He guarded
carefully
the jewel of chastity.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v7
3, p.
249.
Also, Februarii xxv.
, n.
4, p.
412.
2 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Julii xiv. De S. Denti lino Puero Confess. Resse,
in Clivia, pp. 689 to 691. The editor is Father John Baptist Soller.
3 See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of
Com>eichenbo|\noei
with a decade of infants. '*
"Transactions of
the vol. Saints,"
vii. , July 14, p. 323.
day
also,
July 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 239
Sanctorum, Greven, Canisius, Molanus, Ghinius, Ferrarius and Saussay. Atthisdate,Colganintendedtopublishsomeaccountofhim. Atthepre- sent time—as in the last century when the Bollandists made enquiry to recover some local traditions regarding this saint—little can be discovered, to throw any additional light on the history of this innocent child, on the place of his sepulture, or on the date for transference of his remains.
Article X. —Reputed Festival of St. Turrinus, Bishop and Con- fessor, in Lesser Britain. The Lubeck-Cologne edition of Usuard's Martyrology has a festival, at the 14th of July, for a St. Turrinus, Bishop and
Confessor in Lesser Britain. The Bollandists, 1 who record this
he may be identical with St. Turiavus, treated about by them, at the 1 3th of this month.
Article XI. —Feast of St. Fursey, Abbot of Lagny, France. St. Fnrsey, for whom a feast has been set at this day, was renowned for his visions, as related by the Venerable Bede. These were well known to the mediaeval writers, as may be seen in the early printed work of Jacobus
Januensis.
1 The Life ofthat saint is to be
found,
at the 16th of 2 January.
Article XII. —Reputed Feast of Harruch, Bishop of Verden,
1
Saxony. The Bollandists remark, at the 16th of July, that Camerarius has
placed a festival at this date for Harruch, Abbot of Amarbarica, and eighth Bishop of Verden, who had been noticed, on a previous day.
jftfteent! ) ©ap of 3ulj>.
ARTICLE I. —ST. PLECHELMUS, BISHOP OF OLDENSAL AND RURIMOND, BELGIUM, AND APOSTOLIC MISSIONARY.
ISEVENTH AND EIGHTH CENTURIES. ]
Adiversity of opinion exists, as to whether the present holy man had
been a native of Ireland or of Scotland. On the his Acts subject,
are vague, and indeed, as they have come down to us, they seem to be com- pilations put together, long after his time. Having few biographical notices to record, the writers indulge in diffusiveness of statement, considerably mingled with panegyric and digressive matter. The following brief particu- lars contain the substance of traditions regarding him.
Article x. — ' See " Acta Sanctorum," 2 See the First Volume of
tomus iii. , Julii xiv. Among the preter- Art. i.
this work,
mittedsaints,p. 626. Articlexii. —: See"ActaSanctorum,"
1"
Article xi. - See Legenda Sancto- tomus iv. , Julii xvi. Among the preter-
rum," fol. clxxxix. Edition of 1478. mitted saints, p. 12 r.
entry,
think
2 4o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 15.
Various modern hagiographers have accounts of this saint, who was
renowned in his day. One of the chief sources for his Acts appears to have 1
been that anonymous Life, published by the Bollandists. and thought to have been compiled by some cleric, belonging to the church of Utrec—ht, or of
Mons S. Od— iliae,
following
2
the traditions of the place. Molanus in two
3
paragraphs andMirseus haveshortLivesofSt. Plechelmus,atthe15thof
this month. The " Officia Propria Sanctorum Dioecesis Ruremundanae,"*
compiled by Henricus Cuquinus, Bishop of that city, contains particulars regarding St. Plechelm's career. It was intended by Colgan, to have the Acts of St. Plechelmus appear, at the 15th of July, but death prevented the accom- plishmentofhisdesire. 5 TheBollandistshaveActsofthissaint,atthe15th of July f and, before his death, Father John Boland had prepared commen- taries7 onthem. Thesewereafterwardspublished,andtheyhavebeenpre- fixed to an anonymous Life. 8 The Annals of the Cistercian Monk record St. Plechelmas, a Bishop and Confessor, while they also style him the Apostle ofGuelderland. 9 Inthe"ActaSanctorum 10St. Plechelmus,
Belgii,
is recorded at the 15th of July. Bishop Challoner " and the Rev. Alban
Butler I2 have accounts of St. Plechelm, Bishop, at this same date. There
are notices of St. Plechelmus—referred to a. d. 689—in Rev. Dr.
J. F. S. Gordon's Scotichronicon,^ as also, in the Rev. S. Baring-Gould's
1 work. *
Having alluded with eulogy to Northumbria, Scotia and Hibernia, as having been countries in which the light of Faith dispelled the works of
darkness, St. Patrick,15 St. Cuthbert,16 St. Columba,1? and St. Willibrord,18 are instanced as great servants of Christ, who wrought wonderful things for His Church. Afterwards, we are told, in his T 9 that the man
Acts, holy Plechelmus was born within the confines of Scotia, and that he sprung from
a respectable family. According to some writers, while born of illustrious
parents, he belonged to the province of Northumbria. 20
In the works of
man is con-
holy
Bishop
Challoner 21 and of the Rev. Alban 22 this Butler^
ArTICLE I. — ' From a tolerably ancient vellum Manuscript, furnished by a nobleman, Theodoras e Renesse Wulpius, and collated with a copy, included among the papers of Wilhelm Lindan, Bishop of Ruremond.
