All the wealth and fame this world can bestow are poor as
compared
with their rewards.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v7
Patrick, P.
istor of St.
Laurence O'Toole's Church, Cobar, New South Wales, Australia.
DIRECTION TO THE BINDER.
<3* The Binder will please to prefix the Frontispiece and Title Page, contained in Pari 74,
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rese«t Table of Contents, which, in order of binding, ;
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508
517
To be completed in Twelve Royal Octavo Volumes, and in i 20 Tarts, 0/64 pages each Tart.
d the
$m\t#>
§m\x Compiled from Manuscript and other Sources,
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Calendars, Martyrologies, and Various Works, Domestic or Foreign,
RELATING TO
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f^f Cloth Cases, in a Variety of Colours, with richly gilt Sides and Back, and in a Style to match for each Volume, can there be obtained, at 2s. each,
or free by Post, 2s. 3d.
OTHER WORKS BY VERY REV. JOHN CANON O'HANLON.
1. Abridgment of the History of Ireland, from its Final Subjugation to the present Time—1849. Patrick Donahoe, Boston, U. S. A. , 1849, iSino.
Price 10 Cents.
2. The Irish Emigrant's Guide for the United States. Patrick Donahoe
Boston, 1851, i8mo, Price 25 Cents.
pros
1
.
•
ay on the and Antiquity
OTHER WORKS.
3. THE LIFE 01 ST. Laurence OToole. John Mullany, 1 Parliament-street, Dublin, 1S57, iSmo.
Prict One Shilling and Sixfence.
1 THE LIFE OF St. MalACHY O'Morgair. John O'Daly, 9 Anglesea-street, Dublin,
8\o. Price Six Shi! lings.
The Life of St. Dympna, Virgin, Martyr, and Patroness of Gheel, 5.
fames Duffy, 7 Wellington-quay, Dublin, 1863, 181110. Price One Shilling.
6. Catechism of Irish History, from the Earliest Events to the Death of O'Connei. l. John Mullany, Dublin, 1864, iSmo.
Price Two Shillings.
7. Catechism of Greek Grammar. John Mullany, Dublin, 1865, 181110. Price One Shilling:
8. DevotionsforConfessionandHolyCommunion. ThomasRichardson&Son, London, Dublin and Derby, 1866, 181110.
Price Two Shillings.
9. The Life and Works of St. Aengussius Hagiographus, or St. ^Engus the
Culdee. John F. Fowler, 3 Crow-street, Dublin, 1868, 8yo.
Price One Shilling.
10, The Life of St. David. John Mullany, 1 Parliament-street, Dublin, 1869. 121110. Price Two Shillings and Sixpence.
;end Lays of Ipeland, by Lageniensis. John Mullany, 1 Parliament-street, Dublin, 1870, 121110.
Price One Shilling.
12. Irish Folk Lore: Traditions and Superstitions of the Country; with
Humorous Tale's, by Lageniensis. Cameron and Ferguson, Glasgow, 1870, 88 West Nile-street, Crown 8vo.
Price Two Shillings.
13. The Buried Lady : A Legend of Kilronan, by Lageniensis. Joseph Dollard,
13 and 14 Dame-street, Dublin, 1877, Crown 8vo. Price Font- Pence.
14. The Life of St. Brigid, Virgin, First Abbess of Kildare. Special Patroness of Kildare Diocese, and General Patroness of Ireland. Joseph Dollard 13 and 14 Dame-street, Dublin, 1877, 8vo.
Price Five Shillings.
15. The LIFE OF St. Grellan, Patron of the O'Kellys, and of hie Tribes of
IIy-Maine. James Duffy & Sons, 15 Wellington-quay, Dublin, 1881, Crown Svo. Price Six Pence.
16. Report of the O'CONNELL Monument Commit ilk. James Duffy & Co. , Limited,
14 and 15 Wellington-quay, Dublin, 18S8, 8vo. Not Sold.
17. The Irish Emigrant's Guide for the United States, with Coloured Map and Railway Connexions. First Irish Edition, revised and Information brought down to the present Year. Scaly, Bryers and Walker, Middle Abbey-street, Dublin, 1890, 181110.
Price One Shilling.
18. Life and Scenery in Missouri, Reminiscences of a Missionary Priest. James
Duffy & Co. , Limited, 14 and 15 Wellington-quay, Dublin, 1890, 181110. Price One Shilling.
