Fursasi, *See
Plcclesiastical
History of Ireland," lib.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v1
The gifts of unjust persons must be imparted to the poor, and to those who are destitute of every comfort.
There should be no divisions in the Church of God, and such as arise amongst the people should be referred to the apostolic constitutions and to the test of orthodox faith.
Those who live in monasteries, while receiving means for their support, ought to labour in silence.
There are some who excuse themselves from the duty of teaching, and appear in public to satisfy the cravings of worldly solicitude.
Wherefore, virtue, which they practise in secret, is the light of a good example, hidden from their neighbours : while by engaging publicly in worldly business and cares, they suffer the poison of deadly passions to corrupt their hearts, with great scandal to the faithful.
Therefore, guard yourself with great caution, and never appear in public, but when animated with a desire of solitude, observing all the Divine pre- cepts : and when you expose yourself in a public capacity for the salvation of souls, do not allow your heart to be anxious about obtaining rewards from this world.
And if any person had quarrelled with you, at the first hour of day, and hath repented before evening, as you have freely received, so in like manner joyfully grant him pardon.
Do not concern yourself with the acquisition of an inheritance, nor with things of this world, nor allow your heart to be thus pre-occupied : but in all adversity and contradiction, return good for evil, and supplicate the Almighty on behalf of your enemies, with a truly Christian spirit.
For he who calmly preserves his heart in undisturbed repose against afflictions and resistance, shall overcome even the ferocity of wild beasts, and tame the most refractory.
No other kind of good work presents a sacrifice more pleasing and acceptable in God's sight than the meek endurance of a patient heart, opposed to all attempted injuries.
Every good servant of God should joyfully receive, as a favour vouchsafed to him, all temporal losses and adversities, as so many spiritual gains, with promise of a future reward.
The devil and the world are two persistent enemies of the human soul : and each one of them in turn ingrafts a love for the other.
For when the soul is enslaved to the world, it becomes captive to the enemy of man, who rules it as a conqueror.
Do you therefore announce the word of God to princes "of this Irish land, that having abandoned iniquity, they may by penance work out their souls' salvation.
Afterwards, manifest those revelations to zealous priests of our holy Church, that the Almighty will be
^ In this in the " Sacerdos instance, acts,
Beoanus" occurs, although in a fornaer pas- sage, he is called /'r^j«/.
^ " What avarice does is here made mani- fest
In the purgation of those souls con-
verted,
And no more bitter pain the mountain
has. "—See "The Divine Comedy" of Dante Alighieri, translated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Purgatorio, canto xix. , 115 to 117.
January i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 255
jealous, if they love him less than the world. For neglecting the salvation of souls, they often pursue this world's rewards, and resolve only on a death-
bed repentance : then, having received the gifts of worldlings, such pastors willbelikelytobecomeparticipatorsintheirsufferings. " Whenthesewords were spoken, the band of angels was admitted within heavenly mansions. ^^
Whilst St. Fursey, accompanied only by three angels, was about returning
to the world, a great fire approached him. This was divided by an angel, as
in the former instance. From such fire, it is said, a certain person was
hurled against him by the demons. ^9 This shock alighting on the saint's
shoulder burned the latter to some extent. Fursey recognised a person, that
had given his own gannent to the saint, when dying. But an angel, who
stood on the right side of Fursey, threw back this intruder into the fire, whilst
an angel on his left interposed to separate the saint from the adjoining flames.
to utter his " Do not fallacies, saying,
Then the old of enemy
man, began
repel him, from whom you have already received, for as you have taken his
goods, you ought to be a partaker of his punishment. " The angel of the
Lord " He did not receive them an avaricious but answered, through motive,
in order to save his soul. " Then the fire ceased, and the angel of God said, " What you have kindled, that shall burn against yourself For if you had not received the garment of this man, who died in his sins, neither would any of his punishment be inflicted on your body. Therefore, preach the necessity of penance to all, and that absolution must be received from priests at the last hour. The substance of any person who hath died in the state of mortal sin must not be received, nor must his body be interred within conse- cratedground. Youmustpreachmorezealouslytothelivingsinner,thathis heart may be touched with sorrow for his off"ences, and be purified through contrition. Whilstrenouncingallhisiniquities,heshouldwillinglydistribute almstothepoor. However,letnothingbereceivedbyapriest,whoministers tohim,forhisowtiuse; butatthetimeofinterment,lethisgoodsbedivided among the poor, that in no manner may the priest become a participator in his
iniquities. "
Having been instructed by these, and such like exhortations, Fursey
alighted on the roof of a church, and stood between the holy angels. Look-
ing downwards, he could neither recognise the walls of this house, the crowd
of mourners, nor the semblance of his own body for some time. At last, he
was told by an angel to recollect what belonged to him, and that his soul
should again enter its fleshy prison. But the spirit of our saint, fearing to
approacli the senseless, body, an angel addressed Fursey in these words,
"
Fear not to enter this body, which, although a frail one, you may possess with- out danger of being vanquished by infirmity or vice ; for you have overcome concupiscence in this trial, so that henceforth your old defect shall not be able
to prevail against you. " Then in spirit, Fursey saw the breast of his body
" When
^ Colgan's " Acta Sanctonim HibemizE," 7° Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise,"
xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furscei, lib. i. , cap. xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Fursjei, lib. i. , cap.
