^i Having
i)rought
down the death of St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
Andrew, upon
" Acta Sane- De S. Bri-
" See an account of it, in Mur- interesting
tine Caietano. See
torum Hibernise," Februarii i.
gida, Virgine, Ecclesiae Oppacensis apud Italy," part ii. , sect. vii. Route 59, pp. Fessulas in Italia Patronse, sect, vii. , p. 623 to 625. Seventh edition, London,
Colgan's
" Handbook for Travellers in Northern
236. 1858.
" '^ "
7 See Scipio Ammirato, Gli Vescovi di gee Cappelletti, —Le Chiese d'ltalia," Fiesole, di Volterra e d'Arezzo," &c. Fie- tomo xvii. , 1862, p. i 72.
of his children will be found in
'*
Storia
Universali" di Cesare Cantu, tomo x. , epoca
x. , parte i. , lib. x. , cap. i. , pp. 5 to 35.
Also, Lodovico Antonio Muratori's "Annali d'ltalia dal Principio dell' era Volgare sino all' anno MDCCXLix. ," volume vii. , pp. 138
to 505.
^° The particular Pope is not named.
*^ About the commencement of the
ray's
836 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February i.
monasteries, palaces and villas, while a luxuriant country around it has all the aspect of a vast garden. The Fiesole hills are the delight of Florentines, who resort thither to breathe their balmy air. The origin of Fiesole is lost in the darkness of ages. ^-^ We can say with certainty, that it was among the first of towns, built in Italy, and probably it was one of the twelve Etruscan cities. ^5 By order of St. Donatus, who was elected bishop of this city,^^ St. Andrew re-established the Church of St. Martin, near the River Mensola. ^7 There he founded a monastery at the base of the Fiesole hills. There, too, he spent the rest of a life, singularly illustrated by piety and renowned for miracles. ^^ St. Andrew had made a perfect sacrifice, by abandoning home and the society of his relations and friends. But, a greater privation than all other losses was parting companionship with his beloved sister. She de- voted herself wholly to pious exercises in Ireland,'^ living either with her parents, or, more likely, as a member of one among the many religious insti- tutes there existing. Nor does she appear even to have known where or how her brother lived. He survived St. Donatus,=° however, and after a lapseofsometime,ageandinfirmitygrowinguponhimself,it wasdeemed well to bestow his earnest admonition on the monks, who stood around his bed in tears. Then, the thought of his dear sister Brigid^' came into his mind, and he most vehemently wished to see her, ere he should die. The Omnipotent was graciously pleased to regard this feeling, which the dying saint had concealed from the bystanders. The pious Brigid, at the time, had been seated at her frugal meal, consisting of some small fishes and a salad. She lived at a retired place in Ireland. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to her, and miraculously was she brought before St. Andrew and his brethren. All, who were engaged rendering kind offices to their dying superior, were struck with astonishment and admiration, at the un- looked-forarrivalofSt. Brigid. " ^greaternumbersoonappearedtowit- ness her presence. Meantime, the virgin herself trembled with fear and reverence ; for, instead of a reality, she thought the sick man lying on the bed, with those men standing around in a strange costume, as also the place and objects near her, represented only a vision. St. Andrew had a clear
^^ The ancient Fesulans were famous for their skill in augury. Thus are they de- scribed, by Silius Italicus :—
tomus i. , Februarii i. Commentarius His-
See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," Februarii i. De S. Brigida, Virgine, Ecclesise Opacensis apud Fesulas in Italia
**
—
lion of Ferrarius' "Novum Lexicon Geo-
graphicum," tomus i. , p. 289.
^^
About the year 816, according to Con- stantine Caietano in his notes to St. An- drew's Life. Ughelli notes this, as the year of his promotion ; yet, in Coleti's additions, his rule is deferred to a. d. 826 or later. See ''Italia Sacra, sive De Episcopis Ita- lise," tomus ii,, col. 350.
'7 This small stream is scarcely noticed,
on the Maps of Ancient or Modern Italy.
At the Church of St. Martin, a manuscript Life of St. Andrew had been preserved. See the BoUandists' "Acta Sanctorum,"
Affuit et sacris interpres fulminis alis
Fesula, et antiquus Romanis moenibus Patronse, sees, i. , ii. , p. 236.
horror
Clusinum vulgus," &c.
•*Punicorum,"lib. viii. , 478.
ls See Michael Antonius Baudrand's edi-
"9 This is expressly stated, by Villani. See, also, the BoUandists' "Acta Sancto- rum," tomus i. , Februarii i. De S. Bri- gida, Virgine, Faesulis in Etruria. Cora- mentarius Historicus, sect, i. , 3, p. 245 and
p. 247.
=°
toricus, sec. i. , 3, p. 245. ^^ "
Ughelli calls him "nobilis Scottus. "
See "Italia Sacra," tomus iii. , col. 213,
214.
" Colgan in a somewhat lengthy note
proves that St. Donatus, St. Andrew and St. Brigid were natives, not of the Albanian Scotia, but of the Hibernian Scotia. See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," n. 3, pp. 236, 237.
''^^ Dr.