1859,
1 :n. 1 eess, and preparing for Publication.
united, 14 and 15 Wellington-quay, Dublin, l8mo.
Constitution of Parliaments in UkLAND. " By Henry Joseph Monck Mason, LL. I). , and M. R. I. A. With a Life «. f the An hor, and an Introduction by Very Rev. fohn Canon O'Hanlon. James
1
Price One
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American Republic. By Very R v. John Canon O H. inl >n. Sealy/ Bryers and
Walker, Middle Abbey. st. eet. Dublin, 8vo.
'f
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS
jfirsft I3ap of 3ulj>.
ARTICLE L—ST. RUMOLD, APOSTLE AND BISHOP OF MECHLIN, BELGIUM.
[EIGHTH CENTURY. }
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—ANCIENT AND MODERN WRITERS OF ST. RUMOLD's ACTS—NATIVITY AND PARENTAGE OF ST. RUMOLD—HIS BIRTH THE FRUIT OF PRAYER—HIS EARLY PIETY—ANGELIC COMMUNICATIONS—ST. RUMOLD DEVOTES HIMSELF TO A LIFE OF CELIBACY—ON THE DEATH OF GUALAFER, HE IS NOMINATED AND ELECTED ARCHBISHOP OF DUBLIN—REMARKS ON THE DUBIOUS CHARACTER OF THESE STATEMENTS.
personages and heroes, most honoured in the esteem of
men for success and fame on the theatre of this world, are CELEBRATED acquired
covered with the glare of renown in laboured chronicles, sublime song, or
elegant panegyric. But, how seldom do right and justice direct their aims, or how does it so frequently happen, that disinterestedness and self-denial are found wanting in a career of ambition, while men are aspiring to human grandeur ! In describing the life and virtues of every great saint, when reliablematerialsarefurnishedforthepurpose; wearenotobligedtoborrow- false rhetorical colouring, when seeking the production of a truthful por- traiture. The more simple and exact a biographer's narrative becomes in such case, the more his reader feels charmed and edified ; because fidelity to the etching of a noble subject brings the thought and heart of man into gene- rous relations with all that is morally sublime and illustrious. Patient and unobtrusive perseverance, in the pursuit of God's work from early youth to manhood's prime, deserves our admiration and praise, since the Almighty usually deigns to reward it with an unfading crown. In difficult missionary enterprise, the sweat and labour of a true Christian toiler serve to refresh the soul. Scanty fare and poor raiment adequately supply the saint's temporal wants. Privation may attend upon his course, although Providence guide his steps and watch over his sleeping and waking moments. For the truly heroic, martyrdom frequently looms in prospect, and waits at the close of his suffering yet glorious life. Whatever may be the despair and fear of a criminal, at the approach of a violent death j it has no terrors, but it has even peculiar con- solations, for the holy martyr. He loves to tread in the footsteps of his Divine Master. The great ones of earth feel solicitous to attain temporal honours
Vol. VII. —No. i. a
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[July i.
and rewards, which they hope to preserve to life's closing scene ; but, God's true servants rather court neglect, practise poverty of spirit, endure reproach, persecutions and even death itself, when duty demands the sacrifice.
All the wealth and fame this world can bestow are poor as compared with their rewards. Animated by such generous sentiments, great saints have embraced the Cross, and have formed noble resolutions, in quitting friends and native country, cherished associations and material comforts, rather than prove recreant to the inspirations of Divine Grace.
Some Acts of this unpublished
1
are
byJohnDomoyns. Thiswasdedicatedbyhimtothesenateandpeopleof
Mechlin. It is comprised in Twenty-nine Chapters ; having eight additional
chapters, regarding the Relics and Feasts, instituted in honour of our saint,
after his death. The Mass and Office of St. Rumold are also appended to
in
A short Life of St. Rumold had been written by Theodoric, Abbot of the monasteryofSt. TrudoorSt. Tron. 2 HebelongedtotheOrderofSt. Bene- dict, and to the Congregation of Cluny, and he was living in the year 1 100. 3 This sketch is comprised in Ten Chapters,4 and it has been published by O'Sheerin. s Another and a more important Life of our saint has been written
it.
