citude, anxiety and energetic efforts are the price to be paid for such dan- gerous distinctions; still popular approval or the favour of those in high station is proverbially capricious ; such power is weakness, when the mind is left ill at ease, or rather entirely
overburdened
with fatigues and fears.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
, lib.
xiv.
, sect.
iv.
p.
412.
" Spicilegium," tomus iv.
'' A Manuscript Chronicle of Centule,
compiled by Joannes Cupella, in the fifteenth century, adds to the forei^oing account : " Quod factum est, sed omni anno, die iii. Kaicndasjunii, processionaliter leportabatur. Accidit lamen quod in rei^ressu corporis, Ahbatisct Fratrum decern et in eadem die iii.
,
6o8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 30.
but, he found they were unwiUing to accede to the wishes of their Abbot. They urged, that being ignorant about the acts, merits and life of Madelgisilus, it could not be right to have his relics exposed for public veneration. Find- ing he could not overcome their reluctance, to have the remains brought into the large monastic church, at Centule, Ingelard resolved on the selection of a chapel, without the boundary of the town, in which they might be placed, and which was easily accessible both for the monks and for the inhabitants. Towards the end of the tenth century, this small church was built near the Abbey of St. Riquier. Afterwards, it bore the name of St. Mauguille, thus Gallicized from the Latin form of Madelgisilus. '5 A shrine was here pre- pared for the deposition of our saint's relics, and this arrangement seemed to meet with general approval. Accordingly, on the Kalends of June—the year is not specified—Ingelard organized a grand procession from Monstrelet, whence he brought the sacred relics to the place already mentioned. '^ Thither the faithful resorted, and bearing with them various offerings to the saint's shrine,'? so that those favours they received through his merits might be publicly memorialed. The relics of Madelgisilus were resorted to by numbers of people ; and, at his shrine, the blind were restored to sight, the deaf to the use of hearing, the lame were enabled to walk, while the mute re- ceived the gift of speech. In fine, so many cures among the infirm took place, that neither memory could bear in mind, nor tongue might relate, the number of favours it pleased God to bestow on our saint's pious clients. A perfect knowledge ot these circumstances caused the Abbot Ingelard and his monks to regret, that any doubt had been cast on the superabundant merits of Madel- gisilus, and that they had not earlier recognised him, as a pearl of great price, while veiled in former obscurity and in such an humble place, so loved by him while alive. Now, it pleased the Almighty, to withdraw this cloud from their vision. '^ Wiierefore, the monks and people assembled, when preparing crucifixes, lights and sweet-smelling plants, with great reverence to God and to his servant, in due ecclesiastical form, they proceed processionally to that little church already mentioned. Asking pardon for their former sins of omission, they raise the body of Madelgisilus, and bear it to the church of St. Richarius, chanting hymns. There, the shrine was deposited, and thence- forward it was preserved with due honour. In commemoration of the original transference from Monstrelet, it was a custom of the people at Centule and of Ponthieu, to bear in procession, each year, and on the day of his Natalis, the sacred body to that place, where it had been at first committed to the earth. This was done, with great ceremony and rejoicing,a vast multitude assembling to witnesstheprocession,fromalltheadjoiningtownsandvillages. Inconnexion
with those processions, also, some remarkable miracles are recorded. '9 We
'5 See Baillet's " Les Vies des Saints," It is published, in Dom Luc d'Achery's
'' Tiie Manuscript Chronicle of Centule,
wriUen i)y Joannes Capella, says :" ita quoti
duo ligna vix dei)orlaie potcrant oblaliones
ccra: et iniaginum, capitum, brachiorum, Kalendas Junii, tempus perturbalum est et manuum, pedum et similiuni. "—"Acta nebuiosuni cum ventis et pluviis, regnantibus
Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Maii xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, Centulte in Picardia. Commentarius I'raivius, num. 2, p. 264.
'* According to the " Chronicon Centu- lense," written by Ilariulph, lib. iii. , cap. 29.
tonitruis et scintillationibus et vaporibus in intima regione aeris, quod omnes dicebaut hora decimade mane, quod erat nox et non dies: tamen publice duo juvenes Rebgiosi ante corpus sanctissimum cum duobus con-
May 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 609
are told, that on a certain occasion, some proprietor, who had unjustly seized on land belonging to thechurchof St. Madelgisilus, while endeavouring to assist at the annual procession, found his sedan-chair immovable, nor could all the efforts of the bearers raise it from the earth. Recollecting his avaricious de- tention of the land, the circumstance was objected to him by his neighbours, whourgedhimtorestoreittotherightfulowner. Themanwasterrifiedat the portent, nor could he rest, until due satisfaction was made ; and accord- ingly, the land was restored, for the use of St. Madelgisilus' church. Then, his litter was easily removable, nor was it found to be weighted as before, when the man had thus humbly repented of his crime.
In the eleventh century, St. Gervin,^° who had been a Canon ^' in the church of Notre Dame, in Rheims,^^ afterwards became Abbot over St. Riquier's monastery, at Centule. During his term of rule, he is said to have caused a chapel to be dedicated, in honour of Saints Madelgisilus, Caidoc, and Adrian, confessors. ^3 While the Abbot Anscher ^+ presided over the Monas- tery, at Centule, it was found, that the old shrine showed signs of decay, and that a new one should be required, for the custody of St. Madelgisilus' relics. ^s Accordingly, it was resolved, to prepare another and a more suitable recep- tacle, while the Abbot and his monks proceeded to inspect their actual state, andtohavereadywhatshouldberequiredfortheirreposition. ^^ Then,indeed,
delabris argenteis secum deferebaiit duos cereos et duo luniinaria, qusenunquam de- fecerunt : sed in iis semper fuit lumen usque regressum, et dum feretrum seu Capsa re- poneretur in suo loco praeordinato. "
portal are colossal, and mostly elegant in de- sign and workmanship. See Murray's " Handbook for Travellers in France," sect. ix. . Route 178, pp. 63S to 641.
