" But, with firm faith, the soldier laid the bier on whicli his son's body rested, near the
foundation
; when, either to avoid the man's importunity, or to preserve his own Inimility, Cathaldus resumed his interrupted labour.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
Cathaldi, lib.
i.
,
cap. viii.
^^ See Colgan's 'Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nice," viii. Martii. Also, Appendix cap. ii. ,
PP- 547-557, 561-
** Among the Irish, the names Euchu,
Eucho, Echa, and Eochaidh, frequently for /;/, iu the beginning, and it comes into
occur. Thus, in Jocelyn's Life of St. Patrick, we find Echu and iluchus. Other hagio- graphershave Euchodius and Eucliadius, as also Euchus. In the Irish languge dh is aspirated and not pronounced, and there- fore in Colgan's opinion, the Latin writers passed them over, as having no force.
the middle afterwards.
7- That southern province of Ireland, in
which St. Cathaldus was born, and in which Lismore, where he was educated, is placed, was called by ancient writers Mumenia.
'5 These latter are the more more modern names, by which the Province is designated. *5 If instead of Athena, we read /Ethna or See "Acta Sanctorum Plibernias," viii.
Ethenea, either of these names were familiar tothelrish. Thus, also Ethnea was mother of St. Columba, of St. Maidoc, of St. Aid, of St. Critan, according to St. ^ngus, in his tract, on the Mothers of the Irish Saints, lib. iv. , cap. 13, 21, 58, 84.
Martii, n. i, p. 555.
? • See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," viii.
Martii, n. 2, p. 544.
75 See Rev. Ur. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. iii. ,cap. xviii. , sect, xi. , n. 131, p. 125. The Doctor adds : " But,
this mistake in the Life, by Moroni, adds in a note, that here an error crept in, which the author placed among his errata, thus endea- vouring to emend it, z-vAiox NuvienicE,\iQ. gives Mononia', but even so, it is faulty. For the letter n beginning the former is substituted
igo LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May io.
Cathald," existed in Munster, besides a castle named Dun-Callaind, near Waterford, and a town called Callaind, on the confines of Leinster and Mun- ster. But, Colgan does not undertake to decide, which—if any—of these places had been identical with Cathandum,? ^ nor even to define the spot or particular territory, in which the saint was born. 77
We are informed, by Moroni, that in the time of the Emperor Adrian, or a little after Tarjan's death,7^ a certain wise man, named Dichus, gifted with a spirit of prophecy, had visions regarding the future greatness of Cathaldus. 79 However, this was a period much too early for any prophet to have lived in Ire- land, and who was also said to have been a cotemporary of our saint. ^° Hence, if we admit this account of such miraculous events, preceding and accompany- ing the birth of Caihaldus, Dichus must have lived at a much more recent period. This prophetic seer, Moroni tells us, observed a bright light over the house, in which our saint's mother resided, and at that time, she was about to give birth to her son. Having a Divine premonition, regarding the sanctity and actions of the future saint, and his mother's sufferings, Dichus hastened to Achlena's house to offer consolation. But, he was refused admission, at the time, as Achlena was alone, and her husband absent. However, from without, Dichus is said to have addressed Achlena, in these words : " Be of good courage, most happy mother, nor reprove the Almighty for his dis- regard of you, during the pains of childbirth, nor fear approaching death, nor the want of all necessaries; for, you shall bring forth a son, the propagator of true religion, and not alone an honour to his parents and country, but even an ornament to all Ireland, and, likewise, he will become the continual patron of a foreign people. "^' Achlena shortly afterwards gave birth to our saint, and she died from the pains of childbirth. It is said, her infant, falling on a stone
within the chamber, impressed the form of his tender head, even on the rock,^^ which yielded for a time like softened wax,^3 and afterwards retained its former rigidity. Not appearing to have suffered from the effect of his fall, the infant arose, and embraced his parent's lifeless body. Again, it recovered animation. With his finger, likewise, he pointed to the impression made in the stone. ^-t
An infancy, thus miraculously commenced, led to a youth of virtue
besides its being far distant from Lismore, the name of the saint's native spot is usually written Catandum. "
7° See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernire," viii. Martii, n. 2, p. 544-
'7 Owing to a similarity of name with Cathandum, and because they are in the Munsler province, where the writers of St. Cataldus' Acts state he was botn, are they introduced, and to gratify those inclined to offer conjectures.
7^ It must be remarked, however, that Trajan's death, occurring A. D. 1 19, he was succeeded by Adrian.
'9 See, also, Joannes Juvenis, " De Anti- quitate et Varia Tarenlinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 2.
^^ Colgan was unable to discover any pro- phet named Dichus, or any trace of a Chris- tian people living at Catandum, Lismore, or other places in Ireland, at this early period nor could he find any prophet named Dichu or Dichus, except one, who was a disciple of St. Patrick. He was tlie Dichu who first of all believed in the Christian religion, on the preaching of our Irish Apostle in 432, and
who afterwards embraced a monastic life, a^ Saul, in Ulster. Colgan promised to treat o' him at the 29th of April—his Natalis. The same writer is of opinion, lliat this Dichu must be the prophet here alhided to, as he flourished in the middle or towards the end of the fifth century. The Acts of St. Cathal- dus, he supposes, furnish concurring evi- dence for this opinion ; namely, that Cathal- dus taught scliool at Lismore, that he ap- pointed bishops within a certain district, and that in his lime, the Catholic rehgion pre- vailed throughout the whole of Ireland. See " Acta Sanctorum IliberniK," viii. Martii. , nn. 3, 4, p. 555, and ibid. , Appendix, cap. ii. , pp. 560, 561.
