No More Learning

"
But usually Roding.
Irish name—and a
pilgrim,
September 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 433
certain congeniality of their dispositions as because their acquirements led them into association, It is said, that after St. Paul's departure from the monastery in 631, our Saint was named to succeed him in discharging the duties of professor and preacher. An account, which has a more question- able authenticity, gives a relation respecting his election, as abbot over Tholey monastery by the religious, and by St. Modoald, Bishop of Treves, when holy Abbot Wandelin paid the debt of nature. However this may be, the reputation of his virtues drew a great number of visitors to our saint requesting the favour of his prayers, and most of those desired instruction from him on the obligations of their several states, or under circumstances which required great prudence on his part, and confidence tobereposedinhimastheiradviser. Theincreasedrepetitionofthosevisits,
and a necessity for frequently interrupting his regular duties on their account, placed our saint under great apprehensions of becoming daily more and more removed from the conversation of his Divine Saviour. In order to be
more fully at liberty to gratify his pious inclinations, he resolved by removing from Tholey to prevent for the future such interruptions. In the year 640, he left for Verdun, with two or three of his companions, who had attached
themselves to him, in a particular manner. Here, meeting with his friend, St. Paul, who was then Bishop, this latter sought by every argument to induce our saint to remain in his diocese, hoping much for the advancement of religion by his preaching and missionary labours. The saint remained two years with this venerable prelate, and then feeling a strong reluctance to sever those ties of friendship and religion that bound them together, Rouin nevertheless abandoned himself once more to an idea of serving God in greater retirement. Directed by such a purpose, the saint penetrated into the wooded solitudes of Argonne, and he spent some time there, in search of a suitable place whereon to found his future habitation. He at length selected a very remote site, known as Vasloge or Watzlew. Here, in
company with his disciples, Rouin commenced the erection of a few rude huts, to serve for their lodgings. But, as they had taken possession of this place, without, any authority on the part of its owner, this latter who was
named Austrese, received an exaggerated report regarding their trespass. Without seeking to make himself acquainted with the designs of these
strangers, he despatched orders for their immediate departure. As they yet lingered beyond a time specified for their stay, the lord of the soil sent his servants, to drive them away, with whips and clubs. This small family of religious being thus dispersed, St. Rouin equipped himself as a pilgrim, with the view of taking a journey to Rome that he might visit its holy places. We know not how long he was engaged in accomplishing this object, or what exact purpose he designed in effecting it, if not to satisfy his devotion j but we are assured, towards the year 647, he returned to that place, whence he had been so rudely ejected. During his absence, many domestic calamities had befallen Austrese. However, an application made to him or to his sister Bave by our saint was received on this occasion with the attention it merited. Honours were heaped upon St. Rouin, to atone, in some measure, for former indignities ; and he obtained from the Seigneur Austrese a tract of land, with promises of further assistance, which
might enable him to found a religious house. The site of this monastery, the foundations for which were immediately laid, was afterwards called Beaulieu. It was thus denominated, probably owing to the beauty of its surrounding scenery. So soon as the house was com- pleted, the sanctity of its founder, who was destined to become its first Abbot,
brought together a large community. The members of this congregation 1E
434 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [September 17.
feltdesirousofprofitingbyhisinstructionsandexample. Thespiritofthe blessed Rouin diffused itself among his disciples ; while their fervour and regularity showed the admirable nature of his government. In order to obtain confirmation and approval from the Pope in favour of his new establishment, our saint undertook a second journey to Rome in 654. His applications were readily accorded by the Sovereign Pontiff; and on his return from the Eternal City, when passing through Agaune, St. Rouin carried with him the relics of St. Maurice the Martyr and of his companions. He
intended to place those in the church, which he had dedicated to this great
champion of Christ. Such was the esteem in which St. Rouin was held,
that Clovis II. of France and his pious queen, Bathilde, desired to see him.