XX. , xxi. , xxii. , xxiii. , xxiv. , xxv. , xxvi. , xxvii. , xxviii. , p. 8i. Also, Vita S. Furssei
pp. 79 to 8i. Also, ix. Februarii. Vita S. a Desmaio, cap, viii. , pp. 289, 290, ibid.
His
let it undergo an ablution in the water of a fountain, and you will experience no other pain, than that of the slight bum which it has endured. To the moment of your death, we shall behold you engaged in good works, and thus, through your faithful labours, we shall afterwards joyfully receive you. ''7°
opening.
guardian angel said,
your body
vivified,
Fursaei, a Desmaio, cap. vii. , pp. 288, 289, ibid.
'^See Bede's "Historia Ecclesiastica Gen- tis Anglorum," lib. iii. , cap. xix. , p. 212,
Desmay, although agreeing in substance
with the previous narrative, yet amplifies its details to some extent,
hath become
256 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i6.
CHAPTER V.
ST. FURSEY'S subsequent revelations—IJATE OF' HIS VISIONS—HIS MISSIONS AND PREACHING—HE LEAVES LOUGH ORBSEN—ROSSERRILLY—FURSEY WITHDRAWS TO AN ISLAND IN THE OCEAN—AFTERWARDS HE GOES TO ENGLAND—SIGEBERT, KING OF THE EAST ANGLES, JOYFULLY RECEIVES HIM—A MONASTERY FOUNDED AT CNOBHERSBURG—FURSEY's VISIONS, TRAVELS, AND MIRACLES—HE LEADS AN EREMITICAL LIFE—DISTURBANCES AND WARS IN ENGLAND—FURSEY, WITH SOME COMPANIONS, VISITS GAUL.
When restored to his senses, Fursey awoke from his state of rest, and
wondered greatly on beholding a crowd of religious and of other persons, who stood near him, bathed in tears. They seemed to be making prepara-
tions for his interment, as if the immortal spirit had already departed. ' Having come to the recollection of his actual state, within a short time,
Fursey began to inveigh bitterly against the blindness of men, who love the things of earth with such great eagerness, and who never consider that all worldly grandeur must have an end in the grave, where human pride is
"
finally buried. Then, turning towards his monks, he said, Oh, brethren,
if only one drop, or one small portion of those exquisite enjoyments, or of that happiness which I tasted during my ecstasy, and which God has in perpetual reserve for his worshippers and faithful servants, had been received into your souls—although I only tasted these pleasures to a slight extent— yet, I doubt not, but immediately the delight of such joys must entirely ravish your hearts, even to complete forgetfulness, as to whether you were living or dead. On the contrary, if sinners only beheld, even through a small aperture, the dreadful nature of those everlasting tortures, which had been revealed to me, would they not instantly despise all this Avorld's delights ! How should they not dread contact with them for all future time ! "
On saying these words, to convince his hearers, Fursey showed them the wound he had received in the neck, by coming in contact with the unhappy usurer, whose unfortunate condition he then described.
All were amazed, and almost fainting through fear, they burst into tears. According to the angel's admonition, during his vision, when Fursey was heard asking for some water to cool the sense of burning felt in his throat, every doubt concerning the reality of his narrative was removed from the minds of those present. The saint's thoughts were never afterwards free from a recollection of what he had seen. Often, as he meditated on the Almighty's threat against the defects of those appointed to rule, he lamented with tears and
sighs his being placed as a director over his monastery, and he earnestly desired to abdicate his office, that he might become subject to others. ' Nor did he desire to be relieved from his corporal infirmity, while he prayed with the Apostle that the greatness of his revelations should not fill his mind with
3 pride.
St. Fursey is thought to have had those visions in the year 627. 4 This was probably about two or three years after he had founded the monastery
Chap. v. —'
some Divine
3 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernins," ix.
account, that with tlie Apostle he frequently
gloried in his infirmities, and he was most ix. , p. 290. Also, Vita S. Furscei, lib. i. ,
account.
* In Colgan we find the sequel of this
Desmay's
privilege.
patient under tliat soreness in the throat, known as the "King's Evil" among the Gauls. This is a species of cancer, which, when touched by the King of France, was popularly believed to disappear, owing to
cap. xxix. , p. 81, ibid.
•See Ussher's " Britannicarum Ecclesia-
rum Antiquitates," cap. xvi. , p. 381. This learned author quotes from the old writer, whom he believes to have lived before Bede,
Februarii. Vita S. Fursa-i, a Desmaio, cap.
January i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 257
ofRathmat. For,beinganxious,aswehavesaidbefore,toplacesomeof his relatives in the monastery, Fursey went to Munster, for that purpose.
It is supposed, in fulfilment of his intention, he did not delay very long, after he had rested his estabhshment on a secure foundation. s To effect this object, two or three years^ must have been fully sufficient. ? Accordingly, if he had those visions in 626,^ the foundation of Rathmat Monastery might justly be assigned to about a. d. 624. 9 From the time of these visions, he seems to have resigned the administration of his monastery ; for it is stated, he went forth soon afterwards to preach God's word, and to announce generally what he had heard and seen. An incomparable grace seemed to pervade and animate all his actions. He never once sought or desired the goods of this earth. He rather bestowed gifts on those that sought them ; and his example, in a great manner, was imitated by prelates and their subjects, by kings and nobles, as well as by lowly and humble people. He was loved by all good persons ; he was dreaded by all wicked and sinful men ; he was ennobled by the gifts of Divine [grace. While supporting
the poor, he exorcised persons possessed by evil spirits.
