^ He witnessed an
of Leinster for
fore our saint's departure from this life.
of Leinster for
fore our saint's departure from this life.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v1
45, p.
220.
3° See Rev. W.
Cambro-British Saints," pp. 248, 571.
"
mical theories of Hipparchus and Ptolemy appear to have been received in our Irish schools. For a fuller account of our national astronomers and astronomical
"Irish Folk Lore," chap. xxx. "Dungal, the Recluse, a learned Irishman of the Ninth
Century," pp. 253 to 284.
39 "Quasi unum stadium. " The "stadium"
measured six hundred and twenty-five feet of ground.
J.
Rees' "Lives of the
manuscripts in Irish and Latin, the reader is referred to
Acta Sanctorum," 3* His name is not recorded, but probably
3' See the BoUandists'
tomus ii. , xxxi. Januarii. Vita S. Aidani, cap. viii. , p. III9.
he was a successor to King Brandubh. 33 Apparently under a leader, called
"
la-
Saints," pp. 248, 572.
568 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 31.
Munnu related to his brethren what had occurred. •° Whilst our saint was makingajourneyoneday,hemetSt. ColmanFiacre^^ontheway. Atthe same moment, his horse had fallen down dead, when Maidoc, taking his own horse from the traces, placed it under Colman's chariot. After Colman departed, another horse*' of a purplish colour was providentially sent to Maidoc. Inaverydocilemanner,thisanimaltooktheplaceofthegift-horse, and under St. Maidoc's chariot. As Colman returned, afterwards, by that same spot, local legends relate how his horse came to life immediately upon his approach. This miracle was attributed to the sanctity of holy Bishop Maidoc^s Oneday,whenoursainthadbeenemployed,plantinghisgarden
with apple-trees,44 the man, who was engaged for the purpose of bringing shoots of fruit-bearing trees, also carried some-^s that were unfruitful or com- paratively worthless, such as the birch and alder,^^ Not observing the dif- ference between these species,*' our saint planted them indiscriminately with the fruit-trees. *^ God's bounty, nevertheless, produced excellent fruit*9 from those trees. Although of their own nature not fruitful,5° yet the Almighty brought them an increase.
CHAPTER VII.
ST, FINIAN LOBHAR'S REPUTED VISION REGARDING THE DEPARTURE OF ST. MAIDOC —THE DEATH OF THIS HOLY PATRON OF FERNS—YEAR OF HIS DECEASE—MI- RACLES AFTERWARDS ATTRIBUTED TO HIS INTERCESSION—WRITINGS ASCRIBED TO THIS SAINT—MEMORIALS—FEAST DAY AND OFFICES OF ST. MAIDOC—VENERA- TION FOR HIS MEMORY IN IRELAND, WALES, AND SCOTLAND—HIS CHARACTER— CONCLUSION.
A HOLY man called Finan Lobhar, or the Leper,^ lived in the northern part
*> Seethe Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum," writers, speak of apples and ^'ines grafted on tomus ii. , xxxi. Januarii. Vita S. Aidani, elms and poplars. The ancients, however,
cap. viii. , p. 1119.
4' Allusion has been made already to this
holy man, who was venerated at the 27th of
October in Templeshanbo, and it would ap-
pear that he lived contemporaneously with St. Maidoc,
** The horse is styled Jacinctus, in the Rev. W. J. Rees' Latin Life of St. Aiduus, as if it were a proper name. See " Lives of the
acknowledged that such grafts were but of
very short duration. It is now generally
allowed, that if a union of natures be not
attended^to, success will not crown the opera-
Cambro-British Saints," p. 249.
*3 See the Bollandists' tomus ii. , xxxi. Janiiarii. cap. viii. , p. 1 119.
Acta Sanctorum," Vita S. Aidani,
ner, in J. C. Loudon's Encyclopaedia of Gardening, comprising the Theory and Prac- tice of Horticulture, Floriculture, Arbori- culture, and Landscape Gardening, includ- ing all the latest improvements," etc. , part ii. , book iv. , chap, iii. , sect, ii. , subsect. 4, pp. 391 to 397. London, 1827. Fifth Edi- tion ; 8vo.
