In
extruxit
suam St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
94, p.
458.
Ecclesiastical His* tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, ix,, sect, vi. ,
174 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
our saint presided over numerous holy communities of men and women, yet comparatively few of her disciples are mentioned by name.
Like those holy ones mentioned in the Apocalypse,4° we learn from the different Acts of St. Brigid, already cited, that our saint assumed a white veil, while she wore a white cloak or dress. 4^ These garments, likewise, must have been the distinguishing habit of her nuns. In view of such well- attested distinction, it seems unaccountable, that the Order of Brigitines, established in the Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin, during the present century, and assuming our holy abbess as their great patroness, should use a black dress, for a characteristic of their conventual life.
The illustrious Patroness of Kildare gave a Rule to her nuns ; and thus, she is justly numbered among the founders of religious orders. ^^ The Life of Ciaran of Clonmacnoise states,'^3 that the Order of Brighit was one of the eight religious orders, that were in Erinn. 44 It is to be regretted, that we cannot now recover the Rules of this order, which doubtless must have been repletewithwisdom. Variousaccounts,containedinformerreligiousrules established in Ireland, are interesting, as serving to convey an idea of ancient conventual or monastic modes for Hving. '+s It is thought, even although St. BrigidmighthaveembracedaRule,existingbeforehertime; yet,itmay have been altogether changed, or greatly modified, as she is believed to have written a special Rule^^ and to have established a particular institute for holy womenin Ireland. +7
The poor and the destitute are the chosen friends of Christ. Our Divine Redeemer has declared, that He will accept and reward hereafter, as done unto Himself, whatsoever we do to the lowliest among them. St. Brigid sawtheimageofChristreflectedineverysufferingwaifofhumanity. By charity, our Divine Lord wishes His disciples to be known, and He tells us, that at the last accounting day, He shall cast from among His children those, who, during life, refuse to hear the prayers of God's poor. The tender soul and compassionate disposition of our abbess were ever sympathetic to the cry of supplication or distress. Only her own spirit or the angel of God could record Brigid's many miracles. -^^ Her Sixth Metrical Life contains an account, concerning these following miracles, not found related in the holy woman's other Lives. A shepherd boy, who had lost some sheep, or swine, belonging to his father, feared displeasure. He besought our saint to inter- cede for him, and to obtain a pardon for his neglect. This she undertook to accomplish, and, in addition, she miraculously procured the restoration of thatfullnumberofanimals,whichhadbeenmissing. 49 Whilesheprayedin
Breac," contains a Rule of the Cele De or CuldeesfromModruain. Thexxii. vol. of O'Longan MSB. in the R. I. A. contains three anonymous Quatrains, in the second
et pallio albo. "
Noct. sec. lect. v. Die I. Februarii. habits of the Ceile t)e, or Culdee order, p.
*° See Apoc. iv. , 4. *'Atthetimeofher
religious reception or profession, it is stated, that the prelate who officiated "induit illam veste Candida
—"
Officium S. Brigidae. "
of which there
is a curious reference to the
*'Breviarium Romanum. " Pars Hiemalis. Supplementum pro Clero Hibemico.
322.
* This is stated, in the Acts of St. Kiaran,
Abbot of Clonmacnoise.
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidae, cap. x. , p. 620.
^^ Such is a statement, lound in Professor
O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, pp.
47, 48.
« See the Bollandists' "Acta Sancto-
rum," tomus i. , Februarii die i. Vita iii. S. Brigidce, cap. i. , sec. 6, p. 142.
*'
See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of
the vol. Saints,"
*''
*3
ii. , February ist, p. 17. Chapter xlvii. is quoted. It is stated
in this Life
«'
Prima regula fuit S. Patricii,
Secunda S. Brigidae, Tertia S. Brendani,"
&c. Vita S. Kierani Cluanensis, cap. xxvi. <^ See Drs. Todd's and Reeves' "Mar-
tyrologyof Donegal, "pp. 36, 37.
•^sThe large folio vellum MS. in the R. I. A. , No. 40, b, known as the " Leabhar
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 175
the church, at another time, a multitude of poor persons came to her asking
for food. Among the rest, she saw a boy, who was deaf, dumb and lame.