For a year, he taught the Irish people truths of Christian doctrine.
Meantime, the anniversary day of his visions and trance approached. While many wise and holy men were in company with him, the saint was
again seized with bodily infirmity, on the night of this anniversary. He seemed almost lifeless, but the angel of the Lord appeared to him in spirit during a whole day. Fursey was taught what would be most suitable for him to annoimce, pending the time of his missions, and he was told that he should complete them, by spending twelve years in the work of preach-
ing.
'° With this Our saint dis- injunction Fursey faithfully complied. "
tinguished himself as a most eloquent preacher ; his sermons always
attracted large congregations, and were a subject of general admiration amongst the people. But these marks of popular consideration called forth the calumnies and persecution of his enemies. During this interval
these words: "Verbum Dei per universam Hiberniam pradicabat, & ea quae viderat vel audierat omnibus populis Scotomm adnun- ciabat. YJi alius Vitae ejusdem scriptor: Beatissimus Fursaeus navigans ex Scotia sive Hibernia, venit in Galliam. " From these passages, it would seem, that Ussher thought himself possessed of our saint's oldest acts.
SThat Ussher had another life of Fursey, different from the one published by Colgan at the l6lh of January, is evident from the latter quoted passage, which is not there found.
'Such is Dr. Lanigan's conjecture.
^Inthe "IndexChronologicus," p. 537, of Ussher, we read, under the year Dcxxvii. , "Fiirsitus, Foillanus, and Ultaims, filii I'hil-
"
tain Reguli Ilibcrnici, claruerunt, p. 501
^ At this year, iu the " Annals of Ulster,"
Lanigan desires his readers to compare w'l'Ca.
the previous notes, 69 and 71.
'° In his old acts, the number of years,
said to have been spent by him in preaching, is set down at ten. In those acts, issued by Colgan, at the i6th of January, and in his life published by Capgrave, it is said, the number of years was twelve, including, it seems, that year in which our saint travelled throughout Ireland. This matter would otherwise be of little importance, but inso- much as it might seem to decide the era of the saint's departure for England.
" Desmay says, that the period of his preaching, which was twelve years, had been
spent partly in Ireland, and partly in Bri- tain. But Colgan supposes it probable, from what is stated in his acts, lib. i. , cap. XXX. , that this term of years had been
spent solely in Ireland. See Dr. Lanigan's ""
is entered, Visio quam vidit Fursseus re- Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , ligiosus Episcopus. " See Dr. O'Conor's chap, xvi. , § viii. , p. 456, and n. 78, p.
" Rerum Hibernicarum "
tomus
458,
ibid. " Acta Sanctorum Also, Colgan's
Scriptores,"
76, pp. 457, 458. This latter note, Dr. cap. x. , p. 290, ibid. Vol. I. —No. 5.
iv, Annales Ultonienses," p. 43. "
HibernicC," xvi. Januarii. Vita S.
Fursasi, *See Plcclesiastical History of Ireland," lib. i. , cap. xxxi. , xxxii. , p. 81, and n. 23, . vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , § viii. , p. 456, and n. p. 90. Likewise, Vita S. Furscei a Desmaio,
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i6.
258
of his Irish mission, we find that he visited Munster," and it is probable, that he also preached occasionally in other provinces of Ireland.
After our saint had completed twelve years of his mission, and having preached the Gospel to all without exception, multitudes of people flocked to hear him and obtain his counsel. He now resolved on leaving the beautiful shores of Lough Orbsen, where he had spent so many happy hours in prayer and contemplation. Many an interesting ruin, near Kilfursa, attests the spirit of piety he first awakened in that neighbourhood. The old abbey ruins of Ros-Oirbhealagh, or as it is now written Roserrilly, are well worthy the tourist's visit and the ecclesiologist's study. '3 These are to
Rosserrilly Ruins, Co. Galway.
be seen on the River Ross, near the town of Headford, in the barony oi Clare,andcountyofGalway. ThisabbeywaserectedforFranciscanfriars in 135 1,** and its remains are even yet in a fair state of preservation. The situation is a very retired one, and the monastery is said to have been a famous seat of piety and learning. 'S Reclaimed marshes, now converted into rich. meadows or pasture-lands, surround it, and within the enclosed cemetery are many tombs and gravestones. '^ A causeway, paved with large stones, leads to the cemetery at the end of a shady lane. The beautiful arches of the spacious cloister are still objects of great admiration to every visitor of taste. '7 The great church, 128 feet in length, by 20^ in width, is surmounted by a lofty square tower, 70 feet in height. This is supported on pointed arches, separating nave and chancel. '^ Various parts of the
"This appears evident, from the Lives Franciscan Monasteries," chap, vii. , pp.
of St. Barr, cap. 24; of St. Molagga, cap. 19 ; and of St. Cronan, cap. 16, as already quoted.