•"In the Rev. W. J. Rees' "Lives of the Cambro-British Saints," plum-trees or shoots (brensei et pruni) are stated to have pro- duced apples. See pp. 249, 572.
« These are incorrectly Latinized " bicu-
lei et auli," in the published life. They should be written •'betulae"or "betullse,' and "alni. " See Colgan's "Acta Sancto- rum Hibemise," xxxi. Januarii, n. 48, p. 220.
** According to the Irish Life, those un-
9"Fructifera cum pomis dulcibus. "— Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , xxxi. Januarii. Vita S. Aidani, cap. viii. , p. II 19.
"
*7 Pliny, Varro, Columella, and other
fruitful trees he planted are called, and " Femog. "
Beithe"
Iv. , Ivi. , Ivii. , Iviii. , lix. , p. 214. Chaptervii. —' Thefestivalofthissaint,
who was abbot of Swords, is kept on the
"
Nouveau Cours Complet d' Agri-
tion. See
culture," etc. , tome xvi. Art. Greffe.
*^ Here, perhaps, we have an instance of the grafting-art, which appears to have been practised from the most remote antiquity.
See this subject, treated in the ablest man- ""
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xxxi. Januarii. Vita S. Maidoci, cap.
5° See
Colgan's
January 31. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 569
descending
Heaven,
1 6th of March ; at which day, an account of his Hfe and actions will be found.
9 Namely, on the ist of February.
'° Namely, Ferns and Kildare, over which
they were special patrons,
" See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum,"
tomus ii. , xxxi. Januarii. Vita S. Aidani, cap. ix. , p. 1 120.
"Hence, it has been supposed, on the authority of our saint's Acts, that St. Finian Lobhar died the 2nd day of February,
'3 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nise," xxxi. Januarii. Vita S. Maidoci, cap.
Ixii. , p. 215.
"
St. Finan Lobhar died during the reign
of monarch of Ireland. His Finnacta,
reign lasted only seven years, viz. , from A. D. 686
to A. D. 693, according to O'Mahony's Keat-
"
History of Ireland," book ii. , part i. , chap, i. , pp. 480, 481. Yet, in Dr. O'Dono- van's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 282 to 297, he is said to have reigned
twenty years, viz. , from A. D, 673 to 693.
ing's
3From a
ofthe — subsequent part narrative,
it . must be evident, that the vigil not the day—of St. Maidoc's festival, was meant.
<The published life of St. Maidoc states,
"* said "for about It has been
that this vision occurred, Maedoc. "
"
in festivitate S.
guished Irishmen," vol. i. First Period, p. 109.
's See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , xxxi. Januarii. Vita S. Aidani, cap. ix. , p. 1120.
"^ It is classed MSS. vol. iv,, part ii. At p. 60.
'? See John D'Alton's " History of Ire- land, from the earliest period to the year 1245, when the Annals of Boyle, which are adopted and embodied as the running text
authority, terminate," vol. ii. , p. 95.
'^ See " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores,"
5 This is called St. Aldus' Festival. See Rev. W. J. Rees' "Lives oftheCambro- British Saints," p. 249, Elsewhere, I find no such festival.
•* From the context, it is evident, this vision of St. Finan Lobhar must be»referred to a
period, long subsequent, not only to the death of St. Brigid, but also to that of St. Maidoc.
7 See her Life at the ist of February.
^ on the Namely,
31st
of
January.
^ He witnessed an
of Leinster for
fore our saint's departure from this life. * According to another account, however, this vision happened on the xi. of the March Kalends, which is represented by the 20th of February. s Finan saw a miraculous chariot
''
went to Kildare city, of which St. Bridget was regarded as the special patroness. This holy man related his vision to many, and, as had been predicted, on the third day after, he happily departed to Heaven. '3
The illustrious archbishop, having governed his see for a very lengthened period,'* having wrought many miracles, and founded various churches, was called ^away to receive the reward of his labours and virtues. Maidoc de-
parted this life on the 31st pf January, according to the testimony of all our ancient annals and martyrologies. 's Probably, through some transcriber's mistake in our saint's published Hfe, we are told that he died on the Third oftlieFebruaryKalends,insteadofonthedaybeforetheseKalends. Hadwe access to other sources of information, than those available, most probably much more light might be thrown on the series of his acts, as they have reachedourhands. AmongtheBurgundianMSS. inthelibraryofBruxelles, there is an Irish Life of St. Maedoc of Ferns, transcribed by Michael O'Clery from an older copy. '^
The Annals of Boyle state, that Meadoc of Ferns died, a. d. 6oo. '7 In Dr. O' Conor's edition, this holy bishop is called Moedoc Fema. '^ However,
many years.