6
There are several valuable notes succeeding, which purport to have been
holyprelate
yet remaining
Manuscript.
written by Fathers Ward and O'Sheerin. 7 These Acts of St. Rumold have been
published by FatherThomasO'Sheerin,oras his namehas been Latinized Sirinus,
with emendations and addition's, from the posthumous papers of Father Hugh Ward. He belonged to the Congregation of the Brothers Minors, and he had
formerly been professor in Louvain University.
8
This work he dedicated to
theArchbishopofMechlin,AndrewCreusen. Sirinlikewiseprefixessome
introductory remarks for the general reader. 9 A summary of our saint's Life
precedes the two principal Acts of St. Rumold, which follow in the publica-
tion of O'Sheerin, with certain eulogies regarding him, taken from different
Martyrologiesandfromothersources. 10 Theremainderofthisvaluablework
is made of a historical dissertation on St. Rumold's 11 This is
up country.
Article i. —Chapter i. —' Among rum, Institorum et Navigantium, Acta
these are, MS. Bibl. Keg. 13 A x. Ff. 55 b, 61 b, vel. 4to. xii. cent. MSS. C. C. C. Cant. 9. PP- 53-58, vel. fol. xi. cent. MS. Arundel, Brit. Mus. 91, Ff. 194 b. 197, vel. fol. xii. cent.
3
This is a mere panegyrical discourse, which had been pronounced on the festival of our saint.
"
Rev. Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. hi. , cap. xix. , sect. xv. , n. 169, p. 199.
4 It omits many circumstances relative to the history of St. Rumold, such, for instance, ai his having been a bishop, although this is universally allowed.
Martyrium, Liturgia Antiqua, et Patiia, &c. Per R. P. F. Hugonem Vardaeum Hibernum, &c. Opus Posthvmvm nunc recens a V. A. P. F. Thoma Sirino ejusdem Ordinis et Collegii Lectore Jubilato recognitum et in nonnullis suppletum," &c, &c. This work is chiefly quoted in the subsequent pages* under the abridged title, or as referring to Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Theodorico, as also to the Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Domyn- s io.
» Concerning Father Ward, Colgan and others, who had laboured at the task of pub-
lishing Acts of Irish Saints, have interesting notices.
10
It would appear, that this work was not accessible to Dr. Lanigan, who relates, that he had not been able to meet with the Acts of St. Rumold, written by Hugh Ward, a
s See '"Sancti
Archiepiscopi Duhliniends, Mechliniensium
Apostoli," «C Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Theodorico, pp. 1 to 11.
Rymoldi Martyris inclyti
See ibid. Vita S. Rumoldi, authore learned Irish Franciscan of Louvain, and
Domynsio, pp. 12 to 53.
7 See ihd. , pp. 53 to 87.
This work is intituled: "Sancti Rv-
moldi Martyris inclyti, Archiepiscopi Dvb- hniensis Mechliniensium Apostoli, Advocati sterihum Conjugum, Agricolarum, Piscato-
which were published after his death, by his confrere Sirin, in 1662.
" Regarding his nativity in Ireland, Theodoric is very explicit ; although he calls the saint's country Scotia, still we are told,
that it was the Island Scotia, separated by-
July i. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
demonstratively proved to have been Ireland, in opposition to the assertions of some persons, who had called him a native of Scotland. Evidence is furnished from various Martyrologies, and from ancient records to establish the claimofIrelandforthehonourofhisbirth. ThislearnedDisquisitionshows a wonderful amount of research the industrious 12 There are
by compiler.
likewise some metrical fragments and inscriptions written by Father Hugh
1
Ward, and arranged by his editor Sirinus. * It shall be our endeavour, to
condense the more important matters contained in this work, so far as they bear on St. Rumold's history. We shall refer particularly to portions of the work, on which our statements are chiefly grounded.
Notices of this illustrious saint be found in 1* Molanus,xs may Lippeloo,
16 1 18 Miraeus, Baillet, ? and Surius.
The tract called the " Life of —
St. Rumold,"
and — in the published enlarged
1
edition of Surius, ? at the ist of
so far as it goes is apparently rather exact. The Bollandists have likewise given his Acts. These have reference to his Feast, which is placed at the ist of July. One of the Jesuit Fathers, John Baptist Soller, published a fine large folio volume of Acts relating to our saint, in over 200 pages, double columns,
21
and adorned with various engravings.
