The following account, however, is more in
accordance
with St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v8
See
" View of the Diocese of Aberdeen," p.
252, and also Gordon's Map of Scotland, of
" Comme Sainct
5. Fiacre, apres
avoir
1652.
66 In the
162.
67 In Blaeu's Atlas the honorific ma
being a prefix.
68 See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of
Scottish Saints," p. 339.
69 See "Acta Sanctorum Ordinis S.
Benedicti," sa:c. ii. , pp. 598 to 618.
70 This erroneous opinion has been enter-
tained by Du Plessis.
71 That of Hector Boece, in his "Scotorum
engraved Borders, from Ancient Books of Devotion,"
P- 259-
73 He is called " Domnallum Breccum
nepotem Aidan," by Adamnan, in his "Vita S. Columbae," lib. i. , cap. 10.
? ,
August 30. ] LIVES Of THE IRISH SAINTS. 427
Aedh. Havingreignedforfifteenyears,DonevaldorDomnallBreccfellin
a battle, fought at Sraithcair-maic, in the month of December, a. d. 642. t> The conqueror, on that occasion, was Hoan, King of the Britains. ? 5 More-
6
over, a St. Syra? is said to have been a sister of those brothers, while she
was also educated by St. Conan. But, we find quite a different account, regarding the education of St. Fiacre, who is stated to have been under the care of St. Cuanna, who was in his time famous for learning and sanctity, and who attracted numerous disciples to his monastery at Kilcoona, on the shore of Loch Orbsen.
The thoughts of Fiacre were turned to a religious life in solitude ; and he resolved on leaving the tumult of this world, when he was ordained a
7 ? At an
friends and familiars. 78 It is again stated, that he left his native district, and the school of St. Cuanna, to fix his first hermitage on the banks of the RiverNore,andinthepresentCountyofKilkenny. Asthememoryo—four Saint is honoured in Kill-Fiachra or Kilfera on the 30th of August the same day on which his fest—ival is marked in the Martyrologies of Marianus O'Gorman and of Donegal it has been conjectured, that it had been the spot hallowed by his virtues and penitential austerities during his lifetime. There, too, is to be seen the ruins of an old church, which had been dedicated to St. Fiachra, while a little to the south of it is the holy well of St. Fiachra. 79 There St. Fiacre became celebrated, and many disciples are said to have flocked around him, and disturbed the life of retreat he purposed to lead. 80 Our Saint even desired, more securely to enjoy the pleasures of a contem-
priest.
early age, likewise,
he desired to abandon the of his society
plative life. Hence, he resolved to leave his native Island.
81
According to
one account, which does not seem to rest on his earliest Acts, St. Fiacre
communicated that purpose to his sister, St. Syra, who approved of his
design, and who shared his desire to abandon the allurements of the court
of their father, Eugene IV. , King of Scotland. Keeping their secret from
him, they stole away towards the sea-coast, to find a vessel in which they
82
could embark.
traveller with her brother on this occasion ; it is thought to be more probable, she followed him to that place where he settled, at a subsequent time, and when he had established there a religious institute. However, the statement that St. Syra was a sister of St. Fiacre rests on no historic foundation, and it must be rejected as a fable. 83
But, it does not at all appear, that St. Syra was a fellow-
7*
According to the Ulster Annals.
75 See Ussher's " Brittanicarum Ecclesi-
arum Antiquitates," cap. xv. , p. 372.
76 Some doubt exists as to whether she is
to be distinguished from a St. Syria, vene- ratedatTroyesonthe8thofJune. Seethe
for
date, the reputed Feast of St. Syra, or Syria, Virgin, at Meaux, or Tioyes, France, Art. iii. The Feast of St. Syra has also been
referred to the 23rd of October.
77 See the account of Most Rev. Patrick F.
Moran, D. D. , in " The Irish Ecclesiastical Record," vol. xii. , June, 1876, p. 361.
78 ir. "
Afterwards, is stated, S'en vint en
France, pour viure en solitude, incogneu des hommes. "—Gualtier's " Fleurs des Vies
ries Saints," Traduction de l'Espagnole du Livre de Pierre Ribadeneira, p. 829.
79 See the account of St. Fiacre, in " The
Irish Ecclesiastical Record," vol. xii. , June, launi Abbatissse. De ea omnino siletur 1876, pp. 361, 362. apud Gall. Christ. "
Sixth Volume of this work, at that
8l It is—
8o
Mabillon takes care to distinguish St. Fiacra, of Leinster, and who administered Holy Viaticum to St. Comgell, Abbot of Bangor, from our saint. See " Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xii. , sect, vi. , p. 344. —
authority
that he remained for some time
stated but we know not on what
in Iona, attracted thither by the fame of
the miracles and virtues of its holy founder,
*2 "
See Les Petits Bollandistes, Vies des
Saints," tome x. , xxxe jour d'Aout, p. 333. S3 Among some Notulae Historico-criticae, attached to the Pars Estiva of the Meaux
"Ad ultimam Dom. Au%. in Festo S. Fiacrii. Quidquid aliter dixerit auctor Historiae Eccl. Meld. t. L, not. 30, non constat S. Fiacrio
extitisse sanctam sororem Syram nomine,
Breviary, ed. 1834, is the following :
quae fuerit monialis Faronis et deinde Catha-
4 a8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 30.
Almighty God, who had inspired St. Fiacre with this resolution of
expatriation, directed his way to France. He was associated with some
holy companions, it is stated, during the journey. Nor is it known with certainty from his earliest Acts, that he had been a monk before leaving Ireland. 8* At this time, St. Faron or Faro,85 who was of noble family, and who had previously been distinguished as one of the paladins in the army of King Clothaire, had retired from the ambitious pursuits of worldlings in camp and court, to embrace an ecclesiastical career. Those pious strangers
86
from Ireland, arrived in the diocese of Meaux, during the time of St. Faro's
Episcopal Rule. 8? It does not seem to be known for a certainty, that he
88
The latter event is generally referred to a. d. 628. 89 About that time, how-
ever, St. Faro had built a monastery in the environs of Meaux, desiring
much to have religious, who should give shining examples of virtue, and with
whom he could confer on heavenly subjects. ? This holy prelate entertained
an affection for those men of the Scottish nation,? 1 who then especial pious
began to invade France in such numbers, either to serve God in a missionary capacity, or in the monastic state.
