These are stated to have been
disciples
of St, Patrick, and to have had a disciple named Macaille, who said to Mel: "Lo, the holy virgins are without, who wish to receive the veil of virginity at your hands.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
, February I, p.
i6.
chap. i. , p. 462.
= He is generally known as one of Ire-
*' Lives of
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 55
among the foremost of Leogaire's courtiers'*^ to render public honour to St. Patrick, and to believe in Christ, as may be seen in the Life of our Irish
Various versions of St. Brigid having been sought in marriage
belief. '^ An Irish Life of the — that Virgin simply states,
On a certain day, while she hastened on some errand of mercy, we are informed, that Brigid met her brothers on the way. These were four in number. Oneofthem,namedBaithen,seemstohaveinheritedtheperse- cuting disposition of his mother, and he is said to have addressed the others
in these terms " I know not what sort of superstitious vanity urges our
:
sister to travel from place to place ; she avoids all familiarity with men,
moreover, obstinately living and seeming disposed to persevere in a state of life repugnant to natural feeHng. She will not gratify father or brothers with any hope of her bearing children ; but, preferring her own will to that of the Almighty, and her own laws to those of nature, she loves a state of virginity, with our family dishonour and privation, to the more honourable condition of becoming mother over a numerous offspring. But, my brothers, let us put an end to this egregious folly, and consulting our family interests, we must overcome her designs, seeking for some noble, as a suitable husband
for her. This, I have no doubt, can easily be accomplished. Thus, shall he become the son-in-law of our father, as also a friend and an ally to our-
Apostle. =^7 survive in
popular —was a man of
'9 which indicates
her suitor
accepted that her own birth was respectable, both on her father's and mother's side. This proposal is stated to have been acceptable both to Dubtach and to his sons. 3°
good family,
if the narrative be
selves. " But, the other young men interposed on her behalf and said
:
" It
is neither manly nor brotherly to persecute our young sister, especially as she has made the better choice, while resolving to leave terrestrial for hea- venly things, and as she hath chosen Christ to be her spouse, rather than man. Would it not be base for us, and dishonourable as brothers, to divert our sister from her holy purpose, even if we could effect such an object ? Should we fail to do so, must it not be equally disgraceful to make an
attempt, over which her constancy must prevail, thus showing that a single
*'
Proximus huic fuerat juvenis, qui jura
parentum
Unicacurafuit; pulsabatvirginisaures
Per se, perque patrem, per fratres atque sorores,
place,
this happened, a much frequented station used to be held, until the landed proprietor cut down certain bushes by the stream, and altered the whole local appearance. It is
2*
Colgan remarks, however, that when
tunities of a young marriage suitor, by set- ting out one night for Castletown Church, which, it is said, was also called Cibb b]\6in. She passed by a small river, taking its rise at Sliabh Guilenn, and running in a south- east direction, between Faughart Hill and Castletown, falling into the bay of Dundalk. She knelt by the banks of this stream, and
Brigid had arrived at a marriageable age, this Dubthach must have been advanced in
"
years. See Trias Thaumaturga," Tertia
Vita S. Ihigidae, cap. xvii. , and n. ii, pp. 528, 529, 543.
^7 The Sixth Hexameter Life of our Saint commences its narrative of the foregoing
: circumstances with these lines —
her
pursuer. At the
where
remained at Gill b|\6iri, while her sister Munera muneribus promittens addere continued to live at Gill mui^e, or Fough-
plura,
Auribus purpureas, argenti pondera, ves-
tes,
Divitiasque domus, millenos praedia, servos. "
art. See
^^ Thus, the people about Faughart have a tradition, that while St. Brigid and her sister lived in a church at this place, the holy virgin was obliged to shun the impor-
"
^o /(5/^. See, likewise, Bishop Forbes' Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 288.
escaped
said, that after this circumstance, St. Brigid
'*
Louth Letters containing Infor- mation relative to the Antiquities of the County, collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1835-1836," vol. i. ,
pp. 287, 288.
=9 Such is the account in Professor
O'Looney's MS. Life of St. Brigid, pp. 15, 16.
56 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February t.
girl may obtain a victory over four men ? Let our sister serve God in the
way she purposes, and, by our goodness towards her, let us seek her happi- ness, for if we attempt to disturb it, the guilt will rest on our souls. " This
discussionbecameexceedinglyanimatedasthesubjectofitapproached. A quarrel seemed likely to ensue, when the holy virgin, who had come up to
them, besought the Almighty most earnestly to restore peace among her brothers, and to manifest His Providence in her regard. 3^ Immediately, as
the legend relates, one of her eyes became distempered, and it disappeared. 3' So shocking an occurrence, attended with a consequent deformity of features, which before had been so singularly beautiful, caused that brother, who had so anxiously sought to engage her in a married state to change his intentions. Her other brethren, who had contended for our Saint's freedom of choice, on seeing her beautiful features thus sadly disfigured and injured, felt the
greatest compassion for her. They cried out, that this privation could not
have happened, if she had not been opposed in her desire of leading a single
life. 33 They lamented, likewise, no water was near, to wash stains of blood, which trickled from her face, thus to assuage her pain, if they could not repair that injury, endured by their beloved sister. 34 But, the Virgin of Christ, knew that her holy Spouse would be her protector. That she might not leave her brothers anxious and inconsolable on her account, Brigid de- sired them to dig the ground where they stood. With full reliance in the Divine clemency, our Saint offered her prayers to heaven, when He, who formerly produced water from the desert rock, at the stroke of His prophet,3S now brought forth a stream from the dry soil, to reward the confidence of His favoured child. Her three friendly brothers, amazed at this miracle, and full of fraternal affection towards their sister, at once began to apply that water to wash her bleeding face, when to their still greater astonishment, both her eyes seemed perfect, as before the late privation. 3^ Full of joy at
this discovery, they gave thanks to God. But, the brother, who inherited his mother's malignant and intractable nature, made use of reproachful ex- pressions towards them and towards our Saint. For such reproaches, how- ever, he was miraculously punished, by the instant loss of one of his eyes. This chastisement humbled him so much, that henceforward no serious obstacle was interposed to prevent his sister from following the bent of her inclinations, and that course of her life, decreed by heaven. 37
The whole course of Brigid's career was destined to be traced out by
signs from heaven.