With this design he invited Rouin to court. But the saint, who despised all
worldly honours and splendour, however much he appreciated the motives
that procured for him such a mark of distinction, sent them word in reply,
that as a religious should never without necessity issue from his enclosure,
the distraction which might be produced in his mind by this visit, formed a
principal reason that influenced him to decline their invitation. Childeric,
King of Austrasie, who was second son to the King and Queen of France,
added other possessions to the Monastery of St. Rouin in 665. Childeric
also took the Abbey of Beaulieu under his special protection, and by royal
letters he conferred a valuable Charter on the religious and their house.
A love for holy retirement and contemplation was an ever-ruling passion with this venerable Abbot. From his position, St. Rouin found himself sub-
ject to the inroads of frequent visitors, and charged with governmental cares, which to all perfect religious are found the most burdensome of duties.
The saint began to think at last of resigning that charge imposed on him, to make due preparation for the last conflict, which was daily approaching with his increasing years. With such an object in view, he called the monks
together, and much to their regret announced a resolution, which no per- suasion on their part could alter. He recommended to their notice a holy
fellow-religious named Stephen, whose piety, zeal, and learning he said would more than supply his own removal. This good man was immediately elected as his successor. These matters being thus disposed of, our saint erected a small and convenient hermitage for himself and one of his disciples who accompanied him. This hermitage was in a very retired place, and only at a short distance from the Abbey. ^ Here, St. Rouin gave himself entirely to prayer and contemplation ; but, although it might be supposed the infirmities of old age should reasonably interrupt the performance of more laborious duties, our saint was not altogether disposed to lead solely
Sundays and on all principal Festivals, he repaired to the Church to preach the word of God, or to offer up the Holy Sacrifice of Mass. In the pursuit of these labours, St. Rouin had attained his eighty-sixth year ;
13 M Communaut6
avoir
la il fit 61ire
avec un seul — mener la
Apres
gouverne long-temps
compagnon, pour y
"
avoit
vie
Histoire
He never for a moment abandoned his solicitude for
a contemplative life.
the government of the Abbey, over which he had so long presided ; and hence he was careful in his casual wanderings about its walls, to remark anything that demanded admonition or correction. To avoid all appearance of unwarrantable interference, in the concerns of a house, with which he now seemed to be connected only as an extern ; generally he visited only bynight,andwhenhispresenceorobservationsmightbelessnoticed. On
formee,
son succeseur ; et abdiquant la charge de l'Eglise Gallicane," tome iv. , liv. x. , p.
d'Abb£, il se retira dans le fond d'un bois 1,55.
qu'il
Eremitique. "
Longueval's
September 17. ] LIVES 01 THE IRISH SAINTS. 435
and towards the year 680, those infirmities inseparable from advanced age confined him to his bed. Finding his weakness gradually increase, he sent for the Abbot Stephen, with his religious, that he might address a few impressive remarks, at this closing period of his life. On arrival, they sought by most earnest persuasions to induce the Saint to suffer his removal into the monastery, as his accommodation would be better provided for there, than in his lonely habitation ; but the dying recluse would not consent to relax his penitential resolution of living out the short remainder of life, as became a solitary. Reclining on a hair mattress, he addressed his exhorta- tions to the brothers, who stood around ; and, by the most affecting and persuasive arguments, St. Rouin urged the faithful observance of their rule and their various religious obligations. Then, as well as his feeble voice would allow, having chaunted the Litany for a happy death, he closed his eyestothelightofthisworldonthe17thdayofSeptember. Thebrethren, at once convinced of his sanctity, felt no difficulty in placing him among the number of beatified dead, and as a Saint of God they invoked his potent intercession. His body was interred before an Altar of St. John the Evan-
gelist in Beaulieu Abbey, according to his particular request. It has been preserved there with peculiar honour to our own time. The present Abbey belonged to St. Vanne's congregation, a reformation of the justly celebrated BenedictineOrder. TheCircleoftheSeasonsentersafestivalofSt. Rouin,
at this date. 1* The Catholic mind of Ireland is and abbot, yet vigorous
energetic. With God's assistance, it must survive the political wrongs and socialdegradationofthepresenttimeandofpastcenturies; anditshallyet triumph over sectarian opposition, which it has hitherto so fearlessly encountered. The history of our Island teaches us we are the children of M a holy generation. " If we have not had part in the missionary triumphs of the past, we can at least claim a share in the inheritance of our Fathers, and still emulate their virtues and glories. The Island, which has given birth to this Saint and sent him forth to dispense the treasures of Faith in a distant and favoured land, can effect in the present age, through the inscrutable decrees of Divine Providence, wonders that have been wrought of old.