**' SeeMoroni's"VitaS. Cataldi,"cap. ii. , p. 546. Ibid.
"-^ SeeDempster's"HistoriaEcclesiastica (Jentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. iii. , num. 278, p. 164.
*^ See Petrus de Natalibus, "Vita S. Cataldi," lib. iv. , cap. 143.
"-t See Moroni's " Vita S. Cataldi,* can. iii.
^5 " Not few years must have elapsed from
;
May io. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
191
and of good dispositions. Cathaldus appears to have received his education, at the famous scliool of Lismore, subsequent to the year 630, when it was
first estabHshed. He afterwards taught, in the same school
informed in his Office, such was the reputation it enjoyed for learning, that Gauls, English, Scotch, Germans, and people from adjoining nations, flocked thither for instruction. ^^ Having been promoted to the priestly office,^^ Cathaldus resolved upon the erection of a church, in the name of the Blessed Virgin, INIother of God,^^ that in it he might practise frequent devotions, towards her, and by his example induce others to act in like manner. ^9 From his own experience, he recognised the great advantages to be derived, from her powerful advocac}'. Scarcely, however, had he marked out the founda- tions, and commenced this work, when the only son of a certain man died a natural death,9° or from the effects of a fracture, received at the building. 9' At this time, that stone, impressed in a miraculous manner, at the period of our saint's birth, had been placed, either at Lismore, or at Catandum,^^ in the openair. Itwasheldingreatveneration,bythepeople,notonlyonaccount ofitsrelationtothetimeofoursaint'sbirth but,because,oftenasthecavity
;
;
in it had been filled with rain water, numbers of infirm persons, who washed themselves therein, were cured of various diseases. 93 A father once brought his son's corpse to this stone, hoping he should be restored to life, if washed by the water it contained. However, when he came there, he found the water exhausted, either through want of late rains, or on account of the num- bers, who were accustomed to wash in it. The hope of the father was not abandoned, notwithstanding, for he trusted in the power of Cathaldus, to res- tore his son to life
since, it was though his merits, a miraculous gift had been transmittedtothewater,containedinthatstone. Hewenttooursaint,bearing the corpse of his son. 94 When he had deplored this calamity with tears, the father asked Cathaldus, to interpose on his behalf. Our saint replied : " The son of these tears ought not long endure bitter death, or afford cause for con- tinual grief to a parent, endowed with such faith. Wherefore, being restored to life, let him support his father's old age. When dead, he hath burthened paternal shoulders, with a pious weight. "95 Soon as these words fell from the lips of Cathaldus, the young man was restored to life. This caused great wonderment to the spectators, assembled on the spot, and many souls were gained to Christ. 9^ The report of this miracle increased the fame of Catal- dus, throughout all that district of country,97 and he was soon recognised as a
subject for veneration, among Christ's most favoured servants.
third place, among eight churches then to be found, in Lismore city. See " Acta Sancto- rum Hibernioe," viii. Martii, n. 6, p. 555.
the foundation of Lismore until Cataldus
began to teach there. He had studied him-
selfin that school and spent some years at
it, before lie became qualified to be a pro-
fessor. In his time Lismore was well known
in foreign countries, which its reputation
could not have reached all of a sudden. "— Cataldi," cap. v.
Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , cap. xviii. , sect, xi. , n. 134, p. 126.
^*See " Ofificium S. Cataldi," Lect. iv.
^' See Petrus de Natalibus, "Vita S. Cataldi," lib. iv. , cap. 143.
*^ Officium S. Cataldi, Lect. iv.
^ Colgan remarks, that in his time, a church dedicated to the memory of tlie Blessed Virgin was extant in Lismore ; as appeared from the Catalogue of the Churches of Lismore diocese. After the cathedral church and another dedicated to our Saviour, the church of the Blessed Virgin occupied a
^^ "Brevissimum enim est inter utramque urbem spatium interjectum. "—Moroni's " Vita S. Cataldi," cap. v.
93 gee Joannes Juvenis, " De Antiquitate et Varia Tarentinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 2.
«* See " Officium S. Cataldi," Lect. iv.
'= See Moroni's "Vita S. Cataldi," cap. v.
^ Pettus de Natalibus, " Vita S. Cataldi," cap. ii.
'^^ See Joannes Juvenis, " De Antiquitate et Varia Tarentinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 2.
5° According to some old record, seen by Moroni.
^i According to Moroni's " Vita S.
f'^
and, as we are
192 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May io.
CHAPTERII.
ST. CATAI. DUS RAISES A YOUNG MAN TO LIl-E— HE INXURS THE ENMITY OF A CHIEF AND OF A KING—HE SUCCEEDS TO A CHIEFTANCY—HE IS APPOINTED BISHOP HIS CHURCH—CATALDUS SETS OUT ON A PILGRIMAGE TO JERUSALEM—ADMONI- TION FOR ANOTHER DESTINATION—HE ARRIVES IN ITALY—THE MIRACLES HE WROUGHT THERE CAUSED HIM TO BE NOMINATED BISHOP OF TARENTUM.