'3 A very copious history and description of this Franciscan erection will be found in
Oliver J. Burke's "Abbey of Ros? , its History and Details. "
'•See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. iii. , pp. 598, 599, and n. (z. ), ibid.
'5 See an interesting description in Rev. C. P. Meehan's "Rise and Fall of the Irish
78, 79-
'*
The writer had an opportunity of visit-
ing this spot in August, i860.
'7 Sir William Wilde has furnished a very
graphic detail and some legends of Ross- Errilly, with a fine woodcut view of the monastery, taken from the south-east. See "Lough Corrib, its Shores and Islands: with notices of Lough Mask," chap, v. , pp. 112 to 124.
'^ See »(*? </. pp. 118, 119.
January i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 259
monastic establishment are still distinctly traceable. "9 It is a subject for
congratulation, that Mr. Oliver J. Burke, of Ower,=° has lately effected some repairs in the ruins, which he has likewise protected from offensive desecra- tions, to which they had been too long subjected. ^^ The ruins of Ross- errilly^* are only a very short distance towards the north-east of Kilfursa church.
At length St. Fursey withdrew to a small island in the ocean. =3 Thither
he was accompanied by some religious men. The saint had previously forsaken the few relics of property he possessed. Here he found some rest fromtheimportunitiesofthosewhohadfollowedhimonthemainland. Hav- ing lived in that island for some time, Fursey resolved on leaving Ireland
altogether, and England appears to have been the next country designed for his habitation. After much travelling, he reached the country of East
Anglia. He was accompanied by some religious men, two of the number being his brothers, St. Foillan and St. Ultan. By the king of East Anglia our saint was honourably received. Fursey laboured with zeal amongst his barbarian subjects in spreading truths of the Gospel. ^^
The period of St. Furse/s landing in England has not been exactly determined ; but it has been variously assigned to the years 633,=^5 636,=^^ 637,""^ 638,^^ or 639. ^9 These different dates will enable us, however, to
approximate somewhat closely to his departure from Ireland. 3° Itisjelated, that at this period, Sigebert was king over that portion of Britain in which he arrived. From him the saint received a hospitable reception. 3' This king
'9 The accompanying woodcut, taken from a different point of view to that given by Sir William Wilde, is executed by George A. Hanlon, from a drawing on the wood by William F. Wakeman, copied from a photo- graph by Frederick W. Mares, Dublin.
^° Author of the interesting little work,
date is given by Mahew, in his " Tropheis Benedictinis," at the 7th of August, in St. Sigebert's life. See Colgan's "Acta Sanc- torum Hibemiae," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furssei. Appendix, cap. viii. , p. 97.
^'^At the year Dcxxxvil. , Ussher says, that Fursasus, when he had spent many years preaching the word of God at home,
"Abbey of Ross, its History and Details. "
"' "
passed from Hibernia into Anglia. Index
116. the Gospel for about twelve years in Ireland, '"They are marked on the "Ordnance and ab—out the year 637 he went to Eng-
Mr. Bevan, the writer of Murray's valu-
"
" Britannicarum
able ' ' Handbook for Travellers in
alludes to the human bones, left piled in the
crevices of ruins here ; and, long before he Ware, vol. ii. "Writers of Ireland," book wrote, the Rev. Caesar Otway called atten- i. , chap, iv. , p. 34. Lanigan's "Ecclesias- tion to this unsightly exposure of mortal tical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , remains. See "Tour in Connaught," p. § ix. , p. 458. "He continued to preach
Survey Townland Maps for the County of Galway. " Sheet41.
land. " Wills' "Lives of Illustrious and DistinguishedIrishmen,"vol. i. , p. i, n. 139.
=* has it at A. D. or Colgan 637 638.
'3 There are no means for
ascertaining
"
Ireland,
Chronologicus," p. 538.
Ecclesiarum Antiquitates. Also, Harris'
where this island was situated with anything
approaching accuracy.
''^See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
curred before this date, but in what year is i. , cap. XXX. , yxxi. , xxxii. , p. 81. Vita S. uncertain. See tomus i. , lib. xii. , § Ixi. ,
Furssei a Desmaio, cap x. , p. 290, ibid. P- 374-
^5 In his notes on Bede, Smith assigns it 3° See Dr. Lanigan s "Ecclesiastical His-
to A. D. 633. His argument is founded tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , § ix. ,
niae," xvi. Januarii; Vita S. Fursrei, lib.
chiefly on the supposition, that Sigebert was killed in 635, and that his reign had begun in 630. Accordingly, Smith concluded that Fursey's arrival might be placed in 633, as being about the middle of Sigebert's reign.
** Florence of Worcester, in his ' ' Historia
Anglicana," at the year 636, says, at this time Fursey came from Ireland to the pro- vince of the East Angles. And the same
n. 83, pp. 459, 460. In his life of our saint, Desmay says, the angel signified to Fursey, that he should spend twelve years preaching in Ireland, Scotland, and England, before the time of his journeying into France.