CHAPTER II.
FAVOURABLE RECEPTION OF ST. FIACRE BY THE BISHOP OF MEAUX—THE IRISH SAINT OBTAINS POSSESSION OF BRIE TO FOUND HIS HERMITAGE—HE THERE ESTABLISHES A HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY—HIS TASTE AND SKILL IN GARDENING AND AGRICULTURE —ENLARGEMENT OF HIS FARM—MIRACULOUS CLEARANCE OF THE FOREST—ST. FIACRE IS SECURED IN THE LOVE AND RESPECT OF ST. FARO—RELIGIOUS RULE OF ST. FIACRE.
Other misleading and legendary accounts have it, that St. Syra, with three companions, set out from Meaux to visit her brother, from whom she learned many lessons of heavenly wisdom. Having lived some years with St. Fara,
1
it is stated, she afterwards proceeded to Troyes, where she ruled as abbess
over a community for a long time, and guided many souls to God. Her
was Bishop of Meaux, before the death of Clothaire II. , King of France.
virtues are highly extolled in an ancient hymn.
2
However, this holy Virgin
84 Mabillon writes " ex Hi- on the 8th of Before the French : Demigravit kept June.
bernia nondum Benedictinis institutis in- formata, an jam monachus, incertum. " -
85 The festival of this holy Bishop is held
Revolution, many convents in France honoured her as patroness.
— :
on the 28th of October. He died a. d.
2 Therein she is thus addressed
,
"! c
. VS
••
a"Um Meldc"sls
',. »«*:
I" ? n! See Mabillon s
«, /
A
£ rtmedmm. »
»
672. Vies des Saints," tome iii.
See Baillet's
The city of Meaux xs situated on a
. Qsy*
height over he river Maine, and it is still an episcopal see, with a noble cathedral.
See Murray's France sect. 1,
filia>
« ,x. ,
Handbook for Travellers in
route
»u »
1V Annales Orchms S. Benedicti, tomus 1. , lib. xn. , sect, v. , p. 343. 8' See M. Le Dr. Hoefer's " Nouvelle
BiographirtGenerale,"tomex. ,col. 900.
90 See Les Petits Bollandistes " Vies des
Saints," tome xiii. , xxviiie jour d'Octobre, p. 90.
165, pp. 613, 614,
t
>
'
91 This is mentioned in the Life of St.
Faro, attributed to Hildegard, Bishop of des maximes de morale. " M. le
Meaux. ChapterII. —' St.
Syra's
festivalisthere
tome
xvii. ,
col. 616. 615,
R f Scoto um
Sa^cti Fiacrii
Tu es stdla exj mj a Pra,fulgens virginum gemma, Campania lauTet honor,
Ad sepulchrum confugiunt Tuum popPuli et sentiunt
Sanita
:
3 As for instance " Saint Fiacre l'ana-
choreteavaitunesceur,nomineeSyra. Elle mourut dans le diocese de Meaux, ou elle
est honoree comme vierge. Quelques auteurs font mention d'une lettre que cette sainte recut de son et — renfermait
frere, qui
Hoefer's " Nouvelle Biographie Generale,"
Dr.
August 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 429
is not to be regarded as the sister of our Saint, notwithstanding the assertions of French writers, and which are very commonly received. 3
Having thus resolved to settle in France, St. Fiacre and his sister Syra— so runs the legend—sought St. Faro's direction. By the holy Bishop of Meaux, they were most favourably and hospitably received. He heard their petition with pleasure. The Princess Syra asked for admittance to a convent, where with other pious virgins she might devote herself to the service of Jesus Christ, whom she had chosen for her spouse. The bishop had a saintly
sister named Fare,' who was then Abbess over a monastery, which from her *
was afterwards called Faremoutiers,s and Syra was placed under her direc-
6
tion.
The following account, however, is more in accordance with St. Fiacre's
earliest Acts. On first beholding the innocent and religious countenance of our Irish Saint, the Bishop of Meaux eagerly enquired about his parentage,
native country, his present purpose, and his object in making this journey to France. The prelate promised, furthermore, that on learning these par- ticulars, and the name of his favoured guest, he would be ready to afford suitable counsel. St. Fiacre immediately answered, " Most Reverend Father, Hibernia, the Island of the Scots, gave birth to me, and to my progenitors. My name is Fiacre, and as I desire to lead a solitary life, I have left my
country and my parents, that I may find a suitable place for a hermitage. Now, I most earnestly entreat your bounteous protection. If you know of any forest, near this place, and in which I might devote myself to prayer, youwillnot,Itrust,hesitatetoinformme. " Thereupon,Faroreplied,with
"
manifest pleasure :
I have, indeed, a certain wood, which is my own
property, and not far from this place. The inhabitants call it Broilum,? or
8
Brodolium, and I believe it to be a spot, in every respect suitable for the
exercise of an eremitical life. If you desire to see it, we shall proceed thither. " He then brought our saint to the wood, now known as La Brie,9
between Meaux and
from the latter 11 city.
Jouarre,
10 a town about eleven miles eastward lying
The dense forest which was and its convenient there,
situation," suited admirably the purpose of our saint to lead an eremitical life.
On their arrival at the spot designated, the holy Bishop Faro said : Dearly beloved brother, by hereditary right this place belongs to me, and if it please you to live here, I most cordially and instantly grant you, what- ever portion of land may be necessary for your purposes. " St. Fiacre fell upon his knees, and with tears of gratitude offered his thanks to the prelate. He said at the same time, that place met his expectations in every particular, and especially, as it was removed, in a great measure, from the busy haunts of men. These matters having been thus settled, both of the holy men
4 Also called St. Burgundofara. Her num. 9, and n. (e), pp. 605, 607.
"
festival occurs on the 7th of December.
s In Latin, Farce Monasterium.