Lanigan
an ordinary journey from Ireland to Italy. See " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland,"
vol. iii. , chap, xxi. , sec. iv. , p. 281.
resolves this miracle into
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 237 intuition of the whole matter, and in a tender tone of voice, he thus spoke :
"
a most earnest desire to behold you before my death, and the immense
fountain of charity and of mercy from on high hath yielded to my prayers,
as you see, and hath indulged the wishes of a sinner. Therefore, fear not,
for so it hath pleased God, that you should behold your own brother Andrew,
during his last agony, and hoping through your present merits, that the
Creator of all things will be propitious, although you had long since thought me removed from this earth. For, in this place, far apart from our natal
soil, I, a feeble athlete and soldier, have spent my days, while you, in like manner, shall end your life, supplying the complement of my warfare, by
great austerity and penance. Now, set aside all dread, leaning on Divine mercy, and set your mind at rest, being assured, that you see and feel only what is real ; while for me, I entreat you to become, with the fear of God, and with fervour of soul, an intercessor before our Lord, as the hour of my dissolution now arrives. " As if awaking from torpor and coming to herself,
with great sensibility and devotion, Brigid wept \ then, tenderly clasping the hand of her brother, she kissed it, and deep sighs almost choked her power of utterance. ^3 Sorrow afflicted her for more than an hour, when on bended
:
knees,shethusexclaimed "OAlmightyGod,thesoleworkerofwonders,
whom the powers of Heaven serve, whom the elements obey, and to whom every creature is subject, to thee be praise and benediction, honour and
glory, who hath deigned this supernatural favour to thy handmaid, that she should behold her holy brother here present. " Then addressing St. Andrew,
"
My dearly beloved sister Brigid, finding my end approaching, I conceived
she said :
Oh, most pious brother, the first faithful director and guardian of
my youth, I rejoice with thee, and I am glad and shall be glad, during the shorttimeitmaybegrantedmetobeholdthee; although,Isufferpainwith
you, and all the more keenly, because I clearly foresee, when you depart, I shall be alone in this miserable life, and that I shall survive, afflicted, deso-
late and deprived of your holy conversation. Nevertheless, the deeply im- pressed traces of thy praiseworthy deeds and pious works, as also the me- morials you shall have left, must increase my rejoicing before God, and again
bring a festive day. Doubtless, intuitively knowing such matters, you shall happily sleep in Christ. Of this I feel assured, and especially in your case. So long as the usury of life be left to me, I shall not fail in this place,
whither angels have brought me, to follow in thy footsteps with penitential exercises, so far as the infirmity of my feeble body will permit, and so far as Divine grace may assist me. Oh, my dearest brother, aid me by thy holy prayers, while you supply to a woman's weakness, that manly strength, which has supported you. But now, have courage, and be comforted, in Christ and in His holy cross ; for, as hitherto you were accustomed to contend with great vigour of mind and indomitable fortitude, give still further proofs of resolution, during this your last agony. " ^'<- With such consoling words, she cheered the parting soul of her dear brother, and she soon saw his remains reverently consigned to the earth. Then Brigid sought a dense wood, near Fiesole,^s where she resolved to live a solitary life, and to spend it, in a
=3
Dempster
of P'iesole, Phillipus Villanius Florentinus, Franciscus Cattanius Diacettus episcopus, and Silvanus Razzius, as authorities for the Life of this St. Brigid, while he chiefly takes
^* See " Acta Sanctoiiim Hiber^ Colgan's
niae," Februarii i. De S. Brigida, Virgine,
Ecclesiae Opacensis apud Fessulas in Italia
Patronae, sec. iii. , pp. 236, 237.
'^^ At the conclusion of his poem, Rus«
ticus," Politian, with that power of descrip* tion so peculiar to him, has thus celebrated the scenes around it :—
cites the Acts of the Church
" Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. ,
it from Phillipus Ferrarius. See lib. ii. , sec. 166, p. 93.
Historia
**
238 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
=''
This desert place, called Opacum or Opacus, was at the foot of certain high and steep mountains, where wild beasts alone had their lairs. Here, she subsisted on fruits and roots, which grew about, and thus almost removed from human associations and conversation, engaged in constant vigils, fasts and austerities, old age grew upon her. ='7 Yet, would rustics, when hunting, frequently come to her hermitage, which seems to have been a sort of cave. Sometimes, they offered the holy woman products of their chase, which she often refused to accept, as being too great a luxury for her manner of life. ^^ As her years wore on, many holy matrons and men visited St. Brigid, while they alleviated her infirmities. This charitable help
the Almighty inspired. At length, spent with old age, after miracles and merits had crowned her life, this holy virgin was called to her heavenly
nuptials,ontheistdayofFebruary,^? abouttheyearofChrist,870. 3° She died3^—it is incorrectly stated—towards the close of Charlemagne's reign. 32
Then, after her death, all the country inhabitants, venerating her as a saint, interred her remains ; and, on an elevated spot among the mountains, where she had lived, they built a church, which was dedicated to her memory. This was called, Piave St. Martin in Baco, and afterwards her natal day was celebrated there with great solemnity. The desert, which in her time, had been rugged, wild and uncultivated, subsequently assumed an almost mira- culous change ; for, settlers on the spot soon rendered it attractive and populous. 33 Severalwritershavecelebratedthepraisesofthisholyvirgin, while pious pilgrimages were made to her shrine, for ages long past after her death.
Article V. —St. Catan, Cathand, or Caddan, Bishop. {Possibly in the Fifth or Sixth Century^ Among the early saints of Ireland, com- memorated on this day, we find a Catan, or Caddan, son of Madan,'
rigorous course of penance.
** Hie resonat blando tibi pinus amata susurro ;
Hie vaga eoniferis insibilat aura eupressis; Hie scatebris salit, et bullantibus incita
venis
Pura coloratos interstrepit unda lapillos. "
This writer died September, A. D. 1494. An account of him will be found in Roscoe's " Life of Lorenzo de' Medici. " He was
tano, in his notes to her Life, and Ferrarius, *'
in Catalogus Sanctorum Italise," Februarii i. Father Henry Fitzsimons mentions her, at this date. Camerarius, without any con- current authority, assigns her festival, to the 31stofDecember. See"DeStatuHomi- nis Veteris simul ac Novae Ecclesise, et In- fidelium Conversione," lib. i. , cap. iii. , sec. 2, p. 263.
