No More Learning

Vita S. Samsonis, auctore Baldrico, Dolen. -i
Episcopo. MS. Bibl. du Roi. 5350. veil. xiv.
cent. Vita S. Samsonis, Confessoris. MS
Regina Christina. 479. Ff. 9. 24. veil. 4to.
x. cent. Vita S. Samsonis Episcopi et Con-
fessoris. MS. Bibl. du Roi. 5565. 8 veil. xii.
cent, olim Putean. See Sir Thomas Duffus
Hardy's "Descriptive Catalogue of Mate- rials relating to the History of Great Britain
and Ireland," vol. i. , part i. , pp. 141 to 144. 8 See " Analecta Bollandiana," tomus vi. ,
pp. 78 to 150.
9 See "Nova Legenda Anglia? ," fol.
cclxxvi. ,cclxxvii. , cclxxviii. , for quinto Kal.
Augusti.
I0 See " Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Anti-
quitates," cap. xiv. , pp. 274 to 278.
" In his learned work. "Fides Regia Bri- tannica, sive Annales Ecclesiae Biitannicse,"
&c, tomus ii.
I2 See " Church History of Brittany,"
book xi. , chap. xxviii. ,pp. 252, 253.
I3 See " Les Saints de Bretagne," vol. i. ,
pp. 202 to 239, A. D. 565, at July 28th.
I4 See " Acta Sanctorum Ordinis S. Bene-
dicti," tomus i. , ssec. i. , p. 165.
11 Dean compiled by
Cressy,
A o6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 2$.
The Bollandists *s have republished the old Acts of St. Samson from the text of Mabillon, but in a corrected form. These Acts have been edited by Father John Baptist Soller. There is a previous Commentary, in three sec- tions, containing twenty-eight paragraphs. The ancient Life commences with a preface addressed to Bishop Tigerinomal, in four paragraphs, while the Life itself is in six chapters and sixty-one paragraphs. Then follows a second
Book, relating several miracles, and comprised in sixteen paragraphs. After- wards, we have extracts from an old Missal and having reference to the Mass for his festival. An Appendix is then given, which conveys imformation regarding the relics of St. Samson. Several notes are interspersed in his
6
Acts, by the learned editor. In the works of Baillet,'
is noted. The
has an account of him.
Also,
Baring-Gould,
''
See " Britannia
Sancta," part ii. , pp. 41
Emyr
18
of Bishop Challenor,^ and of other hagiographers, the Life of St. Samson
of Rev. Alban Butler,
21 his Acts are to be found. The Rev. John Adams, M. A. , Vicar of Stockross, Berks, hasalsowrittenaLifeofSt. Samson. 22 Theforegoinglistofhisbiographers might easily be extended. Indeed, a host of pious writers, have specially
treated concerning this primitive and apostolic bishop.
From those respective treatises, and from other historic sources, the follow-
ing account is chiefly drawn. The parents of St. Samson were nobly descended. These were called Amon or Amwn Dhu,23 his father, and Anna,2* his mother. His father is thought to have been a petty prince in Armorica, or perhapshewasonlyasontooneoftheArmoricanchiefs. Itisstated,that
2
he crossed over to Wales, where he married Anna. s In Wales, likewise, he
appears
a younger brother, named Umbrafel, and Anna had a younger sister, named Afrella, who were also married, and by desire of virtuous parents. That couple had three sons. For a considerable time, however, Amnion and Anna were childless j but, they were addicted to the devout exercises of fast-
ing and of alms-giving. At length, it pleased the Almighty to bestow on them one of the Christian family's greatest treasures, the birth of an infant, destined at a future time to become a great light in the Church. The writer of St. Samson's Life relates, that while the pious couple were attending to their devotions on a certain festival, they heard about a holy prophet, who lived in a distant northern country, and who was able to predict what should happen to those consulting hip. Accordingly, with many other persons in company, Amnion and Anna went to that prophet, and before they had time
to explain their reasons for their coming, he was able to signify that he alreadyknewwhatmostconcernedthem. Thenherecommendedthemto
of Liber Landavensis T 9 in Les Petits Bollandistes,20 and in Rev. S.
compiler
to have settled. A curious account is left us,26 that Amnion had
15 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vi. ,
Julii xxviii. Dc S. Samsone Episcopo Conf.
Dolae in Britannia Armorica, pp. 568 to
593.
