"
Although
it silenced, this reproof, however, did not correct the vices of his master ; and, hence, our saint resolved on leaving him, and those scenes of his early youth.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
Reeves adds : " Fleming, who has printed this Life from a MS.
of Armagh, readsMurueinsteadofMeurne.
" See,too, " Collectanea Sacra," num.
5, p.
304.
^* See "Acta Sanctorum," tome ii. , x. Maii. Vita Comgalli ex tribus Codicibus MS. n. i. , p. 580, Vita S. Comgalli ex MS. antiquo et editione Sirini, cap. i. , n. 4, pp. 582, 583-
writer in the O'Clerys' Martyrology, regard- ing St. Comgall's birth, "ergonatus 10 Maii an. 510. "
3^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Sexta Vita S. Patricii, n. no, p. 113.
33 See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiberni- cum," p. 106.
3-» See Rev. Dr. Reeves' "Adamnan's
"Life of St. Columba," lib. i. , cap. 49, n.
(e), p. 93-
35 It is the one found in the Annals of
Tigernach. See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 129.
3* He remarks, that in the supposition, St. Comgall has been born before 516, he should have been more than thirty-two years old, when he entered as a monk at Clonenagh, and still, by some additional years, he must have been younger than his master, St. Fintan.
37 See " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , cliap. X. , sect. xii. , n. 192, pp. 64, 65.
3^ For the place of his birth, see Rev. William Reeves' "Ecclesiastical Antiqui- ties of Down, Connor and Dromore," p.
'7 Mac Nisse died in 514, whereas Com-
gall was not born till 517, yet it serves to
show, that the Mourne of Antrim, and not
that of Down, was the birth-place of St. Comgall; Connor being about thirteen
miles distant, westwards, from Maghera- 269.
morne.
"* See the Boliandists' "Acta Sancto-
rum," tomus i. , Septembris iii. De Sancto Macnissio. Vita auctore incerto, num. 8, p. 665.
^9 See the " Martyrology of Donegal,' edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 122, 123.
3° The Annals of Inisfallen have, at A. n. 51 1, " Nativitas Comgaill Benchair. "—Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptorcs," tomus ii. , p. 5.
3' \Vc read from a calculation, made by a
39 The Vita S. Comgalli states: " De aquilonali Hiberniie regione, nomine Dail- nary naraidhe, quce est contra mare in aquilonari Provincias plaga Ultorum, Sanctus Abbas Comgallus ortus fuit," &c. —"Collec- tanea Sacra," &c. , ThoniK Sirini, num. I,
•»"
P- 303. —but mcorrectly—sup-
It is generally
posed, that St. Comgall was born in a part of that country, bordering on the sea, and in a town of Mourne, near Carlingford Lough.
• This district lies to the south of Inver
—
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 10.
sunrise f^ he shall be adorned with all virtues, and the world shall be illuminated, with the lustre of his miracles. ^s Not only shall many thousand monks obey him as a king, but also a great multitude of princes and people. " During a whole night antecedent to that morning of our saint's birth, a great light was seen by many persons, in the country. This radiance appeared around the place of his nativity. ^^ Although there is an anachronism in it,^7 this story, with some slight variations, is told in the Life of St. Mac Nesse. '^ Although of humble parentage, yet, it seems that St. Comgall descended from
the race of Irial, son to Conall Cearnach. =9 His father Sethna was a soldier
May io. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 155
morne/' It was situated, near the Irish Sea/* and in the eastern part ofAntrim County. Extendingsouth-westwardstoLoughNeagh,thatdistrictwasthehead- quarters of the Irish Picts, or Crutheni. '^s At Rathmore, near Antrim, is said to have been the fort of their kings. At a time, when his father was advanced in years, this birth is stated to have occurred. Being an only son, Comgall was much loved by his parents, from the very moment of his birth. 44 It is said, this infant was brought to receive the baptismal sacrament, at the hands of a priest, who by some accident had been deprived of sight. Yet, he dis- tinctly recollected the ritual words, serving for administration of this first sacrament. The name of this priest 45 was Fedelmid 4^ or Fedlimin. 47 At the infant's approach towards that place, where he was to have been baptized, a fountain of water issued from the earth. In it, the child was regenerated, whilst Angels were in attendance. The holy priest rejoiced greatly, at these miraculous portents ; and, bathing his face and eyes, in the water of this foun- tain, with full trust in the Lord's mercies, he miraculously recovered the use of sight.