2° This is the period, conjectured by Con- stantine Caietano, in his notes to the Life of St. Andrew. Dr. Lanigan thinks she died,
"
probably about A. D. 880. See
tical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap. xxi. , sect, iv. , n. 58, p. 285.
^i Having i)rought down the death of St. Donatus to near A. d. 890, and considering, that St. Brigid not only survived him, but also her brother Andrew, the Bollandists supposed she lived, until about A. D. 900. See "Acta Sanctorum Februarii," tomus i.
also the early instructor of Pope Leo X. *'
See, likewise, William Roscoe's Life and Pontificate of Leo the Tenth. " Revised by his son Thomas Roscoe, vol. i. , chap, i. , p. 15. Sixth edition, London, 1853, 8vo.
Ecclesias-
^^ It is asserted, by Constantine Caietano,
that she embraced the rule of St. Benedict ;
but, this writer was over zealous, in claiming
distinguished persons for his order. See
M, le Dr. Hoeffer, "Nouvelle Biographic
Generale," tome viii. , col. 139.
=7 See " Ferrarius, Catalogus
DeS. &c. Commentarius Brigida, Virgine,
Sanctorum
=^ 3= **
ItalisB," p. Ixix.
Historicus, sec. ii. , 8, p. 246.
See Father Stephen White's Apolo*
Dempster, although he could not ascer- tain the year for her death, says she was
gia pro Hibemia," cap. iv. , p. 40.
known as a
holy person,
in 802. See " His-
33 gee " Acta Sanctoi-um Ilibcr- Colgan's
toria Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus
i. , lib. ii. , sect. 166, p. 93.
"9 At this all the Calendarists date, nearly
place her festival. Thus, Constantine Caie-
nise," Februarii i. De S. Brigida, Virgine, Ecclesige Opacensis apud Fessulas in Italia
Patronse, sec. — v. , vi. , vii. ,
iv. , p. 236.
Article v.
* the son of He was
Bracan,
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 239
sprung from the race of Trial, son to Conall Cearnach, and who belonged
to the Clann Rudhraighe. ^ Thus was he a scion of the Dalaradian
family. 3 We find his name also written Cathan, or Keddan, and Latinized
Cathandus : Cattan and Ceddan are other forms of this holy man's name. *
There is a Catan,5 a priest, enumerated among the domestic familiars
of St. Patrick f and, it seems not unlikely, he may be regarded as iden-
tical with the present saint. 7 The birth of this son of light is thought to
have fallen, within the fifth century ; since, he became one of St. Patrick's
disciples, after our great Apostle had spent many years, in preaching God's word to the people, and when he had then rested, in a great measure, from
his labours, being worn down with old age. ^ The patriarch was spe- cially devoted to holy contemplation, among the scenes of retirement he had chosen. St. Catan seems to have been then domesticated with him ;
while, to the advantages of learning and instruction, personally conveyed, were added those of example, set by so venerable a master. To this happy
training, Catan as readily responded ; and, fulfilling the household duties assigned him, soon was he advanced to sacred orders. 9 While rigorous to a degree in his fasts, austerities and vigils, he was considerate as regarded his guests and the poor, towards whom he generously exercised the offices
of '° St. Patrick charity.
and his merits finding
loved this
increase with years, it is probable, the grade of bishop was conferred on
Catan, by his illustrious master. In this new sphere, he was actively and anxiously engaged; but, feeling a strong inclination to lead the life of a
contemplative, it is said, Catan resolved on leaving Ireland. He sighed for solitude, and hoped to find rest for prayer, study, meditation, and severe mental and corporeal discipline. " Local tradition makes a St. Catan or
Cadan, the patron of Magilligan parish," in the county of Londonderry. For Catholic purposes, St. Cadan's Church was rebuilt some years ago, be- neath the shadow of the " rocks of Magilligan. " ^3 This handsome building
the son of Coelbad, son to Cronnius, sur- named Badhraoi, according to the " Meno- logic Genealogy," chap. iii. In the same chapter, twelve saints are assigned to that
particular family. == "
the four-and-twenty, who were in orders with St. Patrick, are enumerated the pre- sumed present saint, denominated Cruimther Catan and Cruimther Ocan, his two waiters,
edited
Drs. Todd and
See the Martyrology of Donegal,"
Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," p. 501.
*° He is as one of St. Patrick's regarded
guest-masters, in the religious society sup- posed to have been established by the great Irish Apostle, at Saul.
"See Ecclesias- Dempster's '/Historia
by 37.
Reeves, pp. 36,
3 This appears from the catalogue of the Kings of Ireland.
4 See
Colgan's
*' Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
dearly
disciple,
nise," Februarii i. De S. Catano alias
Caddano, Episcopo, cap. i. , and nn. I, 2,
3, 4, pp. 233, 234.
5 Colgan says, he is identical with a St.
January. HisActswillbefoundattheist ^3Thefollowingparticularsaregleaned
Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars iii. , cap. Sunday, October 17th, a charity sermon,
Caidoc, Apostle of the Morini, in France,
and whose feast is referred to the 24th of derry. " Sheets I, 2, 5, 6.
of April.
^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. '" day, October 20th, 1875. On the previous
xcviii. , p. 167, and n. 125, p. 188.
^ Another St. Catan graces our calendars, at the 1 2th of December. At the 17th and i8th of May, the Scottish Calendars com-
able, learned and instructive, was preached in St. Cadan's Roman Catholic Church,
Magilligan, by the Rev. John Keys O'Doherty, Newtownstevvart, in aid of the fund for clearing off a debt incurred by the
respected pastor of the parish. Rev. Bernard M'Gurk, P. P. , in erecting his parochial house. A grand High Mass and ceremony
delighted and edified the parishioners oq this occasion.
memorate, likewise, a Bishop Cathan. ^"
See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," Februarii i. De S. Catano a/irtj Cad- dano, cap. ii. , p. 233.