A sliort time after the performance of tliat miracle, to which alkision has been already made, a soldier's son died, in the flower of youth. His father brought the body, without assistance, to the Blessed Virgin's Church, that he might ask the prayers of Cathaldus, for a restoration to life. ' The saint had been engaged, at this time, in digging out foundations for the church, and with his own hands. ^ To end those passionate entreaties of the bereaved father, and those encomiums lavished on himself, he said : " Am I as God, that I can raise the dead from the grave ?
" But, with firm faith, the soldier laid the bier on whicli his son's body rested, near the foundation ; when, either to avoid the man's importunity, or to preserve his own Inimility, Cathaldus resumed his interrupted labour. While thus engaged, he threw a portion of clay, taken from the foundation, over the dead body. The young man was imme- diately restored to life ;3 and, at once, he rushed forward to embrace his parent. Such was the joy manifested by both, that they remained for some time motionless, with wonder and delight, while tears of thanksgiving gushed from their eyes, and bedewed their cheeks. -* By the performance of such miracles, Cathaldus is said to have effected the conversion of many ;5 and, throughout the whole of Ireland none were left, who had not embraced the true religion, in consequence of God's grace working through hint. ^ But, finding his reign likely to be extinguished in the hearts of men, the devil de- vised a means, whereby our saint should be prevented from spreading Gospel truths, and even be removed from the scenes of his labour and usefulness.
We are told, that a chief, who is named Meltridis,^ had frequently excited against Cataldus the anger of the king, who ruled over that part of the country. ^ That soldier, whose son had been raised to life, unable to restrain his joy, brought the young man for inspection to the king,9 in that part of the country, andexplainedparticularsconnectedwiththemiraclewrought. Atthesame time, he told the king,'° a great number of people had been present, at Lismore,
Chapter ii. — ' See Petrus de Natalibus, cap. ii. , pp. 560, 561.
" Vita S. Cat. ildi. " lib. iv. , cap. 143. =^ John Juvenis says, " Erat dux ille Mel-
' See Joannes Juvenis, " De -Antiquitate tridis Dominus. "—" De Antiquitate et
et Varia Tarentinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 2.
3 See " Officium S. Cataldi," Lect. iv.
* See Moroni's "Vita S. Cataldi," cap. iv.
s In the Officium S. Cataldi, it is said : " Cumque universam Rachan Provinciam prsedicatione ad Christi fidem perduxisset," &c. —Lect. v.
* Colgan remarks, that although St. Cath:ddus, by his leaining and holy labours, powerfully contributed towards the exten- sion of religion tiiroughout Ireland, yethe was not its first or jirincipal promoter. For, St. Patrick, and many other holy men, had stre- nuously laboured in this portion of Christ's vineyard, before our saint had been called to prosecute the work of God, in the same field. See "Acta Sanctorum Iliberniie," viii. Martii, n. 7, p. 555, and /M/. , Appendix
Varia Tarentinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 2.
^ Bonaventure Moroni, in the Second Book of the " Cataldias," alludes to him, in these following verses :
" Sacras parlitur habenas
Bis senis bociis, quos, e tola Meltriade
lectos,
Egregia virtute amini diademata ncc-
tunt. "
9 Petrus de Natalibus ni. \kt's him King over all Ireland.
'"The Rev. Dr. Lanigan states, "if there be any truth in the matter, lie must have been rather n King of Munster. The same author as well as Moroni and others assign a very silly cause, not worth mentioning, for the king's displeasure. "—" Ecclesiastical Ilis-
——
May lo. j LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
193
towitnessit. Ascribingtheperformanceofthatmiracletomagic,"andfearing lest Catlialdus, taking advantage of his popularity, should aspire to possession of the kingdom, its ruler proceeded along the river, towards Lismore. " When he arrived there, he ordered our saint to be put in chains, and cast into a dark prison. '3 But, the Lord, who kept watch for the safety of His servant, sent two Angels to the king, by night, and to manifest the Divine will in his regard. '> The queen learned this secret, from an avowal he made, when, starting with fright out of sleep, a deep groan ensued. '^ One of those Angels appeared, with a drawn sword, his eyes and countenance threatening death totheprince; theother,inamildmanner,persuadedtheking,thatheshould release Cathaldus from confinement, and make him the successor of the chieftain Meltridis. '^ In a vain endeavour, to find some similitude for the name Meltridis in Munster, Colgan tells us about the people, called Clann- Moelidhra, in Leinster, deriving their name from a dynast, named Maelidhra. But, in their territory, no church called Rachan, Rathan, or Rathen, occurs. Hence, he is of opinion, that this was a name pertaining to the chieftain, called in the Life of St. Carthage, Malochtrige Dux Nan Desii, and by a change in the spelling converted into Meltridis, by the Italians. '7 Calling together the chiefs and councillors, to whom he related what occurred, the king asked their advice, as to the manner in which he should act. Mean- time, a messenger arrived with the news of Meltridis' death, '^ and with a request to the king, that he would name the person, who might be appointed as successor. Pondering awhile in silence, regarding his dream, the king said : " What need is there of counsel? why, my councillors, should that be referred to you, which is more manifest, than if it were confirmed by your decision ? Now, I am not deceived by dreamy illusions, but I recognise counsels of the Divine will, to contradict which would be an excess of folly. " On saying these words, he ordered Cathaldus to be brought before him, and then with tears, the king asked pardon for his former violence. He appointed Cathaldus as successor to the chieftain Meltridis, at the same time, although our saint felt extremely reluctant to assume this office. Contrary to the statement of the writer,'? who tells us, that Cathaldus was a Priest, at the period he commenced building the Blessed Virgin's Church, Moroni says, our saint was only a Deacon, when he had been appointed successor to Mel- tridis. ^" Unwilling to exchange his sacred office, for the administration of any temporal affairs entrusted to him, Cataldus was appointed Bishop, to the great joy of the king, who conferred the territory of Meltridis on his church, by a perpetual grant. Cathaldus is said to have divided this terri- tory, into twelve Bishoprics f' whilst, at the same time, his own seat had
tory of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xviii. , sect. xi. , n. 136, p. 126.