''^ In the "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martii iii. , the Bollandists have inserted the Acts of St. Gervinus, Abbas, and in num. 3, this is stated. They add, however, to the
°° His feast occurs on the 3id of March,
and he is said to have been one of the most
celebrated scholars and preachers of his age.
See "Histoire Litteraire de la France," account in the text, at this day: "Sed
tome vii. Onzieme Siecle. Etat des Letres en France, sect, civ. , p. 86, sect, cxii. , p. 93, sect, cxlix. , p. 123.
^' See Les Petits Bollandistes "Vies des Saints. " tome iii. , iii^ Jour de Mars, p. 128. ^^ Rheiijis is a very ancient city of France and dating back to the time of the Romans. Notwithstanding the various modern im- provements, which have cleared away so many of its antique features, there are yet many antique vestiges of the Roman domina- tion. It is situated on the right bank of the Vesle, in the Department of the Marne; and the situation is very agreeable, being sur- rounded by slopes covered with vineyards.
miramur ultimorum duorum mentionem apud alios auctores non reperiri, ad hunc xxx. Mali, prasterquam apud Scriptores Centu- lenses. "—"Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Mail xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, Cen- tulte in Picardia Commentarius Prsevius, num. 3, p. 265.
-* He was of a noble family, living near St. Riquier, and he early evinced a vocation for the monastic state. He became an in- mate of Centule monastery in the year 1073, under the Abbot Gervin II. , afterwards pro- moted to be Bishop of Amiens, in the year 1091, while he continued to be Abbot of St. Riquier, until by a Decree of Pope Urban he was compelled to resign the latter office. Anscher is said to have been installed a. d. 1096, or perhaps, the year following. He ruled over Centule, it is thought, between twenty or thirty years, while his death has been assigned to the 25th of July, a. d. 1 136. See "Histoire Litteraire de la France,"
It is regarded as the metropolitan See of
France ; and its magnificent Gothic cathe-
dral is perhaps the finest in Europe north of
the Alps. The building as it now stands
was begun in 121 2, by Robert de Coucy ; it
was consecrated in 1241 ; but, it was not
finished until 1430. iiowever, there are
various portions of it still left incomplete, tome xi. , Siecle xii. , sect, i. , ii. , pp. 611 and notably the towers, which were to have to 618.
been crowned by open-work spires. Owing ^s See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S. to their absence, the elevations lose much of Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect, iv. ,
theircompleteness,althoughextensiverepairs and restorations in good taste have for many years been progressing. The well-known portal and west fa9ade generally were added to the original church, and form the glory of the edifice. Many of the 600 statues on the
p. 412.
^° Describing this examination, in common
with that of other shrines of saints, at Cen- tule, the Manuscript Chronicle of Joannes Capella adds of Aschor "in una invenit schedulam sic scriptam : corpus S. Magdel-
6io LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 30.
the deer-skin covering was found to be rather short for the size of the bones and skeleton ; and, therefore, a portion of these remained under their previous covering,untiltimeshouldbegiventohavethembetterarranged. However, in their new case, the relics were placed, psalms being sung, and an honourable ceremony having been awarded,^' on the 13th day of July, a. d. 1113. ^^
Only a few days had passed, after this temporary arrangement of our saint's relics, until the keeper of the church, who entertained a great devotion towards Magdelgisilus, happened to take ill. Not being able to sleep, he revolved in mind the whole night, as to when and how some better plan could be devised, for their more suitable preservation. Towards morning, however, some little re- pose he had, and while his thoughts were intent on his purpose, sleep began to sealhiseyes. Suddenlythesaint—handsomeandtall—appearedtohim,and covered with bright raiment. He then said : " This purpose you shall carefully provide for and proceed to carry out, so that all my bones be buried together. " But, the keeper, who woke from his light slumber, and whose reverence for Madelgesilus was so great, clearly understood, that the saint himself had appeared, as he spoke about his own relics. The keeper, turning his eyes on the figure, desired to ask concerning his name and merits. Notwithstanding, the illustrious and glorious spirit vanished, before a word could be spoken; but, the tracks of his footsteps seemed to be of gold, while a most fragrant odour filled the whole apartment. The keeper's infirmity at once disappeared, owing to the sudden joy he experienced, on receiving this sort of revelation. Desiring to furnish proof of it to his friends, he said to himself, "Immediately, I shall seize on those golden traces of the saint's feet, and bear them as tokens to the brothers. " Then, he arose, stretching out his arms, and making an effort to reach what he deemed a reality, but the traces soon vanished. This
account is all we have remaining ; and, the old chronicler has forgotten to tell us, whether the saint's mandate had been carried out, yet, it is probable, that suchwasthecase. ^9 AninscriptiononthetombofMadelgisilusrecordsthe event of the Abbot Anscher having prepared a new shrine, for the honourable deposition of the holy man's relics. 3° It is supposed, that the ist day of June was the date for some public translation of the remains of St. Madelgisilus. His deposition or departure from life, however, has been assigned to this day, by Hariulfe; and, his authority has been followed, by most of the Kalendarists. Thus, an old Martyrology belonging to Berlin, and printed at Paris with additions, Molanus, Canisius, Wion, Dorgan, Menard, Saussay, Bucelin, and nearly all the modern writers, place the feast of Madelgesilus. 3' It is thought his Acts—now probably lost—had been written at much greater length than we have them at present. This saint is held in great
gesili Confessoris hie positum iii. Kalendas took place, A. D. 1 113. See "AnnalesOr-
Junii : quod corpus reposuit in alio novo feretro v Idus Julii. "
"^7 See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Mali xxx. De S. Madeigisilo Eremita, Centulre in Picardia. Supplemcn- tum de Translalione Corporis Centulam, deinde an. I113 in novamCapsani, pp. 268, 269.
"* See Baillet's " Les Vies des Saints," tome v. , xxx. Jour de May, sect, iii. , p. 94.