apparition
the be- very day3
and towards Ferns. "^ In it were seated an moving
from
old man of most venerable and pleasing countenance, dressed in clerical costume, with a virgin, clothed in a religious habit. Both seemed to exhibit mutual reverence towards each other.
received this answer, from the cleric :
Patroness of Ireland,^ and I am Maidoc, the servant of Christ. My feast shall be celebrated on to-morrow,^ and the festival of this holy virgin, on the day succeeding f but we now come that we may bless our places,'° and those who by their gifts and oblations shall honour the anniversary day of our deaths. " Butbejoyfulandprepare,foronthedayfollowing,youshallgo to heaven. " Rising from his ecstasy, St. Finian ascended this chariot, and
Asking who they were, St. Finian This is the most holy Virgin Brigid,
fifty years. " Wills' "Lives of Illustrious and Dislin-
570 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 31.
Ussher appears to have had a copy of them, which referred his demise to A. D. 632. '9 The year 624 is that assigned for the death of St. Maedhog,
Bishop of Fearna, by Colgan,=° by the OClerys,'' by Archdall,'" and by other writers. Bishop Forbes^3 informs us that he survived until 628.
Ussher,'4 Ware,^s and the Abbe Ma-Geoghegan,'^ place his death at a. d. 632. The same date is accepted by Dr. Lanigan,'7 Brenan,^^ and other writers. ''
"
Chronicon Scotorum,"3° St. Moedoc, Bishop of Ferns, died a. d. 625, and yet prolonged his life to a. d. 656. 3* He was buried in his church at Ferns. Although the Danes more than once plundered its cathedral and monastery, yet his relics remained there undisturbed, and
probably continue so to the present day. 3»
This renowned prelate appears to have attained a considerable age, at
the time of his death, from this circumstance of his having been frequently called an old man by his biographers. It would appear, however, from the
nativity33 and mortuary34 dates generally given, that Maidoc could not have been remarkably advanced in years, considering the age in which he lived. Not only during the holy man's life, but even after death, many miracles were wrought owing to his merits and intercession. The author of our saint's published Acts states, that in his own time, various supernatural mani- festations happened through the relics of his patron, Maidoc. 35 Two of these are thus related. A certain paralysed nobleman lived at Rome. Having endeavoured, but in vain, to recover his health, by visiting many places,3^ some holy persons at last told him about the great miraculous reputation enjoyed by the saintly Archbishop of Ferns. That afflicted man was there- fore advised by his friends to set out for Ireland, in order to visit our saint. He was assured, through Maidoc's means, that health should be regained. Coming to Ireland, the noble Roman found God's servant had departed this life ; yet, trusting in the deceased archbishop's sanctity, he approached the dead body. 37 When he had touched it, that noble found himself at once restored to health. Giving thanks to God and to His servant, Maidoc, in the enjoyment of full strength, the stranger visitant left Ireland, with those who had accompanied him. 3^
According to the
"
'9 See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum An-
tiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 500.
'" See " Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," xxxi.
torn, ii. ,
Annales Buellani," p. 6.
p. 116.
*9See the "Irish Ecclesiastical Record,"
vol. vii. , pp. 402, 403.
3» Edited by W. M. Hennessy, M. R. I. A.
Januarii. Appendix ad Acta S. Maidoci, See pp. 78, 79.
cap. v. , p. 223.
*' See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
3' This latter date is evidently a mistake,
admitted by the compiler. See pp. 96, 97. 3^ See the "Irish Ecclesiastical Record,"
vol. vii. , p. 407.