3* In Bishop Forbes'
In the most recently written Hves of our saintjS^ we are
tish Saints," it is stated, St. Brigid asked the Lord to send her some deformity, so as
to avoid the importunity of her parents. Seep. 288. Also,SupplementumBreviarii Romani pro Hibernia, Lect iv.
**
3^ See Rev. S. Baring-Gculd's
the Saints," vol. ii. , Febraary i, p. 16.
33 See "Life of St. Bdgid," by an Irish
Priest, chap, ii. , pp. 23 to 25.
34 In the life of our Saint, by Cogitosus,
"
more ilia coelitus inspirata," &c. —Ibid. " Secunda Vita S.
it is merely said, that her parents
humano viro
desponsare vellent,
differently
**
Kalendars of Scot-
would not be entertained by Brigid. When
earnestly pressed to yield on this point, the Saint prayed the Almighty to inflict on her
some qorporal deformity, which would free her from man's solicitations. Then one of her eyes melted in her head. Still the vir- gin, preferring loss of corporal beauty to that of her soul's virtue, felt satisfied \\\\\\ this privation. Her father knowing this permit- ted her to assume the veil, at which time her lost eye was restored.
35 See Exodus xvii.
3^ These incidents are somewhat
yet more briefly related in Professor O'Loo-
Lives of
Brigidae," cap. iii. , p. 519. And, in the ney's Irish Life, pp. 15 to 18.
succeeding life, it is stated, that a certain honourable man visited Dubtach, to ask his
daughter in marriage ; but, aUhough his suit was favoured by her father and brothers, it
37 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Vita S. Brigidre, cap. xxv. , xxvi,, xxvii. , p. 573.
3^ As published by Colgan.
Ferruary I. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 57
told, that seven holy virgins39 proposed to themselves a course of spiritual discipline under St. Brigid's rule, being animated with a like spirit, and wish- ing to effect their sanctification, through the instrumentality of this pious lady. 4° For, it was now universally acknowledged, that the Holy Spirit wrought many wonderful works through our saint, and that all her designs prospered,throughDivineinspiration. Theillustriousvirginconsideredand approvedtheirpurposesandwishes. Withthegreatestreadinessandpleasure, thinking that she could best promote their spiritual interests and her own, she resolved to take the veil with them, and to lead a life, directed by con- ventual rule. No sooner had their project been mutually agreed to, than it was deemed proper to hasten without delay to a certain bishop, named Maccalle,-*' and by others, Macculleus. '*^' Full of pious fervour, the postu- lants sought his benediction, and requested through his offices, they might be consecrated to Christ. But, this bishop,43 not knowing their previous course of life, and fearing those tender virgins were urged through some im- pulsive motive, rather than by an inspiration of the Holy Ghost, refused to comply at once with the prayer of their petition. For he knew, with the Apostle, that episcopal hands should not be lightly imposed on each person applying,'»4 nor should it be supposed, that every spirit was from God,45 until a sufficient probation took place. When St. Brigid found this natural hesita- tion on the part of the bishop, with a firm trust, she betook herself to the oft-repeated expedient of prayer. 4^ She besought the Holy Ghost, as she had been inspired to undertake a course chosen, that she might also have the consolation to achieve its desired results. The Almighty never fails to sustain those, who w^orship him in spirit and in truth. That the interior fervour of this holy virgin might be manifested by exterior signs, while she and her companions prayed in the church,47 a column of fire shone above her head, and extended even towards the roof of that sacred edifice, to the great joy and astonishment of those, who chanced to be present. ^^ In ad- miration at this miracle, the bishop made diligent enquiries about our saint's
39 In Professor O'Looney's Irish MS. Life, the number is not specified, pp. 17, 18.
4° A certain writer of our saint's Acts says
""
Colgan's Trias Thaumaturga. Secunda
Vita S. Brigidse, cap. iii. , p. 519. The I'irst and Fifth Life name him Maccaleus. See ibid. Vita Prima 8. Brigida;, strophe 8, p. 515. Vita Quinta S. Brigidae, cap. xxviii. ,
she had only three companions when pro- "
fessed. Et assumptit secum tribus puellis
ad — Machillan, Sancti perrexit Episcopum
Patricii discipulum. " Capgrave's "Vita S.
sec.
4' This seems the more correct form of
title ; as evidenced by the Festilogy of
^ngus, the Martyrologies of Tallagh, of Cashel, of Marianus O'Gorman, of Charles
Maguire, and of Donegal, at the 25th of April. The same title will be found in St. Ultan's Life of St. Brigid (cap. 18), and in all her Irish written acts.
4^ The Acts of this saint will be found at the 25th of April. In the edition of Cogi- tosus, by Colgan, the name is written Mac- chille and in that of Messingham and Cani- sius, he is called Macca. In the First Life of our saint, by Brogan Cloen, he is called niACCAiLle. In a MS. of St. Hubert, he is designated, Mackelle, and in one belonging to the Monastery of St. Amand, Maccillc, while in Surius, the name is written, Ma- chilhis.
p. 573.
^^ See I Tim. iii. *$ See I Cor. xiv.
Brigidae,"
4.
-•^ Called Macchille by Cogitosus. See
^^ In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life, it
is stated, that St. Brigid, through humility remained last of her companions to receive the veil from Bishop Mel, until a column of fire arose from her head towards the church- roof, pp. 17, 18.