2 See " Natales Sanctorum Belgii," p. 156.
July 15, p. 358.
IS See his Life, at the 17th of March, in
the Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
l6
See his Life, at the 20th of March, ibid. , Art. i.
I7 See his Life, at the 6th of June, in the Sixth Volume of this work, Art. i.
l8 See his at the Life,
3
to
418 422.
4 Published at Cologne, in the year
Aliquorum Sanctorum
6 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iv. , Julii xv. De S. Plechelmo Episcopo Oldensaliae et Ruraemundae in Belgio, pp. 50 to 60.
7 These are in five sections, and forty-two
November.
See "Fasti Belgici et Burgundici," pp.
of
,9 " Sanctus ergo vir, nomine Plechelmus,
1604.
s See "
sapia patrum procreatus," &c.
zo Such is the statement of Miraeus. 2I "
Catalogus Hiberniae. "
See Britannia Sancta," part ii. , pp. 32, 33.
paragraphs.
8 In thirteen
July.
23 " S. Vuiro et Placelmus Iliberni ambo. "
paragraphs.
A few notes
—"
PetrusLombardus, Deregno Hiberniae
are appended.
9 See vol. vii. , pp. 75, 76.
10 See vol. vi.
11 See "Britannia Sancta," part ii. , pp.
32 to 34.
" See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and
other principal Saints," vol. vii. , July xv.
l? See vol. i. , p. 67.
14 See "Lives of the Saints," vol. vii. ,
Sanctorum Insula Commentarius," cap. xv. , p. 208. Lovanii, a. d. 1632, 4to. In the Very Rev. Monsignor Moian's later and more improved 8vo edition of this work, printed and published at Dublin, A. D. 1868, this error has been corrected
infra confinia Scotise, de clara nobilium pro-
" See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs,
and other principal Saints," vol. vii. , xv.
" S. Wiro, et S. Plechelmus Hiberni ambo e patria sua
Insula egressi ad praidicandum," &C. See cap. xv. , p. 90.
7th
1
Bishop,
July 15. ] LIVES OJF THE IRISH SAIMS. 241
sidered to have been a noble English Saxon by birth, yet to have first seen
the light in the southern part of Scotland. This his place of habitation may
be understood, however, of a period, possibly subsequent to his birth. The
Archbishopof Armagh, MostRev. Peter Lombard, tells us, that this saint, whom he calls Placelmus, was an Irishman. 2 3 As he grew up, Plechelmus was assi-
duous in his study of the inspired and sacred writings. He desired, also, to follow in the footsteps of the holiest masters. From earliest youth, he was a
model of humility and of modesty. He gave himself to the practice of frequent prayer, vigils and fasting. His soul was continually inflamed with the fire of Divine love. 2* While he prayed to be delivered from evil thoughts and
concupiscence, he also asked earnestly for the light of Divine Wisdom ; and, the Almighty graciously deigned to hear his petitions, for his soul was filled
with exalted gifts and graces. His abstinence, in many ways, w—as the admira- tionofallwhoknewhim. Whenass—umedtothepriesthood forwhichhe seems to have been specially destined he bestowed large alms on the poor. He never taught anything in words, which he had not been the first to practise. While humble in appearance, and serene in manner and deportment, he was greatlydevotedtostudy; besides,hislipsbreathedforthwordsofgentleness andwisdom. Heknewthatthemouthofthepriestshouldannouncetrue knowledge. The fervour of his faith was made manifest, through his works of charity.
He guarded carefully the jewel of chastity. Thus, he contended against all the assaults of his spiritual enemies, like a true athlete of Christ.
About this time, it is stated, that a vacancy occurred in the See under which
he appears to have laboured, and its pastor was removed from this life to the
blissofHeaven. Accordingtosomeaccounts,thevacantSeewasnoother
than Candida 2 s n Scotland. is incorrect. Soon was it Casa, i This,however,
deemed necessary to appoint a successor, and an assembly for consultation was convened to determine on a choice. The people were unanimous in
electing Plechelmus, to fill that distinguished office. Although unwillingly consenting, yet deeming it the will of God, he at last yielded. However, at this particular time, it does not appear, that he had been consecrated as bishop, and he may be considered only as a bishop-elect. With him was associated St. Wiro, 26 a man of great holiness and distinguished for his many virtues. At this time, St. Wiro was about to undertake a pilgrimage to Rome, and St. Plechelmus became his companion. With him, our saint resolved on visiting the tombs of the Apostles, and other holy places, in the Eternal
27 were a namedSt. 28in
city. They joined by pious deacon, Othgerus, England,
Sergius 9 is thought to have presided over the Apostolic See, at that time. The devotion and faith of St. Wiro and of St. Plechelm induced the Sovereign Pontiff, to raise them to the episcopal rank. They are said to have been con- secrated in the church of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles. The Pope enriched them with many sacred relics, and he bestowed on them other marks of his distinguished consideration. They were ordered by him, to revisit their native country, and to spread there the seeds of the Gospel among its inhabitants. We are told, that their people received them with great rejoicing, when they returned to take possession of their respective Sees.
and together, the devoted pilgrims proceeded to Rome, where Pope St. 2
24 See Bishop Challenor's " Britannia Sancta," part ii. , p. 33.
Fifth Volume of this work, Art. i. "
" Sane- 86 Sec his Life, at the 8th of May, in the
27 According to Baronius' Annales Eccle- siastici," a. d. 689.
25 In another document we read
tus Plechelmus, Episcopus de Massa Can- dida, vel secundum Bedam Candida Cresa. "
:
28
His feast has been assigned to the loth
of September.