6 See Les Petits Bollandistes, " Vies des
by
9 Brie was a district in the ancient pro-
vince of Champagne and Isle de France ;
but now comprised in the department of Seine-et-Marne, Aisne, and Marne-et-Aube. J0 See Le Comte de Montalembert, '"Les Mabillon, was Broilum. See " Annales Moines d'Occident," tome ii. , liv. vii. ,
Saints," tome x. , xxxe jour d'Aout, p. 353.
7 The name of the as written place,
Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xii. , sect, vi. , p. 344.
8 The Acta of our saint, by the anony-
mous writer, as the Bolland- publishedby
chap, iii. , p. 436. ,x "
have Prodilum
mistake for Brodilum, which is given in the Breviary of Aberdeen. See "Acta Sane- torum," tomus vi. , Augusti xxx. , cap. i. ,
p. 409.
" " et a—b Sylvis circumpositis tectum,
ists,
;
but this is
evidently
a
urbe duabus leucis distantem. " Jatino
See Gazetteer of the World," vol. vii. ,
" Breviarium Meldensis," Pars Estiva. In
Festo S. Fiacrio, lect. iv.
*3
In the Acts of our saint, the term used
430 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 30.
returned to the city of Meaux, while their conversation was on divine
subjects, as they journeyed along. The very next day, having obtained leave of absence, and having sought a benediction from St. Faro, the Irish pilgrimreturnedtothesitedesignated. Nosoonerhadthisgrantbeenmade to him, than Fiacre set about the construction of an oratory,^ having first effected a clearing of the rough places, 14 in the midst of the forest. To the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, that religious institute was specially dedicated. But for his own manner of life, he wished to lead that of a recluse. There he lived in a cell or oratory's apart from general intercourse with men, although, he frequently received visitors or guests, and especially penitents. To all, he exercised a truly Irish hospitality, and in accord with the practice of the monastic establishments in his own country. He there founded an hospital for the entertainment of pilgrims, travellers and poor people ; while he received all strangers coming to him with great charity and urbanity.
Towards himself he was most mortified. The practice of austerities,
vigils and fasting, joined with prayer, enabled him to attain the highest virtues. Although practised in seclusion, these diffused his reputation for sanctity through the most distant parts of that country, which became his by adoption. His time was divided between contemplation and prayer ; the cultivation of his garden ; and exercises of charity towards his neighbours, who resorted to him for advice or direction. 16 His fame went abroad, and thousands came from the most distant parts, to see the good saint. But, the poor seem to have been the objects of his chiefest solicitude.
In his retirement, St. Fiacre indulged his taste and skill in gardening, and that healthy exercise was a labour he specially loved. The manner in which his fruit-trees, shrubs, vegetables and flowers were cultivated excited the admiration of all beholders. •' If a man sows," he used to
say
" it is God who the increase if giveth ;
his
man plants, it is God who bringeth the flowers and the fruits. " He is said to have been a great botanist, and to have surrounded his hermitage with flowers. These acquisitions prove his taste and love for natural science. The afflicted and suffering in mind or body, believing in his miraculous gifts,soonflockedtohishermitageingreatnumbers. Thosewhowerevery infirm were brought thither by their relations or friends. Numbers of' sick and demented persons attended the place of his retreat; lame, blind, deaf and dumb, all received health and strength through his prayers, and by the imposition of his hands.
strangers praised
lovely garden,
In his garden, he cultivated roots for the refreshment of poor travellers. Wherefore to provide better for their support, he judged it necessary to procure a larger tract of land, than he at first possessed ; that by his own labours and those of his brethren, he might be able to cultivate all kind of vegetables, and thus minister to the wants of necessitous individuals. St. Faro had already given him permission, to appropriate so much of the wood, as he desired. '7 However, our humble eremite, would not presume to encroach on this privilege, without again referring the matter to his benefactor.
is " monasterium "
Ages, as Du Cange remarks, that word Sancta," part ii. , p. 102.
;
was often used for an oratory, as seems to be the signification in the present instance.
14
See Rev. Henry Sebastian Bowden's "Miniature Lives of the Saints for Every Day in the Year," vol. i. , March 17, p. 154.
15 Also dedicated to the Blessed Virgin "
•' In two manuscript Lives of our saint, in possession of the Bollandists, Fiacre is said to have received from the Bishop an instrument "quod Gallice Bkssa vocatur," and this was intended to mark out the ground, which had been granted to him.
but in the Middle l6 See Bishop Challenor's "Britannia
Mary. See Breviarium Meldensis," Pars The word means bcche in French, and the Estiva. In Festo S. Fiacrii, lect. iv. . English meaning is "a spade. "
when
August 30. J LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 431
The latter renewed permission to fell any quantity of timber, that might be
necessary for the proposed enlargement of his farm, telling him at the same time, he was at liberty to possess all the land he might be able to surround with a furrow in one day. After returning thanks for such a favour, our Saint is said to have marked out that furrow with his staff. A deep trench opened beneath the line he traced, and the woods within that enclosure
miraculously disappeared.
by
local peasantry.
T 9 While his work was in
progress,
and
beholding
the
18 the ditch was shown Long afterwards,
the results, a certain woman immediately brought word to the bishop, that our Saint had been seen by her in the act of using incantations, and witchcraft, while per- forming that miracle. Her representations at first made an unfavourable impression on the mind of St. Faro ; and emboldened by her successful accusation, with insolence in her words and gestures, she soon returned
bearing a message from the Bishop, that Fiacre should desist from the work he had commenced. This order he obeyed on the instant. She also announced, that the Bishop would come to see what had taken place. Somewhat saddened by this news and disconcerted, Fiacre sat down on a stone that was near, awaiting the result. This stone was afterwards pre- served with religious veneration, and according to popular tradition, it became hollowed into the form of a chair, so that the saint might the more easily rest in it. In course of time, when a church had been built in his honour at that place, the stone was removed to it, and preserved in attesta-
the illustrious prelate.