'*? In one instance, the Third Life states,
she had eight companions, who received the
veil with St. Brigid. There, too, it is written, Avhen she had read prayers and touched the wooden step of the altar with her hand, it became, as it were, green wood, and it continued without decay to the writer's time. St. Brigid's eye is said to have been healed, when she received the re- ligious habit. See Colgan's "Trias Thau- maturga. " Tertia Vita S. Brigidos, cap.
18, p. 529.
48 See "Life of St. Erigid," by an Irish
Priest, chap, iii. , pp. 25, 26.
58 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February r.
parents and her manner of living, from the time of her infancy. One of his clerics informed him she was Brigid, the wonder-worker, and a daughter to Dubtach. Hearing this, the bishop was most anxious to comply with the desires of our saint, whose good fame seemed to herald her future career of usefulness in the Church. He placed a veil on the heads of herself and of her companions,'*^ as he knew heaven had already, in a miraculous manner, decreed approval of this ministerial agency. It happened, at the same time, while sacramentary rites of benediction took place, 5° our holy virgin applied her hand to the wood which sustained the altar, s^ and which appeared quite dry and seasoned,52 as it had long being stripped of its leaves and bark. ss It is said, immediately upon being touched by St. Brigid, that it became virescent. s4 On a subsequent occasion, when the church, where such oc- currence took place, had been consumed by fire, that particular portion escaped the flames. ss Thus, as he had formerly wrought great miracles under the Old dispensation. Almighty God would chose to continue his works under the New, through all time loving His elect and affording His protection to them. While the children of Israel journeyed towards the promisedland. Heprecededthembyapillaroffire',^^ andwhileSt. Brigid directed her course towards the heavenly country of her adoption, by the column of fire ascending heavenwards. He directed her thoughts from a teiTene to a celestial ambition. The Third Life relates, three virginss? ac-
companied her, on their visit to Bishops Mel^^ and Melchu. An Irish Life
49 In the Third Life of our saint, it is re- lated, how she took with her three virgins, with whom she went to the territory of the sons of Neill, and to the saints, Bishops Mel and Melchu.
These are stated to have been disciples of St, Patrick, and to have had a disciple named Macaille, who said to Mel: "Lo, the holy virgins are without, who wish to receive the veil of virginity at your hands. " When he had introduced them before Bishop Mel, and while the latter was looking at them, on a sudden, a column of fire seemed to surmount the head of Brigid.
52 See the ''Life of St. Brigid," by an Irish Priest, chap, iii. , pp. 27, 28.
53 In the following Latin verses, R. P. Bandinus Gualfredutius, S. J. , has recorded this miracle :
5° The Fifth Life of our saint has
it,
becoming green, to show the purity of those holy virgins present, and between the rod of Aaron, putting forth leaves and fruit. A writer adds : "quia ilia quae per eandem virgam prsesignabatur, et virgo simul et
ter ipsa benedictionum sacramenta," &c.
We are not to understand, that the profes-
" in-
i.
54 Here there is a comparison between the
sion or clothing of a virgin is to be classed
amongst the sacratfients of the Church, pro-
perly so called ; but, it is assigned to the mater fuit. " See Colgan's "Trias Thau- jarrflwt'«/fl//a—distinguished from the sa-
cramenta. By sacramentalia are understood
a variety of benedictions and consecrations,
which do not confer sacramental graces,
peculiar to the effective administration of
the seven sacraments. See, in reference to
this distinction, Devoti's "Institutionum
Canonicarum," libri iv. , tomus i. , lib. ii. ,
tit. ii. , sec. i. , pp. 365, 366. If the word
sacramenta be found in Laurence of Dur-
ham's original MS. , it seems to have been
improperly introduced for sacranientalia.
However, such verbal introduction may
have been the error of a copyist.
5' See Camerarius, " De Statu Hominis, veteris simul ac novse Ecclesise, et Infidelium Conversione," lib. L, cap. iii. , sec. ii. , p. 140.
**
Arida quod tenero revirescunt robora tactu,
Inque suo vivit stipite vita redux ; Virginese memoranda colas miracula dex-
trse ;
— Urentes nunquam senserat ilia faces. " "
Lib. i. , Sacrorum Mensium," pars.
wood
maturga. " Vita Quinta S. Brigidae, cap. xxviii. , xxix. , pp. 573, 574. Also, ibid, "Vita Prima S. Brigidae," sees. 8, 9, p. 575' "Vita Secunda S. Brigidae," cap. iii. , p. 519.
55 This is alluded to in our saint's various offices, and it is generally stated, such a miracle reconciled her parents to that happy choice of life she had made. Also, it is re- lated, in tlie "Chronica Generalis Mundi," and by Petrus de Natalibus.
5* See Exodus, xiii. , 21, 22.
57 Numerical accounts vary. Colgan ob- serves, that in the Irish Life of our saint, cap. xiii. , in the Fifth Life, even in this same Third Life, and in every account of St. Brigid, seven other virgins are described as having been veiled with her.