9 In the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick, translated by William M. Hennessy, among
^
See Miss Mary F. Cusack's
"
Life of St.
tica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. iii. , sect. 237, p. 138.
" Also called Tamlaght Ard, in the barony of Keenaught. See ' ' Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of London*
from the Londonderry Journal of Wednes-
240 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
occupies a commanding rind picturesque site on the high lands there, and it stands in the midst of historical and religious remains, whose existence is hallowed by antiquity, and made sacred by the holy hands that blessed them. Alittletotherightisshownthemound,whereoncestoodacele- brated Franciscan monastery, and where the ploughshare oft turns up the bonesofthoseinterredinthesacredprecincts. Now,afertileplainstretches between this mound and the sea ; but, tradition and geology show where the surging waves in olden time laved its base, while but lately the steps, by which the monks descended from their house to the shore, were discovered. About the same time and place were found the anchor to which they moored, and the ring to which they bound their little skiffs. To the left, in the old churchyard, is shown the grave of St. Cadan,^^ where reposed his bones when his missionary labours were ended. Close beside lies St. Cadan's well -^^ while^ on many a valley and hill around are traceable the labours of theapostolicSt. Patrick,andthechurch-lovingSt. Columb. Itisthensuit- able, that in these modern days the faith should flourish, where it was planted so firmly of yore, and it is equally fit that the missioners of to-day should have residences appropriate to their sacred calling.
^"^
A new parochial house People in the neigh- bourhood call him Espog or Bishop, which would make him accord with the assumed grades of our saint. Aidan seems to be another name applied to him; but,onthewhole,thereisreallynoreliabletraditionexistingatMa- gilligan,'7 in reference to St. Cadan. Only some hazy notions float in the parishioners' minds, when alluding to him. ^^ The Parish Priest of Tamlacht Ard and Magilligan, Rev. B. M'Guirk, is of opinion, that St. Catan's festival
has been lately erected, near St. Cadan's Church.
there fell on the 12th of Decem. ber, rather than on the ist of — February. ^9
TheRev. ina " ^^ ofwhich
John Graham,^°
poem, intituled,
Magilligan"
'* The Rev. John Keys O'Doherty kindly procured, from the Rev. B. M'Guirk, P. P. , of Tamlacht Ard and Magilligan, the fol- lowing local information, in a letter dated
dawn witnessed the faithful kneeling around their shepherd bishop, and praying for that peace and liberty which we to-day enjoy. "
'7 in this parish is the mountain of Ben- yevenagh, 1,200 feet over the sea-level,
February 7th, 1876, referring to St. Catan's
tomb, "There was a hole in a stone over See
the grave, from which earth was taken for
cures, but this practice has ceased for very
manyyears. "
's This well has yet considerable local re-
pute for effecting cures.
*^ From the sermon, as
'^
So has the writer been informed, in a
the fol- lowing interesting local anecdote must be
^^ He writes to Rev.
February 7th, 1867, as follows
pie here have no special day set apart for his
holy bishop in disguise to minister to the spiritual wants of your forefathers. He had retumed from banishment at the risk of his life, and, attired as a shepherd, he tended the flocks by day on these mountains of Magilligan, and by night stole into the hu—ts of the poor to exercise his sacred ministry to bring joy to the living, and hope and con-
solation to the sick and
a watchman posted on every eminence to give notice of the approach of the dreaded
soldiery, did he offer up the unbloody sacri- '''
'*
Enshrined in stone, near Tamlaght's tem«
pie high.
Brought from Northumberland by Col-
man's care,
The honoured ashes of old Aidan lie.
fice ; and the Mass Hill and the Mass '
Hollow,' the 'Priest's Knowe and the 'Canon Hill' still point out to the pious inquirer the hallowed spots where the gray
reported,
John Keys O'Doherty,
:
Here,
so late as the seventeenth century, came a veneration ; but, I am confident, the 1 2th
deemed worthy of preservation :
"
dying. Here,
with
of this — as production, relating
to the
local
"
vol. ii. , p. 723.
Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland,"
letter from Rev. John Keys O'Doherty,
P. P. , Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, and
dated Febuiary 8th, 1876.
December, is the day fixed for him. "
=° He parodied to great advantage a num- her of Moore's " Irish Melodies," and he
composed several Orange songs and poems, which are yet popular in various parts of Ulster.
=^'
The stanzas succeeding will give the reader an idea, regarding the tone and style
patron
:
" The peo-
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 241
place he was Protestant rector some years ago—has alluded to St. Cadan, whom he confounds with St. Aidan, of Lindisfarne, in Northumberland. ^^ Poetic license, in this case, is doubtless very freely applied to dissolve the historic mist. It is traditionally related among other things, that St. Cadan was a great artificer, and that he made a celebrated shrine, which was in ex- istence in the fourteenth century. The altar of this holy man was pointed out, but it has now disappeared. This was a large stone, in a field t—o the south of the graveyard. It is said, there was a place in it for his book this
wasprobablythebook-stand while,themarksofhiskneeswereshownin ——
a second stone, on which he knelt in prayer. ^3 supposedtobetheCatanusofSt. Patrick'sLives istobeseenbesidethe church of Tamlacht Ard. It is built of ashlar masonry, and it is evidently of great antiquity. However, it had been so covered up with earth, owing to the adjacent interments, that no sketch of it could be obtained by Dr. Petrie. ^4 Now, it may be questioned, whether or not, the Catan of St.