33 His birth is usually to between assigned
A. D. 550 and 560.
3* His death is generally stated to lie be-
tween A. D. 624 and 632.
35 See '• Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
niae," xxxi. Januarii. Vita S. Maidoci, cap. Ixiv. , p. 215.
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 246 to 249. "" "
See Monasticon Hibemicum," p. 420.
'3 See "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," 403-
=*See "Index Chronologicus," p. 537. "Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates. "
25 " Prajsulibus Hibemiae. " See De
Epis-
copi Fernenses, p. 53.
^'See "Histoire de I'lrlande, Ancienneet
Moderne," tome i. , pariie ii. , chap, iii. , p.
306.
'~ See his " Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
3*
the whole world ior this purpose, in Rev. W. J. Rees' " Lives of the Cambro-British
'
land, vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sec. x. , p. 339, Saints," pp. 249, 572.
and n. 144, p. 341.
** See Rev. M. J Brenan's " Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland, from the Introduction of
Christianity into that country to the year MDCCCXXIX. " Seventh Century, chap, ii. ,
3' See the BoUandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , xxxi. Januarii. Vita S. Aidani, cap. ix. , pp. 1 1 19, 1 1 20.
3* See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nije," xxxi. Januarii, Vita S. Maidoci, cap.
p.
It is stated, that he travelled through
January 31. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 571
Again, we are informed, that during a period, when the pious Bishop MoUng39 ruled Ferns church,^° at one time he slept in St. Maidoc's bed. '*'' This no person before him had dared to enter. A canon, belonging to the
"
Since the death of our patron St. Maidoc, no person hath hitherto entered into this bed, on account of his great sanctity, who, when wearied in the body, lay down upon it for a short time, while his spirit, for the most part, communed with God. " But St.
cathedral church of Ferns, said to him :**
" We who
there without presumption. " When he had spoken these words, a violent
pain seized him. Being in an extremity of torture, he poured forth his prayers, asking God's assistance. Still the pain continued without cessation. ^**
Moling signed himself again with a sign of the cross, and he began to invoke most earnestly St. Maidoc's intercession. When he had done so, this great
pain miraculously left him. Arising from the bed, Moling^s felt at once relieved. The author of our saint's published life adds, that, in his time, no person was found worthy to sleep in the holy father's bed. Owing to this
circumstance, his biographer infers the great merit, which this illustrious archbishop must have acquired, before God's throne in Heaven. '*'^
That our saint was the author of some pieces may well be admitted ; although, it is doubtful, if any of them are now extant. One of his supposed poems has been alluded to already. It refers to the death of Cumuscach. 47 Furthermore, to Maidoc, Dempster has ascribed some works. '*^ However, no mention is made of these, in any of our saint's lives, nor by any other known author. The late Edward O'Reilly^s had in his possession an ancient
Moling*3 replied :
occupy
his seat,
may
be
permitted
to
sleep
Ixi. , p. 215.
39 A note in the hand-writing of Eugene
" O Jesus, protect me ; O Son of the living God, from all diseases, should they come to me ; if you heal me not, there is no charm to heal me under heaven. " See
O'Curry, and preceding his signature, is
found in the " Wexford County
Extracts, belonging to the Irish Ordnance Survey,"
pp. 250, 573, It will be found by comparison of botli pages, vol. i. , p. 425. It states: "Moiling Luach- the editor's version of Irish words in the
ra succeeded Maodhog at Ferns. "
*°A considerable amount of useful infor-
mation, regarding this ancient church and
"
diocese, will be found in Erck's ticalRegister. "FernsDiocese,pp. i19to127.
*' In the same Manuscript Volume, pre- viously alluded to, Mr. O'Curry tells us, that
Latin text was inexact, until Professor Eu-
gene O'Curry, of Dublin, restored for him
the correct reading, and supplied its English translation.
«Hislifeoccursatthe17thofJune. His death took place A. D. 696. See Rev, Dr. Todd's and Reeves' edition of the " Martyr-
Ecclesias-
"
"there was a place at Ferns called Leoba ology of Donegal, pp.