16 See Les Vies des Saints,' tome ii. , at
2I "
See Lives of the Saints,'' vol. vii. , pp.
602 to 609.
" This appeared in a series, intituled, Chronicles of Cornish Saints, No. iv. S.
Samson, published in the Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall, 1869, No. x.
*3 He is said to have been son of
"
28th of July, pp. 399 to 405.
:
to 44.
>ee "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and
other principal Saints," vol. vii. , July 28th. In the "Lives of the Irish Saints," com- piled by the Cistercian Monk, the same no-
lices occur. See pp. 145, 146.
See Les£Vies des Saints," &c, tome In the Bollandist Life of St. Samson. XI. , xxviiie Jour de Juillet, pp. 80 to 90. lib. i. , cap. i. , sect. i.
'9 See lib. viii. , cap. xxv.
" -6
Llydaw.
2* She is said to have been daughter of
Meurigap Tewdrig, Prince of Glamorgan. *s The published Life of our saint, by the Bollandists, states that she belonged to a province, noted as Dementia, but corrected
to Deventia.
July 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 407'
present a bar of silver, as a thank-offering, and he assured them, that their earnest desires should be gratified. It is said, that Amwn presented most cheerfully even three bars of silver, as on offering to the church. This gift he trusted should prove acceptable to the Almighty ; and indeed, the wishes of the devoted husband and wife were graciously accomplished. They rested for that night in the hospice, attached to the prophet's dwelling; and,
fatigued with their long journey, both husband and wife slept soundly. How- ever, the Almighty sent an Angel to Anna, and she heard announced to her in a dream, that a child should be born, that he should prove to be seven times more precious than the bars of silvergiven for him, that he should become a great saint and a priest, while he was to be named Samson. On awaking, Anna relatedthisvisiontoherhusband. Theyweremutuallyrejoiced,andafter- wards on taking leave of their host, the latter assured them, he had a revela- tion regarding their future son's sanctity, and that he should be venerated as one of the greatest men among the Britons. St. Samson is said to have first seen the
about a. d.
* 8
Ushered into the
with such
and
light,
in the 2? year 480,
while, according
to other it was accounts,
490.
world,
promises
expecta-
tions, he was baptized as had been directed by the Angel. The early records
ofWales29 makeSt. SamsonthebrotherofSt. Tathai,3°anIrishman. It
seems very probable, that there must be a mistake, on this head, since the
statement occurs not in our saint's early Lives. St. Sampson is said to have
been a native of 1 in ancient
2 a southern or western
Demetia,3
province of Wales. The people of that country rejoiced at his birth among
them. From his very infancy, Anna took care to train her child in every good practice, and especially was she careful to guard him from any com-
pany or conversation, that might tend to pollute his mind. She recited many edifying passages of holy Scripture for him, and she taught him to read and writewholesomemaximsforhisspiritualimprovement. Attheearlyageof five, Samson expressed an earnest wish to retire from worldly pursuits, and to study in the school of Christ. His father, urged by some of his friends and evil councillors, wished Samson to pursue a worldly career; while his mother desired him to follow God's holy will. 33 This difference of aim caused some
discussion between them, until at length, Ammon was warned in a vision, no
longer to dispute the Divine will in his son's regard. Whereupon, all objec- tions ceased on his part, and yielding to the pious wishes of Anna, both resolved on placing their child under the care of a holy master, who should prepare him for the ecclesiastical state.
At seven years of age, and after a previous direction in the pursuit of good- ness, his parents deemed it advisable to have him receive instruction in that famous school, established by St. Iltut,3* also called Eltutus 35 and Hildutus.
Glamorganshire^
2J See Les Petits Bollandistes' " Vies des
Saints," tome ix. , xxviiie Jour de Juillet, p. 81.
32 Called Dimetia, by Mabillon. The Bol- landists add a note "Difed hodiea Britannis vocitatur, mutato M in F pro lingua: idio-
28 "
See Bishop Challenor's Brittannia tismo. "
Sancta," part ii. , p. 41.
29 Such as the Book of Llandaff and other
authorities.
30
See Rees' "Lives ofthe Cambro-British Saints," p. 591.