" Acta Sane- De S. Bri-
" See an account of it, in Mur- interesting
tine Caietano. See
torum Hibernise," Februarii i.
gida, Virgine, Ecclesiae Oppacensis apud Italy," part ii. , sect. vii. Route 59, pp. Fessulas in Italia Patronse, sect, vii. , p. 623 to 625. Seventh edition, London,
Colgan's
" Handbook for Travellers in Northern
236. 1858.
" '^ "
7 See Scipio Ammirato, Gli Vescovi di gee Cappelletti, —Le Chiese d'ltalia," Fiesole, di Volterra e d'Arezzo," &c. Fie- tomo xvii. , 1862, p. i 72.
of his children will be found in
'*
Storia
Universali" di Cesare Cantu, tomo x. , epoca
x. , parte i. , lib. x. , cap. i. , pp. 5 to 35.
Also, Lodovico Antonio Muratori's "Annali d'ltalia dal Principio dell' era Volgare sino all' anno MDCCXLix. ," volume vii. , pp. 138
to 505.
^° The particular Pope is not named.
*^ About the commencement of the
ray's
836 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS [February i.
monasteries, palaces and villas, while a luxuriant country around it has all the aspect of a vast garden. The Fiesole hills are the delight of Florentines, who resort thither to breathe their balmy air. The origin of Fiesole is lost in the darkness of ages. ^-^ We can say with certainty, that it was among the first of towns, built in Italy, and probably it was one of the twelve Etruscan cities. ^5 By order of St. Donatus, who was elected bishop of this city,^^ St. Andrew re-established the Church of St. Martin, near the River Mensola. ^7 There he founded a monastery at the base of the Fiesole hills. There, too, he spent the rest of a life, singularly illustrated by piety and renowned for miracles. ^^ St. Andrew had made a perfect sacrifice, by abandoning home and the society of his relations and friends. But, a greater privation than all other losses was parting companionship with his beloved sister. She de- voted herself wholly to pious exercises in Ireland,'^ living either with her parents, or, more likely, as a member of one among the many religious insti- tutes there existing. Nor does she appear even to have known where or how her brother lived. He survived St. Donatus,=° however, and after a lapseofsometime,ageandinfirmitygrowinguponhimself,it wasdeemed well to bestow his earnest admonition on the monks, who stood around his bed in tears. Then, the thought of his dear sister Brigid^' came into his mind, and he most vehemently wished to see her, ere he should die. The Omnipotent was graciously pleased to regard this feeling, which the dying saint had concealed from the bystanders. The pious Brigid, at the time, had been seated at her frugal meal, consisting of some small fishes and a salad. She lived at a retired place in Ireland. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to her, and miraculously was she brought before St. Andrew and his brethren. All, who were engaged rendering kind offices to their dying superior, were struck with astonishment and admiration, at the un- looked-forarrivalofSt. Brigid. " ^greaternumbersoonappearedtowit- ness her presence. Meantime, the virgin herself trembled with fear and reverence ; for, instead of a reality, she thought the sick man lying on the bed, with those men standing around in a strange costume, as also the place and objects near her, represented only a vision. St. Andrew had a clear
^^ The ancient Fesulans were famous for their skill in augury. Thus are they de- scribed, by Silius Italicus :—
tomus i. , Februarii i. Commentarius His-
See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," Februarii i. De S. Brigida, Virgine, Ecclesise Opacensis apud Fesulas in Italia
**
—
lion of Ferrarius' "Novum Lexicon Geo-
graphicum," tomus i. , p. 289.
^^
About the year 816, according to Con- stantine Caietano in his notes to St. An- drew's Life. Ughelli notes this, as the year of his promotion ; yet, in Coleti's additions, his rule is deferred to a. d. 826 or later. See ''Italia Sacra, sive De Episcopis Ita- lise," tomus ii,, col. 350.
'7 This small stream is scarcely noticed,
on the Maps of Ancient or Modern Italy.
At the Church of St. Martin, a manuscript Life of St. Andrew had been preserved. See the BoUandists' "Acta Sanctorum,"
Affuit et sacris interpres fulminis alis
Fesula, et antiquus Romanis moenibus Patronse, sees, i. , ii. , p. 236.
horror
Clusinum vulgus," &c.
•*Punicorum,"lib. viii. , 478.
ls See Michael Antonius Baudrand's edi-
"9 This is expressly stated, by Villani. See, also, the BoUandists' "Acta Sancto- rum," tomus i. , Februarii i. De S. Bri- gida, Virgine, Faesulis in Etruria. Cora- mentarius Historicus, sect, i. , 3, p. 245 and
p. 247.
=°
toricus, sec. i. , 3, p. 245. ^^ "
Ughelli calls him "nobilis Scottus. "
See "Italia Sacra," tomus iii. , col. 213,
214.
" Colgan in a somewhat lengthy note
proves that St. Donatus, St. Andrew and St. Brigid were natives, not of the Albanian Scotia, but of the Hibernian Scotia. See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," n. 3, pp. 236, 237.
''^^ Dr.