3° See Rev. W.
Cambro-British Saints," pp. 248, 571.
"
mical theories of Hipparchus and Ptolemy appear to have been received in our Irish schools. For a fuller account of our national astronomers and astronomical
"Irish Folk Lore," chap. xxx. "Dungal, the Recluse, a learned Irishman of the Ninth
Century," pp. 253 to 284.
39 "Quasi unum stadium. " The "stadium"
measured six hundred and twenty-five feet of ground.
J.
Rees' "Lives of the
manuscripts in Irish and Latin, the reader is referred to
Acta Sanctorum," 3* His name is not recorded, but probably
3' See the BoUandists'
tomus ii. , xxxi. Januarii. Vita S. Aidani, cap. viii. , p. III9.
he was a successor to King Brandubh. 33 Apparently under a leader, called
"
la-
Saints," pp. 248, 572.
568 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 31.
Munnu related to his brethren what had occurred. •° Whilst our saint was makingajourneyoneday,hemetSt. ColmanFiacre^^ontheway. Atthe same moment, his horse had fallen down dead, when Maidoc, taking his own horse from the traces, placed it under Colman's chariot. After Colman departed, another horse*' of a purplish colour was providentially sent to Maidoc. Inaverydocilemanner,thisanimaltooktheplaceofthegift-horse, and under St. Maidoc's chariot. As Colman returned, afterwards, by that same spot, local legends relate how his horse came to life immediately upon his approach. This miracle was attributed to the sanctity of holy Bishop Maidoc^s Oneday,whenoursainthadbeenemployed,plantinghisgarden
with apple-trees,44 the man, who was engaged for the purpose of bringing shoots of fruit-bearing trees, also carried some-^s that were unfruitful or com- paratively worthless, such as the birch and alder,^^ Not observing the dif- ference between these species,*' our saint planted them indiscriminately with the fruit-trees. *^ God's bounty, nevertheless, produced excellent fruit*9 from those trees. Although of their own nature not fruitful,5° yet the Almighty brought them an increase.
CHAPTER VII.
ST, FINIAN LOBHAR'S REPUTED VISION REGARDING THE DEPARTURE OF ST. MAIDOC —THE DEATH OF THIS HOLY PATRON OF FERNS—YEAR OF HIS DECEASE—MI- RACLES AFTERWARDS ATTRIBUTED TO HIS INTERCESSION—WRITINGS ASCRIBED TO THIS SAINT—MEMORIALS—FEAST DAY AND OFFICES OF ST. MAIDOC—VENERA- TION FOR HIS MEMORY IN IRELAND, WALES, AND SCOTLAND—HIS CHARACTER— CONCLUSION.
A HOLY man called Finan Lobhar, or the Leper,^ lived in the northern part
*> Seethe Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum," writers, speak of apples and ^'ines grafted on tomus ii. , xxxi. Januarii. Vita S. Aidani, elms and poplars. The ancients, however,
cap. viii. , p. 1119.
4' Allusion has been made already to this
holy man, who was venerated at the 27th of
October in Templeshanbo, and it would ap-
pear that he lived contemporaneously with St. Maidoc,
** The horse is styled Jacinctus, in the Rev. W. J. Rees' Latin Life of St. Aiduus, as if it were a proper name. See " Lives of the
acknowledged that such grafts were but of
very short duration. It is now generally
allowed, that if a union of natures be not
attended^to, success will not crown the opera-
Cambro-British Saints," p. 249.
*3 See the Bollandists' tomus ii. , xxxi. Janiiarii. cap. viii. , p. 1 119.
Acta Sanctorum," Vita S. Aidani,
ner, in J. C. Loudon's Encyclopaedia of Gardening, comprising the Theory and Prac- tice of Horticulture, Floriculture, Arbori- culture, and Landscape Gardening, includ- ing all the latest improvements," etc. , part ii. , book iv. , chap, iii. , sect, ii. , subsect. 4, pp. 391 to 397. London, 1827. Fifth Edi- tion ; 8vo.