After this incident, the ceremony of baptism is said to have been per- formed. The child received as a name Comgall,4^ in accordance with St. Patrick's prediction. The boy's parents dedicated him to God's service,49 thus imitating the action of Anna, with regard to Samuel,5° and from the very moment of his birth, he seemed to grow in grace and wisdom. One day, while our saint reposed near a heap of stones, and in a field where he laboured, a deep slumber ensued. Then his mother, who came to the place, saw a pillar of fire, resting on the boy, and extending towards Heaven. She was alarmed at this portent, and knew not what she should do ; she feared to approach, and yet she felt very unwilling to leave her son. While waiting to learn the result, her child awoke, his face emitting an extraordinary brilliancy. Then, Comgall said to his anxious guardian, " Fear not, mother, for I am in nomannerinjured,bythiscelestialfire. Yet,takecare,youdonotrelatethis visiontoanyperson,'duringthesedays. ''^^ Thiscommandhismotherobserved, for a time ; but, she related what she had seen, at a subsequent period. s^ Ano- ther time, Comgall is related, to have said to his father, while they were walk-
4? " Fedelmidum " is in Father Fitz- simon's Manuscript, and in the other Life " Fedlini. " Tliere is a " Fedlimius in the IrishCalendar,atthe9thofAugust. But, he appears to have been a bishop,
parish, with which it is in juxtaposition.
The denomination Magheramorne signifies
"the plain of Mourne. " Originally it had
been written nni5-6Ai\n, which is pronounced
Mourne. This is a lake, which is ninety
acres in extent, and it is situated, in the
north-east of Carrickfergus parish. See pignus," in the Life, taken from the three
" Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Antrim," sheet 46.
4=Accordingto the Manuscript, desip;nated Codex Kilkenniensis, in Marsh's Library,
Dublin, at fol. 90, b, a.
43 The Rev. Dr. Reeves remarks, that " in
Codices.
49 " Parentes vero ejus ambo in mandatis
Domini ambulantes sine querela, et in tertio gradu Catholicse EcclesiK, quod est legiti- num matrimonium conjugum, continenter stantes," &c. —"Acta Sanctorum," tomus
allusion to his parentage, Adamnan intro- ii. , x. Maii. Vita S. Comgalli ex tribus
duces St. Columkille addressing St. Com-
gall, in these words " tui secundum carnem :—
cognati Cruthinii populi. " "Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dromore," Appendixn. (u),pp. 269,270.
44 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , x. Maii. Vita S. Comgalli, ex MS. et antiquo et editione Sirini, cap. i. , num. i, p. 5S2.
45 The identity of this priest has not been ascertained.
»* The Manuscript of Salamanca reads "Fedelmidium. "
Codicibus MSS. , num. 2, p. 580, and ex MS. antiquo et editione Sirini, n. 5, p. 583.
5o
48 xhis is interpreted to mean " carum
gggi_ Kings
S' This direction was probably intended for
extensiontothetermofhisnaturallife. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , x. Maii. Vita S. Comgalli, ex trilsus Codicibus MSS. num. 3. p. 580.
== See ibid. Vita S. Comgalli, ex MS.
antiquo et editione Sirini, cap. i. , num. 6,
p. 583.
ss See ibid. Vita S. Comgalli, ex tribus
i.