Lanigan
an ordinary journey from Ireland to Italy. See " Ecclesiastical History of Ireland,"
vol. iii. , chap, xxi. , sec. iv. , p. 281.
resolves this miracle into
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 237 intuition of the whole matter, and in a tender tone of voice, he thus spoke :
"
a most earnest desire to behold you before my death, and the immense
fountain of charity and of mercy from on high hath yielded to my prayers,
as you see, and hath indulged the wishes of a sinner. Therefore, fear not,
for so it hath pleased God, that you should behold your own brother Andrew,
during his last agony, and hoping through your present merits, that the
Creator of all things will be propitious, although you had long since thought me removed from this earth. For, in this place, far apart from our natal
soil, I, a feeble athlete and soldier, have spent my days, while you, in like manner, shall end your life, supplying the complement of my warfare, by
great austerity and penance. Now, set aside all dread, leaning on Divine mercy, and set your mind at rest, being assured, that you see and feel only what is real ; while for me, I entreat you to become, with the fear of God, and with fervour of soul, an intercessor before our Lord, as the hour of my dissolution now arrives. " As if awaking from torpor and coming to herself,
with great sensibility and devotion, Brigid wept \ then, tenderly clasping the hand of her brother, she kissed it, and deep sighs almost choked her power of utterance. ^3 Sorrow afflicted her for more than an hour, when on bended
:
knees,shethusexclaimed "OAlmightyGod,thesoleworkerofwonders,
whom the powers of Heaven serve, whom the elements obey, and to whom every creature is subject, to thee be praise and benediction, honour and
glory, who hath deigned this supernatural favour to thy handmaid, that she should behold her holy brother here present. " Then addressing St. Andrew,
"
My dearly beloved sister Brigid, finding my end approaching, I conceived
she said :
Oh, most pious brother, the first faithful director and guardian of
my youth, I rejoice with thee, and I am glad and shall be glad, during the shorttimeitmaybegrantedmetobeholdthee; although,Isufferpainwith
you, and all the more keenly, because I clearly foresee, when you depart, I shall be alone in this miserable life, and that I shall survive, afflicted, deso-
late and deprived of your holy conversation. Nevertheless, the deeply im- pressed traces of thy praiseworthy deeds and pious works, as also the me- morials you shall have left, must increase my rejoicing before God, and again
bring a festive day. Doubtless, intuitively knowing such matters, you shall happily sleep in Christ. Of this I feel assured, and especially in your case. So long as the usury of life be left to me, I shall not fail in this place,
whither angels have brought me, to follow in thy footsteps with penitential exercises, so far as the infirmity of my feeble body will permit, and so far as Divine grace may assist me. Oh, my dearest brother, aid me by thy holy prayers, while you supply to a woman's weakness, that manly strength, which has supported you. But now, have courage, and be comforted, in Christ and in His holy cross ; for, as hitherto you were accustomed to contend with great vigour of mind and indomitable fortitude, give still further proofs of resolution, during this your last agony. " ^'<- With such consoling words, she cheered the parting soul of her dear brother, and she soon saw his remains reverently consigned to the earth. Then Brigid sought a dense wood, near Fiesole,^s where she resolved to live a solitary life, and to spend it, in a
=3
Dempster
of P'iesole, Phillipus Villanius Florentinus, Franciscus Cattanius Diacettus episcopus, and Silvanus Razzius, as authorities for the Life of this St. Brigid, while he chiefly takes
^* See " Acta Sanctoiiim Hiber^ Colgan's
niae," Februarii i. De S. Brigida, Virgine,
Ecclesiae Opacensis apud Fessulas in Italia
Patronae, sec. iii. , pp. 236, 237.
'^^ At the conclusion of his poem, Rus«
ticus," Politian, with that power of descrip* tion so peculiar to him, has thus celebrated the scenes around it :—
cites the Acts of the Church
" Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. ,
it from Phillipus Ferrarius. See lib. ii. , sec. 166, p. 93.
Historia
**
238 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
=''
This desert place, called Opacum or Opacus, was at the foot of certain high and steep mountains, where wild beasts alone had their lairs. Here, she subsisted on fruits and roots, which grew about, and thus almost removed from human associations and conversation, engaged in constant vigils, fasts and austerities, old age grew upon her. ='7 Yet, would rustics, when hunting, frequently come to her hermitage, which seems to have been a sort of cave. Sometimes, they offered the holy woman products of their chase, which she often refused to accept, as being too great a luxury for her manner of life. ^^ As her years wore on, many holy matrons and men visited St. Brigid, while they alleviated her infirmities. This charitable help
the Almighty inspired. At length, spent with old age, after miracles and merits had crowned her life, this holy virgin was called to her heavenly
nuptials,ontheistdayofFebruary,^? abouttheyearofChrist,870. 3° She died3^—it is incorrectly stated—towards the close of Charlemagne's reign. 32
Then, after her death, all the country inhabitants, venerating her as a saint, interred her remains ; and, on an elevated spot among the mountains, where she had lived, they built a church, which was dedicated to her memory. This was called, Piave St. Martin in Baco, and afterwards her natal day was celebrated there with great solemnity. The desert, which in her time, had been rugged, wild and uncultivated, subsequently assumed an almost mira- culous change ; for, settlers on the spot soon rendered it attractive and populous. 33 Severalwritershavecelebratedthepraisesofthisholyvirgin, while pious pilgrimages were made to her shrine, for ages long past after her death.
Article V. —St. Catan, Cathand, or Caddan, Bishop. {Possibly in the Fifth or Sixth Century^ Among the early saints of Ireland, com- memorated on this day, we find a Catan, or Caddan, son of Madan,'
rigorous course of penance.
** Hie resonat blando tibi pinus amata susurro ;
Hie vaga eoniferis insibilat aura eupressis; Hie scatebris salit, et bullantibus incita
venis
Pura coloratos interstrepit unda lapillos. "
This writer died September, A. D. 1494. An account of him will be found in Roscoe's " Life of Lorenzo de' Medici. " He was
tano, in his notes to her Life, and Ferrarius, *'
in Catalogus Sanctorum Italise," Februarii i. Father Henry Fitzsimons mentions her, at this date. Camerarius, without any con- current authority, assigns her festival, to the 31stofDecember. See"DeStatuHomi- nis Veteris simul ac Novae Ecclesise, et In- fidelium Conversione," lib. i. , cap. iii. , sec. 2, p. 263.