-9 See the Bollandists' " ActaSanctoium," tomus vii. , Mali xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, Cenlulce in Picardia. Siip])lemen- tum de Translatione Corporis Centulam, deinde an. 1 1 13 in novam capsam, num. 17, p. 269.
3" Mabillon states, that this entombment
dinis S. Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect, iv. , p. 412.
3' The Latin lines, which run thus, are supposed to commemorate the Translation of this saint's relics. :
" Ossa Madelgisili tenet haec lectica Beati
Quern Confessorem sibi Christus rite beavit,
Anschemsque novam sibi capsamjure paravit. '
—
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Mail xxx. De S. Madelgesilo Eremita, Centuls in Picardia, Commenlarius Pra:vius, num. pp. 264, 265.
:—
—;
MAY30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
6ii
veneration, especially throughout Picardy. His chief festival has always been observed on the 30th of May, and with marked religious ceremonial.
The greatest errors of men are those cherished by them, pursuing fancied dreams of happiness. They do not care to reflect on the real nature of that phantom they follow. Not fully appreciating the delights of final happiness, the ultimate aim of life is unheeded, and false pleasures sought only render human beings most miserable, both in pursuit and possession.
Many seek riches as the object of their fondest desires ; with great effort or labour those
may be acquired ;
they are soon lost \
and restlessness.
citude, anxiety and energetic efforts are the price to be paid for such dan- gerous distinctions; still popular approval or the favour of those in high station is proverbially capricious ; such power is weakness, when the mind is left ill at ease, or rather entirely overburdened with fatigues and fears. Others may place their chief happiness in human and domestic affections but even these are variable and insincere, in too many instances friendship
;
has been deceived and betrayed ; conjugal, parental, or filial, relation- ship has been alloyed by faithlessness, by misfortune, and by crime. Healthofmindandbodyis thoughtbyotherstobeapearlofgreatprice, and a rational object to secure; but, although its advantages and pleasures, humanly speaking, are not to be undervalued, our mental faculties or bodily strength cannot long last in unimpaired vigour. Therefore, with the saints ought we recur to nobler and higher sources, in order to satisfy the eager longings of our souls. With them we should hold, that the Infinite alone can satiate all our desires, and regulate or appease those restless motions and aspirations of the human will, by directing them, even during our mortal career,
to the true objects, for which we have received those gifts, natural and super- natural, we now possess. Through all the vicissitudes of life, our thoughts must be elevated above ends, merely natural and perishable ; our joys and hopes should centre in the supernatural, glorious and immortal beatitude and tranquillity, whence pain and care are altogether removed. Such principles of action regulated the motives of our saints, while exercising their powers of body and of mind, in serving God, in purifying their own affections, and in edifying their fellow-creatures. With tiiem, pursuing true and unalloyed happiness, we must recognise a certain conclusion, that in the possession of Heaven, supreme felicity has been achieved, and the great contest of our lives has been crowned with victory.
Article II. St. Goban, or Gobban, of Airdne Dairinse. In the Martyrology of Tallagh,' this name is set down as, Goban Airdni Dairinsi, at this date. The BoUandists,^ quoting from the same authority, have Gobanus de Ara-Dar-Inis, at the 30th of May. This saint is said to have had another festival, at the 26th of March, when a notice of St. Gobban may be seen. Colgan also infers, that he must have been very distinguished for his piety and mental endowments, since he had a double festival instituted in his honour. Whatevercanbeknownregardinghimseemsmoreorlessinvolved in obscurity. However, attempts have been made, to clear away the mist, which has so long covered this saint's Acts. 3 It is not known, whether he
Article II. — Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. XXV.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. Among the pretermitted feasts, p. 233.
3 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nix," Martii xxvi. , Vita S. Gobbani, p. 750.
•See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiberni-
cum," p. 695.
' According to a supposition of some, this
but most frequently they are not attained, or, if possessed, while worldly wealth, so won, is sure to increase their care Many are ambitious of public dignities and honours ; soli-
6l2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[May 30.
governed the Island of Molana, in the River Blackwater of Munster, and in the county of Waterford, or whether he ruled over an Island, in the present WexfordHarbour. BothplacesformerlywentbythenameofDarinis. Some writers say, this saint was abbot of Airdne, one of the Aran Isles, off the coast of Galway, and in several Martyrologies, we are told, he is styled Abbas Ardnensis. -* The common name of the three Islands was Ara,5 w-hich in the nominativeisAirne,orAranninthegenitive,accordingtotheIrish. Where- fore, Father John Colgan ^ thought Airne to have been a distinct name for one of these Islands. It is another mistake of his to write, that Ard-Olen was the
^V
Nurney Old Church, County of Kildare.
same as that Island ;7 for, Ard-Olen lies, as elsewhere he has properly stated, in another place. ^ Neither is the most eastern the chiefest of the three Isles of Aran, as he took it to be,9 but rather it is the smallest. It is probable, that he was led into the mistake, by some incorrect map, in which these Islands were either misplaced, or their position was reversed. *° Before Colgan's time, the Maps of Ireland were grossly inaccurate. In some of them this East Island of Aran is set down as the largest. In others, the greatest size is claimed for the Middle Island. " There are many places, in Ireland, called
word signifies "a kidney," from a fanciful * See ibid. , xx. Januarii, Supplementum resemblance of Aranmoie to one. However, Vitae S. Fechini, cap. xxii. , p. 135, and n.
if it were the name applied to all the Islands in common, this ingenious conjecture of the etymologists sliould at once vanish, if we take into account their actual conformation.
13. p. 141.
' See ibid. , xxi. Martii, Appendix ad
Vitam S. Endei, cap. vii. , p. 714.
'° The very same cause may account for
' See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," his mistake about Ardoilen.
Martii xxvi. Dc S. Gobano Abbatc de " Sec the Government Map, headed, Airdne Dairinnsi, nn. i, 2, p. 750. " Ilibernia, Insula, non procul ab Anglia,
' See ibid. , xxi. Martii, Appendix ad wlgare Uirlandia vocata, 1567," published Vitam S. Endei, cap. vii. , pp. 714, 715. with the State Papers, vol. ii. London, 1834.