3' See Bede's " Historia Ecclesiastica
Gentis Anglorum," lib. iii. , cap. 19. The same venerable writer treats of the reign and
martyrdom of this king, in succeeding chap-
^'Mabillon mentions it in his
Annales
Ordinis S. Benedict! ," at A. D. 639. He
says, however, his arrival in England oc-
,
"
26o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i6.
granted him a tract of land, on which he founded a monastery. 3^ The site
of this building was Burghcastle, in the present shire of Suffolk ;33 it was
formerly named Cnobhersberg. This monastery, surrounded by woods, overlooked the sea, and it was erected within the enclosure of a castle. 34
A stranger, who wanders on the dank, marshy shores of the oozy Yare, while contemplating the lichen-encrusted ruins of Roman castramentation, at Gariononum—now Burgh Castle—will scarcely think that those gray walls once enclosed the cell of the Milesian Scot, Fursaeus. Yet, says a distinguished Avriter, strangely is the chain of causation involved, for this obscure anchoret exercised a mighty influence, equally upon the opinion and genius of Roman Christendom. When received in East Anglia by King Sigebert, Fursaeus became emvrapped in those trances, which disclosed to him secrets of a world beyond the grave. 33 Thus, his celebrated visions^ served to kindle that spark, which transmitted to the inharmonious Dante of a barbarous age the first of those compositions, from the combination of which his Divina Coni7nedia arose. 37
Here, Fursey employed himself in preaching and missionary duties, and he brought many unbelievers to embrace the faith ; effecting, likewse, the real conversion of many nominal Christians. 3^ He continued, also, his watchingsandprayers; but,wishingtodevotehimselfaltogethertoheavenly contemplation, he resigned the charge of the monastery and his missions to his brother Fullan and to the priests Gobban and Dichul. 39 In company with his brother Ultan, he lived the life of an anchorite, during a whole year. This they passed in labour, prayer, and fasting. He continued his mode of life until about the time of the expedition of Penda, King of Mercia, against the East Angles.
ters of his history. Polydore Virgil also mentions these occurrences, lib. iv. Mat-
same authority ; and he perfected the en- dowment of this monastery, commenced by
his predecessor; not, however, until after the
succeeded to the East Anglian throne.
39 Gobban, who is erroneously called Gib-
thew of Westminster, in like manner, at
the " Flores year 652,
who to the died, according
death of
228.
^ In this in the " Sacerdos instance, acts,
Beoanus" occurs, although in a fornaer pas- sage, he is called /'r^j«/.
^ " What avarice does is here made mani- fest
In the purgation of those souls con-
verted,
And no more bitter pain the mountain
has. "—See "The Divine Comedy" of Dante Alighieri, translated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Purgatorio, canto xix. , 115 to 117.
January i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 255
jealous, if they love him less than the world. For neglecting the salvation of souls, they often pursue this world's rewards, and resolve only on a death-
bed repentance : then, having received the gifts of worldlings, such pastors willbelikelytobecomeparticipatorsintheirsufferings. " Whenthesewords were spoken, the band of angels was admitted within heavenly mansions. ^^
Whilst St. Fursey, accompanied only by three angels, was about returning
to the world, a great fire approached him. This was divided by an angel, as
in the former instance. From such fire, it is said, a certain person was
hurled against him by the demons. ^9 This shock alighting on the saint's
shoulder burned the latter to some extent. Fursey recognised a person, that
had given his own gannent to the saint, when dying. But an angel, who
stood on the right side of Fursey, threw back this intruder into the fire, whilst
an angel on his left interposed to separate the saint from the adjoining flames.
to utter his " Do not fallacies, saying,
Then the old of enemy
man, began
repel him, from whom you have already received, for as you have taken his
goods, you ought to be a partaker of his punishment. " The angel of the
Lord " He did not receive them an avaricious but answered, through motive,
in order to save his soul. " Then the fire ceased, and the angel of God said, " What you have kindled, that shall burn against yourself For if you had not received the garment of this man, who died in his sins, neither would any of his punishment be inflicted on your body. Therefore, preach the necessity of penance to all, and that absolution must be received from priests at the last hour. The substance of any person who hath died in the state of mortal sin must not be received, nor must his body be interred within conse- cratedground. Youmustpreachmorezealouslytothelivingsinner,thathis heart may be touched with sorrow for his off"ences, and be purified through contrition. Whilstrenouncingallhisiniquities,heshouldwillinglydistribute almstothepoor. However,letnothingbereceivedbyapriest,whoministers tohim,forhisowtiuse; butatthetimeofinterment,lethisgoodsbedivided among the poor, that in no manner may the priest become a participator in his
iniquities. "
Having been instructed by these, and such like exhortations, Fursey
alighted on the roof of a church, and stood between the holy angels. Look-
ing downwards, he could neither recognise the walls of this house, the crowd
of mourners, nor the semblance of his own body for some time. At last, he
was told by an angel to recollect what belonged to him, and that his soul
should again enter its fleshy prison. But the spirit of our saint, fearing to
approacli the senseless, body, an angel addressed Fursey in these words,
"
Fear not to enter this body, which, although a frail one, you may possess with- out danger of being vanquished by infirmity or vice ; for you have overcome concupiscence in this trial, so that henceforth your old defect shall not be able
to prevail against you. " Then in spirit, Fursey saw the breast of his body
" When
^ Colgan's " Acta Sanctonim HibemizE," 7° Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemise,"
xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furscei, lib. i. , cap. xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Fursjei, lib. i. , cap.