** He ruled from a. d. 687 to a. d. 701.
242 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 15. According to Venerable Bede a Plethelm 3°—often confounded with our
Having laboured with great zeal in the country to which he belonged, St.
Plechelm resolved on seeking another as a sphere for the exercise of his
sacred ministry. To gain other souls to Christ, he accompanied St. Otgerto
Plechelmus3'—became first
present, this place is known as Whitehorn. 33 However, the saint about whom we are now treating was altogether a different person to the Pechthelm men- tioned by Venerable Bedcv* nor is it known over what See he ruled.
France. Here
well
Pepin to receive
always
viaSacra havecommittedthismistake.
32 "
Sedes Episcopalis est suffraganea Glascuensi in Scotia Archiepiscopo. Vide Notitiam nostram Episcopatuum orbis Chris- tiani. Miraeus "Fasti Belgici et Burgun- dici," pp. 421, 422.
33 Situated in the
Scotland. See the Map of Wigtonshire, p. 441.
a like de- nomination, in the south of Wigtonshire,
Biographic verselle, Ancienneet Moderne,"tome xxxii. "
illusi
Mr.
John
Nicholson's "
History
w See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and other principal Saints," vol. vii. , July xv.
rating
of Galloway. "
parish bearing
" At vero provincice Northanhymbrorum, cui Rex Coelvulf praeest, quatuor nunc Episcopi prsesulatum tenent Wilfrid in Eboracensi Ecclesia, ^Ethelwald in Lindisfarronensi,
34 At the year 731, he writes
Bishop
of the See, called Candida Casa. 32 At
35 exercised the of 6 and he was authority king,3
holy men,
as Guelderland, Cleves and Juliers, with several neighbouring provinces, lying betweentheRhine,theWahalandtheMeuse. 37 Ithasbeenstated,thathe
and St. Wiro were present at a synod in Utrecht, called by Pope Sergius, in
formerly prevailed.
After many years of evangelical labour, old age grew upon him. Then
Pipin, Mayor of the French palace, sent him to Mons Petri, afterwards St. Odilia,39 near Ruremonde,40 that he might spend the remainder of his days in
greater quiet. So greatly was he esteemed by Pipin, that each year in the commencement of the Lenten season, he left the palace, and in the spirit of rare humilty, that great prince visited his church with naked feet. He made a humble confession of his sins, likewise, to the saint, and received absolu- tion, shedding tears abundantly. He also asked counsel, as to how he should best govern the subjects entrusted to his care, and as to how he might most
who contributed to — spread morality among
pleased hispeople,andwhowerereadytopreachtheGospelamongthepagans for some even at that period appear to have remained unconverted to Chris- tianity. There, Plechelm laboured with zeal, in the successful extirpation of idolatry ; and, numbers of the pagans were baptized. He also endeavoured to train the Christians in virtuous habits, in that tract of country, now known
the s His efforts were year 697. 3
to the subversion of errors. Those were labours highly successful. The temples of Idols being destroyed, he erected churches to the true God, in their stead ; thus planting the standard of the cross on the sites, where Gentile abominations had
30 See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's " Lives of
the Saints," vol. vii. , July 15, p. 358.
3s The renowned Pepin de Heristal, sore-
markable for his liberality in founding churches and religious institutes, and a great patron of Irish missionaries, who arrived in France during his time.
3<5 For twenty-eight years he governed France, during the nominal reigns of Thierri, Clovis III. , Childebert III. , and Dagobert II. He left as heir his son Charles Mattel. See Michaud's " Uni-
31 Antonio Pagi and the author of " Bata- "
mainly directed,
pagan
:
one of St. Ursula's companions. See Bishop Acca in Hagulstadensi, Pechthelm in ea Challenor's "Britannia Sancta," part ii. ,
quae Candida casa vocatur, quae nuper mul- tiplicatis fidelium plebibus, in sedem Pon- tificatus—addita, ipsum primum habet Antis- titem. " "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
Anglorum," lib. v. , cap. xxiv.
p. 33.
*° So called from the River Roer or Ruhr,
on which it is built, at its junction with the Meuse.
38 See Rev. Dr. J. F. S. Gordon's " Sco-
tichronicon," vol. i. , p. 67.
39 It is said to have been so called after
4 * This had been built on the River
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
promote the Faith among them. This penitential course of life Pepin followed,
until his death took in in the castle'of place 714,
July 15. ]
243
Jopil,*
withstanding, God's holy servant did not cease from the duty of ministration
while here ; for, he engaged indefatigably in arduous works of the ministry. It is related, that he lived to the age of one hundred years, and that he was
all the
were healed at his tomb.