February i. ] UVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 59
of St. Brigid states, that she was veiled in the territory of Feratulach ;59 while Mel and Melchu lived in a town of Medi or Midio. ^° Regarding the fore- going incidents of our saint's life, in rather a different manner, the Sixth or Hexamater Life of this holy virgin presents us with another narrative. ^^ However, notwithstanding apparent inconsistencies, Colgan is of opinion, that the latter may also be reconciled with former statements ; for, as this illustrious virgin was to be espoused to Christ, might not St. Patrick have entrusted the charge of such an office to his disciple and nephew. Bishop Mel,^^ and might not the latter have deputed it to his disciple St. Maccalleus ? Thus, to each of them might be attributed a part in the ceremony of veiling, although it be immediately and properly referable to the ministry of St. Maccalleus. ^3
Some modem Anglo-Scottish writers, taking Hector Boece^-^ as guide, relate, that our St. Brigid of Kildare was veiled by St. Macchilla, Bishop of Sodor, in the Isle of Mona,^s or Man, about the year 443. But, the casual affinity of name seems to have occasioned this error. As already seen, the bishop who veiled St. Brigid was called Maccalle or Maccalleus ; while, the Bishop of Sodor—that being the episcopal see of the Isle of Man— Machaldus and Magiul, by Joceline,^^ Mac-fill by Probus,^7 and Mac-Cuill in an Irish MS. of the Life of St. Patrick. ^^ Although both of those persons alluded to had been bishops and flourished in St. Patrick's time ; it is certain, that this Maccullius or Macaldus, Bishop of Sodor or Man, was altogether different from St. Maccalleus,^9 the consecrator of St. Brigid, not only in re- ferencetotime,placeandacts,but,evenasregardsthename. Differences between them in point of time show that they must be distinguished. For St. Maccalleus,7° the consecrator of St. Brigid, was bishop before he veiled
5^ In Professor O'Looney's Irish MS. Life,
not only is it stated, that St. Brigid went to
take the veil from Bishop Mel, but it is even
asserted, he bestowed on her the honour of
''
above all other women, so that it is the honour of a bishop the men of Erin givetothesuccessorofSt. Brigideversince,"
eightieth [year of her age] she went into heaven. On the eighth, Brigid was conse- crated under the eight beatitudes [foods] of the Gospel, which she fulfilled, and the food of mercy is what Brigid used to call them," pp. 17, 18.
a bishop,
pp. 17, 18. Such account indicates great thorn Todd's St. Patrick, Apostle of Ire-
antiquity for this Irish Life. However, it must be remarked, that St. Brigid received
land. " Introductory Dissertation, pp. 11 to 14.
^3 As the native word mac a signifies son,
hence lirechan, who wrote St. Patrick's Acts a thousand years before Colgan's time, when speaking of a certain church founded by the Irish Apostle, in the southern part of Meath, observes, "in qua S. Brigida pallium
confirmation from St. and hence Mel,
pro-
bably arose some confusion between his hav-
ing conferred orders and the veil on this
pious virgin, as stated by some old writers.
"
Obits and Martyrology of the Cathe-
See
dral Church of the Holy Trinity," edited by
John Clarke Crosthwaite and Dr. James caepit sub manibus filii Caille in Uisnech Henthom Todd. Introduction, p. xcviii. , Midhe. "
and n. (y), ibid. ^4 See "Historia Scotorum," lib. ix. , fol.
59 In Professor O'Looney's Irish MS. 158.
Life it is called Tealach Midhe, pp. 17, 18.
^s According to Camerarius, the sepulchre
of the Scottish kings was in the Island of
Mona. See " De Statu Hominis, veteris
simul ac novae Ecclesiae, et Sanctis Regni
^°
the district of the Methians in Ultonia. See
"
Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Tertia S. Bri-
By this is probably to be understood,
gidse, cap. xviii. , and nn. 12, 13, pp. 529,
543- ^^
The Irish Life of St. Brigid in the Leabhar Breac likewise renders some por- tions of it different from that in the Book of Lismore. In the latter we read from Pro-
** On the eighth hour Brigid was born, and on a particular Wednesday in the eighteenth [year of her age] she took the veil, in the
Scotise ;" lib. i. , cap. iii. , sec. ii. , p. 141. ^^
fessor O'Looney's English translation
:
^7 See ibid. Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii. , cap. X. , p. 53-
^8 Lib. iii. , cap. 35.
^9 He was a disciple to St. Mel and to Melchu, the nephews of St. Patrick.
7° He lived, died and was venerated in a part of Leinster, called Ifalge, in a place
^^
See on this subject. Rev. James Hen- "
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. cli. p. 98.
is called
6o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[February i.
her,7^ and he died in the year 489. 7^ But, St. MacCuill or Maccaldus, after- wards Bishop of Man, it is stated, does not seem to have been baptized, much less consecrated as bishop, when St. Brigid had been veiled. 73 Be- sides, circumstances of their Hves and deaths, their acts and the places in which they flourished, evidence their non-identity.
Brogan Cloen states,74 that Maccalleus placed the veil over St. Brigid's head -p while the Calendar of Cashel and Maguire76 corroborate such an account. By both the latter, too, are we informed,77 that this holy man had been venerated at Cruachan Brigh-eile,72 now Croghan Hill,79 in the former territoryofHy-FailgeorOiTaly. ^° Inlikemanner,TirechanandCogitosus^' assert, that the virgin received her religious dress, at the hands of Bishop Maccalle. ^^ To one well versed in the Irish language, it will be found, that both names, Maccalle and Macald are distinct, although from their ambiguity, or supposed affinity, they have led Avriters to confound St. Maccalleus with St. Maccaldus. ^3
called Cruachan, as appears from several
Lives of St. Brigid, published by Colgan. In no writer do we read of his having been
a robber, in any part of Ulster, called Mag- inis, or that he there exercised his vocation, after St. Brigid had been veiled and rendered renowned by her miracles, or after St. Patrick traversing Munster had returned to Ulster.
71 While Ussher assigns this veiling to
A. D, 467, Dr. Lanigan thinks it may be ad-
mitted, that she Avas professed in the year 469. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
It lay within the ancient territory of Ofalia. It rises on the confines of ancient Meath and Leinster. See "Letters containing Information relative to the Antiquities of the King's County, collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1837," vol. i. , pp. 104 to 115.
79 On the very summit of Croghan Hill is a small moat or sepulchral tu? ? iulus. This seems to have been the monument of Congal,
teAcc ConJAibe, —^o^ "btM Gile i\o yvoencA.