Article III. —St. Brogan Cloen, Abbot of Rostuirc, in Ossory. [Seventh Century. '] Although by some, the present saint ha—s been identified
rocan the with a St. of in Waterford or B—
Brogan, Maethail-Bhrogain ScribecommemoratedintheFeilireofOengusatthe8thofJuly yetishe
to be distinguished, as the author of an Irish Poem, in which are celebrated
the life and virtues of the St. great
2 It is the attribute of possible
Brigid.
being a scribe, with the accidental synonym applying to both, may have producedsuchanimpression. TheBollandists,3apparentlycallinghiscultus in question, still introduce their notices of Broganus, at the 17th of September. ThissaintisalsocalledBercan,Brechan,BrecanandBrocan. * In Latin, his name is usually written Berchanus, Broganus or Broccanus.
14 See page 261—.
Article hi.
*
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus v. , See remarks regarding Septembris xvii. Among the pretermitted
him, at the 8th of July, in the Eighth saints, p. 463.
Volume of this work, Art. vi. 4 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum
2
of this work, at the 1st of February, Abbatis de Magharnuidhe, cap, xxxiv. , p.
Art. i. •
See her Life in the Second Volume Hibernise," xvi. Martii. Vita S. . Abbani
618, and n. 40, p. 624.
43^ LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September17.
On this day, in the Feilire of St. ^Engus,s there is a festival for Bracan or Broccan, of Ruiss or Roiss Tuircc. In a scholion appended, this place is
6
is said to have been connected with Cluain Imorchuir, for which a mysterious
indicated as being in Mag Raigne in Ossory ;
and, by the commentator, he
derivation is 7 We given.
find,
at the of 17th
September,
8
this u Broecan entry,
Rois tuiric," in the Martyrology of Tallagh.
According to the Calendar of Cashel and Marianus 0'Gorman,9 he is venerated on this same day. St. Brogan Cloen was born—it has been supposed—about the close of the
sixth or beginning of the seventh century. However, if we are willing to 10
allow,thathehadformedafriendshipwithSt. Brendan, mostprobablyof Clonfert, St, Brogan Cloen must have been born earlier than the sixth century,asSt. Brendanissaidtohavediedintheyear577. Thatoursaint was an Abbot, at the time this friendship had been formed, may be inferred
11
St. Brocan is found classed among the disciples of St. Patrick. This statement, however, cannot be accepted as chrono- logically correct. The founder of a monastery at Rosturic^ in Ossory, near the Slieve Bloom mountain, is unknown. 1 -' The O'Clerys state, that Rostuirc was situated in Magh Raighne, which is held to have been the great central
from the Life of St. Abban. 12
plain
Kilkenny.
we find
C1ITO bl-KVOttA OtvAcan fUnrr Umncc cuipme
5 In the Leabhar Breac "
13 " Ilia Ecclesia est vicina monti
Bladhma ; et Ecclesia Cluainmorensi ubi
scholiastes hujus hymni [scil. S. Brigklse]
supra in asserit eundem Hymnum composi- tumesse. "—"TriasThaumaturga. " Prima
Vita S. Brigidse, nn. I, 2, p. 518.
14 Archdall says: "We know not the
situation of this abbey, nor to whom it
owed its origin, but are told it was near the
— copy eupemiA cent)! pi41
the following stanza :
n<MT)
apAir
15 A writer10 in the
of the
states, that he has "grounds for believing that St. Broghan, the poet-priest of Ossory, had his principal church or monastery at Kilbricken, between Callan'7 and Kells. 18 However, in a reply to his communication,10 the Rev.