156
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May io.
ing, through a field, "Father, we should leave this- land with its cares. " His father, not agreeing in such opinion, the boy said, " Do you, dear father, cultivate this little farm, but I will go and seek from the Lord 53 another portion of land, larger and more productive. " It is said, that St. Comgall was required as a substitute for his father, who was already old, in a war, which the Dailnaraidian prince was about to wage against his enemies. 54 Although, unwilling to engage in warfare, our saint took up arms, to satisfy thedesireofhisparents; but,willingtosavehisservant'shandsandeyesfrom participating in scenes of bloodshed, so distasteful to the young conscript, the Almighty effected peace between both parties, thus preserving the soul and body of his chosen one from every danger. 55 At another time, our saint being in the camp of tlie Dailnaraidan prince, a fall of snow took place, during night ; but, it was remarked by all, that tlie snow did not descend over Com- gall, and those who were with him. It remained rather heaped up on every side around them, after the manner of a small fortification. Hereupon, the chief said, " From this day forward, Comgall with his people shall be free fromme,andfromsecularpower,hebeingasaintofGod. " Then,bestow- ing his benediction on the chieftain, Comgall returned to his own home. 5^ As
a consequence of the blessing, that chief became great and powerful.
When St. Comgall resolved on abandoning the secular habit, and on assuming that of an ecclesiastic, he received the rudiments of learning from a cleric, who lived in a country house. However, the life of this tutor did not tend to edification. The pupil undertook to correct the irregularities of his master, in the following symbolical manner. While the professor spent one of his nights in the commission of sin, Comgall betook himself to prayer, and practised other pious exercises • he then met his teacher, on the follow- ing day, with a garment purposely soiled. On being reproved for this want of cleanliness, he returned the following reply: "Is it more dangerous, master, to have our garment soiled, than our soul ? That defilement of soul and body, in which you spent last night, is worse than the condition of this habit.
" Although it silenced, this reproof, however, did not correct the vices of his master ; and, hence, our saint resolved on leaving him, and those scenes of his early youth. Comgall wished to place himself under the direction of a most holy instructor. ^? Having directed his course toward Leix territory, in a northern part of the southern Leinster province, he there found an asylum,
in the celebrated monastery of Clonenagh.
It has been calculated,5S that our saint was at least thirty-two years of
age, when he became a disciple of St. Fintan,59 as this latter had been a dis- ciple of St. Columba,^°son of Crimtliann, afterwards abbot of Tirdaglas, and that he had not founded the monastery of Clonenagh, until about the year 548. ^' Again, according to the earliest computation, Columkille was not born, until the year 519, and this enters as an element of chronology, bearing on this enquiry. Most probably, Comgall would have looked out for a superior, not so much younger than himself ;^^ since, in assuming any other
Codicibus MSS. , num. 3, p. 580. In this Life, instead of walking through the field, it is said, " patre suo in proprio agro labor- ante, dixisse fcrtur," &c.
54 See "Acta S. inctorum,"tom ii. , x. Mail. Vita S Comgalli, ex MS. antiquo el editione Sirini, cap. i. , num. I. , p. 582.
55 . Seeil'id.
5* Sec ibid. , num. 7, p. 583.
57 See "Acta Sanctonnn," tomus ii. , x.
Maii. Vita S. Comgalli, ex MS. antiquo et
editione Sirini, cap. i. , num. 2, p. 582.
ss By the Rev. Dr. Lanigan.
^9 See his Life, in vol. ii. of this work, at
the 17th of February.
°° See his Life, at the 13th of December.
This Columba had been a scholar to St. Finnian of Clonard.
*'AdmillingthatSt. Comgallwasreceived there, in that very year, it seems to follow, that he was at least thirty-two years old, when he assumed the monastic habit.
*^ See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , cap. x. , sect. xii. , n. 192, pp. 64, 65.
*3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , x. Mali. Vita S. Comgalli, ex MS. antiquo et editione Sirini, cap. i. , num. 8, p. 582.
our saint left Clonenagh. Dr. Lanigan also observes : " I do not know how this can be reconciled with the directions given him by St. Fintan to proceed forthwith to his own country, or with its being related that he actuallysetoutforthatpurpose. Isuspect that Clonmacnoise has been mistaken for
^"t Ibid. , num. p. 583.
9, —
^5 The Rev. Dr. Lanigan deems it very probable, that Comgall had not in the year 552 completed one-half of his monastic studies at Clonenagh. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x,, sect. xii. , n. 199, p. 66.