For over one hundred years, the remains of St. Plechelm and his holy
companions were preserved in the church of Mons S. Odilise, until that cele- brated invasion of the Normans, which occurred in the middle of the ninth century. Then, the relics of Saints Wiro, Plechelm and Otger were removed to Utrecht. Baldricus, Bishop of Utrecht, caused the head and chief part of St. Plechelm's body to be transferred to the church of Oldenzel, in the dio- cese of Daventer. Of this place, our saint is regarded as the patron, and his office, as a double of the First-class with an Octave, was there recited. He was also greatly venerated in Mons S. Odiliae, and at Rurimonde. We have already seen, how the church and monastery of St. Peter had been destroyed, in the latter place, and how for a time, the relics of the saints had been lost. ** The bodies of Saints Wiro and Plechelmus, Bishops, with that of St. Otger, deacon, were placed within the altar of the cathedral church.
loved greatly by
Full of —and of people. years virtues,
he rendered his spirittothegreatCreator,ontheIdesofJuly correspondingwiththe15th day of this month. The year for his demise has been set down, at 732. 43 He was buried in a church, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and situated on the mountain top. His relics became instruments for working many miracles, which afterwards took place, through his intercession. Several afflicted persons
An
" Partes
In various Continental as in our insular Calendars, this holy bishop is
was added on the base to this effect
SS. Wironis, Plechelmi et Otgeri. " The calamities of that time caused the relics and that inscription buried among ruins to pass into oblivion. How- ever, they were once more recovered in the year 1594, and in the church of the Holy Ghost was found that interesting inscription on the base of its altar. This discovery, with an office of a double rite, was celebrated on Tuesday after the Festival of the Most Holy Trinity. In the time of Miraeus,4* the head of St. Plechelmus was preserved at the church of Oldenseel, in the diocese of Daventer, and this relic was much venerated, by the people.
inscription
:
Reliquiarum
commemorated, at the 15th of July. Especially, in the Belgian, Utrecht,46 Cologne 47 and Treves < 8 Marty rologies is his feast inserted. Thus, in the additions to Usuard's Martyrology, by Hermann Greven ;49 in the Florarius Manuscript 5° in John Molan 51 and in Peter Canisius ? * the festival of this
;
Meuse.
42 See an account of this finely situated
in " Gazetteer of the World," vol.
city, viii. ,
pp. 728, 729.
43 See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
Fathers, Martyrs, and other principal Saints,'' vol. vii. , July xv.
44 An account of these events may be found, in the Life of St. Wiro, at the 8th of May, in the Fifth Volume of this work, Art. i. , chap. ii.
45 See "Fasti Belgici et Burgundici," p. 420.
46 In the Manuscript Martyrology of St. Mary's church: "Plechelmi Confessoris et Pontificis. " On the margin is inscribed, Aldenzale.
;
1 near 2 Not- Liege/
47 In the edition of 1490, "Ipso die, S. Plechelmi Ep. Conf.
"
49 Printed at Cologne, a. d. 1515 and 1521 :
48 In the of St.
Martin,
"
Manuscript Martyrology Plechelmi Confessoris. "
Plechelmi Tweintiensis Episcopi et Con- fessoris in Aldensel quiescentis.
5° Thus : "Item S. Plechelmi Ep. et Con- fessoris : obiit anno salutis dccxxxii.
5I In the first edition of his additions to
Usuard,publishedintheyear1568. Inthe later editions of Usuard, Mplanus has " Civi- tate Oudensele, natale S. Plechelmi Ep. " Also in his Natales, and Indiculus Sancto- rum Belgii.
52 In both editions of his German Martyr-
ology, where our saint is styled
"
Twentien-
244 LIVES CI- THE IRISH SAINTS [July 15.
holy Bishop is commemorated,. at the present date. In like manner, Arnold
Wion,53 HughMenard,5* BenedictDorgain, ConstantineGhinius,'* Miraeus,56
5? 8
andAndrewSaussay, havenotices. Also,Ferrarius,5 aManuscriptKalendar
6° oftheOrderofSt. Benedict^andBalduinWillot, recordSt. Plechelm,atthe
The
61 Father
Fitzsimon and the record this holy Bishop, Plechelmus or Plechelnus, at this same date. The Rev. Alban
Butler63 givesanaccountofSt. Plechelm,Bishop,Confessor,andApostleof Guelderland, at the 15th of July. This holy saint was greatly venerated in Scotland. 6* In the " Menologium Scoticum" of Thomas Dempster, St. Plechelmus is commemorated,65 at this date. 66 Among the Scottish Entries,
6 intheKalendarofDavidCamerarius,isarecord? ofthissaint,atthe15th
of
anonymous Calendar published by O'Sullevan Beare,
15th
July.
English Martyrology,
Henry 62
68 In the Circle of the Seasons, St. Plechelm is set down as a
A modern Protestant writer 7° describes the Irish as a race, who, without a government of their own, have sent forth colonies to aid in founding vast republics, and rulers to hold the reins of empire when
they had proved too weighty for the grasp of ordinary kings ; who, without an army of their own, have directed the tide of conquest in every land ;
who, without a parliament, have laid all legislative assemblies under obliga-
tion by the wisdom of their statesmen, and the unrivalled eloquence of their
orators; who, without a press, have added the choicest ornaments to the classic
iiterature of the world; who, without religious freedom, have guided theological
thought ; and without political freedom, they have taught other states vainly
calling themselves free, what freedom means, and how it may be permanently
1
won. ?
the Continent of Europe have abundantly demonstrated the services rendered to religion and civilization there during many past ages.
ArticleII. —St. Comman,SonofDiomma,orDimmai. Thelonely
hills and solitudes of our Island were once peopled with devoted men, who
were engaged in celebrating the praises of God, although it is now difficult to know where the exact dwelling places of many had been. In the Martyr-
of
and Confessor, at this same date.