Ibid. , p. no.
land," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sec.
chap. i. , p. 462.
= He is generally known as one of Ire-
*' Lives of
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 55
among the foremost of Leogaire's courtiers'*^ to render public honour to St. Patrick, and to believe in Christ, as may be seen in the Life of our Irish
Various versions of St. Brigid having been sought in marriage
belief. '^ An Irish Life of the — that Virgin simply states,
On a certain day, while she hastened on some errand of mercy, we are informed, that Brigid met her brothers on the way. These were four in number. Oneofthem,namedBaithen,seemstohaveinheritedtheperse- cuting disposition of his mother, and he is said to have addressed the others
in these terms " I know not what sort of superstitious vanity urges our
:
sister to travel from place to place ; she avoids all familiarity with men,
moreover, obstinately living and seeming disposed to persevere in a state of life repugnant to natural feeHng. She will not gratify father or brothers with any hope of her bearing children ; but, preferring her own will to that of the Almighty, and her own laws to those of nature, she loves a state of virginity, with our family dishonour and privation, to the more honourable condition of becoming mother over a numerous offspring. But, my brothers, let us put an end to this egregious folly, and consulting our family interests, we must overcome her designs, seeking for some noble, as a suitable husband
for her. This, I have no doubt, can easily be accomplished. Thus, shall he become the son-in-law of our father, as also a friend and an ally to our-
Apostle. =^7 survive in
popular —was a man of
'9 which indicates
her suitor
accepted that her own birth was respectable, both on her father's and mother's side. This proposal is stated to have been acceptable both to Dubtach and to his sons. 3°
good family,
if the narrative be
selves. " But, the other young men interposed on her behalf and said
:
" It
is neither manly nor brotherly to persecute our young sister, especially as she has made the better choice, while resolving to leave terrestrial for hea- venly things, and as she hath chosen Christ to be her spouse, rather than man. Would it not be base for us, and dishonourable as brothers, to divert our sister from her holy purpose, even if we could effect such an object ? Should we fail to do so, must it not be equally disgraceful to make an
attempt, over which her constancy must prevail, thus showing that a single
*'
Proximus huic fuerat juvenis, qui jura
parentum
Unicacurafuit; pulsabatvirginisaures
Per se, perque patrem, per fratres atque sorores,
place,
this happened, a much frequented station used to be held, until the landed proprietor cut down certain bushes by the stream, and altered the whole local appearance. It is
2*
Colgan remarks, however, that when
tunities of a young marriage suitor, by set- ting out one night for Castletown Church, which, it is said, was also called Cibb b]\6in. She passed by a small river, taking its rise at Sliabh Guilenn, and running in a south- east direction, between Faughart Hill and Castletown, falling into the bay of Dundalk. She knelt by the banks of this stream, and
Brigid had arrived at a marriageable age, this Dubthach must have been advanced in
"
years. See Trias Thaumaturga," Tertia
Vita S. Ihigidae, cap. xvii. , and n. ii, pp. 528, 529, 543.
^7 The Sixth Hexameter Life of our Saint commences its narrative of the foregoing
: circumstances with these lines —
her
pursuer. At the
where
remained at Gill b|\6iri, while her sister Munera muneribus promittens addere continued to live at Gill mui^e, or Fough-
plura,
Auribus purpureas, argenti pondera, ves-
tes,
Divitiasque domus, millenos praedia, servos. "
art. See
^^ Thus, the people about Faughart have a tradition, that while St. Brigid and her sister lived in a church at this place, the holy virgin was obliged to shun the impor-
"
^o /(5/^. See, likewise, Bishop Forbes' Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 288.
escaped
said, that after this circumstance, St. Brigid
'*
Louth Letters containing Infor- mation relative to the Antiquities of the County, collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1835-1836," vol. i. ,
pp. 287, 288.
=9 Such is the account in Professor
O'Looney's MS. Life of St. Brigid, pp. 15, 16.
56 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February t.
girl may obtain a victory over four men ? Let our sister serve God in the
way she purposes, and, by our goodness towards her, let us seek her happi- ness, for if we attempt to disturb it, the guilt will rest on our souls. " This
discussionbecameexceedinglyanimatedasthesubjectofitapproached. A quarrel seemed likely to ensue, when the holy virgin, who had come up to
them, besought the Almighty most earnestly to restore peace among her brothers, and to manifest His Providence in her regard. 3^ Immediately, as
the legend relates, one of her eyes became distempered, and it disappeared. 3' So shocking an occurrence, attended with a consequent deformity of features, which before had been so singularly beautiful, caused that brother, who had so anxiously sought to engage her in a married state to change his intentions. Her other brethren, who had contended for our Saint's freedom of choice, on seeing her beautiful features thus sadly disfigured and injured, felt the
greatest compassion for her. They cried out, that this privation could not
have happened, if she had not been opposed in her desire of leading a single
life. 33 They lamented, likewise, no water was near, to wash stains of blood, which trickled from her face, thus to assuage her pain, if they could not repair that injury, endured by their beloved sister. 34 But, the Virgin of Christ, knew that her holy Spouse would be her protector. That she might not leave her brothers anxious and inconsolable on her account, Brigid de- sired them to dig the ground where they stood. With full reliance in the Divine clemency, our Saint offered her prayers to heaven, when He, who formerly produced water from the desert rock, at the stroke of His prophet,3S now brought forth a stream from the dry soil, to reward the confidence of His favoured child. Her three friendly brothers, amazed at this miracle, and full of fraternal affection towards their sister, at once began to apply that water to wash her bleeding face, when to their still greater astonishment, both her eyes seemed perfect, as before the late privation. 3^ Full of joy at
this discovery, they gave thanks to God. But, the brother, who inherited his mother's malignant and intractable nature, made use of reproachful ex- pressions towards them and towards our Saint. For such reproaches, how- ever, he was miraculously punished, by the instant loss of one of his eyes. This chastisement humbled him so much, that henceforward no serious obstacle was interposed to prevent his sister from following the bent of her inclinations, and that course of her life, decreed by heaven. 37
The whole course of Brigid's career was destined to be traced out by
signs from heaven.