"^ According to the Life, in Father Flem- ing's "Collectanea Sacra," &c. , num. 11, p. recteTp<).
^^ See his Life, at the 9th of September.
*^ However, this statement has been con- tested by Rev. Dr. Lanigan, who observes, that as St. Kieran died a. d. 549, and as St. Comgall could not have been received at Clonenagh, at the earliest, before a. d. 548, while he spent many years there, the founder of Clonmacnoise must have been dead before
Connor. " " Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. ii. , chap. x. sect, xii. , n. 195, p. 65. °9 The Life of St. Comgall, in Father Fleming's " Collectanea Sacra," &c. , has it, that he returned from Clonenagh ordained, with other ordained disciples. See num. 11,
p. 305.
7° See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
land," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xii. , n. 96, pp. 65, 66.
'' He adopts this statement, made by Sir James Ware, in his work " De Scriptoribus Hibernias," lib. i. , cap. ii. , p. 13.
'- See notices of him, in Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, ix. , sect, xiii. , p. 494, and n. 195, pp. 495, 496, ibid.
;
May io. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 157
case of setting his birth before a. d. 516, the disparity of years, between the abbot and the novice, niust appear to be too great, at the time of his entrance to Clonenagh. There, St. Fintan ruled over that monastery, at the foot of the Shebh Bloom Mountain range. Having placed himself under direction of St. Fintan, Comgall entered upon a course of penance and labour. But, the devil tempted him strongly, to regret the choice he had made, in embracing this course of life, and in leaving his own part of the country. However, he related this temptation to St. Fintan, and the latter prayed for his disciple, who at that time stood near a cross, on the western side of Clonenagh monas- tery. Tears fell down his cheeks, and while intent on prayer, suddenly a lightfromHeavensurroundedhim. Comgall'sheartwasfilledwithspiritual joy, and from that time forward, he felt no recurrence of his former tempta- tion. ^3 When residing at Cloneagh, a blind man was brought to him, with a request from himself and friends, that our saint would pray for his restoration to sight. Comgall applied saliva to this man's eyes, in the name of Christ when immediately, they were opened, and the blind man returned home rejoicing. ^'^ He spent a considerable time in Clonenagh. ^s At length, St. Fintan required our saint to revisit his own part of the country, that he might found religious cells,^^ or houses, and preside over their inmates. St. Com- gall remained without sacred orders for many years, he being unwilling through humility to receive them. Having obtained St. Fintan's benediction and prayers, with some companions, he set out on a visit to St. Kieran ^7 of Clonmacnoise. With him, it is said, Comgall remained for some time, and while there, he was greatly distinguished for his sanctity. ^^ This, however, may have been only a temporary visit, occasioned by some special circum- stance, and the nature of which cannot now be known. Afterwards, St. Com- gall directed his course homewards,^^ where he was ordained a deacon, with the advice of numerous clerics, by St. Lugid, whose identity has not been dis- covered. Although it was thought by Dr. Lanigan, 7° that our saint had been ordainedatClonmacnoise;7^ yet,hemoreshrewdlyremarks,thatbyLugidus, the ordainer of Comgall, was probably meant the bishop of Connor, who might have been otherwise called Lugadius,? ^ and that he was the more inclined to be of that opinion, since Lugadius is spoken of, as having had
have been guessed at as the ordainer. " Ibid. , chap. X. , sect, xii. , n. 96, p. 66.
^^ Dr. Lanigan observes : "It would be difScult to reconcile this narrative with the account given of Comgall having returned to his own countiy, in compliance with St. Fintan's advice, for the purpose of forming some religious establishment. I am very much inclined to think, that it is founded more on conjecture than on fact. The prac- tice of going to foreign parts, which became so general with our Irish saints towards the close of Comgall's life might have induced an opinion that he also had intended to quit Ireland, particularly as some of his own disciples, . md among others the great Colum- banus, had done so. "—" Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xii. ,
n. 197, p. 66.