At a word, spoken by the compassionate virgin, he felt relieved from his
three^several privations, to the great admiration of a multitude present. 5° A
woman, greatly prostrated with dropsy, besought the charity of our saint, to relieve her from this distressing infirmity. Brigid made a sign of the cross
over her ; the swelling immediately decreased, and the patient was restored to a perfectly sound state of health. s^
Like that peerless Mother of our Lord, to whom she has been compared, Brigid was beautiful with the beauty of Heaven and earth mingled together, with eyes sweet and dove-like, and with a countenance most soft and pure. She was both lovely to see, as well as perfect, in heart and in soul. s^ Nor did the lapse of years steal away any single grace or charm, for her heart and feelings were ever freshened with religious inspiration. The biographers of this illustrious saint are unmeasured in terms, used to describe her virtues andmerits; but,theydonotexaggerateherpraises,howevertheymaydilate on various miracles, attributed to her powerful intercession. We are told, how this wondrous pearl of virginity neither deflected to the right or left, but alwayspursuedajustandvirtuouscourse. Sheneverspokewithoutblushing, asignofhergreatmodesty. 53 Sheneveryieldedtocarnalillusions; forno person could be more chaste and continent. 54 She considered her prestige andvirtuestohavebeengiftscomingfromDivineProvidence. Sheexamined her acquirements and merits, according to those severe judgments, pro- nounced by a mind, filled with prudence and true faith ; while, she took little heed of popular applause or flattery. She considered ill-regulated public
opinion and mere human praise, as tending only to produce vanity and selfishness, or as savouring of a worldly spirit. Her whole desires consisted in not appearing to be holy, while she aspired to the most exalted degree of
sanctity. And,asBrigideverwilledamostperfectconformitytothedecrees of Heaven, so did Divine mercy bestow on her countless treasures of grace ;
for, according to Holy Scripture, to every one possessing them shall yet be given, and they shall abound, while to those wanting them, what they seem topossessshallbetakenaway. ss SoexcellentdidBrigidappearinthesight
5° See ibid. , sec. 8.
5* See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Sexta S. Brigidse, sees, vi. , viii. , xxix. , PP- 583, 588. Two additional miracles, for which I do not find a corresponding autho- rity, are thus related in Vita Prima S. Bri- gidae, sees, xiii. , xlii. , pp. 515, 516, 517, ibid.
** Prima vice, qua missa est
Tempore vemo in curru vimineo,
Nivem per tempestatem agitat ventus J Glinndalachse sustinuit crucem ;
Ita ut repererit requiem post tribula* tiones. "—Sec. xi. , ibid.
Colgan observes, in a note, as St. Coemgen died A. d. 617, according to the "Annals of the Four Masters," that it should follow, matters here related concerning him must have happened before his death. See n. 6, p. S^^j ^^^^'
s^ See that most elegantly illuminated, exquisitely written, and devout narrative,
"
Prince and Saviour : the story of Jesus simply told for the Young," by Rosa Mulholland, pp. 13, 14- New and enlarged edition, Dublin :
M'Glashan and Gill, 1876, i2mo.
S3 See Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of
St. Brigid, pp. 41, 42.
S4 See ibid. This Life also remarks, that
she never washed her hands, or her feet, or her head in the presence of men.
Nihil diminuit de
Nee diminuit ejus substantiam.
•' Tradiditliquoremseulaecuidamrustico, Quando erat necesse,
In the same tract, we find the following
lines, which do not admit of easy explana^ tion :
Et
est nee crescere Nee quidquam diminui. '*
repertum
" Accesserat ad pralium Coemginus Celebris
ss St. Matt. xxV. , 29.
prosperitate hospitis,
by a gifted lady, intituled,
176 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
of God, that He was pleased to manifest her sanctity by the performance of most renowned miracles, s^ These are abundantly instanced, throughout her
acts. Whenever liberality is hoped for, it will usually be fully tested ; and, an opinion of unrestricted and active charity must inevitably draw together
needy and afflicted, towards benevolently-disposed persons. Hence, it happened, that so many poor and infirm individuals flocked to St. Brigid, not only from her own locality, but from most distant places. Those were allured by a report of her virtues and charities, while, they hoped relief under privation from their various distresses. When our saint had satisfied the wants of one pauper, she was ready to perform a like charitable office for a petitionersucceeding; whilethesamegenerousdispositionwasmanifested towards all, without personal favour or exception. However her bounty had been extended to the whole flock, notwithstanding her charity was still moderated, according to various necessities ; she gave abundantly to those most in need, more restrictedly to those in middling circumstances, and a little was only distributed to those needing little. Yet, no gift of hers could be considered small, when her hands administered relief, and her warm heart became the prompter of her largesses. S7 Again, she was very humble, and she attended or was accustomed to the herding of sheep, as an occupation, and to early risingjS^ as conducive to health. This her life proves, and Cuimin of Coindeire states, in his poem,s9 referring to her great perfections. She spent indeed many years, diligently serving the Lord, performing signs and miracles, curing every disease and sickness. Her vigils were incessant, and she watched over those subjects committed to her charge, with extra- ordinary care and tenderness. Her numerous miracles are compared to the grass of the field, because it grows in such abundance, by one of her many eulogists. Those wonders, recorded in her various Acts, would seem to confirm such a statement. ^° She is specially ranked among the friends^' and
5^ See "Breviarium Romanum. " Pars Hiemalis. Officia Propria Hiberniae Sane- torum, quae a Clero Hibernico recitantur. Die i. Februarii. Officium S. Brigidse. Noct. sec. lect. vi.