31 His native district bordered on that of the Wenetes, who inhabited Guent, as called by the ancient Britons, now Monmouth-
"
33 See Right Rev. Patrick F. Moran's " Early Irish Missions," No. i. , p. 26.
34 His parents placed him there, with some presents which they bestowed, according to the usual custom. See Mabillon's "Acta Sanctorum Ordinis S. Benedicti. " tomus i. ,
ssec. i. Vita S. Sampsoni, cap. ix. , p. 154. 3S He had been a disciple of St. Germanus,
who ordained him as a priest.
3<5 See Bishop Challenor's " Britannia
Sancta," part ii. , p. 41.
shire. See Rev. Alban Butler's Fathers, Martyrs, and other Saints," vol. vii. , July xxviii.
Lives of the principal
408 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 28.
This school had been conducted in his monastery, known as Llan-Utut, in
Glamorganshire, in Wales. 36 This was a celebrated religious house, not only in the time of the founder, but during subsequent ages. 3 7 No sooner did St. Iltut behold Amnion, Anna and their child, than by a true spirit of prophecy he enjoyed, that distinguished teacher foretold both the dignity, to which Simson should afterwards be raised, and also his future sanctity. He kissed the boy lovingly, and raising his eyes to Heaven, bestowed his blessing on the youthful pupil. Filled with delight, his parents desired to learn more
: concerninghim; butSt. Iltutrestrainedtheircuriositybythesewords "It
is not for me to tell you, nor is it right you should question me further, there
is a time to be silent, as there is a time to speak, but commit the child to my
teaching. " When his parents took leave, Samson did not weep or grieve at
their likeotherchildrentakenfromhomeandleftatschool 8 departure, ;3 but,
rather did he delightedly remain with his new master, as if he had been a fosterer. It is remarked, likewise, that in a single day he learned the letters
of the alphabet and their connexion,3^ nor was it necessary to spend more time in teaching him those ; while within a week, he was able to spell and connect letters. His mind was so acute, that he soon learned to read, an—d
man. 4° St. David was also his school-fellow. ^
he then went all the Psalms. St. through
was edu—
together with St. Gildas the Wise and other pious disciples by that holy
began to practise himself in fasting, but he was reprimanded by the master,
:
who said " My little son, it is not proper that you should injure the
health of your small body in its early bloom, and by too severe an abstinence. "
In this great monastery, known as Bangor Iltud, at the city of Caerwor- 2
gan. * the pious child remained, until he had grown to adolescence. Caer- worgan was called Bovium by the Romans. *3 He served God with great
perfection, until about the year 512. He studied with great diligence. We learn, that Samson was taught all the Old and New Testament in the school of Iltut, and besides this, he was learned in all sorts of philosophy, in geome- try, and in rhetoric, in grammar and in arithmetic, as likewise, in all the arts, then known throughout Britain. Each day he advanced in the way of per- fection, and in his love towards the brethren. While yet in St. Iltut's monas- tery, Samson cured one of the religious, who happened to have been bitten by a hilider or adder, which had darted suddenly from a bramble bush. At this time, the boys happened to be out winnowing corn with the steward. The latter directed one of them to run, and to inform the abbot about that accident. Then Samson ran to Iltut, and with tears in his eyes, he told what had occurred ; while filled with faith and charity, he asked permission to
37 The ancient writer of Vita S. Samsonis,
as, published by the Bollandists, states regard-
in; St. Kltutus, "in cuju> niagnifico monas-
terio ego, cujusque mirifica gesta si per Sampson, through their transcendent merits,
singula dirimamus, ad excessum de incepto ducemur : unum tamen ad confirmandam nostram rem, referentibus nobis catholicis fratribus, qui in hoc locoerant, publicamus in medium. "
38 The old writer of his Life remarks " ut mods infantum est,"
39 From the manner in which this is told "Mirumin modum sub uno eodemque die v cjnas eleas, tesserasque agnovit totas," &c,
we may probably suppose some ingenious contrivance had been used to make him
wrought a miracle, in favour of their master,
Ilildutus, and they saved his crops from the
ravages of destructive sea- fowl. See Colgan's
"
Acta Sanctorum Hibernioe,"xxix. Januarii. Vita S. Gildae Badonici, cap. v. , p. 182.
4I See Right Rev. Patrick F. Moran's
" Early Irish Missions," No. i. , p. 26.
42 This was the residence of the Glamor- gan kings. See William's "Ecclesiastical
Antiquities," p. 213.
e Right Rev. Patrick F. Moran's
" Early Irish Missions," No. i. , p. 27.
