No More Learning

25 See Baronius' " Annales Ecclesiastici," tomus ii. , sub. A. C. 303, sect, exxx. , p. 617.
26
See Rev. Alban Butler's "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. ix. , September xxv.
that month. See Les Petits Bollandistes, Vies des Saints," tome xiii, xxixe Jour d' Octobre, pp. 13 to 16.
33 This was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and to St. Firmin. To it, a chapter of Canons was attached from an early period.
34 Father John Stilting, S. J. , has learnedly
century, in Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Septembris xxv. De S. Firmino Episc. Mart. Ambianis in Gallia, Commentarius
Praevius, sect, vi. , pp. 36 to 38.
35 He was born at Molincourt or Monti-
27 See " Histoire Literaire de la France," b"
tome i. , Partie i. Troisieme Siecle de contends that St. Salvius was bishop of
l'Eglise, sect, xii. j p. 307. Amiens in the latter part of the seventh
His memory is venerated on theist day
of September. 29 In 622.
30 In 628 he became sovereign over these
countries. He died at Epinay A. D. 638, and
he was buried in St. Denis, which he court, in Soissons, about the year 1066. In the
"
founded. See Encyclopedic Catholique," year 1104, he was consecrated bishop of
M. L'Abbe Glaire et M. le Vte Walsh, Amiens Mar. asses II. at par. by Archbishop
tome x. , p. 6. Rheims. He died on the 8th November,
31 "
See the Bollandists' Acta Sane- A. D. 1 1 15. See Les Petits Bollandistes,
torum," tomus vii. , Septembris xxv. De " Vies des Saints," tome xiii. , viiie Jour de S. Firmino Episc Mart. Ambianit in Gallia, Navembre, pp. 255 to 270.
refuted the statements of Le Cointe, who
592 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 25.
of them, to a shrine more worthy of the sacred deposit. However, a great fire broke out at Amiens in 1 137, and destroyed a considerable portion of the city, which then for the most part was built of wood, while some of the churches were also destroyed. But St. Firmin's church and shrine seem to have been saved from the flames. About the year 1200, bishop Theobald caused a new gold shrine to be prepared. It was presented in the form of a house, with enamels representing scenes in the holy bishop's life. To this the relics of St. Firmin were consigned on the 16th of October, 1204, and on that day a festival was religiously observed in Amiens. *6 St. Firmin has always been venerated with distinguished honour, and pilgrimages have been made to his tomb ; while various churches and religious institutions have been erected, especially throughout France, under his patronage. 3? The veneration for our Saint naturally spread to his native Spain, where he is regarded as one of its chief patrons. To the whole of that country his Office was extended,38 by Pope Benedict XIV. His commemoration is in many Calendars and Martyrologies, at this date, while his Office is read in several old Breviaries. Likewise, we have traces of his cultus in Ireland. In the Kalendar of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, Dublin, at vii. of the October Kalends, the festival of Firmin, Bishop and Martyr, is recorded. 3? The name does not appear, however, in the Martyrology attached/
Article XI. —St. Ruine. The
mentions, that a festival in honour of Ruine was celebrated at this date. In the Book of Leinster copy it is likewise entered. 3
Article XII. —Reputed Feast of St. Adamnan, Abbot or Iona. In treating about St. Adamnan, the Rev, Mr. Reeves remarks, that the Scotch Prayer Book of 1638, in its calendar, borrows the Irish error, by
1
making this saint a bishop. It also places his day at the 25th of September. The Acts of St. Adamnan, already precede this date, as may be seen at the 23rd of September. But, the Bollandists,* quoting Camerarius, also notice him at the present date.
Article XIII. —Cleophas. —In the Feilire of Marianus O'Gor—man we
1
of invitedto — firstknewourLordin—the Emmaus, being enter, they breaking
find a festival for Cleophas leir Cleophas rendered Industrious
at the This Cleopha or Cleophus is said to have been born in the castle of Emmaus, and to have become one of the seventy-two disciples of Christ. According to some accounts, he was brother to St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin. He was one of the two disciples to whom Christ appeared on the day of his Resurrection, and when proceeding to the castle
25th of September.