2° This is the period, conjectured by Con- stantine Caietano, in his notes to the Life of St. Andrew. Dr. Lanigan thinks she died,
"
probably about A. D. 880. See
tical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap. xxi. , sect, iv. , n. 58, p. 285.
^i Having i)rought down the death of St. Donatus to near A. d. 890, and considering, that St. Brigid not only survived him, but also her brother Andrew, the Bollandists supposed she lived, until about A. D. 900. See "Acta Sanctorum Februarii," tomus i.
also the early instructor of Pope Leo X. *'
See, likewise, William Roscoe's Life and Pontificate of Leo the Tenth. " Revised by his son Thomas Roscoe, vol. i. , chap, i. , p. 15. Sixth edition, London, 1853, 8vo.
Ecclesias-
^^ It is asserted, by Constantine Caietano,
that she embraced the rule of St. Benedict ;
but, this writer was over zealous, in claiming
distinguished persons for his order. See
M, le Dr. Hoeffer, "Nouvelle Biographic
Generale," tome viii. , col. 139.
=7 See " Ferrarius, Catalogus
DeS. &c. Commentarius Brigida, Virgine,
Sanctorum
=^ 3= **
ItalisB," p. Ixix.
Historicus, sec. ii. , 8, p. 246.
See Father Stephen White's Apolo*
Dempster, although he could not ascer- tain the year for her death, says she was
gia pro Hibemia," cap. iv. , p. 40.
known as a
holy person,
in 802. See " His-
33 gee " Acta Sanctoi-um Ilibcr- Colgan's
toria Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus
i. , lib. ii. , sect. 166, p. 93.
"9 At this all the Calendarists date, nearly
place her festival. Thus, Constantine Caie-
nise," Februarii i. De S. Brigida, Virgine, Ecclesige Opacensis apud Fessulas in Italia
Patronse, sec. — v. , vi. , vii. ,
iv. , p. 236.
Article v.
* the son of He was
Bracan,
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 239
sprung from the race of Trial, son to Conall Cearnach, and who belonged
to the Clann Rudhraighe. ^ Thus was he a scion of the Dalaradian
family. 3 We find his name also written Cathan, or Keddan, and Latinized
Cathandus : Cattan and Ceddan are other forms of this holy man's name. *
There is a Catan,5 a priest, enumerated among the domestic familiars
of St. Patrick f and, it seems not unlikely, he may be regarded as iden-
tical with the present saint. 7 The birth of this son of light is thought to
have fallen, within the fifth century ; since, he became one of St. Patrick's
disciples, after our great Apostle had spent many years, in preaching God's word to the people, and when he had then rested, in a great measure, from
his labours, being worn down with old age. ^ The patriarch was spe- cially devoted to holy contemplation, among the scenes of retirement he had chosen. St. Catan seems to have been then domesticated with him ;
while, to the advantages of learning and instruction, personally conveyed, were added those of example, set by so venerable a master. To this happy
training, Catan as readily responded ; and, fulfilling the household duties assigned him, soon was he advanced to sacred orders. 9 While rigorous to a degree in his fasts, austerities and vigils, he was considerate as regarded his guests and the poor, towards whom he generously exercised the offices
of '° St. Patrick charity.
and his merits finding
loved this
increase with years, it is probable, the grade of bishop was conferred on
Catan, by his illustrious master. In this new sphere, he was actively and anxiously engaged; but, feeling a strong inclination to lead the life of a
contemplative, it is said, Catan resolved on leaving Ireland. He sighed for solitude, and hoped to find rest for prayer, study, meditation, and severe mental and corporeal discipline. " Local tradition makes a St. Catan or
Cadan, the patron of Magilligan parish," in the county of Londonderry. For Catholic purposes, St. Cadan's Church was rebuilt some years ago, be- neath the shadow of the " rocks of Magilligan. " ^3 This handsome building
the son of Coelbad, son to Cronnius, sur- named Badhraoi, according to the " Meno- logic Genealogy," chap. iii. In the same chapter, twelve saints are assigned to that
particular family. == "
the four-and-twenty, who were in orders with St. Patrick, are enumerated the pre- sumed present saint, denominated Cruimther Catan and Cruimther Ocan, his two waiters,
edited
Drs. Todd and
See the Martyrology of Donegal,"
Patrick, Apostle of Ireland," p. 501.
*° He is as one of St. Patrick's regarded
guest-masters, in the religious society sup- posed to have been established by the great Irish Apostle, at Saul.
"See Ecclesias- Dempster's '/Historia
by 37.
Reeves, pp. 36,
3 This appears from the catalogue of the Kings of Ireland.
4 See
Colgan's
*' Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
dearly
disciple,
nise," Februarii i. De S. Catano alias
Caddano, Episcopo, cap. i. , and nn. I, 2,
3, 4, pp. 233, 234.
5 Colgan says, he is identical with a St.
January. HisActswillbefoundattheist ^3Thefollowingparticularsaregleaned
Septima Vita S. Patricii, pars iii. , cap. Sunday, October 17th, a charity sermon,
Caidoc, Apostle of the Morini, in France,
and whose feast is referred to the 24th of derry. " Sheets I, 2, 5, 6.
of April.
^ See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. '" day, October 20th, 1875. On the previous
xcviii. , p. 167, and n. 125, p. 188.
^ Another St. Catan graces our calendars, at the 1 2th of December. At the 17th and i8th of May, the Scottish Calendars com-
able, learned and instructive, was preached in St. Cadan's Roman Catholic Church,
Magilligan, by the Rev. John Keys O'Doherty, Newtownstevvart, in aid of the fund for clearing off a debt incurred by the
respected pastor of the parish. Rev. Bernard M'Gurk, P. P. , in erecting his parochial house. A grand High Mass and ceremony
delighted and edified the parishioners oq this occasion.
memorate, likewise, a Bishop Cathan. ^"
See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," Februarii i. De S. Catano a/irtj Cad- dano, cap. ii. , p. 233.