Several pious disciples placed themselves under the direction of the holy
Eremite, who had thus founded his religious establishment at Breuil, in the district of Brie, and which has since his time taken the name of Saint-Fiacre. We are led to the inference, that he drew up a strict rule of life for his monks.
Moved by that action of the woman, it is said that St. Fiacre made an
20 Meanwhile, when St. Faro he soon arrived,
tion of the miracle
learned the true state of affairs ; and the holy Bishop, much pleased with the ready obedience shown by our Saint to his mandate, was immediately reconciled to his humble subject. Having beheld those wonderful miracles wrought through the servant of God, that prelate conceived even a greater love and friendship for him than at first ; so that afterwards, Fiacre was still more honoured, through the constant familiarity and respect shown him by
81
wrought.
ordinance, which excluded all females from his Monastery.
22
Through his
prayers, it was held he obtained a request, that some bodily infirmity should
befall those women, who wilfully dared to disregard his regulation. ^ How-
ever, interpreted by popular tradition, his real motive appears to have been
rather guided by the example of the Ccenobiarchs in Ireland, who were
18
impression, produced by the labours of " Th—e following distich refers to this in-
monastic pioneers, on the popular mind. cident
diTMs 20
Thus was interpreted, that profound 335.
See LeComte de Montalembert's " Les
MoinesdelOccident,"tome11. , hvrevn. ,
:
« Faemina qu£e lsesit blasphemo murmure Sanctum
sancti non intret faemina tem-
Thes; ines occur in " De Gestibus Fran- i
corum " Jib iii '
23 " Orat ne loci intret limina Immunis ulla fsemina, Hoc est causa cur faeminae
chap. 111. , p. 437.
J9 "
Fecit nlum
See Mabillon s
Acta Sanctorum Or-
quod "
Benedicti," tomus ii. , p. 573.
The parochial church of Brie yet retains this relic. There, too, the sites of the saint's
and enclosure are
hermitage traditionally
pointed out ; but no remains of the ancient
J? -
.
buildings are now to be seen.
21'• "
Saints,"
tome
x. ,
xxxe
jour d'Aout, pp. 334,
Hymnus
S. Fiacrii,**
ejus Officio desumpta.
See Les Petits Bollandistes Vies des
—
Arcentur ejus limine.
432 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 30.
careful to remove any cause for temptation or human frailty from the precincts of their respective monasteries. 2*
It is related, that a certain noble lady, wishing to learn what should be the consequence of disobedience to St. Fiacre's rule, urged a servant-maid to venture within the monastery, yet against her own wishes. However, that servant escaped uninjured, while her mistress lost an eye, as a punishment for her temerity. Another woman, on daring to place one foot within the forbidden threshold, was immediately afflicted with a tumour, that ascended from the offending member through her entire body, which became affected
2 in a similar manner. *
CHAPTER III
VISIT OF ST. KILIAN TO ST. FIACRE—FABULOUS STORY OF THE LATTER BEING OFFERED THE CROWN OF SCOTLAND—HIS LIFE IN SOLITUDE—HIS DEATH AND BURIAL— TRANSFERENCE OF HIS RELICS—VARIOUS MIRACLES AND INCIDENTS—MEMORIALS OF THE VENERATION PAID TO ST. FIACRE—COMMEMORATIONS OF HIS FEAST— CONCLUSION.
Among others of his contemporaries, attracted by the popular report of St. Fiacre's sanctity, was his own countryman and kinsman, St. Kilian1 or Chillen,2whohadmadeapilgrimagetoRome. Hedeviated,however,from the direct route on returning, and bent his course towards Meaux. By St.
Fiacre, he was most affectionately received, and for some days the pilgrim remained with him. not alone giving information regarding their friends and native country, but also engaged much in religious conversation and study on the most elegant passages of Holy Scripture. Another curious incident is related,3 and to the effect, that St. Fiacre, a "Scot of Ireland," when he
met St. Killian in France, thus asked him " My dearest brother, what
:
"
The natural answer to such a query may be imagined, that it was his desire to serve God with less attach- ment to the situations of ease and enjoyment in which worldlings most delight. Commending each other to the care of Almighty God by mutual prayer, those holy relatives parted, having given and received the kiss of
peace/
To the regions of romance we may fairly relegate one of the stories told
regarding our Saint, by some of the Scottish5 and French writers. 6 Thus, it is stated, that while Fiacre enjoyed in tranquillity the delights of his beloved
brought you into these barbarous nations ?
24 "
See Ussher's Britannicarum Eccle-
siarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , pp. 488, 489.
as See " Messingham's Florilegium
PP- 39°» 39 1 - Chapter hi.
Dissertatio Historica, Articu! us xiii. , sect, x. ,
p. 270.
* The " Histoire de Saint Kilien Ev6que,
Missionnaire de l'Artois au vne has Siecle,"
been elegantly and learnedly written by A.
— Cuvillier,and published at Lille, 1861, i2mo.
*5
His festival occurs on Hector Boece seems to have been the
InsuLx Sanctorum. "' Vita S. Fiacrii ex Capgravio,
the 13th day of November. His Life and first to chronicle the succeeding narrative in
Act* are to be found at that date. his " Scotorum Hystoriae," lib, ix. He is
2 We are told Mubillon, that this was followed but in briefer by by John Lesley,
the Scottish St. Chillenus whom St. Faro fashion, in his work, " De Rebus Gestis
sent to preach the Gospel in Artois. See
" Annates Ordinis S. tomus Benedicti," i. ,
lib. xii. , num. vi , p. 344.
5 See Ward's or O'Sheerin's " Sancti
Rumoldi Martyris InclytiArchiepiscopiDub- liniensis, Mechlinieosium Apostoli," &c.
Scotorum," lib.
