Brigid remained here, some
religious
guests came to visit her.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
Lanigan's
February i. ]
LIVES OB THE IRISH SAINTS. 83
the
holy abbess,
" How are
you
able to see the at such a distance ? " fight
The bishop reproved this incredulity for his not recognising the Holy Spirit's illuminating gifts conferred on a virgin, who was blessed both in soul and
body. Then said P^c to our saint
:
" O servant of God, sign our eyes that
we may witness those things thou seest. " The spouse of Christ immediately
complied with this request, so that they clearly observed the battle's progress.
Looking on, in great griet, his disciple cried out to Bishop Ere : "Alas!
also, my Lord, at this moment, my eyes behold the decapitation of two
brothers. " The result of enquiry established the reaHty this vision detailed. -^s
Afterwards, in a certain place, and near a mountain, the holy Bishop Erc^^ and the sanctified virgin Brigid sat down, with their attendants. These
were greatly fatigued after their journey, and they experienced great hunger.
food should confer a great charity on them. St. Brigid then said, I pre- dict, that if food and drink be required, you must wait awhile in expectation of assistance from on high; because, I behold a house, in which they are to-day preparing alms for a certain church. Within an hour it shall come here, and even now it is put up lor us in packages. " While our saint was speaking, refreshment carriers arrived, and when they had learned th'e illustrious Brigid and holy Bishop Ere, with their disciples, were there, those bearers greatly rejoiced to relieve their wants. Alms were presented to the famished
:
travellers, with such words " Receive those refreshments, which God Him-
self hath intended for you, as your wants and merits should be taken into
consideration,beforethoseofanyothercongregation. " GivingGodthanks, our travellers partook of this food presented ; yet, as they only received edibles, some drink was required, likewise, to allay their thirst. Then Brigid told them to dig the earth near this spot. 47 On obeying her order, a springofclearwaterissuedfromtheground. Afterwards,itborethename of St. Brigid's well, and it might be seen at the time our virgin's Third and Fourth Lives had been written. ^^
The holy travellers subsequently visited Magh'Femyn,49 at a time when a great Synod of Saints was there assembled. 5° They were obliged to re- main at that synod. 5"^ The holy Bishop Ere gave an account of those miracles wrought by our saint, while he was assisting at this council. 5» The neighbouring inhabitants, hearing that Brigid was there, brought many infirm persons to her, that she might heal them. Among these were in- cluded some lame, leprous, and demented persons. 53 Such fortunate patients
A youth in their company thereupon remarked, that whoever gave them "
*5Abbate D. Giacomo Certani has a la- boured account of the foregoing incidents. See "La Santita Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibemese," libro quinto, pp. 362 to 368.
544.
5° We appear to have no other historical
notices regarding this synod preserved. It does not occur in the List of Councils, con- tained in Sir Harris Nicolas' "Chronology of History," pp. 21210269.
S' See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an Irish Priest, chap, iv. , p. 51.
s^ Near Fethart, in the county of Tipper- ary, there is a Kilbride ; but, it is not known to have been erected by St. Brigid, or to
4^ In the Third Life of St. Brigid, the *'
words Bronus Episcopus" are introduced erroneously, as is evident Irom the context.
*i See D. Giacomo Certani's " La Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibemese," libro quinto, pp. 368, 369.
"See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " indicate the site of any residence, which Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii. , cap. xlii. , had ever any connexion with her, and which xliii. , pp. 556, 557. Also, Vita Tertia S. existed in the neighbourhood. See Dr.
"
Brigidae, cap. Ixxi. , pp. 535, 536. Ibid. Lanigan's
*^ Otherwise, Magh-Femhin, or "the land," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sec. iv. , and nn.
plain of Femhin," winch is a celebrated and extensivelevelintheterritoryoltheDecies
51, 52, pp. 389, 390. 53See"LaSantitkProdigiosa. Vitadi
S. Brigida Ibemese," libro quinto, pp. 369 to 373.
"
turga. " Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, n 45, p.