"See Petrus de Natalibus, "Vita S. Cataldi," lib. iv. , cap. 143.
" Colgan, who seems to credit this legend, says, that the king appears to have pro- ceeded towards Lismore, along the opposite bank of the Abhan-mor or Blackwater, or along its course, or, at least, from the south- em parts of Lagenia into Munster, and from the direction of Waterford. See "ActaSanc- torum Hibernioe," viii. Martii, n. 8, p. 555.
'3 See Moroni's " VitaS. Cataldi,"cap. vii.
'" See Officium S. Cataldi," Lect. v. Also, De Burgo's "Officia Propria Sanctorum Hi- bernise," viii. Martii. In Festo S. Cathaldi,
Vol. v. —No. 4.
Noct. ii. , Lect. iv. , p. 22.
'5 See Joannes Juvenis, "DeAntiquitate et
VariaTarentinorumFortuna,"lib. viii. ,cap. 2. '® A doubt exists, as to whether this was a proper name of the chieftain, or of the terri-
tory, subject to hnn.
'^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," viii. ,
Martii, nn. 9, 10, 11, pp. 555, 556.
'^ See Joannes Juvenis, " De Antiquitate, et Varia Tarentinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. ,
cap. 2.
'' See Petrus de Natalibus, " Vita S.
Cataldi," lib. iv. , cap. 143.
=° See Moroni's " Vita S. Cataldi," lib. i. ,
cap. viii.
=" See " Ofificium S. Cataldi," Lect. v.
N
194 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 10.
been erected into an Archiepiscopal See. *' The church, over which our saint presided, was named Rachan, according to his office,'3 and to the Life by Moroni. =^4
Various conjectures have been offered, regarding the location of the place so called. *5 The exact locality cannot now be identified, but probably, itwasnotfarfromLismore. '^ Itissaid,thatwhenCathaldgoverneditfor some time, he succeeded in bringing the people of the surrounding territory to a knowledge of the Christian faith, and to the practice of every virtue. Not being able to discover any city, town, or other place, bearing the name of Rachau, and existing at any time, in the province of Munster, or in the rest of Ireland, Colgan offers a conjecture, that owing to some mistake, Rachau '7 hasbeenwrittenforRathan,^^Ratha,orRathach. ^9 Hetellsus,thatinthe southern part of Meath province, and on the confines of Munster, a famous city and monastery existed at Rathan, or Rathen, from which St. Carthage and his monks had been driven, before the monastery of Lismore 3° was
founded. But, there are three other places, bearing the name Rathain, or Rathen, in the Desii country, within which Lismore was situated. One of thesehadbeennamedSen-Rathen,or"OldRathen. " Itisnowknownas Shanraghan, a parish, and a townland, in the Barony of Iffa and Offa West, in the county of Tipperary. s" This parish contains some fine scenery, and among the objects of interest is Shanbally Castle, with a fair demesne, the residence ofViscount Lismore. 3^ The old church—now in ruins, yet still sur- mounted by a square and comparatively modern belfry—presents some fea- tures, however, of considerable antiquity. 33 It is surrounded, likewise, with a
cemetery. The church was divided into a nave and choir ;34 but, it is now, in
" The Rev. Dr. Lanigan remarks, how it is ridiculously stated, that having obtained this wonderful grant of a whole principality, he divided it into twelve bishoprics, and raised Rachan to the rank of an archiepiscopal See. Perceiving the absurdity of this fable, in his edition of St. Cataldus' office. Bishop De Burgo has changed the bishoprics into pari>hes, and the archiepiscopate into a sim- ple bishopric. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , cap. xviii. , sect, xi. , n. 138. p. 127.
=3 See "Officium S. Cataldi," Lect v.
'* See Moroni's "Vita S. Cataldi," cap. ix. '5 The BoUandists throw out a conjecture,
SanctorumHibernire,"Martiiviii. InFesto S. Cataldi, Noct. ii. , Lect. v. , p. 22. "This is not the only alteration he has made in said office, motu propio," remarks Dr. Lanigan, "andwithoutanysufficient authority. "
^^ It is remarked, that if for Rachau we read Rachen—the n, and u, being often interchanged in MSS. —the probability of Colgan's conjecture will be rendered more apparent,bysuchsimilarityofnames. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xviii. , sect, xi. , n. 131, p. 125.
°^ According to the Irish sound of th, Rathan is the same as Raglian or Rahan.
3° It would seem, the Anglicized form of this word, meant " the great fort. " The lios or lis was a circular enclosure, which the ancient Irish founders of monasteries—as in this instance—threw up around their habi-
that Rachan may have been the city of
Ragusa, in the province of Illyricum, as
Joannes Lucius, in his work on Dalmatia,
calls it " Ragusium et Rausium," and it is
added, " quasi Ragausium, ut inde Rachau tations. See Dr. Patrick W. Joyce's
potuisset formari. " However, this seems to
be abandoned as a rather improbable sup-
position, for reasons alleged in that passage.
cap. viii.