—
May 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 613
Airdne by our ancient writers ; and, in modern phraseology, that denomina- tion has been rendered into Urney or Nurney. One of those places, called Nurney, gives name to a townland" and parish, in the present Barony of West Offiily, county of Kildare ; and here, there are some ruins of an old church in a cemetery. '3 In the same county, there is another parish of Nurney, in the Barony of Carbury. '-^ There is a parish called Nurney. likewise, in the Baronies of Carlow, Forth, and Idrone West, county of Carlow. 's However, it is not certain, that St. Goban or Gobban had connexion with any of these places. We find entered, likewise, in the Martyrology of Donegal,^^ that Gobban, abbot of Airdne, was venerated, on this day.
Article III, St. Fergussius, of Druim-bile, otherwise, St. Saergusa bile, or Saerghos, of Druim. Saergusabileis the description we find entered for this saint, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 30th of May. However, the BoUandists,^ who cite the same authority, place Faer- gussius de Druim-bile, at this date, and probably, it is the more correct ren- dering. There is a townland, called Drumbilla,3 in the parish of Roche,4 and baronyofUpperDundalk,inthecountyofLouth;while,it seemstobethe only nearly corresponding denomination, among the other townland names in Ireland. Yet, it is hardly probable, notwithstanding, that it was the place of Fer- gussius, Saergusa, or Saerghos. This holy man appears to have been identified, with Soergussius,5 or Saerghus, an abbot of Dearmhach or Durrow,^ and who died A. D. 835. 7 The identification, however, cannot be relied upon, as being quiteconclusive. Thissameday,venerationwasgiventoSaerghos,ofDruim, aswereadintheMartyrologyofDonegal. ^ Inthetableappended,thisname is written Saorghuss, and Latinized, Sergius. 9 On the west coast of Ireland, in the county of Sligo, there is a Dromard,'° the site of a religious erection. One of Miss Owenson's most affecting sketches is given of an incident she has noted, when sitting on a tomb among the old ecclesiastical ruins of Dromard, over the Atlantic Ocean, the landlord of the place, her companion, was asked by
" " In the vicinity of the village is an old castle. This parish is a rectory in the dio- cese of Kildare. "—"Parliamentary Gazet- teerof Ireland," vol. iii. , p. 43.
•3 The accompanying illustration is from a sketch, kindly made on the spot, by Rev. Edward O'Leary, C. C. , Rathangan, and transferred by William F. Wakeman, to the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard. As acces- sories to the picture, the round stone vessel —probably a font—belongs to the place: the oblong one has been conveyed to the modern chapel, which adjoins the ruin at Nurney, and it belongs to a neighbouring old church, at Harristovvn, as I have been informed, in a letter of Very Rev. Michael Comerford, P. P. , Monasterevan, and dated June 2nd, 1S85. The situation of this parish is marked on the "Ordnance Survey Town- land Maps for the County of Kildare," sheets 27, 31. The villige, townland, and demesne, so named, are marked on the same maps.
for the County of Carlow," sheet 12,
'° Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
I40, 141.
Article in. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xxv.
-See -"Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii.
Among the pretermitted saints, p. 233.
3 See it described, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of
Louth," sheet 3.
*• This parish contains 3,305a. ir. I7p. ,
and it is shown on sheets 3, 4, 7- Il'id.
5 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbi-e, cap.
iv. , sect, iii. , pp. 507, 508.
* In the King's County.
? See Dr. O Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 452,453.
« j^jjfgj ^y Qj-s. Todd and Reeves, pp.
140, 141.
9 See ibid. , pp. 464, 465.
'° This parish in the Barony of Tireragh is
shown, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Sligo,"_ sheets 13, 19, 20. The townland proper is marked on
sheet 19.
" See Miss Owenson's "Patriotic Sketches
»» See ibid. , sheets 2, 3, 8. called Nurney, is on sheet 3.
Its townland,
'S It is shown, with tlie townlandso named, on the "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps
—
6 14 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 30.
a young peasant, for stones from his quarry to built up the cemetery wall, thus to save his parents' remains from desecration. "
Article IV. St. Ernine, or Erni:ius. The insertion of the name, Ernine, is found in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at this date. The Bollan- dists' have it Ernimus—apparently an incorrect spelling—at the 30th of May, and on the previous authority. No clue is given, however, to find his place or his period.
Article V. Reputed Feast of St. Silay, or Silaus, Bishop at Lucca. The Acts, probably of St. Silaus, Bishop of Lucca—also called Silay—had been prepared for publication by Colgan,' as we find in the post- humous list of his Manuscripts, and he had intended to place them, at the 30th ofMay. ThiswasapparentlyontheauthorityofPhilipFerrarius,whostates that he died, a. d. 780, and on the Sunday after Ascension Day, in that same year. However, the Bollandists, who quote his authority for the statement, show, that the Sunday in question then fell on the 7th and not on the 30th
of May. " Father Stephen White 3 commemorates St. Silanus, at the 30th of May; and,PhilipFerarius,''also,seemstohavebeenhisauthorityforthat entry. We have already treated about St. Silaus, Bishop and Patron at Lucca, in Hetruria. 5
Article VI. St. Heyna or Hieu. [Sevefith Ce? itury. '] In the EngUsh Martyrology of John Wilson, the present holy virgin is commemo- rated, on this day ; while Philip Ferrarius ' and Arthur de Monstier ^ adopt the same arrangement. She is said to have been the first woman who em- braced a conventual life, at the instigation of St. Aidan,3 Bishop and Apostle oftheKingdomofNorthumbria. NotwithstandingtheopinionofJohnLeland, St. Hieu was a different person from St. Bees,* or Bega, as is shown by Dr. Smith, in his annotations on Venerable Bede ;5 and, Heina is said to have founded the monastery of Heorthu, over which she placed Hilla, and then she retired to Tadcaster. ^ A Saxon monastery was at this place, so early as 655 ; but, the church there was afterwards annexed to Sallay Abbey,?
of Ireland, written in Connaught," vol. ii. , 3 His Life may be seen, at the 31st of sketch xii.