7< . See " Acta Sanctorum,"' tomus ii. , Maii X. Vita S. Comgalli ex MS. antique et edi- tione Sirini, cap. i. , num.
^* See "Acta Sanctorum," tome ii. , x. Maii. Vita Comgalli ex tribus Codicibus MS. n. i. , p. 580, Vita S. Comgalli ex MS. antiquo et editione Sirini, cap. i. , n. 4, pp. 582, 583-
writer in the O'Clerys' Martyrology, regard- ing St. Comgall's birth, "ergonatus 10 Maii an. 510. "
3^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Sexta Vita S. Patricii, n. no, p. 113.
33 See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiberni- cum," p. 106.
3-» See Rev. Dr. Reeves' "Adamnan's
"Life of St. Columba," lib. i. , cap. 49, n.
(e), p. 93-
35 It is the one found in the Annals of
Tigernach. See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 129.
3* He remarks, that in the supposition, St. Comgall has been born before 516, he should have been more than thirty-two years old, when he entered as a monk at Clonenagh, and still, by some additional years, he must have been younger than his master, St. Fintan.
37 See " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , cliap. X. , sect. xii. , n. 192, pp. 64, 65.
3^ For the place of his birth, see Rev. William Reeves' "Ecclesiastical Antiqui- ties of Down, Connor and Dromore," p.
'7 Mac Nisse died in 514, whereas Com-
gall was not born till 517, yet it serves to
show, that the Mourne of Antrim, and not
that of Down, was the birth-place of St. Comgall; Connor being about thirteen
miles distant, westwards, from Maghera- 269.
morne.
"* See the Boliandists' "Acta Sancto-
rum," tomus i. , Septembris iii. De Sancto Macnissio. Vita auctore incerto, num. 8, p. 665.
^9 See the " Martyrology of Donegal,' edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 122, 123.
3° The Annals of Inisfallen have, at A. n. 51 1, " Nativitas Comgaill Benchair. "—Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptorcs," tomus ii. , p. 5.
3' \Vc read from a calculation, made by a
39 The Vita S. Comgalli states: " De aquilonali Hiberniie regione, nomine Dail- nary naraidhe, quce est contra mare in aquilonari Provincias plaga Ultorum, Sanctus Abbas Comgallus ortus fuit," &c. —"Collec- tanea Sacra," &c. , ThoniK Sirini, num. I,
•»"
P- 303. —but mcorrectly—sup-
It is generally
posed, that St. Comgall was born in a part of that country, bordering on the sea, and in a town of Mourne, near Carlingford Lough.
• This district lies to the south of Inver
—
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 10.
sunrise f^ he shall be adorned with all virtues, and the world shall be illuminated, with the lustre of his miracles. ^s Not only shall many thousand monks obey him as a king, but also a great multitude of princes and people. " During a whole night antecedent to that morning of our saint's birth, a great light was seen by many persons, in the country. This radiance appeared around the place of his nativity. ^^ Although there is an anachronism in it,^7 this story, with some slight variations, is told in the Life of St. Mac Nesse. '^ Although of humble parentage, yet, it seems that St. Comgall descended from
the race of Irial, son to Conall Cearnach. =9 His father Sethna was a soldier
May io. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 155
morne/' It was situated, near the Irish Sea/* and in the eastern part ofAntrim County. Extendingsouth-westwardstoLoughNeagh,thatdistrictwasthehead- quarters of the Irish Picts, or Crutheni. '^s At Rathmore, near Antrim, is said to have been the fort of their kings. At a time, when his father was advanced in years, this birth is stated to have occurred. Being an only son, Comgall was much loved by his parents, from the very moment of his birth. 44 It is said, this infant was brought to receive the baptismal sacrament, at the hands of a priest, who by some accident had been deprived of sight. Yet, he dis- tinctly recollected the ritual words, serving for administration of this first sacrament. The name of this priest 45 was Fedelmid 4^ or Fedlimin. 47 At the infant's approach towards that place, where he was to have been baptized, a fountain of water issued from the earth. In it, the child was regenerated, whilst Angels were in attendance. The holy priest rejoiced greatly, at these miraculous portents ; and, bathing his face and eyes, in the water of this foun- tain, with full trust in the Lord's mercies, he miraculously recovered the use of sight.