The Jesuit Father Stephen White commemorates him at this date, and classes
22 In the
for an office of St. Rumold, at the 3rd of July; and these have been incor-
porated with the offices of the Irish clergy, as found in the supplement to
most of their Breviaries printed in Ireland. 2 3 Other Lessons 2 * of St. Rumold's
office, at the ist of July, have been compiled by Bishop De Burgo, jn his "OfficiaPropriaSanctorumHiberniae. "2* Totheseareaddedaprayer,proper
him the among
martyrs.
Bre\iary
of St. Lateran are Lessons John
the sea from Britain, and the Island in which there are no serpents. To make the matter yet plainer, he refers to the well-known words
"
Hsec ilia est Scotia, teste Solino, olim inhumana, incolaruin ritu aspero, alias ita pabulosa, ut
x? See " Les Vies des Saints," tome ii. ,
pp. 25, 26.
18 See "De Probatis Sanctorum Vitis,"
tomus iv. , i. Julii, pp. 24 to 27.
*9 Issued at Cologne, A. D. 1618.
20 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , I
of Solinus' description of Ireland.
pecua interdum, nisi a pascuis arceantur, in Julii. De Sancto Rumoldo Episcopo . et
periculum a—gat saties. Illic nullus anguis, avis rara. " Vita S. Rumoldi, cap. 2,
p. 2. 12
See ibid. Dissertatio Ilistorica de Sancti
Rumoldi Patria, quam Hiberniam esse
Scriptorum consensu demonstratur, in twelve sections, and some of these are
subdivided into several additional pp. 88 to 387.
13
Articles,
See ibid. Metricoe Inscriptiones aliquot Imaginum personas Sanctas, aut Beatas Ec- clesiie vel Historicis, aut alias illustres repre-
sentantium, aliaqu6 Fragmenta Poetica, ex pluribus qu? e olim florente setate lusit
R. P. Fr. Hugo Vardseus, parergi loco et ne excidant hie adjecta, pp. 388 to 398. The last page of this work has an ingenious arrangement of words in six columns, and it is headed : Ad Reverendiss. Patrem Fr.
Benignum a Genua Seraphicae Ordinis S. P. N. Francisci Ministrum Generalem Serio- ludrica.
14 See " Vitse Sanctorum," tomus hi. , pp. 13 to 27.
"
Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of
Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xix. , sect, xv. , n.
169, p. 199.
*5 See Die Prima In Festo S. Julii.
15 See "Natales Sanctorum
Belgii," pp.
Rumoldi, pp. 63 to 68. 16" 26"
136, 137.
See Fasti Belgici et Burgundici," pp. See vol. i. , Archbishops of Dublin,"
3SSto36i. P- 305.
2°
It appeared at Antwerp, a. d. 17 18.
MartyreMechlinisein Belgio, pp. 169 to 266. 21 "
It is intituled
Episcopi etMartyris Mechliniensium," Col- legit, digessit, illustravit, Joannes Baptista SolleriusSocietatisJesuTheologus. Many valuable historic documents are contained in this volume.
22 To this he refers with some of degree
triumph, in refuting the statements of Giral- dus Cambrensis, that Ireland furnished the Church with no martyrs. See " Apologia pro Hibernia," cap. ii. , p. 15. See also cap. iv. , p-37.
23 See ex. gr. Richard Coyne's Dublin edition, printed 1844, of " Breviarum Ro- manum," Supplementum ad Partem ^Esti- vam, pp. cexx. , cexxi.
24 These consist in great part of silly fables,
according to Dr. Lanigan.
DIRECTION TO THE BINDER.
<3* The Binder will please to prefix the Frontispiece and Title Page, contained in Pari 74,
and F. rst of this \ olum should precede the vanou
E
rese«t Table of Contents, which, in order of binding, ;
r, which Part closes the present Volume
508
517
To be completed in Twelve Royal Octavo Volumes, and in i 20 Tarts, 0/64 pages each Tart.
d the
$m\t#>
§m\x Compiled from Manuscript and other Sources,
JBHttfr tfje Commemorations an* Jrstibals of »olu ItatfOllff, NOTED IN
Calendars, Martyrologies, and Various Works, Domestic or Foreign,
RELATING TO
€\)t Ancient CljtutJj $isto. tg of faelanb, BY THE
VERY REV. JOHN CANON O'HANLON, M. R. I. A. Parts, ONE SHILLING each Part to Subscribers; ONE SHILLING and SIXPENCE each to Non-Subscribers.