inMunster. See Colgan's
Trias Thauma-
Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
84 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
were released from their several afflictions, through Divine assistance, and the prayers of our merciful saint. 54
After this, Brigid went to a place, adjoining the sea, and at no great distance from that house in which Bishop Ere then dwelt. ss Here she remained for a long time, with her companions. s^ An anchoret lived not far from them. He was a most devout and perfect man. Wishing to avoid all female society, he sought a desert place for his habitation, and directed his course to an island. s7 While on his way thither, he came near a cell, in which
:
St. Brigid lodged. The disciples of the anchoret said to him " O Father,
let us visit holy Brigid, that she may bless us. " The anchoret replied: " My children, you know already my vow to visit no woman. ^ss Then
continuing their course, they recollected, in the evening when they had reached a hospice, that some of their luggage had been left behind. It was
generally supposed, this loss of their effects occurred, through their neglect of visiting our saint to receive her blessing, and they resolved to fast that night, in atonement for their fault. After these religious men had taken their departure, St. Brigid was inspired to address the following words to her
:
nuns "GoandbringhitherthepropertyofGod'sservants,andwhichhas
been left behind on the road near to us. " On the following morning, the monks went back to Brigid, and found their effects in her safe keeping. The holy anchoret and his disciples remained three days and as many nights, near to where she lived. All offered joint prayers to Heaven. God's holy word59 was preached, likewise, during this visit.
Those devout men afterwards prosecuted their course, and St. Brigid comphedwiththeirwishes,byaccompanyingthemoneday'sjourney. . Our pious virgin had compassion on those disciples of the anchoret, for she saw their burdens were too heavy. Beholding two horses descend towards her from a neighbouring mountain, she ordered their baggage to be placed on these animals. When the end of that day's journey had been accomplished, Brigid wished the return of those horses to their owners. Her desire was accomplished, although none of the company knew whence they came, or to whom they belonged. Parting with those religious men, St. Brigid bestowed her benediction on them. Afterwards, she returned towards her cell. When that anchoret came to the island of his selection, a man who had previous possession entered it, with his wife, sons, daughters, and servants. ^
5* " Trias Vita Colgan's Thaumaturga. "
Quarta S. Brigidfe, lib. ii. , cap. xliv,, p. 557. Also, Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. Ixxii. , p. 536. Ibid.
55 Dr. Lanigan says the place is now known as Kilbride, near Tramore, Waterford County. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sec. iv. , and n. 54, pp. 390, 391.
sible that it have been a conjecture, might
St. Killian, whose festival occurs on the 3rd of March, and who dwelt in the island of Inisdoimle, within the bounds of Munster. Perhaps it was St. Barrindus, or Bairrfinn, who is venerated on the 30th of January, in
"
Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Tertia S. Brigidas, n. 47, p. 544.
58 See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "La
5^ The Third Life of our saint says, that
she remained here for some years. Colgan
thinks, this place where she lived must have
been a church, called Killbrighde, or St.
Brigid's cell, in Kill-medain Deanery. This
place is to be found in a catalogue of Ixxiii. , p. 536. Ibid.
churches, belonging to the Waterford dio- cese. See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. Ixxiii. , and n. 46, pp. 536, 544.
57 Colgan is unable to identify the particu- lar anchorite, who is said here to have lived in this Munster island. He hazards a pos-
^See this account amplified and em-
bellished with illustrative observations, ac-
cording to his usual pedantic style of quot- ing classical and sacred writings, in Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's " La Santiti Prodi- giosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibemese," librg quinto, pp. 378 to 385.
the same place. See
SantitiProdigiosa. VitadiS. BrigidaIber-
nese," libro quinto, p. 375.
*' Trias Thaumaturga. "
S9 See
Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii. , cap. xlv. , p. 557. Also, Vita Tertia S. Brigidse, cap.
Colgan's
\
Some cattle, also, he wished should graze there during the summer season.
The holy anchoret, who had so much desired separation from worldlings, besought this man to leave the place. To such a request, the latter would not accede, saying that he held this island as a portion of his paternal in- heritance. The anchoret then sent for St. Brigid, to exert her influence in his behalf; and, when the holy virgin came to the place, she vainly pleaded with the proprietor to relinquish his claim. On the day following, however, a large eagle came and bore off through air this man's infant son. The proprietor's wife and the child's mother came to St. Brigid. Her interposi-
"
February i. ] Z/FES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 85
tion was sought with tears and lamentations. Our holy virgin said :
for your infant lives. " The eagle brought her child back and left him safely on the shore. The infant's father was still obdurate, and dwelt near the place, which he was unwilling to leave ; but, on the following day. Divine Omnipotence wrought a miracle, which proved the cause of his conversion. The proprietor's heart was now touched, and he repented his former obstinacy. Afterwards, he devoted himself to God and to St. Brigid, pro- mising he would not enter into that island, without the anchoret's permission. ^*
On another day, while St.