9 In the Tripartite Life of St. Patrick, translated by William M. Hennessy, among
^
See Miss Mary F. Cusack's
"
Life of St.
tica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. iii. , sect. 237, p. 138.
" Also called Tamlaght Ard, in the barony of Keenaught. See ' ' Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of London*
from the Londonderry Journal of Wednes-
240 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
occupies a commanding rind picturesque site on the high lands there, and it stands in the midst of historical and religious remains, whose existence is hallowed by antiquity, and made sacred by the holy hands that blessed them. Alittletotherightisshownthemound,whereoncestoodacele- brated Franciscan monastery, and where the ploughshare oft turns up the bonesofthoseinterredinthesacredprecincts. Now,afertileplainstretches between this mound and the sea ; but, tradition and geology show where the surging waves in olden time laved its base, while but lately the steps, by which the monks descended from their house to the shore, were discovered. About the same time and place were found the anchor to which they moored, and the ring to which they bound their little skiffs. To the left, in the old churchyard, is shown the grave of St. Cadan,^^ where reposed his bones when his missionary labours were ended. Close beside lies St. Cadan's well -^^ while^ on many a valley and hill around are traceable the labours of theapostolicSt. Patrick,andthechurch-lovingSt. Columb. Itisthensuit- able, that in these modern days the faith should flourish, where it was planted so firmly of yore, and it is equally fit that the missioners of to-day should have residences appropriate to their sacred calling.
^"^
A new parochial house People in the neigh- bourhood call him Espog or Bishop, which would make him accord with the assumed grades of our saint. Aidan seems to be another name applied to him; but,onthewhole,thereisreallynoreliabletraditionexistingatMa- gilligan,'7 in reference to St. Cadan. Only some hazy notions float in the parishioners' minds, when alluding to him. ^^ The Parish Priest of Tamlacht Ard and Magilligan, Rev. B. M'Guirk, is of opinion, that St. Catan's festival
has been lately erected, near St. Cadan's Church.
there fell on the 12th of Decem. ber, rather than on the ist of — February. ^9
TheRev. ina " ^^ ofwhich
John Graham,^°
poem, intituled,
Magilligan"
'* The Rev. John Keys O'Doherty kindly procured, from the Rev. B. M'Guirk, P. P. , of Tamlacht Ard and Magilligan, the fol- lowing local information, in a letter dated
dawn witnessed the faithful kneeling around their shepherd bishop, and praying for that peace and liberty which we to-day enjoy. "
'7 in this parish is the mountain of Ben- yevenagh, 1,200 feet over the sea-level,
February 7th, 1876, referring to St. Catan's
tomb, "There was a hole in a stone over See
the grave, from which earth was taken for
cures, but this practice has ceased for very
manyyears. "
's This well has yet considerable local re-
pute for effecting cures.
*^ From the sermon, as
'^
So has the writer been informed, in a
the fol- lowing interesting local anecdote must be
^^ He writes to Rev.
February 7th, 1867, as follows
pie here have no special day set apart for his
holy bishop in disguise to minister to the spiritual wants of your forefathers. He had retumed from banishment at the risk of his life, and, attired as a shepherd, he tended the flocks by day on these mountains of Magilligan, and by night stole into the hu—ts of the poor to exercise his sacred ministry to bring joy to the living, and hope and con-
solation to the sick and
a watchman posted on every eminence to give notice of the approach of the dreaded
soldiery, did he offer up the unbloody sacri- '''
'*
Enshrined in stone, near Tamlaght's tem«
pie high.
Brought from Northumberland by Col-
man's care,
The honoured ashes of old Aidan lie.
fice ; and the Mass Hill and the Mass '
Hollow,' the 'Priest's Knowe and the 'Canon Hill' still point out to the pious inquirer the hallowed spots where the gray
reported,
John Keys O'Doherty,
:
Here,
so late as the seventeenth century, came a veneration ; but, I am confident, the 1 2th
deemed worthy of preservation :
"
dying. Here,
with
of this — as production, relating
to the
local
"
vol. ii. , p. 723.
Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland,"
letter from Rev. John Keys O'Doherty,
P. P. , Newtownstewart, County Tyrone, and
dated Febuiary 8th, 1876.
December, is the day fixed for him. "
=° He parodied to great advantage a num- her of Moore's " Irish Melodies," and he
composed several Orange songs and poems, which are yet popular in various parts of Ulster.
=^'
The stanzas succeeding will give the reader an idea, regarding the tone and style
patron
:
" The peo-
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 241
place he was Protestant rector some years ago—has alluded to St. Cadan, whom he confounds with St. Aidan, of Lindisfarne, in Northumberland. ^^ Poetic license, in this case, is doubtless very freely applied to dissolve the historic mist. It is traditionally related among other things, that St. Cadan was a great artificer, and that he made a celebrated shrine, which was in ex- istence in the fourteenth century. The altar of this holy man was pointed out, but it has now disappeared. This was a large stone, in a field t—o the south of the graveyard. It is said, there was a place in it for his book this
wasprobablythebook-stand while,themarksofhiskneeswereshownin ——
a second stone, on which he knelt in prayer. ^3 supposedtobetheCatanusofSt. Patrick'sLives istobeseenbesidethe church of Tamlacht Ard. It is built of ashlar masonry, and it is evidently of great antiquity. However, it had been so covered up with earth, owing to the adjacent interments, that no sketch of it could be obtained by Dr. Petrie. ^4 Now, it may be questioned, whether or not, the Catan of St.