Vol. I. For the Month of January, containing 13 Parts, cloth, gilt, and gilt edges, bevelled, in highly ornamental Covers, Price to Subscribers, 16s. ; to Non-Subscribers, 22s. 6d.
Vol. II. For the Month of February, containing 12 Parts, do. , Price to Subscribers, 15s. ; to Non-Subscribers, 21s.
Vol. III. For the Month of March, containing 16 Parts, do. , Price to Sub- scribers, 19s. ; to Non-Subscribers, 27s.
Vol. IV. For the Month of April, containing 9 Parts, do. , Price to Sub- scribers, 12s. ; to Non-Subscribers, 16s. 6d.
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Vol. VI. For the Month of June, containing 13 parts, do. , Price to Sub- scribers, 1 6s. ; to Non-Subscribers, 22s. 6d.
Vol. VII. For the Month of July, containing 8 parts, do. , Price to Sub- scribers, us. ; to Non-Subscribers, 15s.
*#* Binding in Cloth, gilt, and gilt edges, each Vol. , 3s. ; plain, each Vol. ,
2s. 6d. ; in best morocco, extra, 12s. ; in any Variety of Colour ordered. The
rich style of Cover design, the Opus Hibernicum, specially adapted, only fur- nished from the Bookbinding Establishment of Messrs. James Duffy and Sons.
f^f Cloth Cases, in a Variety of Colours, with richly gilt Sides and Back, and in a Style to match for each Volume, can there be obtained, at 2s. each,
or free by Post, 2s. 3d.
OTHER WORKS BY VERY REV. JOHN CANON O'HANLON.
1. Abridgment of the History of Ireland, from its Final Subjugation to the present Time—1849. Patrick Donahoe, Boston, U. S. A. , 1849, iSino.
Price 10 Cents.
2. The Irish Emigrant's Guide for the United States. Patrick Donahoe
Boston, 1851, i8mo, Price 25 Cents.
pros
1
.
•
ay on the and Antiquity
OTHER WORKS.
3. THE LIFE 01 ST. Laurence OToole. John Mullany, 1 Parliament-street, Dublin, 1S57, iSmo.
Prict One Shilling and Sixfence.
1 THE LIFE OF St. MalACHY O'Morgair. John O'Daly, 9 Anglesea-street, Dublin,
8\o. Price Six Shi! lings.
The Life of St. Dympna, Virgin, Martyr, and Patroness of Gheel, 5.
fames Duffy, 7 Wellington-quay, Dublin, 1863, 181110. Price One Shilling.
6. Catechism of Irish History, from the Earliest Events to the Death of O'Connei. l. John Mullany, Dublin, 1864, iSmo.
Price Two Shillings.
7. Catechism of Greek Grammar. John Mullany, Dublin, 1865, 181110. Price One Shilling:
8. DevotionsforConfessionandHolyCommunion. ThomasRichardson&Son, London, Dublin and Derby, 1866, 181110.
Price Two Shillings.
9. The Life and Works of St. Aengussius Hagiographus, or St. ^Engus the
Culdee. John F. Fowler, 3 Crow-street, Dublin, 1868, 8yo.
Price One Shilling.
10, The Life of St. David. John Mullany, 1 Parliament-street, Dublin, 1869. 121110. Price Two Shillings and Sixpence.
;end Lays of Ipeland, by Lageniensis. John Mullany, 1 Parliament-street, Dublin, 1870, 121110.
Price One Shilling.
12. Irish Folk Lore: Traditions and Superstitions of the Country; with
Humorous Tale's, by Lageniensis. Cameron and Ferguson, Glasgow, 1870, 88 West Nile-street, Crown 8vo.
Price Two Shillings.
13. The Buried Lady : A Legend of Kilronan, by Lageniensis. Joseph Dollard,
13 and 14 Dame-street, Dublin, 1877, Crown 8vo. Price Font- Pence.
14. The Life of St. Brigid, Virgin, First Abbess of Kildare. Special Patroness of Kildare Diocese, and General Patroness of Ireland. Joseph Dollard 13 and 14 Dame-street, Dublin, 1877, 8vo.
Price Five Shillings.