Brigid remained here, some religious guests came to visit her. ^^ Our saint gave a fisherman directions to kill seals, and
to proceed out towards the sea, in search of something for her guests. ^3 The fisherman took his lance, or harpoon, which served to capture marine creatures. When he had sailed out to sea, a seal crossed his course. Raising his harpoon, it was driven home into the animal's head, while a rope attached to it remained in the fisherman's hand. Having received a deadly wound,thissealdrewthemarinerandhisbarkouttowardsthedeep. Nor was his course stayed, until the shore of a certain island,'^^ lying far away in the ocean was reached. There the rope was cut, while the mariner reached shore in his boat. That seal, however, with the harpoon fixed in his head, took an opposite direction. It swam in a direct line towards the shore of that place, where St. Brigid dwelt, and there the animal died. The Britons gave the man a currach to return,^5 and, trusting in Divine Providence, as also on St. Brigid's protection, the fisher set out in this frail bark. Through God's blessing, he fortunately reached that port from which he had started, about the sixth hour. ^^ There he found the seal, lying on the sea-shore,^7 and with the lance fastened in him. Entering their house, he gave an ac- count, setting forth those incidents of his voyage, to all the religious in- mates. ^^
^* See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii. , cap. xlvi,, xlvii. , p. 557. Also, VitaTertia S. Brigidse, cap. Ixxiii. , p. 536. Ibid. These circum- stances are related, likewise, with some ad- ditions and changes, in the Sixth Metrical Life of our saint. It is there stated, that the anchoret was a priest, and that he was obliged to sail over in a vessel to the island, when he came to a seaport. That child taken away by the eagle is said to have been the only charge his parents had, and in conse- quence he was , greatly beloved by them. See Vita Sexta S. Brigidse, sees, xx. , xxi. , xxii. , xxiii. , pp. 585, 586. Ibid.
^3 According to Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of St. lirigid, this incident occurred at
Tealagh (Tealuch na Nespoc), in the west
(east? ) of Leinster, where pious nobles, /,^. ,
seven bishops, were her guests, pp. 37, 38. ^^ Possibly the Isle of Man.
^s Such is the account in Professor O'Loo-
ney's Manuscript.
^ In the morning he went across the Bri-
tish sea, and arrived back at mid-day, is stated in Professor O'Looney's Manuscript
^^
See this account as given by Abbate D.
stated in Professor O'Looney's Manuscript. ^''Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii. , cap. xlviii. , p. 557. In the Third Life of our saint, it is said, that the fisherman was dragged by the wounded seal to the British coast, when the
rope was cut by a rock on the sea-shore, See Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. Ixxiv. , p.
"
Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. " Libro Quinto,
pp. 385 to 387. He places the incident here narrated at Kill-Medain.
Giacomo Certani,
La Santita Prodigiosa.
**7
*'
Qf the Leinster sea at this side" is
Weep not,
86 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i,
Aften^^ards, St. Brigid, with her nuns, went towards Cliach plain,^9 in the county of Limerick, and province of Munster. 7° At a certain place there, she remainedforsometime. Duringthisinterim,afugitivefemaleservantcame to her, for she had left a mistress whose bearing was intolerable. However,
following this servant, the mistress intended to bring her back ; but, Brigid,
wishing to procure the captive liberty, besought her manumission. That female slave-owner would not agree to her proposition, as the servant wove
valuable stuffs. The imperious dame, taking her maid by the hand, even proceeded to drag her, with some degree of violence, from the saint's side. Such conduct greatly displeased Brigid, and when the servant had been drawn a certain distance from her, the tyrannical mistress's right hand, which
held the slave, immediately withered. Then sorrowfully the dame wept, finding herself unable to move her hand. On retiring, she repented this violence. She restored her maid to freedom, and at the same time sent her tooursaint. Immediatelyafterwards,thewoman'shandrecovereditsformer
7^ strength.
Referable to the fine early national taste for music and poetry, in alluding to the succeeding incident recorded in St. Brigid's Acts, an agreeable French writer observes, that, as being children of Erin, austere eremites, contem- plative virgins, grave abbots, and venerable bishops, heard with delight the
metallic harp-strings vibrate harmoniously, where such practices were fos- tered. 7' When St. Bridget visited the county of Limerick, she had an inter- view with a chieftain, who lived there in Cliach plain. 73 This district stretched over the country around Knockany, and it embraced in part the
barony of Conagh. 74 St. Brigid had been asked to procure liberty for a certain captive ; but, when she came to the chiefs house for such a purpose, he was not at home. The chief's foster-father and his children, however, were in the house. St. Brigid asked them to play upon harps, which were hanging there, but they told her that the harpers were away. Hereupon, some of Brigid's companions jocularly remarked, they should try their skill, as the saint would bless their hands, and enable them to play, if they only
"
attempted it. Then, the chief's foster-father, with his sons, said,
God's saint bestow her blessing to enable us to harp for her. " Brigid gave her benediction to those, who were ignorant of musical art or notes. Then they played with all the skill of trained harpers. While thus engaged, the chief returned towards his house. Approaching it, he asked who had produced this music he heard. When told it was his foster-father, with his sons,andatSt. Brigid'scommand,thechiefwasamazed. 75 Henextasked a blessing from their illustrious visitor. This she promised to bestow, pro- vided he would liberate the captive. With her request he complied. The foster-father and his sons followed the profession of harpers to the very day
536, Ibid.