^^ See Colgan's 'Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nice," viii. Martii. Also, Appendix cap. ii. ,
PP- 547-557, 561-
** Among the Irish, the names Euchu,
Eucho, Echa, and Eochaidh, frequently for /;/, iu the beginning, and it comes into
occur. Thus, in Jocelyn's Life of St. Patrick, we find Echu and iluchus. Other hagio- graphershave Euchodius and Eucliadius, as also Euchus. In the Irish languge dh is aspirated and not pronounced, and there- fore in Colgan's opinion, the Latin writers passed them over, as having no force.
the middle afterwards.
7- That southern province of Ireland, in
which St. Cathaldus was born, and in which Lismore, where he was educated, is placed, was called by ancient writers Mumenia.
'5 These latter are the more more modern names, by which the Province is designated. *5 If instead of Athena, we read /Ethna or See "Acta Sanctorum Plibernias," viii.
Ethenea, either of these names were familiar tothelrish. Thus, also Ethnea was mother of St. Columba, of St. Maidoc, of St. Aid, of St. Critan, according to St. ^ngus, in his tract, on the Mothers of the Irish Saints, lib. iv. , cap. 13, 21, 58, 84.
Martii, n. i, p. 555.
? • See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," viii.
Martii, n. 2, p. 544.
75 See Rev. Ur. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. iii. ,cap. xviii. , sect, xi. , n. 131, p. 125. The Doctor adds : " But,
this mistake in the Life, by Moroni, adds in a note, that here an error crept in, which the author placed among his errata, thus endea- vouring to emend it, z-vAiox NuvienicE,\iQ. gives Mononia', but even so, it is faulty. For the letter n beginning the former is substituted
igo LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May io.
Cathald," existed in Munster, besides a castle named Dun-Callaind, near Waterford, and a town called Callaind, on the confines of Leinster and Mun- ster. But, Colgan does not undertake to decide, which—if any—of these places had been identical with Cathandum,? ^ nor even to define the spot or particular territory, in which the saint was born. 77
We are informed, by Moroni, that in the time of the Emperor Adrian, or a little after Tarjan's death,7^ a certain wise man, named Dichus, gifted with a spirit of prophecy, had visions regarding the future greatness of Cathaldus. 79 However, this was a period much too early for any prophet to have lived in Ire- land, and who was also said to have been a cotemporary of our saint. ^° Hence, if we admit this account of such miraculous events, preceding and accompany- ing the birth of Caihaldus, Dichus must have lived at a much more recent period. This prophetic seer, Moroni tells us, observed a bright light over the house, in which our saint's mother resided, and at that time, she was about to give birth to her son. Having a Divine premonition, regarding the sanctity and actions of the future saint, and his mother's sufferings, Dichus hastened to Achlena's house to offer consolation. But, he was refused admission, at the time, as Achlena was alone, and her husband absent. However, from without, Dichus is said to have addressed Achlena, in these words : " Be of good courage, most happy mother, nor reprove the Almighty for his dis- regard of you, during the pains of childbirth, nor fear approaching death, nor the want of all necessaries; for, you shall bring forth a son, the propagator of true religion, and not alone an honour to his parents and country, but even an ornament to all Ireland, and, likewise, he will become the continual patron of a foreign people. "^' Achlena shortly afterwards gave birth to our saint, and she died from the pains of childbirth. It is said, her infant, falling on a stone
within the chamber, impressed the form of his tender head, even on the rock,^^ which yielded for a time like softened wax,^3 and afterwards retained its former rigidity. Not appearing to have suffered from the effect of his fall, the infant arose, and embraced his parent's lifeless body. Again, it recovered animation. With his finger, likewise, he pointed to the impression made in the stone. ^-t
An infancy, thus miraculously commenced, led to a youth of virtue
besides its being far distant from Lismore, the name of the saint's native spot is usually written Catandum. "
7° See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernire," viii. Martii, n. 2, p. 544-
'7 Owing to a similarity of name with Cathandum, and because they are in the Munsler province, where the writers of St. Cataldus' Acts state he was botn, are they introduced, and to gratify those inclined to offer conjectures.
7^ It must be remarked, however, that Trajan's death, occurring A. D. 1 19, he was succeeded by Adrian.
'9 See, also, Joannes Juvenis, " De Anti- quitate et Varia Tarenlinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 2.
^^ Colgan was unable to discover any pro- phet named Dichus, or any trace of a Chris- tian people living at Catandum, Lismore, or other places in Ireland, at this early period nor could he find any prophet named Dichu or Dichus, except one, who was a disciple of St. Patrick. He was tlie Dichu who first of all believed in the Christian religion, on the preaching of our Irish Apostle in 432, and
who afterwards embraced a monastic life, a^ Saul, in Ulster. Colgan promised to treat o' him at the 29th of April—his Natalis. The same writer is of opinion, lliat this Dichu must be the prophet here alhided to, as he flourished in the middle or towards the end of the fifth century. The Acts of St. Cathal- dus, he supposes, furnish concurring evi- dence for this opinion ; namely, that Cathal- dus taught scliool at Lismore, that he ap- pointed bishops within a certain district, and that in his lime, the Catholic rehgion pre- vailed throughout the whole of Ireland. See " Acta Sanctorum IliberniK," viii. Martii. , nn. 3, 4, p. 555, and ibid. , Appendix, cap. ii. , pp. 560, 561.