Hennessy's copy of the Donegal Martyrology, most obligingly lent to the writer, by its learned owner.
S9 This begins with " Patrick of the fort of Macha loved," &c. Thus he says :—
" The blessed loved Brighit
57 See
Colgan's
"Trias " Thaumaturga.
Vita
PP- 576, 5^0-
Vita Prima S. Brigida;, sees, v. , vi. , vii. ,
S.
p. 515, her panegyric is thus pronounced
Quinta
Brigidie, cap. xxxviii,, liii. , Ij^ ^he Latin version of the
*• Non erat cum
hospitibus aspera ;
Hospitality towards men of virtues. "
*° See the " of Martyrology Donegal,'*
**
"
Non erat armentaria montana :
Nata est in medio campo ;
Bona est scala populis,
Ad intrandum in regnum filii Mariae.
Prseclara erat Preeclarus concentus
"
Bridget of the benedictions loved Perpetual mortification beyond woman*
hood.
Watching and early rising, Hospitality to saintly men,"
58
*•
tibus. "
See Mac Firbiss' List of Bishops' Sees,
Calendar of Irish Saints," p. 161. A somewhat different Latin translation is given for the foregoing lines, by Colgan, at p. 606 of * ' Trias Thau-
maturga. "
^^ See " Breviarium Romanum. " Pars
Benigne tractabat leprosos miseros, at the 1st of February.
In extruxit suam St. Cumineus of
campo civitatem, Con6r,
Vita S. Brendani.
in his " On poem,
Post obitum patrocinatur multitudini populorum.
the Characteristic Virtues of Irish Saints," as translated into English, says :—
congregatio Brigidae Placentinus, quem
canebat.
Circa solum Christum erat solicita : Res ha;c erat competens advenien-
p. 622, and Rev. Dr. Kelly's
Ac, voce Cuil Corra. " This jotting is in a note, appended to this passage, in Wm. M*
:
:
and — Sheep herding early rising
—
Constant piety, which was not pre- scribed;
" pendix Quartaad Acta S. Brigidas, cap. xii. ,
"
See " Trias Colgan's
Thaumaturga.
Ap-
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 177
disciples^^ of our great Irish Apostle, St. Patrick ; and, among his numerous religious daughters, not one was more distinguished for great force of character, for high intellectual accomplishments, and for sublime spiritual
gifts.
CHAPTER XIV.
VISION OF ST. BRIGID REGARDING HER APPROACHING DEATH—HER PREPARATION— ST. NENNID ADMINISTERS THE LAST SACRAMENTS TO HER—THE YEAR AND DAY OF ST. BRIGID'S DEPARTURE—THE PLACE WHERE IT OCCURRED—KILDARE AND ITS RELIGIOUS FOUNDATIONS—ST. BRIGID'S SHRINE AND RELICS—HONOUR PAID TO HER MEMORY.
We are informed, St. Brigid had a revelation, foiur years before her death, that the time for her departure out of this world was approaching, and that
she also had a prophetic knowledge, respecting the place of her resurrection. ^ This intuition was to her a source of joy. She had now attained a venerable
age. '' Accordingly, she prepared for her approaching end, by redoubling prayers, watchings, fastings and charities. Although Jier remote preparation
for death had commenced, at a very early period, by the practice of virtue and good works ; yet, towards the close of life, as if all she had hitherto done were of no account, in her estimation, she became devoted almost uninter- ruptedlytoheavenlyaspirationsandcontemplation. Tohermindandtoher memory, often recurred this thought, that a life-time spent in pious preparation gave a suitable guarantee for a holy death. She endeavoured to watch care- fully, during her journey through life, that she might not be confounded by her spiritualenemies,whentouchingtheportalsofdeath. Norwashersolicitude confinedtoherownspiritualinterests. Beingboundtorenderanaccountfor those religious females entrusted to her charge, she was vigilant in her official position. This was manifested, by her unceasing solicitude and through her frequent exhortations. Her prayers had a retrospective and a prospective aim, on behalf of those dear sisters, who were to remain behind in this world of pilgrimage. While in the flesh, she loved them, not according to the
maxims or of practice
and 3 holy spirit.
but in a
Having regulated the religious state of her city and nunnery, as also of
various establishments, subject to her rule, throughout Ireland ;4 we are told, in her Fourth Life, that she expressed to her sisters a desire to visit
before death the sepulchre and reHcs of her holy patron. Archbishop Patrick. Brigid knew, also, it relates, that she should not return alive to the
Hiemalis. Officia Propria Hibemise Sane- torum, quae a Clero Hibemico recitantur. Die I. Februarii. Officium S. Brigidai. Noct. sec. lect. vi;
^^
Also, Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii. , cap. xcviii. , xcix. , p. 562, ibid.