After this incident, the ceremony of baptism is said to have been per- formed. The child received as a name Comgall,4^ in accordance with St. Patrick's prediction. The boy's parents dedicated him to God's service,49 thus imitating the action of Anna, with regard to Samuel,5° and from the very moment of his birth, he seemed to grow in grace and wisdom. One day, while our saint reposed near a heap of stones, and in a field where he laboured, a deep slumber ensued. Then his mother, who came to the place, saw a pillar of fire, resting on the boy, and extending towards Heaven. She was alarmed at this portent, and knew not what she should do ; she feared to approach, and yet she felt very unwilling to leave her son. While waiting to learn the result, her child awoke, his face emitting an extraordinary brilliancy. Then, Comgall said to his anxious guardian, " Fear not, mother, for I am in nomannerinjured,bythiscelestialfire. Yet,takecare,youdonotrelatethis visiontoanyperson,'duringthesedays. ''^^ Thiscommandhismotherobserved, for a time ; but, she related what she had seen, at a subsequent period. s^ Ano- ther time, Comgall is related, to have said to his father, while they were walk-
4? " Fedelmidum " is in Father Fitz- simon's Manuscript, and in the other Life " Fedlini. " Tliere is a " Fedlimius in the IrishCalendar,atthe9thofAugust. But, he appears to have been a bishop,
parish, with which it is in juxtaposition.
The denomination Magheramorne signifies
"the plain of Mourne. " Originally it had
been written nni5-6Ai\n, which is pronounced
Mourne. This is a lake, which is ninety
acres in extent, and it is situated, in the
north-east of Carrickfergus parish. See pignus," in the Life, taken from the three
" Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Antrim," sheet 46.
4=Accordingto the Manuscript, desip;nated Codex Kilkenniensis, in Marsh's Library,
Dublin, at fol. 90, b, a.
43 The Rev. Dr. Reeves remarks, that " in
Codices.
49 " Parentes vero ejus ambo in mandatis
Domini ambulantes sine querela, et in tertio gradu Catholicse EcclesiK, quod est legiti- num matrimonium conjugum, continenter stantes," &c. —"Acta Sanctorum," tomus
allusion to his parentage, Adamnan intro- ii. , x. Maii. Vita S. Comgalli ex tribus
duces St. Columkille addressing St. Com-
gall, in these words " tui secundum carnem :—
cognati Cruthinii populi. " "Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Down, Connor and Dromore," Appendixn. (u),pp. 269,270.
44 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , x. Maii. Vita S. Comgalli, ex MS. et antiquo et editione Sirini, cap. i. , num. i, p. 5S2.
45 The identity of this priest has not been ascertained.
»* The Manuscript of Salamanca reads "Fedelmidium. "
Codicibus MSS. , num. 2, p. 580, and ex MS. antiquo et editione Sirini, n. 5, p. 583.
5o
48 xhis is interpreted to mean " carum
gggi_ Kings
S' This direction was probably intended for
extensiontothetermofhisnaturallife. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , x. Maii. Vita S. Comgalli, ex trilsus Codicibus MSS. num. 3. p. 580.
== See ibid. Vita S. Comgalli, ex MS.
antiquo et editione Sirini, cap. i. , num. 6,
p. 583.
ss See ibid. Vita S. Comgalli, ex tribus
i.