**' SeeMoroni's"VitaS. Cataldi,"cap. ii. , p. 546. Ibid.
"-^ SeeDempster's"HistoriaEcclesiastica (Jentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. iii. , num. 278, p. 164.
*^ See Petrus de Natalibus, "Vita S. Cataldi," lib. iv. , cap. 143.
"-t See Moroni's " Vita S. Cataldi,* can. iii.
^5 " Not few years must have elapsed from
;
May io. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
191
and of good dispositions. Cathaldus appears to have received his education, at the famous scliool of Lismore, subsequent to the year 630, when it was
first estabHshed. He afterwards taught, in the same school
informed in his Office, such was the reputation it enjoyed for learning, that Gauls, English, Scotch, Germans, and people from adjoining nations, flocked thither for instruction. ^^ Having been promoted to the priestly office,^^ Cathaldus resolved upon the erection of a church, in the name of the Blessed Virgin, INIother of God,^^ that in it he might practise frequent devotions, towards her, and by his example induce others to act in like manner. ^9 From his own experience, he recognised the great advantages to be derived, from her powerful advocac}'. Scarcely, however, had he marked out the founda- tions, and commenced this work, when the only son of a certain man died a natural death,9° or from the effects of a fracture, received at the building. 9' At this time, that stone, impressed in a miraculous manner, at the period of our saint's birth, had been placed, either at Lismore, or at Catandum,^^ in the openair. Itwasheldingreatveneration,bythepeople,notonlyonaccount ofitsrelationtothetimeofoursaint'sbirth but,because,oftenasthecavity
;
;
in it had been filled with rain water, numbers of infirm persons, who washed themselves therein, were cured of various diseases. 93 A father once brought his son's corpse to this stone, hoping he should be restored to life, if washed by the water it contained. However, when he came there, he found the water exhausted, either through want of late rains, or on account of the num- bers, who were accustomed to wash in it. The hope of the father was not abandoned, notwithstanding, for he trusted in the power of Cathaldus, to res- tore his son to life
since, it was though his merits, a miraculous gift had been transmittedtothewater,containedinthatstone. Hewenttooursaint,bearing the corpse of his son. 94 When he had deplored this calamity with tears, the father asked Cathaldus, to interpose on his behalf. Our saint replied : " The son of these tears ought not long endure bitter death, or afford cause for con- tinual grief to a parent, endowed with such faith. Wherefore, being restored to life, let him support his father's old age. When dead, he hath burthened paternal shoulders, with a pious weight. "95 Soon as these words fell from the lips of Cathaldus, the young man was restored to life. This caused great wonderment to the spectators, assembled on the spot, and many souls were gained to Christ. 9^ The report of this miracle increased the fame of Catal- dus, throughout all that district of country,97 and he was soon recognised as a
subject for veneration, among Christ's most favoured servants.
third place, among eight churches then to be found, in Lismore city. See " Acta Sancto- rum Hibernioe," viii. Martii, n. 6, p. 555.
the foundation of Lismore until Cataldus
began to teach there. He had studied him-
selfin that school and spent some years at
it, before lie became qualified to be a pro-
fessor. In his time Lismore was well known
in foreign countries, which its reputation
could not have reached all of a sudden. "— Cataldi," cap. v.
Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , cap. xviii. , sect, xi. , n. 134, p. 126.
^*See " Ofificium S. Cataldi," Lect. iv.
^' See Petrus de Natalibus, "Vita S. Cataldi," lib. iv. , cap. 143.
*^ Officium S. Cataldi, Lect. iv.
^ Colgan remarks, that in his time, a church dedicated to the memory of tlie Blessed Virgin was extant in Lismore ; as appeared from the Catalogue of the Churches of Lismore diocese. After the cathedral church and another dedicated to our Saviour, the church of the Blessed Virgin occupied a
^^ "Brevissimum enim est inter utramque urbem spatium interjectum. "—Moroni's " Vita S. Cataldi," cap. v.
93 gee Joannes Juvenis, " De Antiquitate et Varia Tarentinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 2.
«* See " Officium S. Cataldi," Lect. iv.
'= See Moroni's "Vita S. Cataldi," cap. v.
^ Pettus de Natalibus, " Vita S. Cataldi," cap. ii.
'^^ See Joannes Juvenis, " De Antiquitate et Varia Tarentinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 2.
5° According to some old record, seen by Moroni.
^i According to Moroni's " Vita S.
f'^
and, as we are
192 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May io.
CHAPTERII.
ST. CATAI. DUS RAISES A YOUNG MAN TO LIl-E— HE INXURS THE ENMITY OF A CHIEF AND OF A KING—HE SUCCEEDS TO A CHIEFTANCY—HE IS APPOINTED BISHOP HIS CHURCH—CATALDUS SETS OUT ON A PILGRIMAGE TO JERUSALEM—ADMONI- TION FOR ANOTHER DESTINATION—HE ARRIVES IN ITALY—THE MIRACLES HE WROUGHT THERE CAUSED HIM TO BE NOMINATED BISHOP OF TARENTUM.
A sliort time after the performance of tliat miracle, to which alkision has been already made, a soldier's son died, in the flower of youth. His father brought the body, without assistance, to the Blessed Virgin's Church, that he might ask the prayers of Cathaldus, for a restoration to life. ' The saint had been engaged, at this time, in digging out foundations for the church, and with his own hands. ^ To end those passionate entreaties of the bereaved father, and those encomiums lavished on himself, he said : " Am I as God, that I can raise the dead from the grave ?