2
36 See "Gallia
of bread.
The Acts of this Saint
so far as
they
can be
gleaned
are treated
Christiana,"
tomus
*° See
161.
1 150.
"See Les Petits Bollandistes, "Vies des
Saints," tome xi. xxv'Jour de Septembre, PP- 384i 385-
38 See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Septembris xxv. De S. Firmino Episc. Mart. Commentarius Praevius, sect. x. , pp. 46 to 50.
39 Thus " Firmini et
1
:
11 The Book of Obits and Martyrology of the
Cathedral Church of the
"Feilire Hui
episcopi
Martyris. "
Holy Trinity," edited by John Clarke Crosthwaite, A. M. ,
and James Henthorn Todd, D. D. , p. 69.
xxiv.
x. , p.
ibid. , p.
Article xi. — Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly,
p. xxXv.
'Thus : ftuin».
Article xii. —'See Rev. Mr. Reeves'
Adamnan's " Life of St. Columba. " Addi- tional Notes, C, p. 257.
2 See ' Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. ,
published Martyrology
of 1 Tallagh
""
Among the pretermitted
— See Dr. Stokes' Whitley
Gormain," pp. 184, 185.
See the account in St. Luke, chap,
— Septembris xxv.
feasts, p. 3. Article xiii.
2
September 26. ] LIVES 01 THE IRISH SAINTS. 593
in the great Bollandist Collection^ at the 25th of September, in a learned
dissertation,* by Father John Stilting, S. J. Certain difficulties regarding him are there examined, but are not resolved in a manner satisfactory to the writer.
Article XIV. —St. Lupus. In the Feilire of Marianus O'Gorman,
2 A the previous commentary3 explains
1 The
for us in an ancient Breviary of that city, and reproduced by the Bollandists
of
man was bishop and confessor at Lyons in Gaul. His Acts are preserved
there is a feast for at the Lupus,
25th
September.
present holy
in their work, at this great
day.
records referring to the saint, especially in old calendars, as also memorials
regarding his period, some of his transactions, his relics, his cultus and miracles.
ArticleXV. —St. Eusebius. IntheFeilireofSt. yEngus,atthe25thof September, there is a festival for Eusebius' followers, who freed every banquet
the day following. The Bollandists3 likewise have this notice.
Ctoentp-'Strtl) 2Bap of September.
ARTICLE I. —ST. COLMAN EALA, OR ELO, ABBOT OF LANN ELO, NOW LYNALLY, KING'S COUNTY.
[SIXTH AND SEVENTH CENTURIES. ]
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—FAMILY AND BIRTH OF ST. COLMAN EALA—HIS EARLY INSTRUCTION UNDER ST. CAEMAN OF SLIABH BLOOM—MIRACLES—COLMAN IS SAID TO HAVE SPENT SOME TIME AT CONNOR—CONFOUNDED WITH ST. COLMAN OF DROMORE.
from excess. 1 A comment is affixed,2 which
that Eusebius was a bishop. This entry is no doubt meant for Pope Eusebius, whose feast is recorded at this date in some copies of the Martyrology of St. Jerome. However, in others, as in the Roman Martyrology, his festival is placed at
and wisdom combined are necessary to form the character of a in discrimination of motives
SANCTpeIrfTecYt religious. Especially and objects to be attained is required.
superiors,
The pious rector must understand,
Stokes' " Feilire Hui Gormain," pp. 184, tembris xxv. De S. Cleopha Discipulo 185.
2
Christi. pp. 5 to 10.
4 Or Sylloge. This is given in two Septembris xxv. De S. Lupo Episc. Conf.
"
2
See ibid. , p. cxlvii.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. ,
3 See Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Sep-
sections, containing twenty-four paragraphs.