From the words of her Fourth Life,
Colgan infers, that St. Brigid wrote a special rule and founded a particular institute for holy women ; otherwise, he does not think
worldlings,
religious
See Colgah's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap.
xxiii. , p. 269. Yet, only in a mediate or it likely, that various houses could be re-
remote sense must we regard her, as having been one of those virgins, veiled by St.
presented, as being subject to her care, This position he endeavours to establish, by citing various authorities. See ibid. , Ap-
ad Acta
Vita iv. S. Brigidse, lib. ii. , cap. xii. , sect. 81, p. 171.
Patrick. — Chapter XIV.
See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an Irish Priest, chap, x. , p.
^
pendix Tertia
S. Brigidse, cap. ii. , p. 610. And, Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, n. 23, p. 566. See, also, the Bollandists' "Acta ^ See Bishop Challoner's " Britannia Sanctorum," tomus i. Die i. Februarii.
133,
Sancta," part i. , February 1st, p. 94.
3 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Quinta S. Brigidae, cap. Ivi. , p. 581.
Vol. II.
N
178 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
usual city of her residence. It is said, St. Patrick, at the time of his death, had commanded our saint to bless all Ireland, thirty years afterwards, and that in consequence of this desire, she now made a tour over the whole island, blessing every part of it. s Having arrived in the province of the Ultonians,^ in the northern part of Ireland, she was there seized, it is stated, with her last illness. It is generally beUeved, that she died thirty years after the departure of St. Patrick. 7
St. Conleath, Bishop of Kildare, departed this life on the 3rd of May,
519 ;^ and, St. Brigid did not long survive him. ^ She was already descending
thevaleofyears,andinfirmitybegantogrowuponher; although,wearenot given to understand, what had been the nature of that sickness, which caused
her death. At its approach, however, she had a conference with one of her nuns, named Darlugdacha, to whom she confided a charge over her com-
She was now about to cease from her toils and to enjoy everlasting rest ;
but, whether decay or decrepitude, awaited her closing years, seems to be alto- getherunknown. ^3 Whenthelastdayofourmostillustriousandholyvirgin in this life had approached, and after a long pilgrimage, Brigid was beckoned toherreward. Then,whilesailingontheBritishsea,'4byforceofthewinds, or rather by God's providence, St. Ninnid was wafted to the Irish coast. ^s
after the event of her own
declared her successor should survive only one year, and depart this life on the ist of February ; so that thus, both their names should be venerated, on this same day. " Therefore, as they were united in affection during life, in like measure, after death, their memories were conjointly held in honour. It would seem beyond the power of tongue or pen, to describe the wonders of Brigid's daily existence. Many miracles and incidents already recorded, concerning this holy abbess, and several not mentioned in this her life, will be found in the Acts of various other Irish saints. "
munity,
expected departure.
s See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's " La
Santita Prodigiosa. " Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. Libro Sesto, pp. 583, 584.
Life, by St. Evin (pars iii. , cap. 4, 6), Life of St. Moninna or Moduenna (cap. 3), Cap- grave's Life of the same Saint (cap. 14), Life of St. Albeus, Cod. Kilk. (cap. 23), another Life of the same Saint (cap. 18, 19), Life of St. Finnian of Clonaixi (cap. 15), Life of St. Tighernach (cap. 2, 10), O^Donnell's Life of St. Columkille (lib, i. , cap. 9), Supplement to the Life of St. Kieran of Clonmacnoise (cap. 26), Life of St. Gildas (cap. 9), Life of St. Brendan, Cod. Kilk. (cap, 50), Life of
^
In Irish it is written UbcA, tJLcAij, and
This is Latinized Ultonia and Ulidia.
7 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga.
"
Quarta Vita S. Brigidee, lib. ii. , cap. xcix. ,
p. 562.
^
The Annales Ultonienses record, at A. D. 519, the death of Conlaed, Bishop of Cille
dara, p. 13. See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum St. Aid, bishop (cap. 16, 20), Life of St.
Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii.
9 See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an
Irish Priest, chap, x. , p. 134.
^° See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's " La
Santitk Prodigiosa. " Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. Libro Sesto, pp. 559 to 561.
Maidoc (cap. 62), Life of St, Moling (cap. 22), Life of St. Kieran, of Saigir (cap. 30), Life of St. Kieran, of Clonmacnoise (cap. i. , 47), Life of St. Columba (cap. 4, 5, 66, 241), Life of St. Moelruan (cap. 42), Life of St. Corbmac (cap. 9), Life of St. Fintan,
^* See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hi- hermit (15th Nov. ) See " Trias Thauma-
bemiae," Februarii I. Vita S. Derlugdachse, p.