" But, with firm faith, the soldier laid the bier on whicli his son's body rested, near the foundation ; when, either to avoid the man's importunity, or to preserve his own Inimility, Cathaldus resumed his interrupted labour. While thus engaged, he threw a portion of clay, taken from the foundation, over the dead body. The young man was imme- diately restored to life ;3 and, at once, he rushed forward to embrace his parent. Such was the joy manifested by both, that they remained for some time motionless, with wonder and delight, while tears of thanksgiving gushed from their eyes, and bedewed their cheeks. -* By the performance of such miracles, Cathaldus is said to have effected the conversion of many ;5 and, throughout the whole of Ireland none were left, who had not embraced the true religion, in consequence of God's grace working through hint. ^ But, finding his reign likely to be extinguished in the hearts of men, the devil de- vised a means, whereby our saint should be prevented from spreading Gospel truths, and even be removed from the scenes of his labour and usefulness.
We are told, that a chief, who is named Meltridis,^ had frequently excited against Cataldus the anger of the king, who ruled over that part of the country. ^ That soldier, whose son had been raised to life, unable to restrain his joy, brought the young man for inspection to the king,9 in that part of the country, andexplainedparticularsconnectedwiththemiraclewrought. Atthesame time, he told the king,'° a great number of people had been present, at Lismore,
Chapter ii. — ' See Petrus de Natalibus, cap. ii. , pp. 560, 561.
" Vita S. Cat. ildi. " lib. iv. , cap. 143. =^ John Juvenis says, " Erat dux ille Mel-
' See Joannes Juvenis, " De -Antiquitate tridis Dominus. "—" De Antiquitate et
et Varia Tarentinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 2.
3 See " Officium S. Cataldi," Lect. iv.
* See Moroni's "Vita S. Cataldi," cap. iv.
s In the Officium S. Cataldi, it is said : " Cumque universam Rachan Provinciam prsedicatione ad Christi fidem perduxisset," &c. —Lect. v.
* Colgan remarks, that although St. Cath:ddus, by his leaining and holy labours, powerfully contributed towards the exten- sion of religion tiiroughout Ireland, yethe was not its first or jirincipal promoter. For, St. Patrick, and many other holy men, had stre- nuously laboured in this portion of Christ's vineyard, before our saint had been called to prosecute the work of God, in the same field. See "Acta Sanctorum Iliberniie," viii. Martii, n. 7, p. 555, and /M/. , Appendix
Varia Tarentinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 2.
^ Bonaventure Moroni, in the Second Book of the " Cataldias," alludes to him, in these following verses :
" Sacras parlitur habenas
Bis senis bociis, quos, e tola Meltriade
lectos,
Egregia virtute amini diademata ncc-
tunt. "
9 Petrus de Natalibus ni. \kt's him King over all Ireland.
'"The Rev. Dr. Lanigan states, "if there be any truth in the matter, lie must have been rather n King of Munster. The same author as well as Moroni and others assign a very silly cause, not worth mentioning, for the king's displeasure. "—" Ecclesiastical Ilis-
——
May lo. j LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
193
towitnessit. Ascribingtheperformanceofthatmiracletomagic,"andfearing lest Catlialdus, taking advantage of his popularity, should aspire to possession of the kingdom, its ruler proceeded along the river, towards Lismore. " When he arrived there, he ordered our saint to be put in chains, and cast into a dark prison. '3 But, the Lord, who kept watch for the safety of His servant, sent two Angels to the king, by night, and to manifest the Divine will in his regard. '> The queen learned this secret, from an avowal he made, when, starting with fright out of sleep, a deep groan ensued. '^ One of those Angels appeared, with a drawn sword, his eyes and countenance threatening death totheprince; theother,inamildmanner,persuadedtheking,thatheshould release Cathaldus from confinement, and make him the successor of the chieftain Meltridis. '^ In a vain endeavour, to find some similitude for the name Meltridis in Munster, Colgan tells us about the people, called Clann- Moelidhra, in Leinster, deriving their name from a dynast, named Maelidhra. But, in their territory, no church called Rachan, Rathan, or Rathen, occurs. Hence, he is of opinion, that this was a name pertaining to the chieftain, called in the Life of St. Carthage, Malochtrige Dux Nan Desii, and by a change in the spelling converted into Meltridis, by the Italians. '7 Calling together the chiefs and councillors, to whom he related what occurred, the king asked their advice, as to the manner in which he should act. Mean- time, a messenger arrived with the news of Meltridis' death, '^ and with a request to the king, that he would name the person, who might be appointed as successor. Pondering awhile in silence, regarding his dream, the king said : " What need is there of counsel? why, my councillors, should that be referred to you, which is more manifest, than if it were confirmed by your decision ? Now, I am not deceived by dreamy illusions, but I recognise counsels of the Divine will, to contradict which would be an excess of folly. " On saying these words, he ordered Cathaldus to be brought before him, and then with tears, the king asked pardon for his former violence. He appointed Cathaldus as successor to the chieftain Meltridis, at the same time, although our saint felt extremely reluctant to assume this office. Contrary to the statement of the writer,'? who tells us, that Cathaldus was a Priest, at the period he commenced building the Blessed Virgin's Church, Moroni says, our saint was only a Deacon, when he had been appointed successor to Mel- tridis. ^" Unwilling to exchange his sacred office, for the administration of any temporal affairs entrusted to him, Cataldus was appointed Bishop, to the great joy of the king, who conferred the territory of Meltridis on his church, by a perpetual grant. Cathaldus is said to have divided this terri- tory, into twelve Bishoprics f' whilst, at the same time, his own seat had
tory of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xviii. , sect. xi. , n. 136, p. 126.