County
of
Kilkenny Journal
La
Thus rendered by Dr. Whitley Stokes :
"
Euphemia without reproach tell her pas-
"
Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy,"
Cluainimu—rchir, in the life-time of St.
Abban. " "Monasticon Hibernicum," 596. In confirmation of the foregoing statements, Archdall refers to Colgan's
fell jvomAich RiajIai.
sion at a year's end. Reckon Broccan of mountains of Slieve Bloom. St. Brendan
Ros Tuirc, with Riagail's excellent feast. "— governed this church, and was abbot of
Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. Calendar of Oengus, p. cxxxviii.
6
p.
See ibid. , p. cxlvi.
7 The commentator adds : "i. e. Flandan, A. A. SS. , p. 224, and Tr. Th. , p. 518. In
son of Toirdelbach, came once to the stead the first instance, Colgan has no such matter
that he might be carried. Thence it is at p. 224 ; but it is evident Archdall meant
called Cluain Imorchuir ('meadow of p. 624, and note 40. Yet even" here, there
carrying'). " is nothing about St. Brendan, yet there is
8
See in the Book of Leinster copy allusion to him in the notes succeeding.
DfoccAin . 1. rtoir coinc, and in Dr. Kelly's "Calendar of Irish Saints," at p. xxxiv.
' 5 In a letter to the writer, and dated Kil-
managh, Co. Kilkenny, March 4th, 1895, this is affirmed, by the Rev. Nicholas
9 He is noticed as Broccan, and a
P. P. , of Kilmanagh.
16 Who styles himself " Layman. "
in a of the same barony
ographer indicates, that he was of Ross
Tuirc in Raini in See Dr. Magh Ossory.
17 This
gloss-
Murphy,
parish, ""
Whitley Stokes' Felire Hui Gormain," designation, is shown on the Ordnance
pp.
178, 179-
Survey Townland Maps for the County —of
—allan town Kilkenny,'' Sheets 22, 26. C
dividedintoNorthandSouth isdescribed on Sheet 26.
18 The parish of Kells—partly in the
barony of Kells and partly in the barony of Shillclogher—is notedonthe"Ordnance
Survey Townland Maps for the County of Kilkenny," Sheets 23, 27. The town of Kells is shown on Sheet 27.
10 FifthVolumeofthiswork,Art. i.
11
See a notice of his festival at the 16th
See his life at the 16th of May, in the
of March in the Third Volume of this work,
Art. ii. However, his Life and chief feast
occuronthe27thofOctober.
12
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga," Quinta Appendix ad Acta S. Fatricii, cap. xxiii. , p. 266.
September 17. ] LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS. 437
Nicholas Murphy, P. P. , of Kilmanagb, observes, that Cluain Uimurchaire has been identified by Father Shearman with Kilbriccan, near Aghaboe. And the Rostuirc in Magh Roighne is, as all authorities allow, represented
by Rosmore, the adjoining townland to Kilbrahan,20 in the parish of Kilma- nagh. The monastery of St. Broghan is also stated by Colgan to have been
situated ad on the border-land of fines Ossraighe,
Ossory. verifiedconcerningKilbrahan,intheparishofKilmanagh. Attherequest
of St. Ultan of Ardbraccan, Brogan composed the Life and Acts of St. Brigid in an Irish poem. In it, her sanctity and miracles are recorded. The place where this tract was written is said to have been either at Slieve-Bloom or at
the Cluainmore of St. Maidoc.
22
These accounts are gleaned from an
anonymous writer or scholiast in a short preface ; and Colgan places this
Irish poem, with a literal Latin translation, foremost among his six Lives of
St. Brigid. 23 He assigns its authorship to a. d. 526, but this is manifestly
too early a date for its composition, as it ranges back to a year long previous
to St. birth. The " Chronicum Scotorum " the death of
as the Annals of the Four Masters 25 Ultan's give
Brogan's places
Ultan Mac Ui Conchobhair on the second of the Nones of September in
the 2 * year 653.