:
Sampson
cated there
1
At the age of fifteen, Samson
learn the elements. See Du Cange, sub- voce.
4° St. Gildas and his fellow disciple, St.
July 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 4o9
attempt a cure. This permission he obtained from the abbot. Meantime, the monk had fainted through fright. Taking some oil with him, Samson returned,andrubbedthewoundwithit, whenthemonkrecoveredfromhis fright, nor did injurious consequences follow from the bite. This cure greatly added to our saint's reputation. At length, the time had come, when St. Iltud deemed his disciple well and duly prepared to serve as a minister in the church. Samson is said to have been ordained a deacon and a presbyter, by St. Dubricius,44 Archbishop of Caerleon. When he had been ordained deacon, two others of the brethren were elevated to the priesthood. Our saint was distinguished for his humility, benignity, affability and charity. At this time, the church window had been left open, when St. Dublicius, St. Iltut, and a deacon assisting, who held the chalice and who sang the Gospel ; these Ifeheld an extraordinary sight, which had not been seen by others who were present. With motionless wings, and floating in the air on this occasion, a dove descended from Heaven, and sailing over his head, it perched at last on his right shoulder, remaining there, until he had been ordained, and had received Holy Communion. Conferring together afterwards, St. Dubricius and St. Iltut believed that the incident related was an emblem of the graces conferred on Samson by the Holy Ghost, and that he was destined for a career of sanctity. Not long after that occurrence, Samson was called to the higher grade of the priesthood by St. Dubricius ; and a similar appearance of the dove was presented to the three former witnesses. This gave further confirmation of his extraordinary gifts and merits, while it pointed him out as one specially chosen by the Almighty to effect great work in the Church.
We have a legendary account regarding two nephews of St. Iltutus, who were in the monastery with St. Samson ; and these are said to have been envious of his popularity, and to have feared, that he should be chosen Abbot after their uncle's death. One of them was a presbyter, and the other was a butler in the community. These had conspired to take away Samson's life by poison. But, the Almight preserved his favoured servant from their evil machinations. The saint had a supernatural forecast of what had been intended ; but, with wonderful charity, he grieved chiefly that human nature could be so base and perfidious. To prayer, he joined fasting, and he besought the Almighty to convert their hearts from that malignant feeling, which so deeply involved them in guilt. The butler or cook had charge of preparing herbs which were boiled, and which made a beverage for the refreshment of the monks, when they returned from Tierce. A small glass of this particular drink was taken by each, in conformity with their rule. Taking some poisonous plant, the cook tried its effect on a cat, which imme- diately died, and satisfied with this experiment, he mixed a portion of the poison with the cup prepared for Samson. Mindful of the Evangelical words
pronounced by
Christ in favour of
those,
whose faith was
strong,
" If
they
drink anything deadly, it shall not hurt them f*$ with the fullest confidence,
yet knowing by inspiration what had been designed for his destruction, our
saint cheerfully entered the refectory. When about to drink, Samson first blessed the poisoned cup, with the sacred sign of the cross. It is said, the
holy disciple drank off that cup of poison presented him, through the envy andmaliceofthosefalsebrothers. But,itproducednottheintendedeffect. That very same day, sitting beside the cook at dinner, Samson said to him :
44 In the old Life, he is called Dubricius Churches, and it had the signification of Papa. This latter was a term applied to "Father. "
ecclesiastics in the British and Irish 45 St. Mark, xvi. , io,
4io LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 28.
"Your potion I tasted this morning brought sweetness to my mouth and great strength to my heart, dear brother, and may the Almighty remove every ill you suffer. " Knowing that his crime had been discovered, the cook became penitent. That evil plotter subsequently confessed his wicked design to the holy young man, when with tears and in great grief, he asked for
pardon.