XX. , xxi. , xxii. , xxiii. , xxiv. , xxv. , xxvi. , xxvii. , xxviii. , p. 8i. Also, Vita S. Furssei
pp. 79 to 8i. Also, ix. Februarii. Vita S. a Desmaio, cap, viii. , pp. 289, 290, ibid.
His
let it undergo an ablution in the water of a fountain, and you will experience no other pain, than that of the slight bum which it has endured. To the moment of your death, we shall behold you engaged in good works, and thus, through your faithful labours, we shall afterwards joyfully receive you. ''7°
opening.
guardian angel said,
your body
vivified,
Fursaei, a Desmaio, cap. vii. , pp. 288, 289, ibid.
'^See Bede's "Historia Ecclesiastica Gen- tis Anglorum," lib. iii. , cap. xix. , p. 212,
Desmay, although agreeing in substance
with the previous narrative, yet amplifies its details to some extent,
hath become
256 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i6.
CHAPTER V.
ST. FURSEY'S subsequent revelations—IJATE OF' HIS VISIONS—HIS MISSIONS AND PREACHING—HE LEAVES LOUGH ORBSEN—ROSSERRILLY—FURSEY WITHDRAWS TO AN ISLAND IN THE OCEAN—AFTERWARDS HE GOES TO ENGLAND—SIGEBERT, KING OF THE EAST ANGLES, JOYFULLY RECEIVES HIM—A MONASTERY FOUNDED AT CNOBHERSBURG—FURSEY's VISIONS, TRAVELS, AND MIRACLES—HE LEADS AN EREMITICAL LIFE—DISTURBANCES AND WARS IN ENGLAND—FURSEY, WITH SOME COMPANIONS, VISITS GAUL.
When restored to his senses, Fursey awoke from his state of rest, and
wondered greatly on beholding a crowd of religious and of other persons, who stood near him, bathed in tears. They seemed to be making prepara-
tions for his interment, as if the immortal spirit had already departed. ' Having come to the recollection of his actual state, within a short time,
Fursey began to inveigh bitterly against the blindness of men, who love the things of earth with such great eagerness, and who never consider that all worldly grandeur must have an end in the grave, where human pride is
"
finally buried. Then, turning towards his monks, he said, Oh, brethren,
if only one drop, or one small portion of those exquisite enjoyments, or of that happiness which I tasted during my ecstasy, and which God has in perpetual reserve for his worshippers and faithful servants, had been received into your souls—although I only tasted these pleasures to a slight extent— yet, I doubt not, but immediately the delight of such joys must entirely ravish your hearts, even to complete forgetfulness, as to whether you were living or dead. On the contrary, if sinners only beheld, even through a small aperture, the dreadful nature of those everlasting tortures, which had been revealed to me, would they not instantly despise all this Avorld's delights ! How should they not dread contact with them for all future time ! "
On saying these words, to convince his hearers, Fursey showed them the wound he had received in the neck, by coming in contact with the unhappy usurer, whose unfortunate condition he then described.
All were amazed, and almost fainting through fear, they burst into tears. According to the angel's admonition, during his vision, when Fursey was heard asking for some water to cool the sense of burning felt in his throat, every doubt concerning the reality of his narrative was removed from the minds of those present. The saint's thoughts were never afterwards free from a recollection of what he had seen. Often, as he meditated on the Almighty's threat against the defects of those appointed to rule, he lamented with tears and
sighs his being placed as a director over his monastery, and he earnestly desired to abdicate his office, that he might become subject to others. ' Nor did he desire to be relieved from his corporal infirmity, while he prayed with the Apostle that the greatness of his revelations should not fill his mind with
3 pride.
St. Fursey is thought to have had those visions in the year 627. 4 This was probably about two or three years after he had founded the monastery
Chap. v. —'
some Divine
3 See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernins," ix.
account, that with tlie Apostle he frequently
gloried in his infirmities, and he was most ix. , p. 290. Also, Vita S. Furscei, lib. i. ,
account.
* In Colgan we find the sequel of this
Desmay's
privilege.
patient under tliat soreness in the throat, known as the "King's Evil" among the Gauls. This is a species of cancer, which, when touched by the King of France, was popularly believed to disappear, owing to
cap. xxix. , p. 81, ibid.
•See Ussher's " Britannicarum Ecclesia-
rum Antiquitates," cap. xvi. , p. 381. This learned author quotes from the old writer, whom he believes to have lived before Bede,
Februarii. Vita S. Fursa-i, a Desmaio, cap.
January i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 257
ofRathmat. For,beinganxious,aswehavesaidbefore,toplacesomeof his relatives in the monastery, Fursey went to Munster, for that purpose.
It is supposed, in fulfilment of his intention, he did not delay very long, after he had rested his estabhshment on a secure foundation. s To effect this object, two or three years^ must have been fully sufficient. ? Accordingly, if he had those visions in 626,^ the foundation of Rathmat Monastery might justly be assigned to about a. d. 624. 9 From the time of these visions, he seems to have resigned the administration of his monastery ; for it is stated, he went forth soon afterwards to preach God's word, and to announce generally what he had heard and seen. An incomparable grace seemed to pervade and animate all his actions. He never once sought or desired the goods of this earth. He rather bestowed gifts on those that sought them ; and his example, in a great manner, was imitated by prelates and their subjects, by kings and nobles, as well as by lowly and humble people. He was loved by all good persons ; he was dreaded by all wicked and sinful men ; he was ennobled by the gifts of Divine [grace. While supporting
the poor, he exorcised persons possessed by evil spirits.