•"In the Rev. W. J. Rees' "Lives of the Cambro-British Saints," plum-trees or shoots (brensei et pruni) are stated to have pro- duced apples. See pp. 249, 572.
« These are incorrectly Latinized " bicu-
lei et auli," in the published life. They should be written •'betulae"or "betullse,' and "alni. " See Colgan's "Acta Sancto- rum Hibemise," xxxi. Januarii, n. 48, p. 220.
** According to the Irish Life, those un-
9"Fructifera cum pomis dulcibus. "— Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , xxxi. Januarii. Vita S. Aidani, cap. viii. , p. II 19.
"
*7 Pliny, Varro, Columella, and other
fruitful trees he planted are called, and " Femog. "
Beithe"
Iv. , Ivi. , Ivii. , Iviii. , lix. , p. 214. Chaptervii. —' Thefestivalofthissaint,
who was abbot of Swords, is kept on the
"
Nouveau Cours Complet d' Agri-
tion. See
culture," etc. , tome xvi. Art. Greffe.
*^ Here, perhaps, we have an instance of the grafting-art, which appears to have been practised from the most remote antiquity.
See this subject, treated in the ablest man- ""
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xxxi. Januarii. Vita S. Maidoci, cap.
5° See
Colgan's
January 31. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 569
descending
Heaven,
1 6th of March ; at which day, an account of his Hfe and actions will be found.
9 Namely, on the ist of February.
'° Namely, Ferns and Kildare, over which
they were special patrons,
" See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum,"
tomus ii. , xxxi. Januarii. Vita S. Aidani, cap. ix. , p. 1 120.
"Hence, it has been supposed, on the authority of our saint's Acts, that St. Finian Lobhar died the 2nd day of February,
'3 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nise," xxxi. Januarii. Vita S. Maidoci, cap.
Ixii. , p. 215.
"
St. Finan Lobhar died during the reign
of monarch of Ireland. His Finnacta,
reign lasted only seven years, viz. , from A. D. 686
to A. D. 693, according to O'Mahony's Keat-
"
History of Ireland," book ii. , part i. , chap, i. , pp. 480, 481. Yet, in Dr. O'Dono- van's " Annals of the Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 282 to 297, he is said to have reigned
twenty years, viz. , from A. D, 673 to 693.
ing's
3From a
ofthe — subsequent part narrative,
it . must be evident, that the vigil not the day—of St. Maidoc's festival, was meant.
<The published life of St. Maidoc states,
"* said "for about It has been
that this vision occurred, Maedoc. "
"
in festivitate S.
guished Irishmen," vol. i. First Period, p. 109.
's See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , xxxi. Januarii. Vita S. Aidani, cap. ix. , p. 1120.
"^ It is classed MSS. vol. iv,, part ii. At p. 60.
'? See John D'Alton's " History of Ire- land, from the earliest period to the year 1245, when the Annals of Boyle, which are adopted and embodied as the running text
authority, terminate," vol. ii. , p. 95.
'^ See " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores,"
5 This is called St. Aldus' Festival. See Rev. W. J. Rees' "Lives oftheCambro- British Saints," p. 249, Elsewhere, I find no such festival.
•* From the context, it is evident, this vision of St. Finan Lobhar must be»referred to a
period, long subsequent, not only to the death of St. Brigid, but also to that of St. Maidoc.
7 See her Life at the ist of February.
^ on the Namely,
31st
of
January.
^ He witnessed an
of Leinster for
fore our saint's departure from this life. * According to another account, however, this vision happened on the xi. of the March Kalends, which is represented by the 20th of February. s Finan saw a miraculous chariot
''
went to Kildare city, of which St. Bridget was regarded as the special patroness. This holy man related his vision to many, and, as had been predicted, on the third day after, he happily departed to Heaven. '3
The illustrious archbishop, having governed his see for a very lengthened period,'* having wrought many miracles, and founded various churches, was called ^away to receive the reward of his labours and virtues. Maidoc de-
parted this life on the 31st pf January, according to the testimony of all our ancient annals and martyrologies. 's Probably, through some transcriber's mistake in our saint's published Hfe, we are told that he died on the Third oftlieFebruaryKalends,insteadofonthedaybeforetheseKalends. Hadwe access to other sources of information, than those available, most probably much more light might be thrown on the series of his acts, as they have reachedourhands. AmongtheBurgundianMSS. inthelibraryofBruxelles, there is an Irish Life of St. Maedoc of Ferns, transcribed by Michael O'Clery from an older copy. '^
The Annals of Boyle state, that Meadoc of Ferns died, a. d. 6oo. '7 In Dr. O' Conor's edition, this holy bishop is called Moedoc Fema. '^ However,
many years.