Afterwards, going to his brother, and reproaching him for the crime in which
both had been engaged, the cook tried, but in vain, to move him to compunction,
as in conspiring againstSamson,they sought his life, and thus sinned grievously against Christ, whose favourite he had become, while allusion was made nlso to the words of holy writ, that through diabolic envy, death had entered into the world. Through penitence God is placated, but obstinacy in crime exposes the sinner to merited punishment. For this wickedness, God was pleased to suffer the unrepenting wretch to be possessed by the devil, when on the following Sunday he sacrilegiously approached to receive communion from Samson. A horrible spectacle was then presented ; for the culprit rolled on the ground, tore his garments, and railed before the monks, in an insane manner. It was found necessary to bind his limbs and to remove him from the church. With sighs and tears for his condition, the penitent brother cast himself on the ground, and made an open confession of their confederacy in crime, but promised he should do penance for it all the rest of his life. The Abbot and his monks wondered greatly at those miraculous manifestations. The former much feared, lest Samson, taking offence at what had occurred, might leave his monastery. With him all the monks united in a request, that Samson should go to the demoniac's cell, notwithstanding the injury sought to be inflicted. Most willingly did he consent to do so, but first he offered prayers to the Almighty, that the wretched man might be restored to health, and that his heart might be changed through sincere repentance. Samson, whodesiredtoovercomeevilbygood,blessedsomewaterandoil. Thiswas administered to the possessed man, who immediately fell into a trance, in
which he remained for nearly three hours, when he awoke to consciousness,
and he was restored to his former state of health. Thus Samson rescued his
6
malignant foe from demoniac influences/ and probably from that sting of
conscience, which the foul attempt made was calculated to produce.
After his ordination as Priest, Samson began to lead a most liQly and austere life. As his youth had been spent in the greatest chastity, so this virtue was ever dear to him. His humility and benignity of mind and disposition were admired by all. 4 ? Great were the self-denial and sanctity of St. Samson ; and manywerethemiraclesGodwaspleasedtoworkthroughhisservant. The holy man abstained from flesh meat altogether; and sometimes, he eat nothing, for two or three days. Such austerity he in no way remitted, but rather was it increased, as he advanced in dignity. He often spent whole nights standing and in prayer, thus allowing himself little or no sleep. He
never went to bed j but what rest he took was in a sitting posture, with his
8
head leaning against a wall/
46 See Bishop Challoner's "Britannia Dolce in Britannia Armorica. Vita S. Sam-
sonis, lib. i. , cap. i. , ii. , pp. 574 to 578.
48
xxviii. De S. Samsone Episcopo Conf. Sancta," part ii. , p. 43.
Sancta," part ii. , p. 43.
*?
See "Acta Sanctorum,"
tomus
vi. , Julii
See Bishop Challenor's "Britannia
July 28. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 4u
CHAPTER II.
ST. SAMSON LEAVES THE MONASTERY OF ST. ILTUTUS, AND PLACES HIMSELF UNDER
At .
—
one harvest time, the birds began to pluck the corn belonging to St.
THE DIRECTION OF ST. PIRO
FAMILY—THEY EMBRACE A RELIGIOUS LIFE—SAMSON APPOINTED ABBOT OVKR l'IRO'S COMMUNITY—ILK LEAVES FOR IRELAND—HE RETURNS TO BRITAIN—HIS EREMITICAL LIFE—HIS CONSECRATION AS BISHOP.
HIS VISIT TO AMON AND II
1
K OF CONVERSION HIS
lltud's monastery, and he placed some pupils on guard to chase them away. Those birds had left the ears almost empty, but Samson prayed fervently to
God, and he blessed the flock of birds, which then covered the field. The
Legend states, that they attempted to fly away, but their efforts were vain. Then, obedient to St. Samson's voice, they walked before him to St. lltud's cell, and remained gathered around it. Arising from prayer, the holy Abbot blessed them, and set them at liberty; yet, with an injunction, that they
1
should not thenceforth injure the monastic fields.
When the monastery of St. Iltut became very famous, and when great
numbers began to resort thither, St. Samson sighed for a place of greater retirement. Another motive he had in view was to separate himself from a
place, where he was likely to prove the occasion for envy and jealousy. Yet, lie feared such a separation might give offence to his master. The latter had a Divinemonition,however,toconsultthewishesofhisfavouritedisciple. When these became known to him, St. Iltutus declared, that it was certain . the Divine will accorded with his desires, while he stated, likewise, that in the whole of Britain no person was more saintly than he. An aged Irish pres-
named
2 had established a smaller and a stricter on a fraternity
Piro,
neighbouring Islands situated far out in the sea, and less frequented. Thither, St. Samson went, having obtained the consent of Iltutus. It is stated, that
byter,
owing to the jealousy of some among the brethren, Samson passed to the
monastery of St. Piro, or Kieran. 4 It is said, that St. Kieran, the Patron
Saint of Ossory, had lived about a.