For a year, he taught the Irish people truths of Christian doctrine.
Meantime, the anniversary day of his visions and trance approached. While many wise and holy men were in company with him, the saint was
again seized with bodily infirmity, on the night of this anniversary. He seemed almost lifeless, but the angel of the Lord appeared to him in spirit during a whole day. Fursey was taught what would be most suitable for him to annoimce, pending the time of his missions, and he was told that he should complete them, by spending twelve years in the work of preach-
ing.
'° With this Our saint dis- injunction Fursey faithfully complied. "
tinguished himself as a most eloquent preacher ; his sermons always
attracted large congregations, and were a subject of general admiration amongst the people. But these marks of popular consideration called forth the calumnies and persecution of his enemies. During this interval
these words: "Verbum Dei per universam Hiberniam pradicabat, & ea quae viderat vel audierat omnibus populis Scotomm adnun- ciabat. YJi alius Vitae ejusdem scriptor: Beatissimus Fursaeus navigans ex Scotia sive Hibernia, venit in Galliam. " From these passages, it would seem, that Ussher thought himself possessed of our saint's oldest acts.
SThat Ussher had another life of Fursey, different from the one published by Colgan at the l6lh of January, is evident from the latter quoted passage, which is not there found.
'Such is Dr. Lanigan's conjecture.
^Inthe "IndexChronologicus," p. 537, of Ussher, we read, under the year Dcxxvii. , "Fiirsitus, Foillanus, and Ultaims, filii I'hil-
"
tain Reguli Ilibcrnici, claruerunt, p. 501
^ At this year, iu the " Annals of Ulster,"
Lanigan desires his readers to compare w'l'Ca.
the previous notes, 69 and 71.
'° In his old acts, the number of years,
said to have been spent by him in preaching, is set down at ten. In those acts, issued by Colgan, at the i6th of January, and in his life published by Capgrave, it is said, the number of years was twelve, including, it seems, that year in which our saint travelled throughout Ireland. This matter would otherwise be of little importance, but inso- much as it might seem to decide the era of the saint's departure for England.
" Desmay says, that the period of his preaching, which was twelve years, had been
spent partly in Ireland, and partly in Bri- tain. But Colgan supposes it probable, from what is stated in his acts, lib. i. , cap. XXX. , that this term of years had been
spent solely in Ireland. See Dr. Lanigan's ""
is entered, Visio quam vidit Fursseus re- Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , ligiosus Episcopus. " See Dr. O'Conor's chap, xvi. , § viii. , p. 456, and n. 78, p.
" Rerum Hibernicarum "
tomus
458,
ibid. " Acta Sanctorum Also, Colgan's
Scriptores,"
76, pp. 457, 458. This latter note, Dr. cap. x. , p. 290, ibid. Vol. I. —No. 5.
iv, Annales Ultonienses," p. 43. "
HibernicC," xvi. Januarii. Vita S.
Fursasi, *See Plcclesiastical History of Ireland," lib. i. , cap. xxxi. , xxxii. , p. 81, and n. 23, . vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , § viii. , p. 456, and n. p. 90. Likewise, Vita S. Furscei a Desmaio,
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i6.
258
of his Irish mission, we find that he visited Munster," and it is probable, that he also preached occasionally in other provinces of Ireland.
After our saint had completed twelve years of his mission, and having preached the Gospel to all without exception, multitudes of people flocked to hear him and obtain his counsel. He now resolved on leaving the beautiful shores of Lough Orbsen, where he had spent so many happy hours in prayer and contemplation. Many an interesting ruin, near Kilfursa, attests the spirit of piety he first awakened in that neighbourhood. The old abbey ruins of Ros-Oirbhealagh, or as it is now written Roserrilly, are well worthy the tourist's visit and the ecclesiologist's study. '3 These are to
Rosserrilly Ruins, Co. Galway.
be seen on the River Ross, near the town of Headford, in the barony oi Clare,andcountyofGalway. ThisabbeywaserectedforFranciscanfriars in 135 1,** and its remains are even yet in a fair state of preservation. The situation is a very retired one, and the monastery is said to have been a famous seat of piety and learning. 'S Reclaimed marshes, now converted into rich. meadows or pasture-lands, surround it, and within the enclosed cemetery are many tombs and gravestones. '^ A causeway, paved with large stones, leads to the cemetery at the end of a shady lane. The beautiful arches of the spacious cloister are still objects of great admiration to every visitor of taste. '7 The great church, 128 feet in length, by 20^ in width, is surmounted by a lofty square tower, 70 feet in height. This is supported on pointed arches, separating nave and chancel. '^ Various parts of the
"This appears evident, from the Lives Franciscan Monasteries," chap, vii. , pp.
of St. Barr, cap. 24; of St. Molagga, cap. 19 ; and of St. Cronan, cap. 16, as already quoted.
'3 A very copious history and description of this Franciscan erection will be found in
Oliver J. Burke's "Abbey of Ros? , its History and Details. "
'•See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. iii. , pp. 598, 599, and n. (z. ), ibid.