" Spicilegium," tomus iv.
'' A Manuscript Chronicle of Centule,
compiled by Joannes Cupella, in the fifteenth century, adds to the forei^oing account : " Quod factum est, sed omni anno, die iii. Kaicndasjunii, processionaliter leportabatur. Accidit lamen quod in rei^ressu corporis, Ahbatisct Fratrum decern et in eadem die iii.
,
6o8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 30.
but, he found they were unwiUing to accede to the wishes of their Abbot. They urged, that being ignorant about the acts, merits and life of Madelgisilus, it could not be right to have his relics exposed for public veneration. Find- ing he could not overcome their reluctance, to have the remains brought into the large monastic church, at Centule, Ingelard resolved on the selection of a chapel, without the boundary of the town, in which they might be placed, and which was easily accessible both for the monks and for the inhabitants. Towards the end of the tenth century, this small church was built near the Abbey of St. Riquier. Afterwards, it bore the name of St. Mauguille, thus Gallicized from the Latin form of Madelgisilus. '5 A shrine was here pre- pared for the deposition of our saint's relics, and this arrangement seemed to meet with general approval. Accordingly, on the Kalends of June—the year is not specified—Ingelard organized a grand procession from Monstrelet, whence he brought the sacred relics to the place already mentioned. '^ Thither the faithful resorted, and bearing with them various offerings to the saint's shrine,'? so that those favours they received through his merits might be publicly memorialed. The relics of Madelgisilus were resorted to by numbers of people ; and, at his shrine, the blind were restored to sight, the deaf to the use of hearing, the lame were enabled to walk, while the mute re- ceived the gift of speech. In fine, so many cures among the infirm took place, that neither memory could bear in mind, nor tongue might relate, the number of favours it pleased God to bestow on our saint's pious clients. A perfect knowledge ot these circumstances caused the Abbot Ingelard and his monks to regret, that any doubt had been cast on the superabundant merits of Madel- gisilus, and that they had not earlier recognised him, as a pearl of great price, while veiled in former obscurity and in such an humble place, so loved by him while alive. Now, it pleased the Almighty, to withdraw this cloud from their vision. '^ Wiierefore, the monks and people assembled, when preparing crucifixes, lights and sweet-smelling plants, with great reverence to God and to his servant, in due ecclesiastical form, they proceed processionally to that little church already mentioned. Asking pardon for their former sins of omission, they raise the body of Madelgisilus, and bear it to the church of St. Richarius, chanting hymns. There, the shrine was deposited, and thence- forward it was preserved with due honour. In commemoration of the original transference from Monstrelet, it was a custom of the people at Centule and of Ponthieu, to bear in procession, each year, and on the day of his Natalis, the sacred body to that place, where it had been at first committed to the earth. This was done, with great ceremony and rejoicing,a vast multitude assembling to witnesstheprocession,fromalltheadjoiningtownsandvillages. Inconnexion
with those processions, also, some remarkable miracles are recorded. '9 We
'5 See Baillet's " Les Vies des Saints," It is published, in Dom Luc d'Achery's
'' Tiie Manuscript Chronicle of Centule,
wriUen i)y Joannes Capella, says :" ita quoti
duo ligna vix dei)orlaie potcrant oblaliones
ccra: et iniaginum, capitum, brachiorum, Kalendas Junii, tempus perturbalum est et manuum, pedum et similiuni. "—"Acta nebuiosuni cum ventis et pluviis, regnantibus
Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Maii xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, Centulte in Picardia. Commentarius I'raivius, num. 2, p. 264.
'* According to the " Chronicon Centu- lense," written by Ilariulph, lib. iii. , cap. 29.
tonitruis et scintillationibus et vaporibus in intima regione aeris, quod omnes dicebaut hora decimade mane, quod erat nox et non dies: tamen publice duo juvenes Rebgiosi ante corpus sanctissimum cum duobus con-
May 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 609
are told, that on a certain occasion, some proprietor, who had unjustly seized on land belonging to thechurchof St. Madelgisilus, while endeavouring to assist at the annual procession, found his sedan-chair immovable, nor could all the efforts of the bearers raise it from the earth. Recollecting his avaricious de- tention of the land, the circumstance was objected to him by his neighbours, whourgedhimtorestoreittotherightfulowner. Themanwasterrifiedat the portent, nor could he rest, until due satisfaction was made ; and accord- ingly, the land was restored, for the use of St. Madelgisilus' church. Then, his litter was easily removable, nor was it found to be weighted as before, when the man had thus humbly repented of his crime.
In the eleventh century, St. Gervin,^° who had been a Canon ^' in the church of Notre Dame, in Rheims,^^ afterwards became Abbot over St. Riquier's monastery, at Centule. During his term of rule, he is said to have caused a chapel to be dedicated, in honour of Saints Madelgisilus, Caidoc, and Adrian, confessors. ^3 While the Abbot Anscher ^+ presided over the Monas- tery, at Centule, it was found, that the old shrine showed signs of decay, and that a new one should be required, for the custody of St. Madelgisilus' relics. ^s Accordingly, it was resolved, to prepare another and a more suitable recep- tacle, while the Abbot and his monks proceeded to inspect their actual state, andtohavereadywhatshouldberequiredfortheirreposition. ^^ Then,indeed,
delabris argenteis secum deferebaiit duos cereos et duo luniinaria, qusenunquam de- fecerunt : sed in iis semper fuit lumen usque regressum, et dum feretrum seu Capsa re- poneretur in suo loco praeordinato. "
portal are colossal, and mostly elegant in de- sign and workmanship. See Murray's " Handbook for Travellers in France," sect. ix. . Route 178, pp. 63S to 641.
''^ In the "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martii iii. , the Bollandists have inserted the Acts of St. Gervinus, Abbas, and in num. 3, this is stated. They add, however, to the
°° His feast occurs on the 3id of March,
and he is said to have been one of the most
celebrated scholars and preachers of his age.