^Colgan says, this appears to be the plain in Momonia which stretches around Cnoc Aine mountain, for the district in which it rises is called Aine-Cliach. See "Trias Thaumaturga," Vita Tertia S. Bri- gidse, n. 48, p. 544.
7° It is amusing to read in D. Giacomo Certani, this place called Aine Chiac, under themountainofCrocAine. See"LaSan- tit^ Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Iber- nese. " LibroQuinto,pp. 387,388.
7' See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Quarta Vita S. Biigidae, lib. ii. , cap. xlix. , p. ^57. Also, Vita Tertia S. Brigidye, cap.
Ixxv. , p. 536, ibid.
72 See L. Tachet de Bameval's
*'
Histoire L^gendaire de I'lrlande," chap, viii. , pp.
79, 80.
^3 it jg called Aracliach by the writers of
our Irish chronicles. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," Jan. iii. , p. 13, n.
4,
"
74 See Dr. Lanigan's
Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. , § iv. , and n. 55, pp. 390, 391, and chap, vi. , §
viii. , p. 287, ibid.
75 See D. Giacomo Certani's " La Santiti
Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. " Libro Quinto, pp. 392 to 395.
May
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 87
of their death. In after times, their posterity even became esteemed as the
bards of kings. 7^
At another time, two lepers visited Brigid, and entreated her to cleanse
them from their leprosy. Then praying to God, the saint blessed some water, in which she told these lepers they should wash each other. 77 While one washed his companion, this latter was freed from his leprosy. Clean garments were then put upon him. The virgin afterwards said to the re- stored man, " Do you, in like manner, wash your companion. " Finding that he was cleansed and had clean garments, the person addressed felt pleased at his good fortune ; but, he had a great repugnance to touch his afflicted fellow-man. Our saint observed, he should do for his neighbour, Avhat he wished the latter to do for him ; yet, still he objected and absolutely refused. Then Brigid, rising up, washed that leper with her own hands, until he was cleansed. Afterwards, she had him clothed with clean gar-
"
ments. He who had been first healed then said, Just now, I feel sparks
of fire settling on my shoulders. " Immediately his whole body was covered
anew with leprosy, as a punishment for his pride or want of charity. Thus
was fulfilled that
Scripture sentence,
" He who exalteth himself shall be
humbled and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. "78 The restored ;
man rejoiced and gave thanks to God, who had healed him, through Brigid's transcendent merits. 79
Two other lepers seeking alms came to the charitable abbess. But, she had nothing to give at the time, save a cow, and this she offered for division between them. One gave thanks to God for her gift ; but the other, who
was proud and ungrateful, said, unless the whole cow were bestowed, he should not receive that part of it, which might fall to his lot. ^° Then our
saint addressed the humble " Do leper :
you
wait awhile with
me,
until the
Lord send us something, and let the other man have this cow to himself. "
The covetous man departed with the animal, but after awhile he found him-
self unable to drive it. At length, wearied with such vain efforts, he re-
turned to St. Brigid. He even insulted her with reproaches, conveyed in
"
these terms :
I could not urge the animal forward, because you have not
given her, with a willing mind, besides you are too exacting and severe. " The abbess endeavoured to appease him, but she could not succeed. This
conduct, so perfectly unjustifiable, much displeased her. At length, she
said to the insolent " Thou art a son of fellow,
perdition,
now become docile, yet this shall not profit you in the least. " At that
very moment, a man presented himself with a cow, which he destined as an
offering for St. Brigid. This gift, however, our virgin handed over to the good leper. Then both lepers drove their respective cows towards a river. ^' Here the unthankful man was drowned, nor was his body afterwards re-
covered. The humble leper safely escaped from danger, and brought his cow with him. ^^
7^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Tertia Vita S. Brigidae, cap. Ixxvi. , pp. 536, 537. Quarta Vita S. Brigidse, lib. ii. , cap. l-j PP- 557> 558, ibid.
77 This account is contained in Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "La Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S.