2 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Julii xiv. De S. Denti lino Puero Confess. Resse,
in Clivia, pp. 689 to 691. The editor is Father John Baptist Soller.
3 See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of
Com>eichenbo|\noei
with a decade of infants. '*
"Transactions of
the vol. Saints,"
vii. , July 14, p. 323.
day
also,
July 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 239
Sanctorum, Greven, Canisius, Molanus, Ghinius, Ferrarius and Saussay. Atthisdate,Colganintendedtopublishsomeaccountofhim. Atthepre- sent time—as in the last century when the Bollandists made enquiry to recover some local traditions regarding this saint—little can be discovered, to throw any additional light on the history of this innocent child, on the place of his sepulture, or on the date for transference of his remains.
Article X. —Reputed Festival of St. Turrinus, Bishop and Con- fessor, in Lesser Britain. The Lubeck-Cologne edition of Usuard's Martyrology has a festival, at the 14th of July, for a St. Turrinus, Bishop and
Confessor in Lesser Britain. The Bollandists, 1 who record this
he may be identical with St. Turiavus, treated about by them, at the 1 3th of this month.
Article XI. —Feast of St. Fursey, Abbot of Lagny, France. St. Fnrsey, for whom a feast has been set at this day, was renowned for his visions, as related by the Venerable Bede. These were well known to the mediaeval writers, as may be seen in the early printed work of Jacobus
Januensis.
1 The Life ofthat saint is to be
found,
at the 16th of 2 January.
Article XII. —Reputed Feast of Harruch, Bishop of Verden,
1
Saxony. The Bollandists remark, at the 16th of July, that Camerarius has
placed a festival at this date for Harruch, Abbot of Amarbarica, and eighth Bishop of Verden, who had been noticed, on a previous day.
jftfteent! ) ©ap of 3ulj>.
ARTICLE I. —ST. PLECHELMUS, BISHOP OF OLDENSAL AND RURIMOND, BELGIUM, AND APOSTOLIC MISSIONARY.
ISEVENTH AND EIGHTH CENTURIES. ]
Adiversity of opinion exists, as to whether the present holy man had
been a native of Ireland or of Scotland. On the his Acts subject,
are vague, and indeed, as they have come down to us, they seem to be com- pilations put together, long after his time. Having few biographical notices to record, the writers indulge in diffusiveness of statement, considerably mingled with panegyric and digressive matter. The following brief particu- lars contain the substance of traditions regarding him.
Article x. — ' See " Acta Sanctorum," 2 See the First Volume of
tomus iii. , Julii xiv. Among the preter- Art. i.
this work,
mittedsaints,p. 626. Articlexii. —: See"ActaSanctorum,"
1"
Article xi. - See Legenda Sancto- tomus iv. , Julii xvi. Among the preter-
rum," fol. clxxxix. Edition of 1478. mitted saints, p. 12 r.
entry,
think
2 4o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 15.
Various modern hagiographers have accounts of this saint, who was
renowned in his day. One of the chief sources for his Acts appears to have 1
been that anonymous Life, published by the Bollandists. and thought to have been compiled by some cleric, belonging to the church of Utrec—ht, or of
Mons S. Od— iliae,
following
2
the traditions of the place. Molanus in two
3
paragraphs andMirseus haveshortLivesofSt. Plechelmus,atthe15thof
this month. The " Officia Propria Sanctorum Dioecesis Ruremundanae,"*
compiled by Henricus Cuquinus, Bishop of that city, contains particulars regarding St. Plechelm's career. It was intended by Colgan, to have the Acts of St. Plechelmus appear, at the 15th of July, but death prevented the accom- plishmentofhisdesire. 5 TheBollandistshaveActsofthissaint,atthe15th of July f and, before his death, Father John Boland had prepared commen- taries7 onthem. Thesewereafterwardspublished,andtheyhavebeenpre- fixed to an anonymous Life. 8 The Annals of the Cistercian Monk record St. Plechelmas, a Bishop and Confessor, while they also style him the Apostle ofGuelderland. 9 Inthe"ActaSanctorum 10St. Plechelmus,
Belgii,
is recorded at the 15th of July. Bishop Challoner " and the Rev. Alban
Butler I2 have accounts of St. Plechelm, Bishop, at this same date. There
are notices of St. Plechelmus—referred to a. d. 689—in Rev. Dr.
J. F. S. Gordon's Scotichronicon,^ as also, in the Rev. S. Baring-Gould's
1 work. *
Having alluded with eulogy to Northumbria, Scotia and Hibernia, as having been countries in which the light of Faith dispelled the works of
darkness, St. Patrick,15 St. Cuthbert,16 St. Columba,1? and St. Willibrord,18 are instanced as great servants of Christ, who wrought wonderful things for His Church. Afterwards, we are told, in his T 9 that the man
Acts, holy Plechelmus was born within the confines of Scotia, and that he sprung from
a respectable family. According to some writers, while born of illustrious
parents, he belonged to the province of Northumbria. 20
In the works of
man is con-
holy
Bishop
Challoner 21 and of the Rev. Alban 22 this Butler^
ArTICLE I. — ' From a tolerably ancient vellum Manuscript, furnished by a nobleman, Theodoras e Renesse Wulpius, and collated with a copy, included among the papers of Wilhelm Lindan, Bishop of Ruremond.