3* In Bishop Forbes'
In the most recently written Hves of our saintjS^ we are
tish Saints," it is stated, St. Brigid asked the Lord to send her some deformity, so as
to avoid the importunity of her parents. Seep. 288. Also,SupplementumBreviarii Romani pro Hibernia, Lect iv.
**
3^ See Rev. S. Baring-Gculd's
the Saints," vol. ii. , Febraary i, p. 16.
33 See "Life of St. Bdgid," by an Irish
Priest, chap, ii. , pp. 23 to 25.
34 In the life of our Saint, by Cogitosus,
"
more ilia coelitus inspirata," &c. —Ibid. " Secunda Vita S.
it is merely said, that her parents
humano viro
desponsare vellent,
differently
**
Kalendars of Scot-
would not be entertained by Brigid. When
earnestly pressed to yield on this point, the Saint prayed the Almighty to inflict on her
some qorporal deformity, which would free her from man's solicitations. Then one of her eyes melted in her head. Still the vir- gin, preferring loss of corporal beauty to that of her soul's virtue, felt satisfied \\\\\\ this privation. Her father knowing this permit- ted her to assume the veil, at which time her lost eye was restored.
35 See Exodus xvii.
3^ These incidents are somewhat
yet more briefly related in Professor O'Loo-
Lives of
Brigidae," cap. iii. , p. 519. And, in the ney's Irish Life, pp. 15 to 18.
succeeding life, it is stated, that a certain honourable man visited Dubtach, to ask his
daughter in marriage ; but, aUhough his suit was favoured by her father and brothers, it
37 See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Vita S. Brigidre, cap. xxv. , xxvi,, xxvii. , p. 573.
3^ As published by Colgan.
Ferruary I. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 57
told, that seven holy virgins39 proposed to themselves a course of spiritual discipline under St. Brigid's rule, being animated with a like spirit, and wish- ing to effect their sanctification, through the instrumentality of this pious lady. 4° For, it was now universally acknowledged, that the Holy Spirit wrought many wonderful works through our saint, and that all her designs prospered,throughDivineinspiration. Theillustriousvirginconsideredand approvedtheirpurposesandwishes. Withthegreatestreadinessandpleasure, thinking that she could best promote their spiritual interests and her own, she resolved to take the veil with them, and to lead a life, directed by con- ventual rule. No sooner had their project been mutually agreed to, than it was deemed proper to hasten without delay to a certain bishop, named Maccalle,-*' and by others, Macculleus. '*^' Full of pious fervour, the postu- lants sought his benediction, and requested through his offices, they might be consecrated to Christ. But, this bishop,43 not knowing their previous course of life, and fearing those tender virgins were urged through some im- pulsive motive, rather than by an inspiration of the Holy Ghost, refused to comply at once with the prayer of their petition. For he knew, with the Apostle, that episcopal hands should not be lightly imposed on each person applying,'»4 nor should it be supposed, that every spirit was from God,45 until a sufficient probation took place. When St. Brigid found this natural hesita- tion on the part of the bishop, with a firm trust, she betook herself to the oft-repeated expedient of prayer. 4^ She besought the Holy Ghost, as she had been inspired to undertake a course chosen, that she might also have the consolation to achieve its desired results. The Almighty never fails to sustain those, who w^orship him in spirit and in truth. That the interior fervour of this holy virgin might be manifested by exterior signs, while she and her companions prayed in the church,47 a column of fire shone above her head, and extended even towards the roof of that sacred edifice, to the great joy and astonishment of those, who chanced to be present. ^^ In ad- miration at this miracle, the bishop made diligent enquiries about our saint's
39 In Professor O'Looney's Irish MS. Life, the number is not specified, pp. 17, 18.
4° A certain writer of our saint's Acts says
""
Colgan's Trias Thaumaturga. Secunda
Vita S. Brigidse, cap. iii. , p. 519. The I'irst and Fifth Life name him Maccaleus. See ibid. Vita Prima 8. Brigida;, strophe 8, p. 515. Vita Quinta S. Brigidae, cap. xxviii. ,
she had only three companions when pro- "
fessed. Et assumptit secum tribus puellis
ad — Machillan, Sancti perrexit Episcopum
Patricii discipulum. " Capgrave's "Vita S.
sec.
4' This seems the more correct form of
title ; as evidenced by the Festilogy of
^ngus, the Martyrologies of Tallagh, of Cashel, of Marianus O'Gorman, of Charles
Maguire, and of Donegal, at the 25th of April. The same title will be found in St. Ultan's Life of St. Brigid (cap. 18), and in all her Irish written acts.
4^ The Acts of this saint will be found at the 25th of April. In the edition of Cogi- tosus, by Colgan, the name is written Mac- chille and in that of Messingham and Cani- sius, he is called Macca. In the First Life of our saint, by Brogan Cloen, he is called niACCAiLle. In a MS. of St. Hubert, he is designated, Mackelle, and in one belonging to the Monastery of St. Amand, Maccillc, while in Surius, the name is written, Ma- chilhis.
p. 573.
^^ See I Tim. iii. *$ See I Cor. xiv.
Brigidae,"
4.
-•^ Called Macchille by Cogitosus. See
^^ In Professor O'Looney's Irish Life, it
is stated, that St. Brigid, through humility remained last of her companions to receive the veil from Bishop Mel, until a column of fire arose from her head towards the church- roof, pp. 17, 18.