apparition
the be- very day3
and towards Ferns. "^ In it were seated an moving
from
old man of most venerable and pleasing countenance, dressed in clerical costume, with a virgin, clothed in a religious habit. Both seemed to exhibit mutual reverence towards each other.
received this answer, from the cleric :
Patroness of Ireland,^ and I am Maidoc, the servant of Christ. My feast shall be celebrated on to-morrow,^ and the festival of this holy virgin, on the day succeeding f but we now come that we may bless our places,'° and those who by their gifts and oblations shall honour the anniversary day of our deaths. " Butbejoyfulandprepare,foronthedayfollowing,youshallgo to heaven. " Rising from his ecstasy, St. Finian ascended this chariot, and
Asking who they were, St. Finian This is the most holy Virgin Brigid,
fifty years. " Wills' "Lives of Illustrious and Dislin-
570 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 31.
Ussher appears to have had a copy of them, which referred his demise to A. D. 632. '9 The year 624 is that assigned for the death of St. Maedhog,
Bishop of Fearna, by Colgan,=° by the OClerys,'' by Archdall,'" and by other writers. Bishop Forbes^3 informs us that he survived until 628.
Ussher,'4 Ware,^s and the Abbe Ma-Geoghegan,'^ place his death at a. d. 632. The same date is accepted by Dr. Lanigan,'7 Brenan,^^ and other writers. ''
"
Chronicon Scotorum,"3° St. Moedoc, Bishop of Ferns, died a. d. 625, and yet prolonged his life to a. d. 656. 3* He was buried in his church at Ferns. Although the Danes more than once plundered its cathedral and monastery, yet his relics remained there undisturbed, and
probably continue so to the present day. 3»
This renowned prelate appears to have attained a considerable age, at
the time of his death, from this circumstance of his having been frequently called an old man by his biographers. It would appear, however, from the
nativity33 and mortuary34 dates generally given, that Maidoc could not have been remarkably advanced in years, considering the age in which he lived. Not only during the holy man's life, but even after death, many miracles were wrought owing to his merits and intercession. The author of our saint's published Acts states, that in his own time, various supernatural mani- festations happened through the relics of his patron, Maidoc. 35 Two of these are thus related. A certain paralysed nobleman lived at Rome. Having endeavoured, but in vain, to recover his health, by visiting many places,3^ some holy persons at last told him about the great miraculous reputation enjoyed by the saintly Archbishop of Ferns. That afflicted man was there- fore advised by his friends to set out for Ireland, in order to visit our saint. He was assured, through Maidoc's means, that health should be regained. Coming to Ireland, the noble Roman found God's servant had departed this life ; yet, trusting in the deceased archbishop's sanctity, he approached the dead body. 37 When he had touched it, that noble found himself at once restored to health. Giving thanks to God and to His servant, Maidoc, in the enjoyment of full strength, the stranger visitant left Ireland, with those who had accompanied him. 3^
According to the
"
'9 See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum An-
tiquitates," cap. xvii. , p. 500.
'" See " Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," xxxi.
torn, ii. ,
Annales Buellani," p. 6.
p. 116.
*9See the "Irish Ecclesiastical Record,"
vol. vii. , pp. 402, 403.
3» Edited by W. M. Hennessy, M. R. I. A.
Januarii. Appendix ad Acta S. Maidoci, See pp. 78, 79.
cap. v. , p. 223.
*' See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
3' This latter date is evidently a mistake,
admitted by the compiler. See pp. 96, 97. 3^ See the "Irish Ecclesiastical Record,"
vol. vii. , p. 407.