15. The LIFE OF St. Grellan, Patron of the O'Kellys, and of hie Tribes of
IIy-Maine. James Duffy & Sons, 15 Wellington-quay, Dublin, 1881, Crown Svo. Price Six Pence.
16. Report of the O'CONNELL Monument Commit ilk. James Duffy & Co. , Limited,
14 and 15 Wellington-quay, Dublin, 18S8, 8vo. Not Sold.
17. The Irish Emigrant's Guide for the United States, with Coloured Map and Railway Connexions. First Irish Edition, revised and Information brought down to the present Year. Scaly, Bryers and Walker, Middle Abbey-street, Dublin, 1890, 181110.
Price One Shilling.
18. Life and Scenery in Missouri, Reminiscences of a Missionary Priest. James
Duffy & Co. , Limited, 14 and 15 Wellington-quay, Dublin, 1890, 181110. Price One Shilling.
1859,
1 :n. 1 eess, and preparing for Publication.
united, 14 and 15 Wellington-quay, Dublin, l8mo.
Constitution of Parliaments in UkLAND. " By Henry Joseph Monck Mason, LL. I). , and M. R. I. A. With a Life «. f the An hor, and an Introduction by Very Rev. fohn Canon O'Hanlon. James
1
Price One
Shilling.
I History of the United States, with coloured Map of the Great
American Republic. By Very R v. John Canon O H. inl >n. Sealy/ Bryers and
Walker, Middle Abbey. st. eet. Dublin, 8vo.
'f
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS
jfirsft I3ap of 3ulj>.
ARTICLE L—ST. RUMOLD, APOSTLE AND BISHOP OF MECHLIN, BELGIUM.
[EIGHTH CENTURY. }
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—ANCIENT AND MODERN WRITERS OF ST. RUMOLD's ACTS—NATIVITY AND PARENTAGE OF ST. RUMOLD—HIS BIRTH THE FRUIT OF PRAYER—HIS EARLY PIETY—ANGELIC COMMUNICATIONS—ST. RUMOLD DEVOTES HIMSELF TO A LIFE OF CELIBACY—ON THE DEATH OF GUALAFER, HE IS NOMINATED AND ELECTED ARCHBISHOP OF DUBLIN—REMARKS ON THE DUBIOUS CHARACTER OF THESE STATEMENTS.
personages and heroes, most honoured in the esteem of
men for success and fame on the theatre of this world, are CELEBRATED acquired
covered with the glare of renown in laboured chronicles, sublime song, or
elegant panegyric. But, how seldom do right and justice direct their aims, or how does it so frequently happen, that disinterestedness and self-denial are found wanting in a career of ambition, while men are aspiring to human grandeur ! In describing the life and virtues of every great saint, when reliablematerialsarefurnishedforthepurpose; wearenotobligedtoborrow- false rhetorical colouring, when seeking the production of a truthful por- traiture. The more simple and exact a biographer's narrative becomes in such case, the more his reader feels charmed and edified ; because fidelity to the etching of a noble subject brings the thought and heart of man into gene- rous relations with all that is morally sublime and illustrious. Patient and unobtrusive perseverance, in the pursuit of God's work from early youth to manhood's prime, deserves our admiration and praise, since the Almighty usually deigns to reward it with an unfading crown. In difficult missionary enterprise, the sweat and labour of a true Christian toiler serve to refresh the soul. Scanty fare and poor raiment adequately supply the saint's temporal wants. Privation may attend upon his course, although Providence guide his steps and watch over his sleeping and waking moments. For the truly heroic, martyrdom frequently looms in prospect, and waits at the close of his suffering yet glorious life. Whatever may be the despair and fear of a criminal, at the approach of a violent death j it has no terrors, but it has even peculiar con- solations, for the holy martyr. He loves to tread in the footsteps of his Divine Master. The great ones of earth feel solicitous to attain temporal honours
Vol. VII. —No. i. a
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[July i.
and rewards, which they hope to preserve to life's closing scene ; but, God's true servants rather court neglect, practise poverty of spirit, endure reproach, persecutions and even death itself, when duty demands the sacrifice.
All the wealth and fame this world can bestow are poor as compared with their rewards. Animated by such generous sentiments, great saints have embraced the Cross, and have formed noble resolutions, in quitting friends and native country, cherished associations and material comforts, rather than prove recreant to the inspirations of Divine Grace.