See "Histoire Litteraire de la France," account in the text, at this day: "Sed
tome vii. Onzieme Siecle. Etat des Letres en France, sect, civ. , p. 86, sect, cxii. , p. 93, sect, cxlix. , p. 123.
^' See Les Petits Bollandistes "Vies des Saints. " tome iii. , iii^ Jour de Mars, p. 128. ^^ Rheiijis is a very ancient city of France and dating back to the time of the Romans. Notwithstanding the various modern im- provements, which have cleared away so many of its antique features, there are yet many antique vestiges of the Roman domina- tion. It is situated on the right bank of the Vesle, in the Department of the Marne; and the situation is very agreeable, being sur- rounded by slopes covered with vineyards.
miramur ultimorum duorum mentionem apud alios auctores non reperiri, ad hunc xxx. Mali, prasterquam apud Scriptores Centu- lenses. "—"Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Mail xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, Cen- tulte in Picardia Commentarius Prsevius, num. 3, p. 265.
-* He was of a noble family, living near St. Riquier, and he early evinced a vocation for the monastic state. He became an in- mate of Centule monastery in the year 1073, under the Abbot Gervin II. , afterwards pro- moted to be Bishop of Amiens, in the year 1091, while he continued to be Abbot of St. Riquier, until by a Decree of Pope Urban he was compelled to resign the latter office. Anscher is said to have been installed a. d. 1096, or perhaps, the year following. He ruled over Centule, it is thought, between twenty or thirty years, while his death has been assigned to the 25th of July, a. d. 1 136. See "Histoire Litteraire de la France,"
It is regarded as the metropolitan See of
France ; and its magnificent Gothic cathe-
dral is perhaps the finest in Europe north of
the Alps. The building as it now stands
was begun in 121 2, by Robert de Coucy ; it
was consecrated in 1241 ; but, it was not
finished until 1430. iiowever, there are
various portions of it still left incomplete, tome xi. , Siecle xii. , sect, i. , ii. , pp. 611 and notably the towers, which were to have to 618.
been crowned by open-work spires. Owing ^s See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S. to their absence, the elevations lose much of Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect, iv. ,
theircompleteness,althoughextensiverepairs and restorations in good taste have for many years been progressing. The well-known portal and west fa9ade generally were added to the original church, and form the glory of the edifice. Many of the 600 statues on the
p. 412.
^° Describing this examination, in common
with that of other shrines of saints, at Cen- tule, the Manuscript Chronicle of Joannes Capella adds of Aschor "in una invenit schedulam sic scriptam : corpus S. Magdel-
6io LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 30.
the deer-skin covering was found to be rather short for the size of the bones and skeleton ; and, therefore, a portion of these remained under their previous covering,untiltimeshouldbegiventohavethembetterarranged. However, in their new case, the relics were placed, psalms being sung, and an honourable ceremony having been awarded,^' on the 13th day of July, a. d. 1113. ^^
Only a few days had passed, after this temporary arrangement of our saint's relics, until the keeper of the church, who entertained a great devotion towards Magdelgisilus, happened to take ill. Not being able to sleep, he revolved in mind the whole night, as to when and how some better plan could be devised, for their more suitable preservation. Towards morning, however, some little re- pose he had, and while his thoughts were intent on his purpose, sleep began to sealhiseyes. Suddenlythesaint—handsomeandtall—appearedtohim,and covered with bright raiment. He then said : " This purpose you shall carefully provide for and proceed to carry out, so that all my bones be buried together. " But, the keeper, who woke from his light slumber, and whose reverence for Madelgesilus was so great, clearly understood, that the saint himself had appeared, as he spoke about his own relics. The keeper, turning his eyes on the figure, desired to ask concerning his name and merits. Notwithstanding, the illustrious and glorious spirit vanished, before a word could be spoken; but, the tracks of his footsteps seemed to be of gold, while a most fragrant odour filled the whole apartment. The keeper's infirmity at once disappeared, owing to the sudden joy he experienced, on receiving this sort of revelation. Desiring to furnish proof of it to his friends, he said to himself, "Immediately, I shall seize on those golden traces of the saint's feet, and bear them as tokens to the brothers. " Then, he arose, stretching out his arms, and making an effort to reach what he deemed a reality, but the traces soon vanished. This
account is all we have remaining ; and, the old chronicler has forgotten to tell us, whether the saint's mandate had been carried out, yet, it is probable, that suchwasthecase. ^9 AninscriptiononthetombofMadelgisilusrecordsthe event of the Abbot Anscher having prepared a new shrine, for the honourable deposition of the holy man's relics. 3° It is supposed, that the ist day of June was the date for some public translation of the remains of St. Madelgisilus. His deposition or departure from life, however, has been assigned to this day, by Hariulfe; and, his authority has been followed, by most of the Kalendarists. Thus, an old Martyrology belonging to Berlin, and printed at Paris with additions, Molanus, Canisius, Wion, Dorgan, Menard, Saussay, Bucelin, and nearly all the modern writers, place the feast of Madelgesilus. 3' It is thought his Acts—now probably lost—had been written at much greater length than we have them at present. This saint is held in great
gesili Confessoris hie positum iii. Kalendas took place, A. D. 1 113. See "AnnalesOr-
Junii : quod corpus reposuit in alio novo feretro v Idus Julii. "
"^7 See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Mali xxx. De S. Madeigisilo Eremita, Centulre in Picardia. Supplemcn- tum de Translalione Corporis Centulam, deinde an. I113 in novamCapsani, pp. 268, 269.
"* See Baillet's " Les Vies des Saints," tome v. , xxx. Jour de May, sect, iii. , p. 94.
-9 See the Bollandists' " ActaSanctoium," tomus vii. , Mali xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, Cenlulce in Picardia. Siip])lemen- tum de Translatione Corporis Centulam, deinde an. 1 1 13 in novam capsam, num. 17, p. 269.
3" Mabillon states, that this entombment
dinis S. Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect, iv. , p. 412.