There we find treated— I. His memorials in
the Greek and Latin Martyrologies. 2. His
cultus. 3. His Acts as gleaned from the Royal Irish Academy, Irish Manuscript Evangelists and from other sources. 4. Series, vol. i. , pait i. On the Calendar of His relationship to St. Joseph, the Blessed Oengus, by Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. Virgin and to Christ our Lord. 5. His cxxxix.
sons called brothers of our Lord. 6. In fine, an enquiry concerning doubts about his
history. — Article xiv.
•
Septembris xxv. Among the pretermitted See Dr. Whitley saints, p. 4.
explains
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. ,
Lugduni in Gallia, pp. 81 to 85.
3 The editor is Father John Perier, S. J. Article xv. —' See " Transactions of the
IP
594 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September26.
that faults are often substitutes for virtues. Thus, avarice assumes the guise of saving, and waste that of liberality ; sloth is often called piety, and unre-
1
strained anger is thought to be spiritual zeal.
position, and a knowledge of human nature generally, help him to prescribe the best correctives for those he is appointed to govern, and for the regula- tion of his own conduct.
From a very early period this pious ccenobiarch was venerated in the Irish
Church. Atthevi. oftheOctoberKalends,or26thofSeptember,wefind
entered in the of 2 a festival to honour Colman published Martyrology Tallagh,
of Lainn ElaJ It is also found recorded in the Book of Leinster copy. * At the 26th of September, the Feilire of St. ^Engus5 commemorates St. Colman of Lann Ela with a distinguished eulogy, and it calls him " the great John of Ire- land'ssons. " Tothisacommentatorhasappendedexplanatorynotesrelating
to his 6 and to his pedigree
Acts of this man holy
Several
are extant. In Dublin, Trinity College Library and Marsh's Library' have
10
Manuscript Lives. There is a Vita S. Colmani Ela,
among the Franciscan
Ailc
Conit) he An huAlAnn
legem) 1om WAp mAcc nepent).
lahuAigi
Thus rendered into English, by Dr. Whitley
Stokes " Colman of Lann Ela, with per- :
fection of high readings, so that he is
splendid (and) praiseworthy, the great John of Ireland's sons ! "—" Transactions of the
II
It is classed : MSS. vol. iv. , part ii. , At. iii. In the Irish Life of St. Columba, cap. 158, it would seem, that the narrative confounds him with St- Colman mac Ua Laoighse, whose feast occurs at the 15th of
Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript May.
Series, vol. i. , part. i. On the Calendar of
CKngus, p. exxxix.
6 " Colman Ela, son of Beogna, son of
Vol. xxii. , at fol. : 123-
' 3 They are classed : Vila S. Colmani dt
place. *
Manuscript 8
Records, Dublin. This is the Life, we have chiefly consulted in compiling
the present memoir, but it abounds with fables. Among the manuscripts
belonging to the Burgundian Library at Bruxelles, there is an Irish Life of St.
Colman Elo, transcribed by Brother Michael O'Clery.
11
There is also a Latin
Life of St. Colman Elo among the Burgundian Library Manuscripts, Bruxelles. " The Bodleian Library at Oxford, has Manuscript Lives of St. Colman. '3 At the 26th of September, Colgan intended to publish the Acts of this holy Abbot. 1 *
The modern writers who have treated abjut St. Colman Elo or Eala are
Meredith 1* Ussher,16 L'Abbe' 1 ? Hanmer, Archbishop Ma-Geoghegan, Bishop
Article i. —Chap. i. * St. Gregory the jecture regarding the local nomenclature. —
M
Great ; Opera, Pastoralia," pars ii. , cap. Ibid. 1 p. cxlvii.
ix.
3 Edited
xxxv. 55 anno setat. "
I In Irish there is an added note, thus
translated into " A was he, English : John
i. e. , like is he unto John for wisdom and
contains for September 26th, Kal. vi. Oct. Colmani Epis.
9 The Codex Kilkenniensis St. registers
by
3 To this is added
"
p.