Ecclesiastical His* tory of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, ix,, sect, vi. ,
174 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
our saint presided over numerous holy communities of men and women, yet comparatively few of her disciples are mentioned by name.
Like those holy ones mentioned in the Apocalypse,4° we learn from the different Acts of St. Brigid, already cited, that our saint assumed a white veil, while she wore a white cloak or dress. 4^ These garments, likewise, must have been the distinguishing habit of her nuns. In view of such well- attested distinction, it seems unaccountable, that the Order of Brigitines, established in the Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin, during the present century, and assuming our holy abbess as their great patroness, should use a black dress, for a characteristic of their conventual life.
The illustrious Patroness of Kildare gave a Rule to her nuns ; and thus, she is justly numbered among the founders of religious orders. ^^ The Life of Ciaran of Clonmacnoise states,'^3 that the Order of Brighit was one of the eight religious orders, that were in Erinn. 44 It is to be regretted, that we cannot now recover the Rules of this order, which doubtless must have been repletewithwisdom. Variousaccounts,containedinformerreligiousrules established in Ireland, are interesting, as serving to convey an idea of ancient conventual or monastic modes for Hving. '+s It is thought, even although St. BrigidmighthaveembracedaRule,existingbeforehertime; yet,itmay have been altogether changed, or greatly modified, as she is believed to have written a special Rule^^ and to have established a particular institute for holy womenin Ireland. +7
The poor and the destitute are the chosen friends of Christ. Our Divine Redeemer has declared, that He will accept and reward hereafter, as done unto Himself, whatsoever we do to the lowliest among them. St. Brigid sawtheimageofChristreflectedineverysufferingwaifofhumanity. By charity, our Divine Lord wishes His disciples to be known, and He tells us, that at the last accounting day, He shall cast from among His children those, who, during life, refuse to hear the prayers of God's poor. The tender soul and compassionate disposition of our abbess were ever sympathetic to the cry of supplication or distress. Only her own spirit or the angel of God could record Brigid's many miracles. -^^ Her Sixth Metrical Life contains an account, concerning these following miracles, not found related in the holy woman's other Lives. A shepherd boy, who had lost some sheep, or swine, belonging to his father, feared displeasure. He besought our saint to inter- cede for him, and to obtain a pardon for his neglect. This she undertook to accomplish, and, in addition, she miraculously procured the restoration of thatfullnumberofanimals,whichhadbeenmissing. 49 Whilesheprayedin
Breac," contains a Rule of the Cele De or CuldeesfromModruain. Thexxii. vol. of O'Longan MSB. in the R. I. A. contains three anonymous Quatrains, in the second
et pallio albo. "
Noct. sec. lect. v. Die I. Februarii. habits of the Ceile t)e, or Culdee order, p.
*° See Apoc. iv. , 4. *'Atthetimeofher
religious reception or profession, it is stated, that the prelate who officiated "induit illam veste Candida
—"
Officium S. Brigidae. "
of which there
is a curious reference to the
*'Breviarium Romanum. " Pars Hiemalis. Supplementum pro Clero Hibemico.
322.
* This is stated, in the Acts of St. Kiaran,
Abbot of Clonmacnoise.
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Appendix Quarta ad Acta S. Brigidae, cap. x. , p. 620.
^^ Such is a statement, lound in Professor
O'Looney's Irish Life of St. Brigid, pp.
47, 48.
« See the Bollandists' "Acta Sancto-
rum," tomus i. , Februarii die i. Vita iii. S. Brigidce, cap. i. , sec. 6, p. 142.
*'
See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of
the vol. Saints,"
*''
*3
ii. , February ist, p. 17. Chapter xlvii. is quoted. It is stated
in this Life
«'
Prima regula fuit S. Patricii,
Secunda S. Brigidae, Tertia S. Brendani,"
&c. Vita S. Kierani Cluanensis, cap. xxvi. <^ See Drs. Todd's and Reeves' "Mar-
tyrologyof Donegal, "pp. 36, 37.
•^sThe large folio vellum MS. in the R. I. A. , No. 40, b, known as the " Leabhar
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 175
the church, at another time, a multitude of poor persons came to her asking
for food. Among the rest, she saw a boy, who was deaf, dumb and lame.