3' The Latin lines, which run thus, are supposed to commemorate the Translation of this saint's relics. :
" Ossa Madelgisili tenet haec lectica Beati
Quern Confessorem sibi Christus rite beavit,
Anschemsque novam sibi capsamjure paravit. '
—
"Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Mail xxx. De S. Madelgesilo Eremita, Centuls in Picardia, Commenlarius Pra:vius, num. pp. 264, 265.
:—
—;
MAY30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
6ii
veneration, especially throughout Picardy. His chief festival has always been observed on the 30th of May, and with marked religious ceremonial.
The greatest errors of men are those cherished by them, pursuing fancied dreams of happiness. They do not care to reflect on the real nature of that phantom they follow. Not fully appreciating the delights of final happiness, the ultimate aim of life is unheeded, and false pleasures sought only render human beings most miserable, both in pursuit and possession.
Many seek riches as the object of their fondest desires ; with great effort or labour those
may be acquired ;
they are soon lost \
and restlessness.
citude, anxiety and energetic efforts are the price to be paid for such dan- gerous distinctions; still popular approval or the favour of those in high station is proverbially capricious ; such power is weakness, when the mind is left ill at ease, or rather entirely overburdened with fatigues and fears. Others may place their chief happiness in human and domestic affections but even these are variable and insincere, in too many instances friendship
;
has been deceived and betrayed ; conjugal, parental, or filial, relation- ship has been alloyed by faithlessness, by misfortune, and by crime. Healthofmindandbodyis thoughtbyotherstobeapearlofgreatprice, and a rational object to secure; but, although its advantages and pleasures, humanly speaking, are not to be undervalued, our mental faculties or bodily strength cannot long last in unimpaired vigour. Therefore, with the saints ought we recur to nobler and higher sources, in order to satisfy the eager longings of our souls. With them we should hold, that the Infinite alone can satiate all our desires, and regulate or appease those restless motions and aspirations of the human will, by directing them, even during our mortal career,
to the true objects, for which we have received those gifts, natural and super- natural, we now possess. Through all the vicissitudes of life, our thoughts must be elevated above ends, merely natural and perishable ; our joys and hopes should centre in the supernatural, glorious and immortal beatitude and tranquillity, whence pain and care are altogether removed. Such principles of action regulated the motives of our saints, while exercising their powers of body and of mind, in serving God, in purifying their own affections, and in edifying their fellow-creatures. With tiiem, pursuing true and unalloyed happiness, we must recognise a certain conclusion, that in the possession of Heaven, supreme felicity has been achieved, and the great contest of our lives has been crowned with victory.
Article II. St. Goban, or Gobban, of Airdne Dairinse. In the Martyrology of Tallagh,' this name is set down as, Goban Airdni Dairinsi, at this date. The BoUandists,^ quoting from the same authority, have Gobanus de Ara-Dar-Inis, at the 30th of May. This saint is said to have had another festival, at the 26th of March, when a notice of St. Gobban may be seen. Colgan also infers, that he must have been very distinguished for his piety and mental endowments, since he had a double festival instituted in his honour. Whatevercanbeknownregardinghimseemsmoreorlessinvolved in obscurity. However, attempts have been made, to clear away the mist, which has so long covered this saint's Acts. 3 It is not known, whether he
Article II. — Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. XXV.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. Among the pretermitted feasts, p. 233.
3 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nix," Martii xxvi. , Vita S. Gobbani, p. 750.
•See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiberni-
cum," p. 695.
' According to a supposition of some, this
but most frequently they are not attained, or, if possessed, while worldly wealth, so won, is sure to increase their care Many are ambitious of public dignities and honours ; soli-
6l2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[May 30.
governed the Island of Molana, in the River Blackwater of Munster, and in the county of Waterford, or whether he ruled over an Island, in the present WexfordHarbour. BothplacesformerlywentbythenameofDarinis. Some writers say, this saint was abbot of Airdne, one of the Aran Isles, off the coast of Galway, and in several Martyrologies, we are told, he is styled Abbas Ardnensis. -* The common name of the three Islands was Ara,5 w-hich in the nominativeisAirne,orAranninthegenitive,accordingtotheIrish. Where- fore, Father John Colgan ^ thought Airne to have been a distinct name for one of these Islands. It is another mistake of his to write, that Ard-Olen was the
^V
Nurney Old Church, County of Kildare.
same as that Island ;7 for, Ard-Olen lies, as elsewhere he has properly stated, in another place. ^ Neither is the most eastern the chiefest of the three Isles of Aran, as he took it to be,9 but rather it is the smallest. It is probable, that he was led into the mistake, by some incorrect map, in which these Islands were either misplaced, or their position was reversed. *° Before Colgan's time, the Maps of Ireland were grossly inaccurate. In some of them this East Island of Aran is set down as the largest. In others, the greatest size is claimed for the Middle Island. " There are many places, in Ireland, called
word signifies "a kidney," from a fanciful * See ibid. , xx. Januarii, Supplementum resemblance of Aranmoie to one. However, Vitae S. Fechini, cap. xxii. , p. 135, and n.
if it were the name applied to all the Islands in common, this ingenious conjecture of the etymologists sliould at once vanish, if we take into account their actual conformation.
13. p. 141.
' See ibid. , xxi. Martii, Appendix ad
Vitam S. Endei, cap. vii. , p. 714.
'° The very same cause may account for
' See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," his mistake about Ardoilen.
Martii xxvi. Dc S. Gobano Abbatc de " Sec the Government Map, headed, Airdne Dairinnsi, nn. i, 2, p. 750. " Ilibernia, Insula, non procul ab Anglia,
' See ibid. , xxi. Martii, Appendix ad wlgare Uirlandia vocata, 1567," published Vitam S. Endei, cap. vii. , pp. 714, 715. with the State Papers, vol. ii. London, 1834.