" View of the Diocese of Aberdeen," p.
252, and also Gordon's Map of Scotland, of
" Comme Sainct
5. Fiacre, apres
avoir
1652.
66 In the
162.
67 In Blaeu's Atlas the honorific ma
being a prefix.
68 See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of
Scottish Saints," p. 339.
69 See "Acta Sanctorum Ordinis S.
Benedicti," sa:c. ii. , pp. 598 to 618.
70 This erroneous opinion has been enter-
tained by Du Plessis.
71 That of Hector Boece, in his "Scotorum
engraved Borders, from Ancient Books of Devotion,"
P- 259-
73 He is called " Domnallum Breccum
nepotem Aidan," by Adamnan, in his "Vita S. Columbae," lib. i. , cap. 10.
? ,
August 30. ] LIVES Of THE IRISH SAINTS. 427
Aedh. Havingreignedforfifteenyears,DonevaldorDomnallBreccfellin
a battle, fought at Sraithcair-maic, in the month of December, a. d. 642. t> The conqueror, on that occasion, was Hoan, King of the Britains. ? 5 More-
6
over, a St. Syra? is said to have been a sister of those brothers, while she
was also educated by St. Conan. But, we find quite a different account, regarding the education of St. Fiacre, who is stated to have been under the care of St. Cuanna, who was in his time famous for learning and sanctity, and who attracted numerous disciples to his monastery at Kilcoona, on the shore of Loch Orbsen.
The thoughts of Fiacre were turned to a religious life in solitude ; and he resolved on leaving the tumult of this world, when he was ordained a
7 ? At an
friends and familiars. 78 It is again stated, that he left his native district, and the school of St. Cuanna, to fix his first hermitage on the banks of the RiverNore,andinthepresentCountyofKilkenny. Asthememoryo—four Saint is honoured in Kill-Fiachra or Kilfera on the 30th of August the same day on which his fest—ival is marked in the Martyrologies of Marianus O'Gorman and of Donegal it has been conjectured, that it had been the spot hallowed by his virtues and penitential austerities during his lifetime. There, too, is to be seen the ruins of an old church, which had been dedicated to St. Fiachra, while a little to the south of it is the holy well of St. Fiachra. 79 There St. Fiacre became celebrated, and many disciples are said to have flocked around him, and disturbed the life of retreat he purposed to lead. 80 Our Saint even desired, more securely to enjoy the pleasures of a contem-
priest.
early age, likewise,
he desired to abandon the of his society
plative life. Hence, he resolved to leave his native Island.
81
According to
one account, which does not seem to rest on his earliest Acts, St. Fiacre
communicated that purpose to his sister, St. Syra, who approved of his
design, and who shared his desire to abandon the allurements of the court
of their father, Eugene IV. , King of Scotland. Keeping their secret from
him, they stole away towards the sea-coast, to find a vessel in which they
82
could embark.
traveller with her brother on this occasion ; it is thought to be more probable, she followed him to that place where he settled, at a subsequent time, and when he had established there a religious institute. However, the statement that St. Syra was a sister of St. Fiacre rests on no historic foundation, and it must be rejected as a fable. 83
But, it does not at all appear, that St. Syra was a fellow-
7*
According to the Ulster Annals.
75 See Ussher's " Brittanicarum Ecclesi-
arum Antiquitates," cap. xv. , p. 372.
76 Some doubt exists as to whether she is
to be distinguished from a St. Syria, vene- ratedatTroyesonthe8thofJune. Seethe
for
date, the reputed Feast of St. Syra, or Syria, Virgin, at Meaux, or Tioyes, France, Art. iii. The Feast of St. Syra has also been
referred to the 23rd of October.
77 See the account of Most Rev. Patrick F.
Moran, D. D. , in " The Irish Ecclesiastical Record," vol. xii. , June, 1876, p. 361.
78 ir. "
Afterwards, is stated, S'en vint en
France, pour viure en solitude, incogneu des hommes. "—Gualtier's " Fleurs des Vies
ries Saints," Traduction de l'Espagnole du Livre de Pierre Ribadeneira, p. 829.
79 See the account of St. Fiacre, in " The
Irish Ecclesiastical Record," vol. xii. , June, launi Abbatissse. De ea omnino siletur 1876, pp. 361, 362. apud Gall. Christ. "
Sixth Volume of this work, at that
8l It is—
8o
Mabillon takes care to distinguish St. Fiacra, of Leinster, and who administered Holy Viaticum to St. Comgell, Abbot of Bangor, from our saint. See " Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xii. , sect, vi. , p. 344. —
authority
that he remained for some time
stated but we know not on what
in Iona, attracted thither by the fame of
the miracles and virtues of its holy founder,
*2 "
See Les Petits Bollandistes, Vies des
Saints," tome x. , xxxe jour d'Aout, p. 333. S3 Among some Notulae Historico-criticae, attached to the Pars Estiva of the Meaux
"Ad ultimam Dom. Au%. in Festo S. Fiacrii. Quidquid aliter dixerit auctor Historiae Eccl. Meld. t. L, not. 30, non constat S. Fiacrio
extitisse sanctam sororem Syram nomine,
Breviary, ed. 1834, is the following :
quae fuerit monialis Faronis et deinde Catha-
4 a8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 30.
Almighty God, who had inspired St. Fiacre with this resolution of
expatriation, directed his way to France. He was associated with some
holy companions, it is stated, during the journey. Nor is it known with certainty from his earliest Acts, that he had been a monk before leaving Ireland. 8* At this time, St. Faron or Faro,85 who was of noble family, and who had previously been distinguished as one of the paladins in the army of King Clothaire, had retired from the ambitious pursuits of worldlings in camp and court, to embrace an ecclesiastical career. Those pious strangers
86
from Ireland, arrived in the diocese of Meaux, during the time of St. Faro's
Episcopal Rule. 8? It does not seem to be known for a certainty, that he
88
The latter event is generally referred to a. d. 628. 89 About that time, how-
ever, St. Faro had built a monastery in the environs of Meaux, desiring
much to have religious, who should give shining examples of virtue, and with
whom he could confer on heavenly subjects. ? This holy prelate entertained
an affection for those men of the Scottish nation,? 1 who then especial pious
began to invade France in such numbers, either to serve God in a missionary capacity, or in the monastic state.