Some Acts of this unpublished
1
are
byJohnDomoyns. Thiswasdedicatedbyhimtothesenateandpeopleof
Mechlin. It is comprised in Twenty-nine Chapters ; having eight additional
chapters, regarding the Relics and Feasts, instituted in honour of our saint,
after his death. The Mass and Office of St. Rumold are also appended to
in
A short Life of St. Rumold had been written by Theodoric, Abbot of the monasteryofSt. TrudoorSt. Tron. 2 HebelongedtotheOrderofSt. Bene- dict, and to the Congregation of Cluny, and he was living in the year 1 100. 3 This sketch is comprised in Ten Chapters,4 and it has been published by O'Sheerin. s Another and a more important Life of our saint has been written
it.
6
There are several valuable notes succeeding, which purport to have been
holyprelate
yet remaining
Manuscript.
written by Fathers Ward and O'Sheerin. 7 These Acts of St. Rumold have been
published by FatherThomasO'Sheerin,oras his namehas been Latinized Sirinus,
with emendations and addition's, from the posthumous papers of Father Hugh Ward. He belonged to the Congregation of the Brothers Minors, and he had
formerly been professor in Louvain University.
8
This work he dedicated to
theArchbishopofMechlin,AndrewCreusen. Sirinlikewiseprefixessome
introductory remarks for the general reader. 9 A summary of our saint's Life
precedes the two principal Acts of St. Rumold, which follow in the publica-
tion of O'Sheerin, with certain eulogies regarding him, taken from different
Martyrologiesandfromothersources. 10 Theremainderofthisvaluablework
is made of a historical dissertation on St. Rumold's 11 This is
up country.
Article i. —Chapter i. —' Among rum, Institorum et Navigantium, Acta
these are, MS. Bibl. Keg. 13 A x. Ff. 55 b, 61 b, vel. 4to. xii. cent. MSS. C. C. C. Cant. 9. PP- 53-58, vel. fol. xi. cent. MS. Arundel, Brit. Mus. 91, Ff. 194 b. 197, vel. fol. xii. cent.
3
This is a mere panegyrical discourse, which had been pronounced on the festival of our saint.
"
Rev. Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. hi. , cap. xix. , sect. xv. , n. 169, p. 199.
4 It omits many circumstances relative to the history of St. Rumold, such, for instance, ai his having been a bishop, although this is universally allowed.
Martyrium, Liturgia Antiqua, et Patiia, &c. Per R. P. F. Hugonem Vardaeum Hibernum, &c. Opus Posthvmvm nunc recens a V. A. P. F. Thoma Sirino ejusdem Ordinis et Collegii Lectore Jubilato recognitum et in nonnullis suppletum," &c, &c. This work is chiefly quoted in the subsequent pages* under the abridged title, or as referring to Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Theodorico, as also to the Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Domyn- s io.
» Concerning Father Ward, Colgan and others, who had laboured at the task of pub-
lishing Acts of Irish Saints, have interesting notices.
10
It would appear, that this work was not accessible to Dr. Lanigan, who relates, that he had not been able to meet with the Acts of St. Rumold, written by Hugh Ward, a
s See '"Sancti
Archiepiscopi Duhliniends, Mechliniensium
Apostoli," «C Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Theodorico, pp. 1 to 11.
Rymoldi Martyris inclyti
See ibid. Vita S. Rumoldi, authore learned Irish Franciscan of Louvain, and
Domynsio, pp. 12 to 53.
7 See ihd. , pp. 53 to 87.
This work is intituled: "Sancti Rv-
moldi Martyris inclyti, Archiepiscopi Dvb- hniensis Mechliniensium Apostoli, Advocati sterihum Conjugum, Agricolarum, Piscato-
which were published after his death, by his confrere Sirin, in 1662.
" Regarding his nativity in Ireland, Theodoric is very explicit ; although he calls the saint's country Scotia, still we are told,
that it was the Island Scotia, separated by-
July i. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
demonstratively proved to have been Ireland, in opposition to the assertions of some persons, who had called him a native of Scotland. Evidence is furnished from various Martyrologies, and from ancient records to establish the claimofIrelandforthehonourofhisbirth. ThislearnedDisquisitionshows a wonderful amount of research the industrious 12 There are
by compiler.
likewise some metrical fragments and inscriptions written by Father Hugh
1
Ward, and arranged by his editor Sirinus. * It shall be our endeavour, to
condense the more important matters contained in this work, so far as they bear on St. Rumold's history. We shall refer particularly to portions of the work, on which our statements are chiefly grounded.