2 See " Natales Sanctorum Belgii," p. 156.
July 15, p. 358.
IS See his Life, at the 17th of March, in
the Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
l6
See his Life, at the 20th of March, ibid. , Art. i.
I7 See his Life, at the 6th of June, in the Sixth Volume of this work, Art. i.
l8 See his at the Life,
3
to
418 422.
4 Published at Cologne, in the year
Aliquorum Sanctorum
6 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iv. , Julii xv. De S. Plechelmo Episcopo Oldensaliae et Ruraemundae in Belgio, pp. 50 to 60.
7 These are in five sections, and forty-two
November.
See "Fasti Belgici et Burgundici," pp.
of
,9 " Sanctus ergo vir, nomine Plechelmus,
1604.
s See "
sapia patrum procreatus," &c.
zo Such is the statement of Miraeus. 2I "
Catalogus Hiberniae. "
See Britannia Sancta," part ii. , pp. 32, 33.
paragraphs.
8 In thirteen
July.
23 " S. Vuiro et Placelmus Iliberni ambo. "
paragraphs.
A few notes
—"
PetrusLombardus, Deregno Hiberniae
are appended.
9 See vol. vii. , pp. 75, 76.
10 See vol. vi.
11 See "Britannia Sancta," part ii. , pp.
32 to 34.
" See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and
other principal Saints," vol. vii. , July xv.
l? See vol. i. , p. 67.
14 See "Lives of the Saints," vol. vii. ,
Sanctorum Insula Commentarius," cap. xv. , p. 208. Lovanii, a. d. 1632, 4to. In the Very Rev. Monsignor Moian's later and more improved 8vo edition of this work, printed and published at Dublin, A. D. 1868, this error has been corrected
infra confinia Scotise, de clara nobilium pro-
" See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs,
and other principal Saints," vol. vii. , xv.
" S. Wiro, et S. Plechelmus Hiberni ambo e patria sua
Insula egressi ad praidicandum," &C. See cap. xv. , p. 90.
7th
1
Bishop,
July 15. ] LIVES OJF THE IRISH SAIMS. 241
sidered to have been a noble English Saxon by birth, yet to have first seen
the light in the southern part of Scotland. This his place of habitation may
be understood, however, of a period, possibly subsequent to his birth. The
Archbishopof Armagh, MostRev. Peter Lombard, tells us, that this saint, whom he calls Placelmus, was an Irishman. 2 3 As he grew up, Plechelmus was assi-
duous in his study of the inspired and sacred writings. He desired, also, to follow in the footsteps of the holiest masters. From earliest youth, he was a
model of humility and of modesty. He gave himself to the practice of frequent prayer, vigils and fasting. His soul was continually inflamed with the fire of Divine love. 2* While he prayed to be delivered from evil thoughts and
concupiscence, he also asked earnestly for the light of Divine Wisdom ; and, the Almighty graciously deigned to hear his petitions, for his soul was filled
with exalted gifts and graces. His abstinence, in many ways, w—as the admira- tionofallwhoknewhim. Whenass—umedtothepriesthood forwhichhe seems to have been specially destined he bestowed large alms on the poor. He never taught anything in words, which he had not been the first to practise. While humble in appearance, and serene in manner and deportment, he was greatlydevotedtostudy; besides,hislipsbreathedforthwordsofgentleness andwisdom. Heknewthatthemouthofthepriestshouldannouncetrue knowledge. The fervour of his faith was made manifest, through his works of charity.
He guarded carefully the jewel of chastity. Thus, he contended against all the assaults of his spiritual enemies, like a true athlete of Christ.
About this time, it is stated, that a vacancy occurred in the See under which
he appears to have laboured, and its pastor was removed from this life to the
blissofHeaven. Accordingtosomeaccounts,thevacantSeewasnoother
than Candida 2 s n Scotland. is incorrect. Soon was it Casa, i This,however,
deemed necessary to appoint a successor, and an assembly for consultation was convened to determine on a choice. The people were unanimous in
electing Plechelmus, to fill that distinguished office. Although unwillingly consenting, yet deeming it the will of God, he at last yielded. However, at this particular time, it does not appear, that he had been consecrated as bishop, and he may be considered only as a bishop-elect. With him was associated St. Wiro, 26 a man of great holiness and distinguished for his many virtues. At this time, St. Wiro was about to undertake a pilgrimage to Rome, and St. Plechelmus became his companion. With him, our saint resolved on visiting the tombs of the Apostles, and other holy places, in the Eternal
27 were a namedSt. 28in
city. They joined by pious deacon, Othgerus, England,
Sergius 9 is thought to have presided over the Apostolic See, at that time. The devotion and faith of St. Wiro and of St. Plechelm induced the Sovereign Pontiff, to raise them to the episcopal rank. They are said to have been con- secrated in the church of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles. The Pope enriched them with many sacred relics, and he bestowed on them other marks of his distinguished consideration. They were ordered by him, to revisit their native country, and to spread there the seeds of the Gospel among its inhabitants. We are told, that their people received them with great rejoicing, when they returned to take possession of their respective Sees.
and together, the devoted pilgrims proceeded to Rome, where Pope St. 2
24 See Bishop Challenor's " Britannia Sancta," part ii. , p. 33.
Fifth Volume of this work, Art. i. "
" Sane- 86 Sec his Life, at the 8th of May, in the
27 According to Baronius' Annales Eccle- siastici," a. d. 689.
25 In another document we read
tus Plechelmus, Episcopus de Massa Can- dida, vel secundum Bedam Candida Cresa. "
:
28
His feast has been assigned to the loth
of September.