CHAPTER II.
FAVOURABLE RECEPTION OF ST. FIACRE BY THE BISHOP OF MEAUX—THE IRISH SAINT OBTAINS POSSESSION OF BRIE TO FOUND HIS HERMITAGE—HE THERE ESTABLISHES A HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY—HIS TASTE AND SKILL IN GARDENING AND AGRICULTURE —ENLARGEMENT OF HIS FARM—MIRACULOUS CLEARANCE OF THE FOREST—ST. FIACRE IS SECURED IN THE LOVE AND RESPECT OF ST. FARO—RELIGIOUS RULE OF ST. FIACRE.
Other misleading and legendary accounts have it, that St. Syra, with three companions, set out from Meaux to visit her brother, from whom she learned many lessons of heavenly wisdom. Having lived some years with St. Fara,
1
it is stated, she afterwards proceeded to Troyes, where she ruled as abbess
over a community for a long time, and guided many souls to God. Her
was Bishop of Meaux, before the death of Clothaire II. , King of France.
virtues are highly extolled in an ancient hymn.
2
However, this holy Virgin
84 Mabillon writes " ex Hi- on the 8th of Before the French : Demigravit kept June.
bernia nondum Benedictinis institutis in- formata, an jam monachus, incertum. " -
85 The festival of this holy Bishop is held
Revolution, many convents in France honoured her as patroness.
— :
on the 28th of October. He died a. d.
2 Therein she is thus addressed
,
"! c
. VS
••
a"Um Meldc"sls
',. »«*:
I" ? n! See Mabillon s
«, /
A
£ rtmedmm. »
»
672. Vies des Saints," tome iii.
See Baillet's
The city of Meaux xs situated on a
. Qsy*
height over he river Maine, and it is still an episcopal see, with a noble cathedral.
See Murray's France sect. 1,
filia>
« ,x. ,
Handbook for Travellers in
route
»u »
1V Annales Orchms S. Benedicti, tomus 1. , lib. xn. , sect, v. , p. 343. 8' See M. Le Dr. Hoefer's " Nouvelle
BiographirtGenerale,"tomex. ,col. 900.
90 See Les Petits Bollandistes " Vies des
Saints," tome xiii. , xxviiie jour d'Octobre, p. 90.
165, pp. 613, 614,
t
>
'
91 This is mentioned in the Life of St.
Faro, attributed to Hildegard, Bishop of des maximes de morale. " M. le
Meaux. ChapterII. —' St.
Syra's
festivalisthere
tome
xvii. ,
col. 616. 615,
R f Scoto um
Sa^cti Fiacrii
Tu es stdla exj mj a Pra,fulgens virginum gemma, Campania lauTet honor,
Ad sepulchrum confugiunt Tuum popPuli et sentiunt
Sanita
:
3 As for instance " Saint Fiacre l'ana-
choreteavaitunesceur,nomineeSyra. Elle mourut dans le diocese de Meaux, ou elle
est honoree comme vierge. Quelques auteurs font mention d'une lettre que cette sainte recut de son et — renfermait
frere, qui
Hoefer's " Nouvelle Biographie Generale,"
Dr.
August 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 429
is not to be regarded as the sister of our Saint, notwithstanding the assertions of French writers, and which are very commonly received. 3
Having thus resolved to settle in France, St. Fiacre and his sister Syra— so runs the legend—sought St. Faro's direction. By the holy Bishop of Meaux, they were most favourably and hospitably received. He heard their petition with pleasure. The Princess Syra asked for admittance to a convent, where with other pious virgins she might devote herself to the service of Jesus Christ, whom she had chosen for her spouse. The bishop had a saintly
sister named Fare,' who was then Abbess over a monastery, which from her *
was afterwards called Faremoutiers,s and Syra was placed under her direc-
6
tion.
The following account, however, is more in accordance with St. Fiacre's
earliest Acts. On first beholding the innocent and religious countenance of our Irish Saint, the Bishop of Meaux eagerly enquired about his parentage,
native country, his present purpose, and his object in making this journey to France. The prelate promised, furthermore, that on learning these par- ticulars, and the name of his favoured guest, he would be ready to afford suitable counsel. St. Fiacre immediately answered, " Most Reverend Father, Hibernia, the Island of the Scots, gave birth to me, and to my progenitors. My name is Fiacre, and as I desire to lead a solitary life, I have left my
country and my parents, that I may find a suitable place for a hermitage. Now, I most earnestly entreat your bounteous protection. If you know of any forest, near this place, and in which I might devote myself to prayer, youwillnot,Itrust,hesitatetoinformme. " Thereupon,Faroreplied,with
"
manifest pleasure :
I have, indeed, a certain wood, which is my own
property, and not far from this place. The inhabitants call it Broilum,? or
8
Brodolium, and I believe it to be a spot, in every respect suitable for the
exercise of an eremitical life. If you desire to see it, we shall proceed thither. " He then brought our saint to the wood, now known as La Brie,9
between Meaux and
from the latter 11 city.
Jouarre,
10 a town about eleven miles eastward lying
The dense forest which was and its convenient there,
situation," suited admirably the purpose of our saint to lead an eremitical life.
On their arrival at the spot designated, the holy Bishop Faro said : Dearly beloved brother, by hereditary right this place belongs to me, and if it please you to live here, I most cordially and instantly grant you, what- ever portion of land may be necessary for your purposes. " St. Fiacre fell upon his knees, and with tears of gratitude offered his thanks to the prelate. He said at the same time, that place met his expectations in every particular, and especially, as it was removed, in a great measure, from the busy haunts of men. These matters having been thus settled, both of the holy men
4 Also called St. Burgundofara. Her num. 9, and n. (e), pp. 605, 607.
"
festival occurs on the 7th of December.
s In Latin, Farce Monasterium.