33 His birth is usually to between assigned
A. D. 550 and 560.
3* His death is generally stated to lie be-
tween A. D. 624 and 632.
35 See '• Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
niae," xxxi. Januarii. Vita S. Maidoci, cap. Ixiv. , p. 215.
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 246 to 249. "" "
See Monasticon Hibemicum," p. 420.
'3 See "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," 403-
=*See "Index Chronologicus," p. 537. "Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antiquitates. "
25 " Prajsulibus Hibemiae. " See De
Epis-
copi Fernenses, p. 53.
^'See "Histoire de I'lrlande, Ancienneet
Moderne," tome i. , pariie ii. , chap, iii. , p.
306.
'~ See his " Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
3*
the whole world ior this purpose, in Rev. W. J. Rees' " Lives of the Cambro-British
'
land, vol. ii. , chap, xiv. , sec. x. , p. 339, Saints," pp. 249, 572.
and n. 144, p. 341.
** See Rev. M. J Brenan's " Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland, from the Introduction of
Christianity into that country to the year MDCCCXXIX. " Seventh Century, chap, ii. ,
3' See the BoUandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , xxxi. Januarii. Vita S. Aidani, cap. ix. , pp. 1 1 19, 1 1 20.
3* See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nije," xxxi. Januarii, Vita S. Maidoci, cap.
p.
It is stated, that he travelled through
January 31. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 571
Again, we are informed, that during a period, when the pious Bishop MoUng39 ruled Ferns church,^° at one time he slept in St. Maidoc's bed. '*'' This no person before him had dared to enter. A canon, belonging to the
"
Since the death of our patron St. Maidoc, no person hath hitherto entered into this bed, on account of his great sanctity, who, when wearied in the body, lay down upon it for a short time, while his spirit, for the most part, communed with God. " But St.
cathedral church of Ferns, said to him :**
" We who
there without presumption. " When he had spoken these words, a violent
pain seized him. Being in an extremity of torture, he poured forth his prayers, asking God's assistance. Still the pain continued without cessation. ^**
Moling signed himself again with a sign of the cross, and he began to invoke most earnestly St. Maidoc's intercession. When he had done so, this great
pain miraculously left him. Arising from the bed, Moling^s felt at once relieved. The author of our saint's published life adds, that, in his time, no person was found worthy to sleep in the holy father's bed. Owing to this
circumstance, his biographer infers the great merit, which this illustrious archbishop must have acquired, before God's throne in Heaven. '*'^
That our saint was the author of some pieces may well be admitted ; although, it is doubtful, if any of them are now extant. One of his supposed poems has been alluded to already. It refers to the death of Cumuscach. 47 Furthermore, to Maidoc, Dempster has ascribed some works. '*^ However, no mention is made of these, in any of our saint's lives, nor by any other known author. The late Edward O'Reilly^s had in his possession an ancient
Moling*3 replied :
occupy
his seat,
may
be
permitted
to
sleep
Ixi. , p. 215.
39 A note in the hand-writing of Eugene
" O Jesus, protect me ; O Son of the living God, from all diseases, should they come to me ; if you heal me not, there is no charm to heal me under heaven. " See
O'Curry, and preceding his signature, is
found in the " Wexford County
Extracts, belonging to the Irish Ordnance Survey,"
pp. 250, 573, It will be found by comparison of botli pages, vol. i. , p. 425. It states: "Moiling Luach- the editor's version of Irish words in the
ra succeeded Maodhog at Ferns. "
*°A considerable amount of useful infor-
mation, regarding this ancient church and
"
diocese, will be found in Erck's ticalRegister. "FernsDiocese,pp. i19to127.
*' In the same Manuscript Volume, pre- viously alluded to, Mr. O'Curry tells us, that
Latin text was inexact, until Professor Eu-
gene O'Curry, of Dublin, restored for him
the correct reading, and supplied its English translation.
«Hislifeoccursatthe17thofJune. His death took place A. D. 696. See Rev, Dr. Todd's and Reeves' edition of the " Martyr-
Ecclesias-
"
"there was a place at Ferns called Leoba ology of Donegal, pp.