Rev. Dr. Kelly,
Lam
5 In the Leabhar Breac copy we find :
Coltnan o tAint) elA
—
Thus a MS. inT. C. D. , classed B. 3, 12,
* Thus
:
Colmani
elo,
lu anno
Aec.
virginity. " 8
Ibid. ,
p.
cxlvii.
Elo, MS. Bodl. Rawl, B. 505, pp. 104-1 1 1, Mochta, son of Cuinned, of Land Ela. " veil, folio, xiv. cent. MS. Bodl Kawl. B.
Then is added in Latin, that Ela was the
name of a woman who lived there before See
St. Colman, or Ela was the proper name of a river near to his church. Then we have
"
the Scriptural verse :
exsurgam diluculo, confitebor Domino, quia non est inane speiare in Domino. " In a second note there is a repetition of the con-
Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum quae MS. habentur, ordine Mensiura et
Dierum. "
,s See "Chronicle of Ireland," p. 132.
Colman ela dixit
Experience of his own dis-
Colmann's Life, at fol. 130 to 133. 10 "
InaManuscript VitseSanctorum,"ex Cod. Inisensi, pp. 130 to 142.
485, fol. 205, veil. 4to. , xiv. cent.
14 *'
16
See Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Anti-
quitates," cap. xvii. , p. 497.
17 See " LTIistoire de l'lrlande, ancienne
September 26. ] LIVES OP THE IRISH SAINTS. 595
Challoner, '*
Butler, Biography. "
21 Atthisdate,moreover, Forbes Bishop
ofChristian
has some account of the present Saint ;
Dictionary
et moderne," tome i,, seconde partie, chap,
iii. , p. 303.
18 See "A Memorial of Ancient British
Piety," p. 136.
'9 See "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs
and other principal Saints," vol. ix. , Sep- tember xxvi.
20 See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
land," vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sect, ii. , pp. 303
to 310.
31 See vol. i. , p. 600.
aS See " Kalendars of Scottish Saints,"
p. 304.
23 Fuit vir vite venerabilis Colmanus
nomine de nobili gente Hiberniae, i. e. , de
the Dal mBuain. According to Mac Firbis Genealogical Manuscripts, pp. 102, 728, b.
1? Rev. Dr. 20 and a writer in the Lanigan,
18 Rev. Alban
Scotland.
This saint's parents belonged to Meath and were of a noble race. 23 They
were known as the family of Mocusailni. St. Colman was the son of Beognai,
sometimes written 2* He Beagni.
belonged
EochoMairedha,26 sontoMuireadh. andhesprangfromthedescendantsof
2
Heremon. His mother was Mor, daughter to Feidhlimidh, ? and sister of
St. Columba,28 to the according
Feidhlemidh was
twenty-second in descent from Fedhlim Saillne, the head of the Dal-Selli, and -from whom
2
this Colman derived his tribe name, Mac-U-Sailni, 9 but from a nearer
progenitor. 3° In some cases, our saint is called Colmanus Episcopus Mac-U-Sailne, or Mocusailni from his tribe name. He is called also
Columbanus Alius Beogni, from his father Beogna. 3
1
It would seem, that the
O'Clerys.
people of Leinster had made an incursion upon the Meathian territory, which
obligedtheparentsofoursainttotakerefugeintheValleyofHoichle,32 now
known as Glenelly,33 in the north-east of the County of Tyrone. A river
flows through this valley, in the parish of Upper Badoney. 3* The valley is about fifteen miles long, and from one and a half to about three miles in
width. 35 The Glenelly River has its source in the hills bordering on London- derry County, and several streams converge before it joins the Owenleagh
29 Every man in the clan Dal-Sailne was a batur. Qui cum esset regio Midi a Lagi- mac U1 SAilne. See Rev. Dr. Reeves' nensibus devastata, fugit cum suis in Valle—m Adamnan's Life of St. Columba, lib. i. , cap.
Nepotibus Neill et pater ejus Beogne voca- HoichleetibinatusestsanctusColmanus. " 5, n.