"See Petrus de Natalibus, "Vita S. Cataldi," lib. iv. , cap. 143.
" Colgan, who seems to credit this legend, says, that the king appears to have pro- ceeded towards Lismore, along the opposite bank of the Abhan-mor or Blackwater, or along its course, or, at least, from the south- em parts of Lagenia into Munster, and from the direction of Waterford. See "ActaSanc- torum Hibernioe," viii. Martii, n. 8, p. 555.
'3 See Moroni's " VitaS. Cataldi,"cap. vii.
'" See Officium S. Cataldi," Lect. v. Also, De Burgo's "Officia Propria Sanctorum Hi- bernise," viii. Martii. In Festo S. Cathaldi,
Vol. v. —No. 4.
Noct. ii. , Lect. iv. , p. 22.
'5 See Joannes Juvenis, "DeAntiquitate et
VariaTarentinorumFortuna,"lib. viii. ,cap. 2. '® A doubt exists, as to whether this was a proper name of the chieftain, or of the terri-
tory, subject to hnn.
'^ See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," viii. ,
Martii, nn. 9, 10, 11, pp. 555, 556.
'^ See Joannes Juvenis, " De Antiquitate, et Varia Tarentinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. ,
cap. 2.
'' See Petrus de Natalibus, " Vita S.
Cataldi," lib. iv. , cap. 143.
=° See Moroni's " Vita S. Cataldi," lib. i. ,
cap. viii.
=" See " Ofificium S. Cataldi," Lect. v.
N
194 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 10.
been erected into an Archiepiscopal See. *' The church, over which our saint presided, was named Rachan, according to his office,'3 and to the Life by Moroni. =^4
Various conjectures have been offered, regarding the location of the place so called. *5 The exact locality cannot now be identified, but probably, itwasnotfarfromLismore. '^ Itissaid,thatwhenCathaldgoverneditfor some time, he succeeded in bringing the people of the surrounding territory to a knowledge of the Christian faith, and to the practice of every virtue. Not being able to discover any city, town, or other place, bearing the name of Rachau, and existing at any time, in the province of Munster, or in the rest of Ireland, Colgan offers a conjecture, that owing to some mistake, Rachau '7 hasbeenwrittenforRathan,^^Ratha,orRathach. ^9 Hetellsus,thatinthe southern part of Meath province, and on the confines of Munster, a famous city and monastery existed at Rathan, or Rathen, from which St. Carthage and his monks had been driven, before the monastery of Lismore 3° was
founded. But, there are three other places, bearing the name Rathain, or Rathen, in the Desii country, within which Lismore was situated. One of thesehadbeennamedSen-Rathen,or"OldRathen. " Itisnowknownas Shanraghan, a parish, and a townland, in the Barony of Iffa and Offa West, in the county of Tipperary. s" This parish contains some fine scenery, and among the objects of interest is Shanbally Castle, with a fair demesne, the residence ofViscount Lismore. 3^ The old church—now in ruins, yet still sur- mounted by a square and comparatively modern belfry—presents some fea- tures, however, of considerable antiquity. 33 It is surrounded, likewise, with a
cemetery. The church was divided into a nave and choir ;34 but, it is now, in
" The Rev. Dr. Lanigan remarks, how it is ridiculously stated, that having obtained this wonderful grant of a whole principality, he divided it into twelve bishoprics, and raised Rachan to the rank of an archiepiscopal See. Perceiving the absurdity of this fable, in his edition of St. Cataldus' office. Bishop De Burgo has changed the bishoprics into pari>hes, and the archiepiscopate into a sim- ple bishopric. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , cap. xviii. , sect, xi. , n. 138. p. 127.
=3 See "Officium S. Cataldi," Lect v.
'* See Moroni's "Vita S. Cataldi," cap. ix. '5 The BoUandists throw out a conjecture,
SanctorumHibernire,"Martiiviii. InFesto S. Cataldi, Noct. ii. , Lect. v. , p. 22. "This is not the only alteration he has made in said office, motu propio," remarks Dr. Lanigan, "andwithoutanysufficient authority. "
^^ It is remarked, that if for Rachau we read Rachen—the n, and u, being often interchanged in MSS. —the probability of Colgan's conjecture will be rendered more apparent,bysuchsimilarityofnames. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xviii. , sect, xi. , n. 131, p. 125.
°^ According to the Irish sound of th, Rathan is the same as Raglian or Rahan.
3° It would seem, the Anglicized form of this word, meant " the great fort. " The lios or lis was a circular enclosure, which the ancient Irish founders of monasteries—as in this instance—threw up around their habi-
that Rachan may have been the city of
Ragusa, in the province of Illyricum, as
Joannes Lucius, in his work on Dalmatia,
calls it " Ragusium et Rausium," and it is
added, " quasi Ragausium, ut inde Rachau tations. See Dr. Patrick W. Joyce's
potuisset formari. " However, this seems to
be abandoned as a rather improbable sup-
position, for reasons alleged in that passage.