—
May 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 613
Airdne by our ancient writers ; and, in modern phraseology, that denomina- tion has been rendered into Urney or Nurney. One of those places, called Nurney, gives name to a townland" and parish, in the present Barony of West Offiily, county of Kildare ; and here, there are some ruins of an old church in a cemetery. '3 In the same county, there is another parish of Nurney, in the Barony of Carbury. '-^ There is a parish called Nurney. likewise, in the Baronies of Carlow, Forth, and Idrone West, county of Carlow. 's However, it is not certain, that St. Goban or Gobban had connexion with any of these places. We find entered, likewise, in the Martyrology of Donegal,^^ that Gobban, abbot of Airdne, was venerated, on this day.
Article III, St. Fergussius, of Druim-bile, otherwise, St. Saergusa bile, or Saerghos, of Druim. Saergusabileis the description we find entered for this saint, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 30th of May. However, the BoUandists,^ who cite the same authority, place Faer- gussius de Druim-bile, at this date, and probably, it is the more correct ren- dering. There is a townland, called Drumbilla,3 in the parish of Roche,4 and baronyofUpperDundalk,inthecountyofLouth;while,it seemstobethe only nearly corresponding denomination, among the other townland names in Ireland. Yet, it is hardly probable, notwithstanding, that it was the place of Fer- gussius, Saergusa, or Saerghos. This holy man appears to have been identified, with Soergussius,5 or Saerghus, an abbot of Dearmhach or Durrow,^ and who died A. D. 835. 7 The identification, however, cannot be relied upon, as being quiteconclusive. Thissameday,venerationwasgiventoSaerghos,ofDruim, aswereadintheMartyrologyofDonegal. ^ Inthetableappended,thisname is written Saorghuss, and Latinized, Sergius. 9 On the west coast of Ireland, in the county of Sligo, there is a Dromard,'° the site of a religious erection. One of Miss Owenson's most affecting sketches is given of an incident she has noted, when sitting on a tomb among the old ecclesiastical ruins of Dromard, over the Atlantic Ocean, the landlord of the place, her companion, was asked by
" " In the vicinity of the village is an old castle. This parish is a rectory in the dio- cese of Kildare. "—"Parliamentary Gazet- teerof Ireland," vol. iii. , p. 43.
•3 The accompanying illustration is from a sketch, kindly made on the spot, by Rev. Edward O'Leary, C. C. , Rathangan, and transferred by William F. Wakeman, to the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard. As acces- sories to the picture, the round stone vessel —probably a font—belongs to the place: the oblong one has been conveyed to the modern chapel, which adjoins the ruin at Nurney, and it belongs to a neighbouring old church, at Harristovvn, as I have been informed, in a letter of Very Rev. Michael Comerford, P. P. , Monasterevan, and dated June 2nd, 1S85. The situation of this parish is marked on the "Ordnance Survey Town- land Maps for the County of Kildare," sheets 27, 31. The villige, townland, and demesne, so named, are marked on the same maps.
for the County of Carlow," sheet 12,
'° Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
I40, 141.
Article in. — ' Edited by Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. xxv.
-See -"Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii.
Among the pretermitted saints, p. 233.
3 See it described, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of
Louth," sheet 3.
*• This parish contains 3,305a. ir. I7p. ,
and it is shown on sheets 3, 4, 7- Il'id.
5 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Columbi-e, cap.
iv. , sect, iii. , pp. 507, 508.
* In the King's County.
? See Dr. O Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 452,453.
« j^jjfgj ^y Qj-s. Todd and Reeves, pp.
140, 141.
9 See ibid. , pp. 464, 465.
'° This parish in the Barony of Tireragh is
shown, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Sligo,"_ sheets 13, 19, 20. The townland proper is marked on
sheet 19.
" See Miss Owenson's "Patriotic Sketches
»» See ibid. , sheets 2, 3, 8. called Nurney, is on sheet 3.
Its townland,
'S It is shown, with tlie townlandso named, on the "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps
—
6 14 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 30.
a young peasant, for stones from his quarry to built up the cemetery wall, thus to save his parents' remains from desecration. "
Article IV. St. Ernine, or Erni:ius. The insertion of the name, Ernine, is found in the Martyrology of Tallagh,' at this date. The Bollan- dists' have it Ernimus—apparently an incorrect spelling—at the 30th of May, and on the previous authority. No clue is given, however, to find his place or his period.
Article V. Reputed Feast of St. Silay, or Silaus, Bishop at Lucca. The Acts, probably of St. Silaus, Bishop of Lucca—also called Silay—had been prepared for publication by Colgan,' as we find in the post- humous list of his Manuscripts, and he had intended to place them, at the 30th ofMay. ThiswasapparentlyontheauthorityofPhilipFerrarius,whostates that he died, a. d. 780, and on the Sunday after Ascension Day, in that same year. However, the Bollandists, who quote his authority for the statement, show, that the Sunday in question then fell on the 7th and not on the 30th
of May. " Father Stephen White 3 commemorates St. Silanus, at the 30th of May; and,PhilipFerarius,''also,seemstohavebeenhisauthorityforthat entry. We have already treated about St. Silaus, Bishop and Patron at Lucca, in Hetruria. 5
Article VI. St. Heyna or Hieu. [Sevefith Ce? itury. '] In the EngUsh Martyrology of John Wilson, the present holy virgin is commemo- rated, on this day ; while Philip Ferrarius ' and Arthur de Monstier ^ adopt the same arrangement. She is said to have been the first woman who em- braced a conventual life, at the instigation of St. Aidan,3 Bishop and Apostle oftheKingdomofNorthumbria. NotwithstandingtheopinionofJohnLeland, St. Hieu was a different person from St. Bees,* or Bega, as is shown by Dr. Smith, in his annotations on Venerable Bede ;5 and, Heina is said to have founded the monastery of Heorthu, over which she placed Hilla, and then she retired to Tadcaster. ^ A Saxon monastery was at this place, so early as 655 ; but, the church there was afterwards annexed to Sallay Abbey,?
of Ireland, written in Connaught," vol. ii. , 3 His Life may be seen, at the 31st of sketch xii.