February i. ]
LIVES OB THE IRISH SAINTS. 83
the
holy abbess,
" How are
you
able to see the at such a distance ? " fight
The bishop reproved this incredulity for his not recognising the Holy Spirit's illuminating gifts conferred on a virgin, who was blessed both in soul and
body. Then said P^c to our saint
:
" O servant of God, sign our eyes that
we may witness those things thou seest. " The spouse of Christ immediately
complied with this request, so that they clearly observed the battle's progress.
Looking on, in great griet, his disciple cried out to Bishop Ere : "Alas!
also, my Lord, at this moment, my eyes behold the decapitation of two
brothers. " The result of enquiry established the reaHty this vision detailed. -^s
Afterwards, in a certain place, and near a mountain, the holy Bishop Erc^^ and the sanctified virgin Brigid sat down, with their attendants. These
were greatly fatigued after their journey, and they experienced great hunger.
food should confer a great charity on them. St. Brigid then said, I pre- dict, that if food and drink be required, you must wait awhile in expectation of assistance from on high; because, I behold a house, in which they are to-day preparing alms for a certain church. Within an hour it shall come here, and even now it is put up lor us in packages. " While our saint was speaking, refreshment carriers arrived, and when they had learned th'e illustrious Brigid and holy Bishop Ere, with their disciples, were there, those bearers greatly rejoiced to relieve their wants. Alms were presented to the famished
:
travellers, with such words " Receive those refreshments, which God Him-
self hath intended for you, as your wants and merits should be taken into
consideration,beforethoseofanyothercongregation. " GivingGodthanks, our travellers partook of this food presented ; yet, as they only received edibles, some drink was required, likewise, to allay their thirst. Then Brigid told them to dig the earth near this spot. 47 On obeying her order, a springofclearwaterissuedfromtheground. Afterwards,itborethename of St. Brigid's well, and it might be seen at the time our virgin's Third and Fourth Lives had been written. ^^
The holy travellers subsequently visited Magh'Femyn,49 at a time when a great Synod of Saints was there assembled. 5° They were obliged to re- main at that synod. 5"^ The holy Bishop Ere gave an account of those miracles wrought by our saint, while he was assisting at this council. 5» The neighbouring inhabitants, hearing that Brigid was there, brought many infirm persons to her, that she might heal them. Among these were in- cluded some lame, leprous, and demented persons. 53 Such fortunate patients
A youth in their company thereupon remarked, that whoever gave them "
*5Abbate D. Giacomo Certani has a la- boured account of the foregoing incidents. See "La Santita Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibemese," libro quinto, pp. 362 to 368.
544.
5° We appear to have no other historical
notices regarding this synod preserved. It does not occur in the List of Councils, con- tained in Sir Harris Nicolas' "Chronology of History," pp. 21210269.
S' See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an Irish Priest, chap, iv. , p. 51.
s^ Near Fethart, in the county of Tipper- ary, there is a Kilbride ; but, it is not known to have been erected by St. Brigid, or to
4^ In the Third Life of St. Brigid, the *'
words Bronus Episcopus" are introduced erroneously, as is evident Irom the context.
*i See D. Giacomo Certani's " La Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibemese," libro quinto, pp. 368, 369.
"See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " indicate the site of any residence, which Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii. , cap. xlii. , had ever any connexion with her, and which xliii. , pp. 556, 557. Also, Vita Tertia S. existed in the neighbourhood. See Dr.
"
Brigidae, cap. Ixxi. , pp. 535, 536. Ibid. Lanigan's
*^ Otherwise, Magh-Femhin, or "the land," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sec. iv. , and nn.
plain of Femhin," winch is a celebrated and extensivelevelintheterritoryoltheDecies
51, 52, pp. 389, 390. 53See"LaSantitkProdigiosa. Vitadi
S. Brigida Ibemese," libro quinto, pp. 369 to 373.
"
turga. " Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, n 45, p.