'*? In one instance, the Third Life states,
she had eight companions, who received the
veil with St. Brigid. There, too, it is written, Avhen she had read prayers and touched the wooden step of the altar with her hand, it became, as it were, green wood, and it continued without decay to the writer's time. St. Brigid's eye is said to have been healed, when she received the re- ligious habit. See Colgan's "Trias Thau- maturga. " Tertia Vita S. Brigidos, cap.
18, p. 529.
48 See "Life of St. Erigid," by an Irish
Priest, chap, iii. , pp. 25, 26.
58 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February r.
parents and her manner of living, from the time of her infancy. One of his clerics informed him she was Brigid, the wonder-worker, and a daughter to Dubtach. Hearing this, the bishop was most anxious to comply with the desires of our saint, whose good fame seemed to herald her future career of usefulness in the Church. He placed a veil on the heads of herself and of her companions,'*^ as he knew heaven had already, in a miraculous manner, decreed approval of this ministerial agency. It happened, at the same time, while sacramentary rites of benediction took place, 5° our holy virgin applied her hand to the wood which sustained the altar, s^ and which appeared quite dry and seasoned,52 as it had long being stripped of its leaves and bark. ss It is said, immediately upon being touched by St. Brigid, that it became virescent. s4 On a subsequent occasion, when the church, where such oc- currence took place, had been consumed by fire, that particular portion escaped the flames. ss Thus, as he had formerly wrought great miracles under the Old dispensation. Almighty God would chose to continue his works under the New, through all time loving His elect and affording His protection to them. While the children of Israel journeyed towards the promisedland. Heprecededthembyapillaroffire',^^ andwhileSt. Brigid directed her course towards the heavenly country of her adoption, by the column of fire ascending heavenwards. He directed her thoughts from a teiTene to a celestial ambition. The Third Life relates, three virginss? ac-
companied her, on their visit to Bishops Mel^^ and Melchu. An Irish Life
49 In the Third Life of our saint, it is re- lated, how she took with her three virgins, with whom she went to the territory of the sons of Neill, and to the saints, Bishops Mel and Melchu.
These are stated to have been disciples of St, Patrick, and to have had a disciple named Macaille, who said to Mel: "Lo, the holy virgins are without, who wish to receive the veil of virginity at your hands. " When he had introduced them before Bishop Mel, and while the latter was looking at them, on a sudden, a column of fire seemed to surmount the head of Brigid.
52 See the ''Life of St. Brigid," by an Irish Priest, chap, iii. , pp. 27, 28.
53 In the following Latin verses, R. P. Bandinus Gualfredutius, S. J. , has recorded this miracle :
5° The Fifth Life of our saint has
it,
becoming green, to show the purity of those holy virgins present, and between the rod of Aaron, putting forth leaves and fruit. A writer adds : "quia ilia quae per eandem virgam prsesignabatur, et virgo simul et
ter ipsa benedictionum sacramenta," &c.
We are not to understand, that the profes-
" in-
i.
54 Here there is a comparison between the
sion or clothing of a virgin is to be classed
amongst the sacratfients of the Church, pro-
perly so called ; but, it is assigned to the mater fuit. " See Colgan's "Trias Thau- jarrflwt'«/fl//a—distinguished from the sa-
cramenta. By sacramentalia are understood
a variety of benedictions and consecrations,
which do not confer sacramental graces,
peculiar to the effective administration of
the seven sacraments. See, in reference to
this distinction, Devoti's "Institutionum
Canonicarum," libri iv. , tomus i. , lib. ii. ,
tit. ii. , sec. i. , pp. 365, 366. If the word
sacramenta be found in Laurence of Dur-
ham's original MS. , it seems to have been
improperly introduced for sacranientalia.
However, such verbal introduction may
have been the error of a copyist.
5' See Camerarius, " De Statu Hominis, veteris simul ac novse Ecclesise, et Infidelium Conversione," lib. L, cap. iii. , sec. ii. , p. 140.
**
Arida quod tenero revirescunt robora tactu,
Inque suo vivit stipite vita redux ; Virginese memoranda colas miracula dex-
trse ;
— Urentes nunquam senserat ilia faces. " "
Lib. i. , Sacrorum Mensium," pars.
wood
maturga. " Vita Quinta S. Brigidae, cap. xxviii. , xxix. , pp. 573, 574. Also, ibid, "Vita Prima S. Brigidae," sees. 8, 9, p. 575' "Vita Secunda S. Brigidae," cap. iii. , p. 519.
55 This is alluded to in our saint's various offices, and it is generally stated, such a miracle reconciled her parents to that happy choice of life she had made. Also, it is re- lated, in tlie "Chronica Generalis Mundi," and by Petrus de Natalibus.
5* See Exodus, xiii. , 21, 22.
57 Numerical accounts vary. Colgan ob- serves, that in the Irish Life of our saint, cap. xiii. , in the Fifth Life, even in this same Third Life, and in every account of St. Brigid, seven other virgins are described as having been veiled with her.