However,
age to be one hundred and eighty years, when he died on the 4th of
26 September, 656 ;
Colgan argues, that he may have been living a. d. 526, to assist St. Brogan Cloen in the composition of that Hymn in praise of St.
2
Brigid. ? St. Brogan is named as abbot of Rostuirc, at the year 525, by
Archdall,28whorestshisstatementontheauthorityofColgan. Thatearly date, however, cannot be allowed. It is said by an old scholiast, that St. Ultan of Ardbraccan 29 collected the Acts of St. Brigid 3° for St. Brogan Cloen. The same scholiast informs us, that our Saint's poem, on St. Brigid's virtues and miracles, had been composed in the time of King Leogaire's son Lughadh, Monarch of Ireland, and when Alild, son to
was
King
died3 overtwentyyearsbeforetherestofSt. Brigid,33anallusiontowhich
2
19 Addressed to the Kilkenny Journal of
February, 1895.
:o This townland, in the barony of Cran-
2? See "Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita
Prima S. Brigidse, n. 5, p. 518.
2& See " Monasticon Hibernicum, "
Queen's County, p. 596.
29 See his Acts at the 4th of September,
in the present Volume, Art. i.
nagh,
is shown on the ' • Ordnance
Survey
Townland Maps for the County of Kil-
kenny," Sheet 22.
21
a robber, who came with his crew " de
3°
the Second Volume of this work, Art. i.
It is just to state, that Colgan speaks of
See her Life, at the 1st of February, in
of Leinster. 31 But
thinks this in poem
Dulaing,
question could not have been written in King Lugad's time, as the latter
3l See " Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita prima S. Brigidse, nn. 3, 4, p. 518.
32 " The Age of Christ, 503. After
son of had been Lughaidh, Laeghaire,
Abbatis de Magharnuidhe, cap. xxxiv. , struck by a flash of lightning, by the
finibus Ossraighi," to the monastery of St.
"
monachis suis, venire post porcos ad fines
Et S. senior Abbanus rogatus a visitans B. — ab eo
Abban.
Ossraighe Bercanum,
" Acta Sanctorum
in the of Ire- sovereignty
honorifice
Hiberniae," xvi. Martii. Vita S. Abbani, land, he was killed at Achadh-farcha, being
S.
r
W eghaire S son' -
LuShaidh [occurred].
susceptus
est. "
twenty-five years
p. 618.
22
His feast occurs at the nth of April, at which date, notices of him may be found, in the Fourth Volume of this work, Art. i.
miracle of God, on account of the insult which he had offered to Patrick, as the quatrain states :
23 See « Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita Prima
to Brigidce, pp. 515 518
*. . ,,,,, . . .
At Achadh-farcha warlike ;
. , . t . t the death of
24 See William M. Hennessy's edition, pp. 04 oc,
25 See Dr. O'Donovan's edition, vol. i. ,
pp. 268, 269.
26 Archbishop Ussher gives his death at
»
"
a. d. 657. See Brittannicarum Ecclesiarum 525, according to the same authorities. See
Antiquitates. " Index Chonologicus, p. 539. ibid. , pp. 170 to 173.
Colgan justly
wH! u
21 This can be only
tho«t in heaven or here, a praise
Masters," vol. i. , pp. 162 to 165.
33 St. Brigid's death occurred, in the year
heavy
smote him.