At a word, spoken by the compassionate virgin, he felt relieved from his
three^several privations, to the great admiration of a multitude present. 5° A
woman, greatly prostrated with dropsy, besought the charity of our saint, to relieve her from this distressing infirmity. Brigid made a sign of the cross
over her ; the swelling immediately decreased, and the patient was restored to a perfectly sound state of health. s^
Like that peerless Mother of our Lord, to whom she has been compared, Brigid was beautiful with the beauty of Heaven and earth mingled together, with eyes sweet and dove-like, and with a countenance most soft and pure. She was both lovely to see, as well as perfect, in heart and in soul. s^ Nor did the lapse of years steal away any single grace or charm, for her heart and feelings were ever freshened with religious inspiration. The biographers of this illustrious saint are unmeasured in terms, used to describe her virtues andmerits; but,theydonotexaggerateherpraises,howevertheymaydilate on various miracles, attributed to her powerful intercession. We are told, how this wondrous pearl of virginity neither deflected to the right or left, but alwayspursuedajustandvirtuouscourse. Sheneverspokewithoutblushing, asignofhergreatmodesty. 53 Sheneveryieldedtocarnalillusions; forno person could be more chaste and continent. 54 She considered her prestige andvirtuestohavebeengiftscomingfromDivineProvidence. Sheexamined her acquirements and merits, according to those severe judgments, pro- nounced by a mind, filled with prudence and true faith ; while, she took little heed of popular applause or flattery. She considered ill-regulated public
opinion and mere human praise, as tending only to produce vanity and selfishness, or as savouring of a worldly spirit. Her whole desires consisted in not appearing to be holy, while she aspired to the most exalted degree of
sanctity. And,asBrigideverwilledamostperfectconformitytothedecrees of Heaven, so did Divine mercy bestow on her countless treasures of grace ;
for, according to Holy Scripture, to every one possessing them shall yet be given, and they shall abound, while to those wanting them, what they seem topossessshallbetakenaway. ss SoexcellentdidBrigidappearinthesight
5° See ibid. , sec. 8.
5* See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Sexta S. Brigidse, sees, vi. , viii. , xxix. , PP- 583, 588. Two additional miracles, for which I do not find a corresponding autho- rity, are thus related in Vita Prima S. Bri- gidae, sees, xiii. , xlii. , pp. 515, 516, 517, ibid.
** Prima vice, qua missa est
Tempore vemo in curru vimineo,
Nivem per tempestatem agitat ventus J Glinndalachse sustinuit crucem ;
Ita ut repererit requiem post tribula* tiones. "—Sec. xi. , ibid.
Colgan observes, in a note, as St. Coemgen died A. d. 617, according to the "Annals of the Four Masters," that it should follow, matters here related concerning him must have happened before his death. See n. 6, p. S^^j ^^^^'
s^ See that most elegantly illuminated, exquisitely written, and devout narrative,
"
Prince and Saviour : the story of Jesus simply told for the Young," by Rosa Mulholland, pp. 13, 14- New and enlarged edition, Dublin :
M'Glashan and Gill, 1876, i2mo.
S3 See Professor O'Looney's Irish Life of
St. Brigid, pp. 41, 42.
S4 See ibid. This Life also remarks, that
she never washed her hands, or her feet, or her head in the presence of men.
Nihil diminuit de
Nee diminuit ejus substantiam.
•' Tradiditliquoremseulaecuidamrustico, Quando erat necesse,
In the same tract, we find the following
lines, which do not admit of easy explana^ tion :
Et
est nee crescere Nee quidquam diminui. '*
repertum
" Accesserat ad pralium Coemginus Celebris
ss St. Matt. xxV. , 29.
prosperitate hospitis,
by a gifted lady, intituled,
176 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
of God, that He was pleased to manifest her sanctity by the performance of most renowned miracles, s^ These are abundantly instanced, throughout her
acts. Whenever liberality is hoped for, it will usually be fully tested ; and, an opinion of unrestricted and active charity must inevitably draw together
needy and afflicted, towards benevolently-disposed persons. Hence, it happened, that so many poor and infirm individuals flocked to St. Brigid, not only from her own locality, but from most distant places. Those were allured by a report of her virtues and charities, while, they hoped relief under privation from their various distresses. When our saint had satisfied the wants of one pauper, she was ready to perform a like charitable office for a petitionersucceeding; whilethesamegenerousdispositionwasmanifested towards all, without personal favour or exception. However her bounty had been extended to the whole flock, notwithstanding her charity was still moderated, according to various necessities ; she gave abundantly to those most in need, more restrictedly to those in middling circumstances, and a little was only distributed to those needing little. Yet, no gift of hers could be considered small, when her hands administered relief, and her warm heart became the prompter of her largesses. S7 Again, she was very humble, and she attended or was accustomed to the herding of sheep, as an occupation, and to early risingjS^ as conducive to health. This her life proves, and Cuimin of Coindeire states, in his poem,s9 referring to her great perfections. She spent indeed many years, diligently serving the Lord, performing signs and miracles, curing every disease and sickness. Her vigils were incessant, and she watched over those subjects committed to her charge, with extra- ordinary care and tenderness. Her numerous miracles are compared to the grass of the field, because it grows in such abundance, by one of her many eulogists. Those wonders, recorded in her various Acts, would seem to confirm such a statement. ^° She is specially ranked among the friends^' and
5^ See "Breviarium Romanum. " Pars Hiemalis. Officia Propria Hiberniae Sane- torum, quae a Clero Hibernico recitantur. Die i. Februarii. Officium S. Brigidse. Noct. sec. lect. vi.