inMunster. See Colgan's
Trias Thauma-
Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
84 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
were released from their several afflictions, through Divine assistance, and the prayers of our merciful saint. 54
After this, Brigid went to a place, adjoining the sea, and at no great distance from that house in which Bishop Ere then dwelt. ss Here she remained for a long time, with her companions. s^ An anchoret lived not far from them. He was a most devout and perfect man. Wishing to avoid all female society, he sought a desert place for his habitation, and directed his course to an island. s7 While on his way thither, he came near a cell, in which
:
St. Brigid lodged. The disciples of the anchoret said to him " O Father,
let us visit holy Brigid, that she may bless us. " The anchoret replied: " My children, you know already my vow to visit no woman. ^ss Then
continuing their course, they recollected, in the evening when they had reached a hospice, that some of their luggage had been left behind. It was
generally supposed, this loss of their effects occurred, through their neglect of visiting our saint to receive her blessing, and they resolved to fast that night, in atonement for their fault. After these religious men had taken their departure, St. Brigid was inspired to address the following words to her
:
nuns "GoandbringhitherthepropertyofGod'sservants,andwhichhas
been left behind on the road near to us. " On the following morning, the monks went back to Brigid, and found their effects in her safe keeping. The holy anchoret and his disciples remained three days and as many nights, near to where she lived. All offered joint prayers to Heaven. God's holy word59 was preached, likewise, during this visit.
Those devout men afterwards prosecuted their course, and St. Brigid comphedwiththeirwishes,byaccompanyingthemoneday'sjourney. . Our pious virgin had compassion on those disciples of the anchoret, for she saw their burdens were too heavy. Beholding two horses descend towards her from a neighbouring mountain, she ordered their baggage to be placed on these animals. When the end of that day's journey had been accomplished, Brigid wished the return of those horses to their owners. Her desire was accomplished, although none of the company knew whence they came, or to whom they belonged. Parting with those religious men, St. Brigid bestowed her benediction on them. Afterwards, she returned towards her cell. When that anchoret came to the island of his selection, a man who had previous possession entered it, with his wife, sons, daughters, and servants. ^
5* " Trias Vita Colgan's Thaumaturga. "
Quarta S. Brigidfe, lib. ii. , cap. xliv,, p. 557. Also, Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. Ixxii. , p. 536. Ibid.
55 Dr. Lanigan says the place is now known as Kilbride, near Tramore, Waterford County. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sec. iv. , and n. 54, pp. 390, 391.
sible that it have been a conjecture, might
St. Killian, whose festival occurs on the 3rd of March, and who dwelt in the island of Inisdoimle, within the bounds of Munster. Perhaps it was St. Barrindus, or Bairrfinn, who is venerated on the 30th of January, in
"
Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Tertia S. Brigidas, n. 47, p. 544.
58 See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "La
5^ The Third Life of our saint says, that
she remained here for some years. Colgan
thinks, this place where she lived must have
been a church, called Killbrighde, or St.
Brigid's cell, in Kill-medain Deanery. This
place is to be found in a catalogue of Ixxiii. , p. 536. Ibid.
churches, belonging to the Waterford dio- cese. See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. Ixxiii. , and n. 46, pp. 536, 544.
57 Colgan is unable to identify the particu- lar anchorite, who is said here to have lived in this Munster island. He hazards a pos-
^See this account amplified and em-
bellished with illustrative observations, ac-
cording to his usual pedantic style of quot- ing classical and sacred writings, in Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's " La Santiti Prodi- giosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibemese," librg quinto, pp. 378 to 385.
the same place. See
SantitiProdigiosa. VitadiS. BrigidaIber-
nese," libro quinto, p. 375.
*' Trias Thaumaturga. "
S9 See
Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii. , cap. xlv. , p. 557. Also, Vita Tertia S. Brigidse, cap.
Colgan's
\
Some cattle, also, he wished should graze there during the summer season.
The holy anchoret, who had so much desired separation from worldlings, besought this man to leave the place. To such a request, the latter would not accede, saying that he held this island as a portion of his paternal in- heritance. The anchoret then sent for St. Brigid, to exert her influence in his behalf; and, when the holy virgin came to the place, she vainly pleaded with the proprietor to relinquish his claim. On the day following, however, a large eagle came and bore off through air this man's infant son. The proprietor's wife and the child's mother came to St. Brigid. Her interposi-
"
February i. ] Z/FES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 85
tion was sought with tears and lamentations. Our holy virgin said :
for your infant lives. " The eagle brought her child back and left him safely on the shore. The infant's father was still obdurate, and dwelt near the place, which he was unwilling to leave ; but, on the following day. Divine Omnipotence wrought a miracle, which proved the cause of his conversion. The proprietor's heart was now touched, and he repented his former obstinacy. Afterwards, he devoted himself to God and to St. Brigid, pro- mising he would not enter into that island, without the anchoret's permission. ^*
On another day, while St.