** He ruled from a. d. 687 to a. d. 701.
242 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 15. According to Venerable Bede a Plethelm 3°—often confounded with our
Having laboured with great zeal in the country to which he belonged, St.
Plechelm resolved on seeking another as a sphere for the exercise of his
sacred ministry. To gain other souls to Christ, he accompanied St. Otgerto
Plechelmus3'—became first
present, this place is known as Whitehorn. 33 However, the saint about whom we are now treating was altogether a different person to the Pechthelm men- tioned by Venerable Bedcv* nor is it known over what See he ruled.
France. Here
well
Pepin to receive
always
viaSacra havecommittedthismistake.
32 "
Sedes Episcopalis est suffraganea Glascuensi in Scotia Archiepiscopo. Vide Notitiam nostram Episcopatuum orbis Chris- tiani. Miraeus "Fasti Belgici et Burgun- dici," pp. 421, 422.
33 Situated in the
Scotland. See the Map of Wigtonshire, p. 441.
a like de- nomination, in the south of Wigtonshire,
Biographic verselle, Ancienneet Moderne,"tome xxxii. "
illusi
Mr.
John
Nicholson's "
History
w See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and other principal Saints," vol. vii. , July xv.
rating
of Galloway. "
parish bearing
" At vero provincice Northanhymbrorum, cui Rex Coelvulf praeest, quatuor nunc Episcopi prsesulatum tenent Wilfrid in Eboracensi Ecclesia, ^Ethelwald in Lindisfarronensi,
34 At the year 731, he writes
Bishop
of the See, called Candida Casa. 32 At
35 exercised the of 6 and he was authority king,3
holy men,
as Guelderland, Cleves and Juliers, with several neighbouring provinces, lying betweentheRhine,theWahalandtheMeuse. 37 Ithasbeenstated,thathe
and St. Wiro were present at a synod in Utrecht, called by Pope Sergius, in
formerly prevailed.
After many years of evangelical labour, old age grew upon him. Then
Pipin, Mayor of the French palace, sent him to Mons Petri, afterwards St. Odilia,39 near Ruremonde,40 that he might spend the remainder of his days in
greater quiet. So greatly was he esteemed by Pipin, that each year in the commencement of the Lenten season, he left the palace, and in the spirit of rare humilty, that great prince visited his church with naked feet. He made a humble confession of his sins, likewise, to the saint, and received absolu- tion, shedding tears abundantly. He also asked counsel, as to how he should best govern the subjects entrusted to his care, and as to how he might most
who contributed to — spread morality among
pleased hispeople,andwhowerereadytopreachtheGospelamongthepagans for some even at that period appear to have remained unconverted to Chris- tianity. There, Plechelm laboured with zeal, in the successful extirpation of idolatry ; and, numbers of the pagans were baptized. He also endeavoured to train the Christians in virtuous habits, in that tract of country, now known
the s His efforts were year 697. 3
to the subversion of errors. Those were labours highly successful. The temples of Idols being destroyed, he erected churches to the true God, in their stead ; thus planting the standard of the cross on the sites, where Gentile abominations had
30 See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's " Lives of
the Saints," vol. vii. , July 15, p. 358.
3s The renowned Pepin de Heristal, sore-
markable for his liberality in founding churches and religious institutes, and a great patron of Irish missionaries, who arrived in France during his time.
3<5 For twenty-eight years he governed France, during the nominal reigns of Thierri, Clovis III. , Childebert III. , and Dagobert II. He left as heir his son Charles Mattel. See Michaud's " Uni-
31 Antonio Pagi and the author of " Bata- "
mainly directed,
pagan
:
one of St. Ursula's companions. See Bishop Acca in Hagulstadensi, Pechthelm in ea Challenor's "Britannia Sancta," part ii. ,
quae Candida casa vocatur, quae nuper mul- tiplicatis fidelium plebibus, in sedem Pon- tificatus—addita, ipsum primum habet Antis- titem. " "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
Anglorum," lib. v. , cap. xxiv.
p. 33.
*° So called from the River Roer or Ruhr,
on which it is built, at its junction with the Meuse.
38 See Rev. Dr. J. F. S. Gordon's " Sco-
tichronicon," vol. i. , p. 67.
39 It is said to have been so called after
4 * This had been built on the River
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
promote the Faith among them. This penitential course of life Pepin followed,
until his death took in in the castle'of place 714,
July 15. ]
243
Jopil,*
withstanding, God's holy servant did not cease from the duty of ministration
while here ; for, he engaged indefatigably in arduous works of the ministry. It is related, that he lived to the age of one hundred years, and that he was
all the
were healed at his tomb.