6 See Les Petits Bollandistes, " Vies des
by
9 Brie was a district in the ancient pro-
vince of Champagne and Isle de France ;
but now comprised in the department of Seine-et-Marne, Aisne, and Marne-et-Aube. J0 See Le Comte de Montalembert, '"Les Mabillon, was Broilum. See " Annales Moines d'Occident," tome ii. , liv. vii. ,
Saints," tome x. , xxxe jour d'Aout, p. 353.
7 The name of the as written place,
Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xii. , sect, vi. , p. 344.
8 The Acta of our saint, by the anony-
mous writer, as the Bolland- publishedby
chap, iii. , p. 436. ,x "
have Prodilum
mistake for Brodilum, which is given in the Breviary of Aberdeen. See "Acta Sane- torum," tomus vi. , Augusti xxx. , cap. i. ,
p. 409.
" " et a—b Sylvis circumpositis tectum,
ists,
;
but this is
evidently
a
urbe duabus leucis distantem. " Jatino
See Gazetteer of the World," vol. vii. ,
" Breviarium Meldensis," Pars Estiva. In
Festo S. Fiacrio, lect. iv.
*3
In the Acts of our saint, the term used
430 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 30.
returned to the city of Meaux, while their conversation was on divine
subjects, as they journeyed along. The very next day, having obtained leave of absence, and having sought a benediction from St. Faro, the Irish pilgrimreturnedtothesitedesignated. Nosoonerhadthisgrantbeenmade to him, than Fiacre set about the construction of an oratory,^ having first effected a clearing of the rough places, 14 in the midst of the forest. To the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, that religious institute was specially dedicated. But for his own manner of life, he wished to lead that of a recluse. There he lived in a cell or oratory's apart from general intercourse with men, although, he frequently received visitors or guests, and especially penitents. To all, he exercised a truly Irish hospitality, and in accord with the practice of the monastic establishments in his own country. He there founded an hospital for the entertainment of pilgrims, travellers and poor people ; while he received all strangers coming to him with great charity and urbanity.
Towards himself he was most mortified. The practice of austerities,
vigils and fasting, joined with prayer, enabled him to attain the highest virtues. Although practised in seclusion, these diffused his reputation for sanctity through the most distant parts of that country, which became his by adoption. His time was divided between contemplation and prayer ; the cultivation of his garden ; and exercises of charity towards his neighbours, who resorted to him for advice or direction. 16 His fame went abroad, and thousands came from the most distant parts, to see the good saint. But, the poor seem to have been the objects of his chiefest solicitude.
In his retirement, St. Fiacre indulged his taste and skill in gardening, and that healthy exercise was a labour he specially loved. The manner in which his fruit-trees, shrubs, vegetables and flowers were cultivated excited the admiration of all beholders. •' If a man sows," he used to
say
" it is God who the increase if giveth ;
his
man plants, it is God who bringeth the flowers and the fruits. " He is said to have been a great botanist, and to have surrounded his hermitage with flowers. These acquisitions prove his taste and love for natural science. The afflicted and suffering in mind or body, believing in his miraculous gifts,soonflockedtohishermitageingreatnumbers. Thosewhowerevery infirm were brought thither by their relations or friends. Numbers of' sick and demented persons attended the place of his retreat; lame, blind, deaf and dumb, all received health and strength through his prayers, and by the imposition of his hands.
strangers praised
lovely garden,
In his garden, he cultivated roots for the refreshment of poor travellers. Wherefore to provide better for their support, he judged it necessary to procure a larger tract of land, than he at first possessed ; that by his own labours and those of his brethren, he might be able to cultivate all kind of vegetables, and thus minister to the wants of necessitous individuals. St. Faro had already given him permission, to appropriate so much of the wood, as he desired. '7 However, our humble eremite, would not presume to encroach on this privilege, without again referring the matter to his benefactor.
is " monasterium "
Ages, as Du Cange remarks, that word Sancta," part ii. , p. 102.
;
was often used for an oratory, as seems to be the signification in the present instance.
14
See Rev. Henry Sebastian Bowden's "Miniature Lives of the Saints for Every Day in the Year," vol. i. , March 17, p. 154.
15 Also dedicated to the Blessed Virgin "
•' In two manuscript Lives of our saint, in possession of the Bollandists, Fiacre is said to have received from the Bishop an instrument "quod Gallice Bkssa vocatur," and this was intended to mark out the ground, which had been granted to him.
but in the Middle l6 See Bishop Challenor's "Britannia
Mary. See Breviarium Meldensis," Pars The word means bcche in French, and the Estiva. In Festo S. Fiacrii, lect. iv. . English meaning is "a spade. "
when
August 30. J LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 431
The latter renewed permission to fell any quantity of timber, that might be
necessary for the proposed enlargement of his farm, telling him at the same time, he was at liberty to possess all the land he might be able to surround with a furrow in one day. After returning thanks for such a favour, our Saint is said to have marked out that furrow with his staff. A deep trench opened beneath the line he traced, and the woods within that enclosure
miraculously disappeared.
by
local peasantry.
T 9 While his work was in
progress,
and
beholding
the
18 the ditch was shown Long afterwards,
the results, a certain woman immediately brought word to the bishop, that our Saint had been seen by her in the act of using incantations, and witchcraft, while per- forming that miracle. Her representations at first made an unfavourable impression on the mind of St. Faro ; and emboldened by her successful accusation, with insolence in her words and gestures, she soon returned
bearing a message from the Bishop, that Fiacre should desist from the work he had commenced. This order he obeyed on the instant. She also announced, that the Bishop would come to see what had taken place. Somewhat saddened by this news and disconcerted, Fiacre sat down on a stone that was near, awaiting the result. This stone was afterwards pre- served with religious veneration, and according to popular tradition, it became hollowed into the form of a chair, so that the saint might the more easily rest in it. In course of time, when a church had been built in his honour at that place, the stone was removed to it, and preserved in attesta-
the illustrious prelate.