Brigid remained here, some religious guests came to visit her. ^^ Our saint gave a fisherman directions to kill seals, and
to proceed out towards the sea, in search of something for her guests. ^3 The fisherman took his lance, or harpoon, which served to capture marine creatures. When he had sailed out to sea, a seal crossed his course. Raising his harpoon, it was driven home into the animal's head, while a rope attached to it remained in the fisherman's hand. Having received a deadly wound,thissealdrewthemarinerandhisbarkouttowardsthedeep. Nor was his course stayed, until the shore of a certain island,'^^ lying far away in the ocean was reached. There the rope was cut, while the mariner reached shore in his boat. That seal, however, with the harpoon fixed in his head, took an opposite direction. It swam in a direct line towards the shore of that place, where St. Brigid dwelt, and there the animal died. The Britons gave the man a currach to return,^5 and, trusting in Divine Providence, as also on St. Brigid's protection, the fisher set out in this frail bark. Through God's blessing, he fortunately reached that port from which he had started, about the sixth hour. ^^ There he found the seal, lying on the sea-shore,^7 and with the lance fastened in him. Entering their house, he gave an ac- count, setting forth those incidents of his voyage, to all the religious in- mates. ^^
^* See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii. , cap. xlvi,, xlvii. , p. 557. Also, VitaTertia S. Brigidse, cap. Ixxiii. , p. 536. Ibid. These circum- stances are related, likewise, with some ad- ditions and changes, in the Sixth Metrical Life of our saint. It is there stated, that the anchoret was a priest, and that he was obliged to sail over in a vessel to the island, when he came to a seaport. That child taken away by the eagle is said to have been the only charge his parents had, and in conse- quence he was , greatly beloved by them. See Vita Sexta S. Brigidse, sees, xx. , xxi. , xxii. , xxiii. , pp. 585, 586. Ibid.
^3 According to Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of St. lirigid, this incident occurred at
Tealagh (Tealuch na Nespoc), in the west
(east? ) of Leinster, where pious nobles, /,^. ,
seven bishops, were her guests, pp. 37, 38. ^^ Possibly the Isle of Man.
^s Such is the account in Professor O'Loo-
ney's Manuscript.
^ In the morning he went across the Bri-
tish sea, and arrived back at mid-day, is stated in Professor O'Looney's Manuscript
^^
See this account as given by Abbate D.
stated in Professor O'Looney's Manuscript. ^''Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii. , cap. xlviii. , p. 557. In the Third Life of our saint, it is said, that the fisherman was dragged by the wounded seal to the British coast, when the
rope was cut by a rock on the sea-shore, See Vita Tertia S. Brigidae, cap. Ixxiv. , p.
"
Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. " Libro Quinto,
pp. 385 to 387. He places the incident here narrated at Kill-Medain.
Giacomo Certani,
La Santita Prodigiosa.
**7
*'
Qf the Leinster sea at this side" is
Weep not,
86 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i,
Aften^^ards, St. Brigid, with her nuns, went towards Cliach plain,^9 in the county of Limerick, and province of Munster. 7° At a certain place there, she remainedforsometime. Duringthisinterim,afugitivefemaleservantcame to her, for she had left a mistress whose bearing was intolerable. However,
following this servant, the mistress intended to bring her back ; but, Brigid,
wishing to procure the captive liberty, besought her manumission. That female slave-owner would not agree to her proposition, as the servant wove
valuable stuffs. The imperious dame, taking her maid by the hand, even proceeded to drag her, with some degree of violence, from the saint's side. Such conduct greatly displeased Brigid, and when the servant had been drawn a certain distance from her, the tyrannical mistress's right hand, which
held the slave, immediately withered. Then sorrowfully the dame wept, finding herself unable to move her hand. On retiring, she repented this violence. She restored her maid to freedom, and at the same time sent her tooursaint. Immediatelyafterwards,thewoman'shandrecovereditsformer
7^ strength.
Referable to the fine early national taste for music and poetry, in alluding to the succeeding incident recorded in St. Brigid's Acts, an agreeable French writer observes, that, as being children of Erin, austere eremites, contem- plative virgins, grave abbots, and venerable bishops, heard with delight the
metallic harp-strings vibrate harmoniously, where such practices were fos- tered. 7' When St. Bridget visited the county of Limerick, she had an inter- view with a chieftain, who lived there in Cliach plain. 73 This district stretched over the country around Knockany, and it embraced in part the
barony of Conagh. 74 St. Brigid had been asked to procure liberty for a certain captive ; but, when she came to the chiefs house for such a purpose, he was not at home. The chief's foster-father and his children, however, were in the house. St. Brigid asked them to play upon harps, which were hanging there, but they told her that the harpers were away. Hereupon, some of Brigid's companions jocularly remarked, they should try their skill, as the saint would bless their hands, and enable them to play, if they only
"
attempted it. Then, the chief's foster-father, with his sons, said,
God's saint bestow her blessing to enable us to harp for her. " Brigid gave her benediction to those, who were ignorant of musical art or notes. Then they played with all the skill of trained harpers. While thus engaged, the chief returned towards his house. Approaching it, he asked who had produced this music he heard. When told it was his foster-father, with his sons,andatSt. Brigid'scommand,thechiefwasamazed. 75 Henextasked a blessing from their illustrious visitor. This she promised to bestow, pro- vided he would liberate the captive. With her request he complied. The foster-father and his sons followed the profession of harpers to the very day
536, Ibid.