Hennessy's copy of the Donegal Martyrology, most obligingly lent to the writer, by its learned owner.
S9 This begins with " Patrick of the fort of Macha loved," &c. Thus he says :—
" The blessed loved Brighit
57 See
Colgan's
"Trias " Thaumaturga.
Vita
PP- 576, 5^0-
Vita Prima S. Brigida;, sees, v. , vi. , vii. ,
S.
p. 515, her panegyric is thus pronounced
Quinta
Brigidie, cap. xxxviii,, liii. , Ij^ ^he Latin version of the
*• Non erat cum
hospitibus aspera ;
Hospitality towards men of virtues. "
*° See the " of Martyrology Donegal,'*
**
"
Non erat armentaria montana :
Nata est in medio campo ;
Bona est scala populis,
Ad intrandum in regnum filii Mariae.
Prseclara erat Preeclarus concentus
"
Bridget of the benedictions loved Perpetual mortification beyond woman*
hood.
Watching and early rising, Hospitality to saintly men,"
58
*•
tibus. "
See Mac Firbiss' List of Bishops' Sees,
Calendar of Irish Saints," p. 161. A somewhat different Latin translation is given for the foregoing lines, by Colgan, at p. 606 of * ' Trias Thau-
maturga. "
^^ See " Breviarium Romanum. " Pars
Benigne tractabat leprosos miseros, at the 1st of February.
In extruxit suam St. Cumineus of
campo civitatem, Con6r,
Vita S. Brendani.
in his " On poem,
Post obitum patrocinatur multitudini populorum.
the Characteristic Virtues of Irish Saints," as translated into English, says :—
congregatio Brigidae Placentinus, quem
canebat.
Circa solum Christum erat solicita : Res ha;c erat competens advenien-
p. 622, and Rev. Dr. Kelly's
Ac, voce Cuil Corra. " This jotting is in a note, appended to this passage, in Wm. M*
:
:
and — Sheep herding early rising
—
Constant piety, which was not pre- scribed;
" pendix Quartaad Acta S. Brigidas, cap. xii. ,
"
See " Trias Colgan's
Thaumaturga.
Ap-
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 177
disciples^^ of our great Irish Apostle, St. Patrick ; and, among his numerous religious daughters, not one was more distinguished for great force of character, for high intellectual accomplishments, and for sublime spiritual
gifts.
CHAPTER XIV.
VISION OF ST. BRIGID REGARDING HER APPROACHING DEATH—HER PREPARATION— ST. NENNID ADMINISTERS THE LAST SACRAMENTS TO HER—THE YEAR AND DAY OF ST. BRIGID'S DEPARTURE—THE PLACE WHERE IT OCCURRED—KILDARE AND ITS RELIGIOUS FOUNDATIONS—ST. BRIGID'S SHRINE AND RELICS—HONOUR PAID TO HER MEMORY.
We are informed, St. Brigid had a revelation, foiur years before her death, that the time for her departure out of this world was approaching, and that
she also had a prophetic knowledge, respecting the place of her resurrection. ^ This intuition was to her a source of joy. She had now attained a venerable
age. '' Accordingly, she prepared for her approaching end, by redoubling prayers, watchings, fastings and charities. Although Jier remote preparation
for death had commenced, at a very early period, by the practice of virtue and good works ; yet, towards the close of life, as if all she had hitherto done were of no account, in her estimation, she became devoted almost uninter- ruptedlytoheavenlyaspirationsandcontemplation. Tohermindandtoher memory, often recurred this thought, that a life-time spent in pious preparation gave a suitable guarantee for a holy death. She endeavoured to watch care- fully, during her journey through life, that she might not be confounded by her spiritualenemies,whentouchingtheportalsofdeath. Norwashersolicitude confinedtoherownspiritualinterests. Beingboundtorenderanaccountfor those religious females entrusted to her charge, she was vigilant in her official position. This was manifested, by her unceasing solicitude and through her frequent exhortations. Her prayers had a retrospective and a prospective aim, on behalf of those dear sisters, who were to remain behind in this world of pilgrimage. While in the flesh, she loved them, not according to the
maxims or of practice
and 3 holy spirit.
but in a
Having regulated the religious state of her city and nunnery, as also of
various establishments, subject to her rule, throughout Ireland ;4 we are told, in her Fourth Life, that she expressed to her sisters a desire to visit
before death the sepulchre and reHcs of her holy patron. Archbishop Patrick. Brigid knew, also, it relates, that she should not return alive to the
Hiemalis. Officia Propria Hibemise Sane- torum, quae a Clero Hibemico recitantur. Die I. Februarii. Officium S. Brigidai. Noct. sec. lect. vi;
^^
Also, Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii. , cap. xcviii. , xcix. , p. 562, ibid.