Several pious disciples placed themselves under the direction of the holy
Eremite, who had thus founded his religious establishment at Breuil, in the district of Brie, and which has since his time taken the name of Saint-Fiacre. We are led to the inference, that he drew up a strict rule of life for his monks.
Moved by that action of the woman, it is said that St. Fiacre made an
20 Meanwhile, when St. Faro he soon arrived,
tion of the miracle
learned the true state of affairs ; and the holy Bishop, much pleased with the ready obedience shown by our Saint to his mandate, was immediately reconciled to his humble subject. Having beheld those wonderful miracles wrought through the servant of God, that prelate conceived even a greater love and friendship for him than at first ; so that afterwards, Fiacre was still more honoured, through the constant familiarity and respect shown him by
81
wrought.
ordinance, which excluded all females from his Monastery.
22
Through his
prayers, it was held he obtained a request, that some bodily infirmity should
befall those women, who wilfully dared to disregard his regulation. ^ How-
ever, interpreted by popular tradition, his real motive appears to have been
rather guided by the example of the Ccenobiarchs in Ireland, who were
18
impression, produced by the labours of " Th—e following distich refers to this in-
monastic pioneers, on the popular mind. cident
diTMs 20
Thus was interpreted, that profound 335.
See LeComte de Montalembert's " Les
MoinesdelOccident,"tome11. , hvrevn. ,
:
« Faemina qu£e lsesit blasphemo murmure Sanctum
sancti non intret faemina tem-
Thes; ines occur in " De Gestibus Fran- i
corum " Jib iii '
23 " Orat ne loci intret limina Immunis ulla fsemina, Hoc est causa cur faeminae
chap. 111. , p. 437.
J9 "
Fecit nlum
See Mabillon s
Acta Sanctorum Or-
quod "
Benedicti," tomus ii. , p. 573.
The parochial church of Brie yet retains this relic. There, too, the sites of the saint's
and enclosure are
hermitage traditionally
pointed out ; but no remains of the ancient
J? -
.
buildings are now to be seen.
21'• "
Saints,"
tome
x. ,
xxxe
jour d'Aout, pp. 334,
Hymnus
S. Fiacrii,**
ejus Officio desumpta.
See Les Petits Bollandistes Vies des
—
Arcentur ejus limine.
432 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 30.
careful to remove any cause for temptation or human frailty from the precincts of their respective monasteries. 2*
It is related, that a certain noble lady, wishing to learn what should be the consequence of disobedience to St. Fiacre's rule, urged a servant-maid to venture within the monastery, yet against her own wishes. However, that servant escaped uninjured, while her mistress lost an eye, as a punishment for her temerity. Another woman, on daring to place one foot within the forbidden threshold, was immediately afflicted with a tumour, that ascended from the offending member through her entire body, which became affected
2 in a similar manner. *
CHAPTER III
VISIT OF ST. KILIAN TO ST. FIACRE—FABULOUS STORY OF THE LATTER BEING OFFERED THE CROWN OF SCOTLAND—HIS LIFE IN SOLITUDE—HIS DEATH AND BURIAL— TRANSFERENCE OF HIS RELICS—VARIOUS MIRACLES AND INCIDENTS—MEMORIALS OF THE VENERATION PAID TO ST. FIACRE—COMMEMORATIONS OF HIS FEAST— CONCLUSION.
Among others of his contemporaries, attracted by the popular report of St. Fiacre's sanctity, was his own countryman and kinsman, St. Kilian1 or Chillen,2whohadmadeapilgrimagetoRome. Hedeviated,however,from the direct route on returning, and bent his course towards Meaux. By St.
Fiacre, he was most affectionately received, and for some days the pilgrim remained with him. not alone giving information regarding their friends and native country, but also engaged much in religious conversation and study on the most elegant passages of Holy Scripture. Another curious incident is related,3 and to the effect, that St. Fiacre, a "Scot of Ireland," when he
met St. Killian in France, thus asked him " My dearest brother, what
:
"
The natural answer to such a query may be imagined, that it was his desire to serve God with less attach- ment to the situations of ease and enjoyment in which worldlings most delight. Commending each other to the care of Almighty God by mutual prayer, those holy relatives parted, having given and received the kiss of
peace/
To the regions of romance we may fairly relegate one of the stories told
regarding our Saint, by some of the Scottish5 and French writers. 6 Thus, it is stated, that while Fiacre enjoyed in tranquillity the delights of his beloved
brought you into these barbarous nations ?
24 "
See Ussher's Britannicarum Eccle-
siarum Antiquitates," cap. xvii. , pp. 488, 489.
as See " Messingham's Florilegium
PP- 39°» 39 1 - Chapter hi.
Dissertatio Historica, Articu! us xiii. , sect, x. ,
p. 270.
* The " Histoire de Saint Kilien Ev6que,
Missionnaire de l'Artois au vne has Siecle,"
been elegantly and learnedly written by A.
— Cuvillier,and published at Lille, 1861, i2mo.
*5
His festival occurs on Hector Boece seems to have been the
InsuLx Sanctorum. "' Vita S. Fiacrii ex Capgravio,
the 13th day of November. His Life and first to chronicle the succeeding narrative in
Act* are to be found at that date. his " Scotorum Hystoriae," lib, ix. He is
2 We are told Mubillon, that this was followed but in briefer by by John Lesley,
the Scottish St. Chillenus whom St. Faro fashion, in his work, " De Rebus Gestis
sent to preach the Gospel in Artois. See
" Annates Ordinis S. tomus Benedicti," i. ,
lib. xii. , num. vi , p. 344.
5 See Ward's or O'Sheerin's " Sancti
Rumoldi Martyris InclytiArchiepiscopiDub- liniensis, Mechlinieosium Apostoli," &c.
Scotorum," lib.