—Dr. O' Donovan's " Annals of the Four
"as" °f
lightning
*'
438 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [September17.
latter event is contained in a concluding stanza of that hymn. The death of Lugad also occurred before Alild obtained the government of Leinster. Ailild died in the year 526,3* and in the twentieth year of his reign, according to the three different catalogues of the Leinster Kings. Colgan supposes it nearer the truth to maintain, that Brogan's Hymn was composed, in the time of Muircheartach, King of Ireland,35 who was contemporary with the aforesaid Alild of Leinster. Hence he imagines, this poem was written, about the year 525. It was most probably composed in the seventh century,36 as Sir James Ware reckons Brogan amongst the writers of that period ; although his editor, Harris, adopts Colgan's opinion. 3? The poem in honour of St. Bridget contains fifty-three stanzas. In it the author celebrates the virtues and powerful intercession of the Holy Virgin, and manifests his own tender devotion towards her. He also indicates, that a certain measure of reward should be vouchsaved to those, who read or hear it recited. 38 According to O'Reilly, there are Manuscript copies of this Hymn39 extant, in Trinity
34 At this year, his death is thus announced Oilill, son of Dunlaing, King of Leinster,
** Pro nobis precetur Brigida Prgeservationem et securitatem a
periculis
Sub ejus miseri simus patrocinio Antequam veniamus ad conspectum
Spiritus Sancti.
" Succurrat cum gladio ignito
In certamine contra doemones : Perducant nos sanctae ejus preces Ad regnum coeleste liberatos a pocnis-
"Antequam eamus cum Angelis ad certamen
Curramus ad Ecclesiam celeriter : Laudare Dominum prsestantius est
omni officio.
Non amavit Brigida victoriosa mun-
dum.
Precator Sanctam Brigidam
Cum Sanctis Killdariensibus,
Se interponant inter me & poenas
Anima mea pereat. *#***
11
died. "—Ibid. , pp. 174, 175.
35 At the year a. d. 527, the Annals of the
Four Masters give us the following romantic account of this king's death. "After
Muircheartach, son of Muireadhach, son of Eoghan, son of Niall of the Nine Hostages,
had been twenty-four years in the sovereignty of Ireland, he was burned in the house of Cleiteach over the Boyne, on the night of Samhain [the first of November] after being drowned in wine. Sin composed this
quatrain
:
I am Teatan the woman who killed the chief of Niall ;
Gannadhaigh is my name, in every place and road.
Ceanfaeladh said :
The king Mac Earea returns to the side
Ui-Neill ;
Blood reached the girdles in each plain ;
the exterior territories were enriched Seven times he brought nine chariots, and
long shall it be remembered,
He bore away the hostages of the Ui-
"
Neill, with the hostages of the plain of Munster. "
" Laudes Christi sermo praeclarus, Adorare Dei filium officium virtuosum, Regnum cceleste obtineat
Quicunque recitaverit vel audierit
{ncmpe hunc hymnuni). "
—Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Vita prima St. Brigidje, sects, xliv. , xlv. , xlvi. ,
—Ibid. to pp. 174
177.
In tne accompanying notes, [i. j. k. ], pre- vious authorities, annalistic and legendary, are quoted by the learned editor, as serving to illustrate the foregoing entry.
36 The learned Dr. Lanigan seemed to
adopt this opinion. See "Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. , sect. ii. . n. 18, p. 379.
37 See Harris' Ware, vol. ii. " Writers of Ireland," book i. , chap iii. , p. 13.
38 Thus, we may instance, those lines, in the First metrical Life of St. Brigid, as pub-
lished by Colgan :
xlvii. , 1. , Ii. , pp. 517, 518.
39 It commences with—this line,
""
"
:
;
Confidamus in Brigida,
Ut sit protectrix nostris turmis :
Adjuvat nos sancta,
Ut mereamur omnes evadere.
ni caip brviccic bu<v6<\c \>\t Bridget glorious loved not the world. " See "Chronological Account of nearly Four Hundred Irish Writers," p. xxxiv. In Colgan's version, this line with its Latin translation, reads. " tli caij\ Oru£iT> buA-oac bioc :" " Non dilexit
Brigida victoriosa mundum :" &c.
September 17. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 439
College Library, Dublin. After Colgan's time, this poem was again publishedin1792,byMr. RichardPlunkett,oftheCountyofMeath. It was accompanied by a rendering in modern Irish. In a small brochure intituled " A Bouquet for St Bride," the Very Rev. Nicholas Murphy, P. P.