From the words of her Fourth Life,
Colgan infers, that St. Brigid wrote a special rule and founded a particular institute for holy women ; otherwise, he does not think
worldlings,
religious
See Colgah's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Patricii, cap.
xxiii. , p. 269. Yet, only in a mediate or it likely, that various houses could be re-
remote sense must we regard her, as having been one of those virgins, veiled by St.
presented, as being subject to her care, This position he endeavours to establish, by citing various authorities. See ibid. , Ap-
ad Acta
Vita iv. S. Brigidse, lib. ii. , cap. xii. , sect. 81, p. 171.
Patrick. — Chapter XIV.
See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an Irish Priest, chap, x. , p.
^
pendix Tertia
S. Brigidse, cap. ii. , p. 610. And, Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, n. 23, p. 566. See, also, the Bollandists' "Acta ^ See Bishop Challoner's " Britannia Sanctorum," tomus i. Die i. Februarii.
133,
Sancta," part i. , February 1st, p. 94.
3 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Quinta S. Brigidae, cap. Ivi. , p. 581.
Vol. II.
N
178 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
usual city of her residence. It is said, St. Patrick, at the time of his death, had commanded our saint to bless all Ireland, thirty years afterwards, and that in consequence of this desire, she now made a tour over the whole island, blessing every part of it. s Having arrived in the province of the Ultonians,^ in the northern part of Ireland, she was there seized, it is stated, with her last illness. It is generally beUeved, that she died thirty years after the departure of St. Patrick. 7
St. Conleath, Bishop of Kildare, departed this life on the 3rd of May,
519 ;^ and, St. Brigid did not long survive him. ^ She was already descending
thevaleofyears,andinfirmitybegantogrowuponher; although,wearenot given to understand, what had been the nature of that sickness, which caused
her death. At its approach, however, she had a conference with one of her nuns, named Darlugdacha, to whom she confided a charge over her com-
She was now about to cease from her toils and to enjoy everlasting rest ;
but, whether decay or decrepitude, awaited her closing years, seems to be alto- getherunknown. ^3 Whenthelastdayofourmostillustriousandholyvirgin in this life had approached, and after a long pilgrimage, Brigid was beckoned toherreward. Then,whilesailingontheBritishsea,'4byforceofthewinds, or rather by God's providence, St. Ninnid was wafted to the Irish coast. ^s
after the event of her own
declared her successor should survive only one year, and depart this life on the ist of February ; so that thus, both their names should be venerated, on this same day. " Therefore, as they were united in affection during life, in like measure, after death, their memories were conjointly held in honour. It would seem beyond the power of tongue or pen, to describe the wonders of Brigid's daily existence. Many miracles and incidents already recorded, concerning this holy abbess, and several not mentioned in this her life, will be found in the Acts of various other Irish saints. "
munity,
expected departure.
s See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's " La
Santita Prodigiosa. " Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. Libro Sesto, pp. 583, 584.
Life, by St. Evin (pars iii. , cap. 4, 6), Life of St. Moninna or Moduenna (cap. 3), Cap- grave's Life of the same Saint (cap. 14), Life of St. Albeus, Cod. Kilk. (cap. 23), another Life of the same Saint (cap. 18, 19), Life of St. Finnian of Clonaixi (cap. 15), Life of St. Tighernach (cap. 2, 10), O^Donnell's Life of St. Columkille (lib, i. , cap. 9), Supplement to the Life of St. Kieran of Clonmacnoise (cap. 26), Life of St. Gildas (cap. 9), Life of St. Brendan, Cod. Kilk. (cap, 50), Life of
^
In Irish it is written UbcA, tJLcAij, and
This is Latinized Ultonia and Ulidia.
7 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga.
"
Quarta Vita S. Brigidee, lib. ii. , cap. xcix. ,
p. 562.
^
The Annales Ultonienses record, at A. D. 519, the death of Conlaed, Bishop of Cille
dara, p. 13. See Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum St. Aid, bishop (cap. 16, 20), Life of St.
Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii.
9 See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an
Irish Priest, chap, x. , p. 134.
^° See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's " La
Santitk Prodigiosa. " Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. Libro Sesto, pp. 559 to 561.
Maidoc (cap. 62), Life of St, Moling (cap. 22), Life of St. Kieran, of Saigir (cap. 30), Life of St. Kieran, of Clonmacnoise (cap. i. , 47), Life of St. Columba (cap. 4, 5, 66, 241), Life of St. Moelruan (cap. 42), Life of St. Corbmac (cap. 9), Life of St. Fintan,
^* See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hi- hermit (15th Nov. ) See " Trias Thauma-
bemiae," Februarii I. Vita S. Derlugdachse, p.