156
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May io.
ing, through a field, "Father, we should leave this- land with its cares. " His father, not agreeing in such opinion, the boy said, " Do you, dear father, cultivate this little farm, but I will go and seek from the Lord 53 another portion of land, larger and more productive. " It is said, that St. Comgall was required as a substitute for his father, who was already old, in a war, which the Dailnaraidian prince was about to wage against his enemies. 54 Although, unwilling to engage in warfare, our saint took up arms, to satisfy thedesireofhisparents; but,willingtosavehisservant'shandsandeyesfrom participating in scenes of bloodshed, so distasteful to the young conscript, the Almighty effected peace between both parties, thus preserving the soul and body of his chosen one from every danger. 55 At another time, our saint being in the camp of tlie Dailnaraidan prince, a fall of snow took place, during night ; but, it was remarked by all, that tlie snow did not descend over Com- gall, and those who were with him. It remained rather heaped up on every side around them, after the manner of a small fortification. Hereupon, the chief said, " From this day forward, Comgall with his people shall be free fromme,andfromsecularpower,hebeingasaintofGod. " Then,bestow- ing his benediction on the chieftain, Comgall returned to his own home. 5^ As
a consequence of the blessing, that chief became great and powerful.
When St. Comgall resolved on abandoning the secular habit, and on assuming that of an ecclesiastic, he received the rudiments of learning from a cleric, who lived in a country house. However, the life of this tutor did not tend to edification. The pupil undertook to correct the irregularities of his master, in the following symbolical manner. While the professor spent one of his nights in the commission of sin, Comgall betook himself to prayer, and practised other pious exercises • he then met his teacher, on the follow- ing day, with a garment purposely soiled. On being reproved for this want of cleanliness, he returned the following reply: "Is it more dangerous, master, to have our garment soiled, than our soul ? That defilement of soul and body, in which you spent last night, is worse than the condition of this habit.
" Although it silenced, this reproof, however, did not correct the vices of his master ; and, hence, our saint resolved on leaving him, and those scenes of his early youth. Comgall wished to place himself under the direction of a most holy instructor. ^? Having directed his course toward Leix territory, in a northern part of the southern Leinster province, he there found an asylum,
in the celebrated monastery of Clonenagh.
It has been calculated,5S that our saint was at least thirty-two years of
age, when he became a disciple of St. Fintan,59 as this latter had been a dis- ciple of St. Columba,^°son of Crimtliann, afterwards abbot of Tirdaglas, and that he had not founded the monastery of Clonenagh, until about the year 548. ^' Again, according to the earliest computation, Columkille was not born, until the year 519, and this enters as an element of chronology, bearing on this enquiry. Most probably, Comgall would have looked out for a superior, not so much younger than himself ;^^ since, in assuming any other
Codicibus MSS. , num. 3, p. 580. In this Life, instead of walking through the field, it is said, " patre suo in proprio agro labor- ante, dixisse fcrtur," &c.
54 See "Acta S. inctorum,"tom ii. , x. Mail. Vita S Comgalli, ex MS. antiquo el editione Sirini, cap. i. , num. I. , p. 582.
55 . Seeil'id.
5* Sec ibid. , num. 7, p. 583.
57 See "Acta Sanctonnn," tomus ii. , x.
Maii. Vita S. Comgalli, ex MS. antiquo et
editione Sirini, cap. i. , num. 2, p. 582.
ss By the Rev. Dr. Lanigan.
^9 See his Life, in vol. ii. of this work, at
the 17th of February.
°° See his Life, at the 13th of December.
This Columba had been a scholar to St. Finnian of Clonard.
*'AdmillingthatSt. Comgallwasreceived there, in that very year, it seems to follow, that he was at least thirty-two years old, when he assumed the monastic habit.
*^ See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , cap. x. , sect. xii. , n. 192, pp. 64, 65.
*3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , x. Mali. Vita S. Comgalli, ex MS. antiquo et editione Sirini, cap. i. , num. 8, p. 582.
our saint left Clonenagh. Dr. Lanigan also observes : " I do not know how this can be reconciled with the directions given him by St. Fintan to proceed forthwith to his own country, or with its being related that he actuallysetoutforthatpurpose. Isuspect that Clonmacnoise has been mistaken for
^"t Ibid. , num. p. 583.
9, —
^5 The Rev. Dr. Lanigan deems it very probable, that Comgall had not in the year 552 completed one-half of his monastic studies at Clonenagh. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x,, sect. xii. , n. 199, p. 66.
"^ According to the Life, in Father Flem- ing's "Collectanea Sacra," &c. , num. 11, p. recteTp<).