February i. ] UVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 59
of St. Brigid states, that she was veiled in the territory of Feratulach ;59 while Mel and Melchu lived in a town of Medi or Midio. ^° Regarding the fore- going incidents of our saint's life, in rather a different manner, the Sixth or Hexamater Life of this holy virgin presents us with another narrative. ^^ However, notwithstanding apparent inconsistencies, Colgan is of opinion, that the latter may also be reconciled with former statements ; for, as this illustrious virgin was to be espoused to Christ, might not St. Patrick have entrusted the charge of such an office to his disciple and nephew. Bishop Mel,^^ and might not the latter have deputed it to his disciple St. Maccalleus ? Thus, to each of them might be attributed a part in the ceremony of veiling, although it be immediately and properly referable to the ministry of St. Maccalleus. ^3
Some modem Anglo-Scottish writers, taking Hector Boece^-^ as guide, relate, that our St. Brigid of Kildare was veiled by St. Macchilla, Bishop of Sodor, in the Isle of Mona,^s or Man, about the year 443. But, the casual affinity of name seems to have occasioned this error. As already seen, the bishop who veiled St. Brigid was called Maccalle or Maccalleus ; while, the Bishop of Sodor—that being the episcopal see of the Isle of Man— Machaldus and Magiul, by Joceline,^^ Mac-fill by Probus,^7 and Mac-Cuill in an Irish MS. of the Life of St. Patrick. ^^ Although both of those persons alluded to had been bishops and flourished in St. Patrick's time ; it is certain, that this Maccullius or Macaldus, Bishop of Sodor or Man, was altogether different from St. Maccalleus,^9 the consecrator of St. Brigid, not only in re- ferencetotime,placeandacts,but,evenasregardsthename. Differences between them in point of time show that they must be distinguished. For St. Maccalleus,7° the consecrator of St. Brigid, was bishop before he veiled
5^ In Professor O'Looney's Irish MS. Life,
not only is it stated, that St. Brigid went to
take the veil from Bishop Mel, but it is even
asserted, he bestowed on her the honour of
''
above all other women, so that it is the honour of a bishop the men of Erin givetothesuccessorofSt. Brigideversince,"
eightieth [year of her age] she went into heaven. On the eighth, Brigid was conse- crated under the eight beatitudes [foods] of the Gospel, which she fulfilled, and the food of mercy is what Brigid used to call them," pp. 17, 18.
a bishop,
pp. 17, 18. Such account indicates great thorn Todd's St. Patrick, Apostle of Ire-
antiquity for this Irish Life. However, it must be remarked, that St. Brigid received
land. " Introductory Dissertation, pp. 11 to 14.
^3 As the native word mac a signifies son,
hence lirechan, who wrote St. Patrick's Acts a thousand years before Colgan's time, when speaking of a certain church founded by the Irish Apostle, in the southern part of Meath, observes, "in qua S. Brigida pallium
confirmation from St. and hence Mel,
pro-
bably arose some confusion between his hav-
ing conferred orders and the veil on this
pious virgin, as stated by some old writers.
"
Obits and Martyrology of the Cathe-
See
dral Church of the Holy Trinity," edited by
John Clarke Crosthwaite and Dr. James caepit sub manibus filii Caille in Uisnech Henthom Todd. Introduction, p. xcviii. , Midhe. "
and n. (y), ibid. ^4 See "Historia Scotorum," lib. ix. , fol.
59 In Professor O'Looney's Irish MS. 158.
Life it is called Tealach Midhe, pp. 17, 18.
^s According to Camerarius, the sepulchre
of the Scottish kings was in the Island of
Mona. See " De Statu Hominis, veteris
simul ac novae Ecclesiae, et Sanctis Regni
^°
the district of the Methians in Ultonia. See
"
Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Tertia S. Bri-
By this is probably to be understood,
gidse, cap. xviii. , and nn. 12, 13, pp. 529,
543- ^^
The Irish Life of St. Brigid in the Leabhar Breac likewise renders some por- tions of it different from that in the Book of Lismore. In the latter we read from Pro-
** On the eighth hour Brigid was born, and on a particular Wednesday in the eighteenth [year of her age] she took the veil, in the
Scotise ;" lib. i. , cap. iii. , sec. ii. , p. 141. ^^
fessor O'Looney's English translation
:
^7 See ibid. Vita S. Patricii, lib. ii. , cap. X. , p. 53-
^8 Lib. iii. , cap. 35.
^9 He was a disciple to St. Mel and to Melchu, the nephews of St. Patrick.
7° He lived, died and was venerated in a part of Leinster, called Ifalge, in a place
^^
See on this subject. Rev. James Hen- "
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Sexta Vita S. Patricii, cap. cli. p. 98.
is called
6o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[February i.
her,7^ and he died in the year 489. 7^ But, St. MacCuill or Maccaldus, after- wards Bishop of Man, it is stated, does not seem to have been baptized, much less consecrated as bishop, when St. Brigid had been veiled. 73 Be- sides, circumstances of their Hves and deaths, their acts and the places in which they flourished, evidence their non-identity.
Brogan Cloen states,74 that Maccalleus placed the veil over St. Brigid's head -p while the Calendar of Cashel and Maguire76 corroborate such an account. By both the latter, too, are we informed,77 that this holy man had been venerated at Cruachan Brigh-eile,72 now Croghan Hill,79 in the former territoryofHy-FailgeorOiTaly. ^° Inlikemanner,TirechanandCogitosus^' assert, that the virgin received her religious dress, at the hands of Bishop Maccalle. ^^ To one well versed in the Irish language, it will be found, that both names, Maccalle and Macald are distinct, although from their ambiguity, or supposed affinity, they have led Avriters to confound St. Maccalleus with St. Maccaldus. ^3
called Cruachan, as appears from several
Lives of St. Brigid, published by Colgan. In no writer do we read of his having been
a robber, in any part of Ulster, called Mag- inis, or that he there exercised his vocation, after St. Brigid had been veiled and rendered renowned by her miracles, or after St. Patrick traversing Munster had returned to Ulster.
71 While Ussher assigns this veiling to
A. D, 467, Dr. Lanigan thinks it may be ad-
mitted, that she Avas professed in the year 469. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire-
It lay within the ancient territory of Ofalia. It rises on the confines of ancient Meath and Leinster. See "Letters containing Information relative to the Antiquities of the King's County, collected during the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1837," vol. i. , pp. 104 to 115.
79 On the very summit of Croghan Hill is a small moat or sepulchral tu? ? iulus. This seems to have been the monument of Congal,
teAcc ConJAibe, —^o^ "btM Gile i\o yvoencA.
Ibid. , p. no.
land," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sec.
