and used that water, which by an ancient custom of the church had been blessed. There were six different kinds of diseases, especially enumerated, in the hymn of lauds, recited on the saint's festival. 39 Such account is to be found, in an old office of St. Fursey. These maladies were known to be removed, by a devout venera- tion of the patron saint. ^o A small aperture was to be seen in the old tomb
**
3S See Colgan's
nise," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furssei, lib.
3' They are thus named, in the following lines :—
Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
86.
3^ In the time of Bede, the fame of miracles
wrought at St. Fursey's tomb was very great. See "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglo-
rum," lib. iii. , cap. xix. , p. 215.
"
37 See, also, Mabillon's
S. Benedict! ," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect. 1. , p. 410.
ii. , cap. xvii. , p.
"
Annales Ordinis
Febris, Spasmus, Paralysis, Calculus, et Hernia, Curantur, ac Hydropsis, Breviter, et omnia
Quce sanare nequit Physis, Sanat ejus gratia. "
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
'° Desmay says, that this hymn was to be found in our saint's office, before issuing an edition of the new breviary. Sometime
3^ See
niae," ix. Februarii. Vita S. Furssei, cap. xxi. , p. 298.
Colgan's
442 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February 9.
of St. Fursey, in the time of Desmay. ^i Into this opening, infirm persons were accustomed to introduce pocket-handkerchiefs, or hnens, to touch the holyman'sremainswiththem. Also,those,whowereafflictedwithhead- ache, apphed their heads to this aperture, when they frequently experienced im,mediaterelieffromsuchmalady. Inmemoryofvariousbenefitsreceived by them, different valetudinarians, who had recovered their strength through St. Fursey's intercession,^^ at several periods, down to the seventeenth century, wished to perpetuate such personal favours. As memorials, they hung up several waxen images, before the holy confessor's altar. -^3 Desmay vindicates this, as an ancient and pious custom in the church,'*'* although it excited the ire and calumnies of Calvinists in his day. -^s As expiatory offerings, the Phillistines hung up before the ark five golden emerods and five golden mice ;^*^ while, as perpetual memorials, the Jews always willed them, there to continue. '*^ The Church has wisely provided,'*^ however, that nothing unbecoming, or of a dishonest signification be permitted, in practises of this kind.
Article V. —St. Colman, of Cluain Eraird, or Clonard, County OF Meath. [^Possibly in the Seventh Century? ^ A stranger, viewing the towers, abbeys and monasteries, dispersed throughout the county of Meath,
would be inclined to exclaim,
" "* The This was the land of saints, indeed !
present holy man is styled Mocolmoc, Cluana Iraird, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 9th of February. If what follows be correct, he must have been a nephew to the celebrated founder of Clonard,3 in the ancient territory of Meath ; for, we are told, that Rioghnach,'* sister of Finnen, ol Cluain Eraird was his mother. Her parents, therefore, seem to have been Fintan, descended from the family of Loschain, and her mother's name was Talech. The present St. Colman must have Hved, in that case, in the sixth century. According to the published Martyrology of Donegal,s on this day was venerated, Colman, of Cluain Eraird. In Harris' Ware, we read, that a
before he wrote, the new edition had been observavit Metaphrastes. Multa etiam hujus
pubUshed. '''InhisepistletoPopeHormisdaSjSt.
generis signa in sede D. Virginis Lauretana Ger- exstant. "
** Acta Sanctorum Hiber- formerly noticed at the tombs of holy martyrs. niae," ix, Februarii. Vita S. Furssei, cap.
St. Csecilia's body, Blosius relates this cir- cumstance.
^'^
Desmay says, that during ages preced-
ing his own time, numberless miracles had
been wrought, at the tomb of our saint. So mains of towns and villages near each, many blind persons had been restored to the
use of sight, so many lame to that of walk-
ing, and so many, afllicted with all sorts of
diseases, to a perfect state of health, that if
an exact relation of each particular case were
recorded, the biographer declares, he should
never be able to conclude the Life of our
saint.
manus testifies, that such were *5 See many openings
Colgan's
Even, a short time before Desmay wrote the
Life ot St. P^ursey, the illustrious Cardinal
Paulus Sfrondatus discovered an aperture of
like character A. D, 1599, at the tomb ol St. passage,, Q. 13. Cecilia. In his book, on the discovery of -^^
-•^ See the
and fourth
1 2th of Deceml^er.
* In a note, Dr. Todd says at Rioghnach,
twenty-first chapter, section of the Life, by Desmay.
^* " De qua inter alios veteres Theodoretns libro 8, de curandis Grsec. affect. Idem ad Vitam Danielis Stillitse tmdecima Decembris
xxi. , p. 298.
'**' See i. Kings, chap. vi.
'*' So writes Tostatus Abulensis, on this
at the time of the Council
Especially, of Trent, —
'
who makes " from the number
The writer,
Article v.
this remark, continues,
of these religious foundations, and the re-
arises a fair conclusion, that the population
of Meath, i—n ages far remote, was very con- "
siderable. " Robert Thompson's Statis-
tical Survey of the County of Meath," chap,
i. , sect, i. , p. 4.
=
"The words within brackets are added in the more recent hand. "
s Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 42, 43.
Edited by Rev. Dr.