^^ See his Life, at the 9th of September.
*^ However, this statement has been con- tested by Rev. Dr. Lanigan, who observes, that as St. Kieran died a. d. 549, and as St. Comgall could not have been received at Clonenagh, at the earliest, before a. d. 548, while he spent many years there, the founder of Clonmacnoise must have been dead before
Connor. " " Ecclesiastical History of Ire- land," vol. ii. , chap. x. sect, xii. , n. 195, p. 65. °9 The Life of St. Comgall, in Father Fleming's " Collectanea Sacra," &c. , has it, that he returned from Clonenagh ordained, with other ordained disciples. See num. 11,
p. 305.
7° See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
land," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xii. , n. 96, pp. 65, 66.
'' He adopts this statement, made by Sir James Ware, in his work " De Scriptoribus Hibernias," lib. i. , cap. ii. , p. 13.
'- See notices of him, in Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, ix. , sect, xiii. , p. 494, and n. 195, pp. 495, 496, ibid.
;
May io. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 157
case of setting his birth before a. d. 516, the disparity of years, between the abbot and the novice, niust appear to be too great, at the time of his entrance to Clonenagh. There, St. Fintan ruled over that monastery, at the foot of the Shebh Bloom Mountain range. Having placed himself under direction of St. Fintan, Comgall entered upon a course of penance and labour. But, the devil tempted him strongly, to regret the choice he had made, in embracing this course of life, and in leaving his own part of the country. However, he related this temptation to St. Fintan, and the latter prayed for his disciple, who at that time stood near a cross, on the western side of Clonenagh monas- tery. Tears fell down his cheeks, and while intent on prayer, suddenly a lightfromHeavensurroundedhim. Comgall'sheartwasfilledwithspiritual joy, and from that time forward, he felt no recurrence of his former tempta- tion. ^3 When residing at Cloneagh, a blind man was brought to him, with a request from himself and friends, that our saint would pray for his restoration to sight. Comgall applied saliva to this man's eyes, in the name of Christ when immediately, they were opened, and the blind man returned home rejoicing. ^'^ He spent a considerable time in Clonenagh. ^s At length, St. Fintan required our saint to revisit his own part of the country, that he might found religious cells,^^ or houses, and preside over their inmates. St. Com- gall remained without sacred orders for many years, he being unwilling through humility to receive them. Having obtained St. Fintan's benediction and prayers, with some companions, he set out on a visit to St. Kieran ^7 of Clonmacnoise. With him, it is said, Comgall remained for some time, and while there, he was greatly distinguished for his sanctity. ^^ This, however, may have been only a temporary visit, occasioned by some special circum- stance, and the nature of which cannot now be known. Afterwards, St. Com- gall directed his course homewards,^^ where he was ordained a deacon, with the advice of numerous clerics, by St. Lugid, whose identity has not been dis- covered. Although it was thought by Dr. Lanigan, 7° that our saint had been ordainedatClonmacnoise;7^ yet,hemoreshrewdlyremarks,thatbyLugidus, the ordainer of Comgall, was probably meant the bishop of Connor, who might have been otherwise called Lugadius,? ^ and that he was the more inclined to be of that opinion, since Lugadius is spoken of, as having had
have been guessed at as the ordainer. " Ibid. , chap. X. , sect, xii. , n. 96, p. 66.
^^ Dr. Lanigan observes : "It would be difScult to reconcile this narrative with the account given of Comgall having returned to his own countiy, in compliance with St. Fintan's advice, for the purpose of forming some religious establishment. I am very much inclined to think, that it is founded more on conjecture than on fact. The prac- tice of going to foreign parts, which became so general with our Irish saints towards the close of Comgall's life might have induced an opinion that he also had intended to quit Ireland, particularly as some of his own disciples, . md among others the great Colum- banus, had done so. "—" Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, x. , sect, xii. ,
n. 197, p. 66.
7< . See " Acta Sanctorum,"' tomus ii. , Maii X. Vita S. Comgalli ex MS. antique et edi- tione Sirini, cap. i. , num.