Notices of this illustrious saint be found in 1* Molanus,xs may Lippeloo,
16 1 18 Miraeus, Baillet, ? and Surius.
The tract called the " Life of —
St. Rumold,"
and — in the published enlarged
1
edition of Surius, ? at the ist of
so far as it goes is apparently rather exact. The Bollandists have likewise given his Acts. These have reference to his Feast, which is placed at the ist of July. One of the Jesuit Fathers, John Baptist Soller, published a fine large folio volume of Acts relating to our saint, in over 200 pages, double columns,
21
and adorned with various engravings.
The Jesuit Father Stephen White commemorates him at this date, and classes
22 In the
for an office of St. Rumold, at the 3rd of July; and these have been incor-
porated with the offices of the Irish clergy, as found in the supplement to
most of their Breviaries printed in Ireland. 2 3 Other Lessons 2 * of St. Rumold's
office, at the ist of July, have been compiled by Bishop De Burgo, jn his "OfficiaPropriaSanctorumHiberniae. "2* Totheseareaddedaprayer,proper
him the among
martyrs.
Bre\iary
of St. Lateran are Lessons John
the sea from Britain, and the Island in which there are no serpents. To make the matter yet plainer, he refers to the well-known words
"
Hsec ilia est Scotia, teste Solino, olim inhumana, incolaruin ritu aspero, alias ita pabulosa, ut
x? See " Les Vies des Saints," tome ii. ,
pp. 25, 26.
18 See "De Probatis Sanctorum Vitis,"
tomus iv. , i. Julii, pp. 24 to 27.
*9 Issued at Cologne, A. D. 1618.
20 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , I
of Solinus' description of Ireland.
pecua interdum, nisi a pascuis arceantur, in Julii. De Sancto Rumoldo Episcopo . et
periculum a—gat saties. Illic nullus anguis, avis rara. " Vita S. Rumoldi, cap. 2,
p. 2. 12
See ibid. Dissertatio Ilistorica de Sancti
Rumoldi Patria, quam Hiberniam esse
Scriptorum consensu demonstratur, in twelve sections, and some of these are
subdivided into several additional pp. 88 to 387.
13
Articles,
See ibid. Metricoe Inscriptiones aliquot Imaginum personas Sanctas, aut Beatas Ec- clesiie vel Historicis, aut alias illustres repre-
sentantium, aliaqu6 Fragmenta Poetica, ex pluribus qu? e olim florente setate lusit
R. P. Fr. Hugo Vardseus, parergi loco et ne excidant hie adjecta, pp. 388 to 398. The last page of this work has an ingenious arrangement of words in six columns, and it is headed : Ad Reverendiss. Patrem Fr.
Benignum a Genua Seraphicae Ordinis S. P. N. Francisci Ministrum Generalem Serio- ludrica.
14 See " Vitse Sanctorum," tomus hi. , pp. 13 to 27.
"
Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of
Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xix. , sect, xv. , n.
169, p. 199.
*5 See Die Prima In Festo S. Julii.
15 See "Natales Sanctorum
Belgii," pp.
Rumoldi, pp. 63 to 68. 16" 26"
136, 137.
See Fasti Belgici et Burgundici," pp. See vol. i. , Archbishops of Dublin,"
3SSto36i. P- 305.
2°
It appeared at Antwerp, a. d. 17 18.
MartyreMechlinisein Belgio, pp. 169 to 266. 21 "
It is intituled
Episcopi etMartyris Mechliniensium," Col- legit, digessit, illustravit, Joannes Baptista SolleriusSocietatisJesuTheologus. Many valuable historic documents are contained in this volume.
22 To this he refers with some of degree
triumph, in refuting the statements of Giral- dus Cambrensis, that Ireland furnished the Church with no martyrs. See " Apologia pro Hibernia," cap. ii. , p. 15. See also cap. iv. , p-37.
23 See ex. gr. Richard Coyne's Dublin edition, printed 1844, of " Breviarum Ro- manum," Supplementum ad Partem ^Esti- vam, pp. cexx. , cexxi.
24 These consist in great part of silly fables,
according to Dr. Lanigan.