^Colgan says, this appears to be the plain in Momonia which stretches around Cnoc Aine mountain, for the district in which it rises is called Aine-Cliach. See "Trias Thaumaturga," Vita Tertia S. Bri- gidse, n. 48, p. 544.
7° It is amusing to read in D. Giacomo Certani, this place called Aine Chiac, under themountainofCrocAine. See"LaSan- tit^ Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Iber- nese. " LibroQuinto,pp. 387,388.
7' See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Quarta Vita S. Biigidae, lib. ii. , cap. xlix. , p. ^57. Also, Vita Tertia S. Brigidye, cap.
Ixxv. , p. 536, ibid.
72 See L. Tachet de Bameval's
*'
Histoire L^gendaire de I'lrlande," chap, viii. , pp.
79, 80.
^3 it jg called Aracliach by the writers of
our Irish chronicles. See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," Jan. iii. , p. 13, n.
4,
"
74 See Dr. Lanigan's
Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. , § iv. , and n. 55, pp. 390, 391, and chap, vi. , §
viii. , p. 287, ibid.
75 See D. Giacomo Certani's " La Santiti
Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. " Libro Quinto, pp. 392 to 395.
May
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 87
of their death. In after times, their posterity even became esteemed as the
bards of kings. 7^
At another time, two lepers visited Brigid, and entreated her to cleanse
them from their leprosy. Then praying to God, the saint blessed some water, in which she told these lepers they should wash each other. 77 While one washed his companion, this latter was freed from his leprosy. Clean garments were then put upon him. The virgin afterwards said to the re- stored man, " Do you, in like manner, wash your companion. " Finding that he was cleansed and had clean garments, the person addressed felt pleased at his good fortune ; but, he had a great repugnance to touch his afflicted fellow-man. Our saint observed, he should do for his neighbour, Avhat he wished the latter to do for him ; yet, still he objected and absolutely refused. Then Brigid, rising up, washed that leper with her own hands, until he was cleansed. Afterwards, she had him clothed with clean gar-
"
ments. He who had been first healed then said, Just now, I feel sparks
of fire settling on my shoulders. " Immediately his whole body was covered
anew with leprosy, as a punishment for his pride or want of charity. Thus
was fulfilled that
Scripture sentence,
" He who exalteth himself shall be
humbled and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. "78 The restored ;
man rejoiced and gave thanks to God, who had healed him, through Brigid's transcendent merits. 79
Two other lepers seeking alms came to the charitable abbess. But, she had nothing to give at the time, save a cow, and this she offered for division between them. One gave thanks to God for her gift ; but the other, who
was proud and ungrateful, said, unless the whole cow were bestowed, he should not receive that part of it, which might fall to his lot. ^° Then our
saint addressed the humble " Do leper :
you
wait awhile with
me,
until the
Lord send us something, and let the other man have this cow to himself. "
The covetous man departed with the animal, but after awhile he found him-
self unable to drive it. At length, wearied with such vain efforts, he re-
turned to St. Brigid. He even insulted her with reproaches, conveyed in
"
these terms :
I could not urge the animal forward, because you have not
given her, with a willing mind, besides you are too exacting and severe. " The abbess endeavoured to appease him, but she could not succeed. This
conduct, so perfectly unjustifiable, much displeased her. At length, she
said to the insolent " Thou art a son of fellow,
perdition,
now become docile, yet this shall not profit you in the least. " At that
very moment, a man presented himself with a cow, which he destined as an
offering for St. Brigid. This gift, however, our virgin handed over to the good leper. Then both lepers drove their respective cows towards a river. ^' Here the unthankful man was drowned, nor was his body afterwards re-
covered. The humble leper safely escaped from danger, and brought his cow with him. ^^
7^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Tertia Vita S. Brigidae, cap. Ixxvi. , pp. 536, 537. Quarta Vita S. Brigidse, lib. ii. , cap. l-j PP- 557> 558, ibid.
77 This account is contained in Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "La Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S.