For over one hundred years, the remains of St. Plechelm and his holy
companions were preserved in the church of Mons S. Odilise, until that cele- brated invasion of the Normans, which occurred in the middle of the ninth century. Then, the relics of Saints Wiro, Plechelm and Otger were removed to Utrecht. Baldricus, Bishop of Utrecht, caused the head and chief part of St. Plechelm's body to be transferred to the church of Oldenzel, in the dio- cese of Daventer. Of this place, our saint is regarded as the patron, and his office, as a double of the First-class with an Octave, was there recited. He was also greatly venerated in Mons S. Odiliae, and at Rurimonde. We have already seen, how the church and monastery of St. Peter had been destroyed, in the latter place, and how for a time, the relics of the saints had been lost. ** The bodies of Saints Wiro and Plechelmus, Bishops, with that of St. Otger, deacon, were placed within the altar of the cathedral church.
loved greatly by
Full of —and of people. years virtues,
he rendered his spirittothegreatCreator,ontheIdesofJuly correspondingwiththe15th day of this month. The year for his demise has been set down, at 732. 43 He was buried in a church, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and situated on the mountain top. His relics became instruments for working many miracles, which afterwards took place, through his intercession. Several afflicted persons
An
" Partes
In various Continental as in our insular Calendars, this holy bishop is
was added on the base to this effect
SS. Wironis, Plechelmi et Otgeri. " The calamities of that time caused the relics and that inscription buried among ruins to pass into oblivion. How- ever, they were once more recovered in the year 1594, and in the church of the Holy Ghost was found that interesting inscription on the base of its altar. This discovery, with an office of a double rite, was celebrated on Tuesday after the Festival of the Most Holy Trinity. In the time of Miraeus,4* the head of St. Plechelmus was preserved at the church of Oldenseel, in the diocese of Daventer, and this relic was much venerated, by the people.
inscription
:
Reliquiarum
commemorated, at the 15th of July. Especially, in the Belgian, Utrecht,46 Cologne 47 and Treves < 8 Marty rologies is his feast inserted. Thus, in the additions to Usuard's Martyrology, by Hermann Greven ;49 in the Florarius Manuscript 5° in John Molan 51 and in Peter Canisius ? * the festival of this
;
Meuse.
42 See an account of this finely situated
in " Gazetteer of the World," vol.
city, viii. ,
pp. 728, 729.
43 See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
Fathers, Martyrs, and other principal Saints,'' vol. vii. , July xv.
44 An account of these events may be found, in the Life of St. Wiro, at the 8th of May, in the Fifth Volume of this work, Art. i. , chap. ii.
45 See "Fasti Belgici et Burgundici," p. 420.
46 In the Manuscript Martyrology of St. Mary's church: "Plechelmi Confessoris et Pontificis. " On the margin is inscribed, Aldenzale.
;
1 near 2 Not- Liege/
47 In the edition of 1490, "Ipso die, S. Plechelmi Ep. Conf.
"
49 Printed at Cologne, a. d. 1515 and 1521 :
48 In the of St.
Martin,
"
Manuscript Martyrology Plechelmi Confessoris. "
Plechelmi Tweintiensis Episcopi et Con- fessoris in Aldensel quiescentis.
5° Thus : "Item S. Plechelmi Ep. et Con- fessoris : obiit anno salutis dccxxxii.
5I In the first edition of his additions to
Usuard,publishedintheyear1568. Inthe later editions of Usuard, Mplanus has " Civi- tate Oudensele, natale S. Plechelmi Ep. " Also in his Natales, and Indiculus Sancto- rum Belgii.
52 In both editions of his German Martyr-
ology, where our saint is styled
"
Twentien-
244 LIVES CI- THE IRISH SAINTS [July 15.
holy Bishop is commemorated,. at the present date. In like manner, Arnold
Wion,53 HughMenard,5* BenedictDorgain, ConstantineGhinius,'* Miraeus,56
5? 8
andAndrewSaussay, havenotices. Also,Ferrarius,5 aManuscriptKalendar
6° oftheOrderofSt. Benedict^andBalduinWillot, recordSt. Plechelm,atthe
The
61 Father
Fitzsimon and the record this holy Bishop, Plechelmus or Plechelnus, at this same date. The Rev. Alban
Butler63 givesanaccountofSt. Plechelm,Bishop,Confessor,andApostleof Guelderland, at the 15th of July. This holy saint was greatly venerated in Scotland. 6* In the " Menologium Scoticum" of Thomas Dempster, St. Plechelmus is commemorated,65 at this date. 66 Among the Scottish Entries,
6 intheKalendarofDavidCamerarius,isarecord? ofthissaint,atthe15th
of
anonymous Calendar published by O'Sullevan Beare,
15th
July.
English Martyrology,
Henry 62
68 In the Circle of the Seasons, St. Plechelm is set down as a
A modern Protestant writer 7° describes the Irish as a race, who, without a government of their own, have sent forth colonies to aid in founding vast republics, and rulers to hold the reins of empire when
they had proved too weighty for the grasp of ordinary kings ; who, without an army of their own, have directed the tide of conquest in every land ;
who, without a parliament, have laid all legislative assemblies under obliga-
tion by the wisdom of their statesmen, and the unrivalled eloquence of their
orators; who, without a press, have added the choicest ornaments to the classic
iiterature of the world; who, without religious freedom, have guided theological
thought ; and without political freedom, they have taught other states vainly
calling themselves free, what freedom means, and how it may be permanently
1
won. ?
the Continent of Europe have abundantly demonstrated the services rendered to religion and civilization there during many past ages.
ArticleII. —St. Comman,SonofDiomma,orDimmai. Thelonely
hills and solitudes of our Island were once peopled with devoted men, who
were engaged in celebrating the praises of God, although it is now difficult to know where the exact dwelling places of many had been. In the Martyr-
of
and Confessor, at this same date.