'5 See an interesting description in Rev. C. P. Meehan's "Rise and Fall of the Irish
78, 79-
'*
The writer had an opportunity of visit-
ing this spot in August, i860.
'7 Sir William Wilde has furnished a very
graphic detail and some legends of Ross- Errilly, with a fine woodcut view of the monastery, taken from the south-east. See "Lough Corrib, its Shores and Islands: with notices of Lough Mask," chap, v. , pp. 112 to 124.
'^ See »(*? </. pp. 118, 119.
January i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 259
monastic establishment are still distinctly traceable. "9 It is a subject for
congratulation, that Mr. Oliver J. Burke, of Ower,=° has lately effected some repairs in the ruins, which he has likewise protected from offensive desecra- tions, to which they had been too long subjected. ^^ The ruins of Ross- errilly^* are only a very short distance towards the north-east of Kilfursa church.
At length St. Fursey withdrew to a small island in the ocean. =3 Thither
he was accompanied by some religious men. The saint had previously forsaken the few relics of property he possessed. Here he found some rest fromtheimportunitiesofthosewhohadfollowedhimonthemainland. Hav- ing lived in that island for some time, Fursey resolved on leaving Ireland
altogether, and England appears to have been the next country designed for his habitation. After much travelling, he reached the country of East
Anglia. He was accompanied by some religious men, two of the number being his brothers, St. Foillan and St. Ultan. By the king of East Anglia our saint was honourably received. Fursey laboured with zeal amongst his barbarian subjects in spreading truths of the Gospel. ^^
The period of St. Furse/s landing in England has not been exactly determined ; but it has been variously assigned to the years 633,=^5 636,=^^ 637,""^ 638,^^ or 639. ^9 These different dates will enable us, however, to
approximate somewhat closely to his departure from Ireland. 3° Itisjelated, that at this period, Sigebert was king over that portion of Britain in which he arrived. From him the saint received a hospitable reception. 3' This king
'9 The accompanying woodcut, taken from a different point of view to that given by Sir William Wilde, is executed by George A. Hanlon, from a drawing on the wood by William F. Wakeman, copied from a photo- graph by Frederick W. Mares, Dublin.
^° Author of the interesting little work,
date is given by Mahew, in his " Tropheis Benedictinis," at the 7th of August, in St. Sigebert's life. See Colgan's "Acta Sanc- torum Hibemiae," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furssei. Appendix, cap. viii. , p. 97.
^'^At the year Dcxxxvil. , Ussher says, that Fursasus, when he had spent many years preaching the word of God at home,
"Abbey of Ross, its History and Details. "
"' "
passed from Hibernia into Anglia. Index
116. the Gospel for about twelve years in Ireland, '"They are marked on the "Ordnance and ab—out the year 637 he went to Eng-
Mr. Bevan, the writer of Murray's valu-
"
" Britannicarum
able ' ' Handbook for Travellers in
alludes to the human bones, left piled in the
crevices of ruins here ; and, long before he Ware, vol. ii. "Writers of Ireland," book wrote, the Rev. Caesar Otway called atten- i. , chap, iv. , p. 34. Lanigan's "Ecclesias- tion to this unsightly exposure of mortal tical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , remains. See "Tour in Connaught," p. § ix. , p. 458. "He continued to preach
Survey Townland Maps for the County of Galway. " Sheet41.
land. " Wills' "Lives of Illustrious and DistinguishedIrishmen,"vol. i. , p. i, n. 139.
=* has it at A. D. or Colgan 637 638.
'3 There are no means for
ascertaining
"
Ireland,
Chronologicus," p. 538.
Ecclesiarum Antiquitates. Also, Harris'
where this island was situated with anything
approaching accuracy.
''^See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
curred before this date, but in what year is i. , cap. XXX. , yxxi. , xxxii. , p. 81. Vita S. uncertain. See tomus i. , lib. xii. , § Ixi. ,
Furssei a Desmaio, cap x. , p. 290, ibid. P- 374-
^5 In his notes on Bede, Smith assigns it 3° See Dr. Lanigan s "Ecclesiastical His-
to A. D. 633. His argument is founded tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , § ix. ,
niae," xvi. Januarii; Vita S. Fursrei, lib.
chiefly on the supposition, that Sigebert was killed in 635, and that his reign had begun in 630. Accordingly, Smith concluded that Fursey's arrival might be placed in 633, as being about the middle of Sigebert's reign.
** Florence of Worcester, in his ' ' Historia
Anglicana," at the year 636, says, at this time Fursey came from Ireland to the pro- vince of the East Angles. And the same
n. 83, pp. 459, 460. In his life of our saint, Desmay says, the angel signified to Fursey, that he should spend twelve years preaching in Ireland, Scotland, and England, before the time of his journeying into France.
3' See Bede's " Historia Ecclesiastica
Gentis Anglorum," lib. iii. , cap. 19. The same venerable writer treats of the reign and
martyrdom of this king, in succeeding chap-
^'Mabillon mentions it in his
Annales
Ordinis S. Benedict! ," at A. D. 639. He
says, however, his arrival in England oc-
,
"
26o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i6.
granted him a tract of land, on which he founded a monastery. 3^ The site
of this building was Burghcastle, in the present shire of Suffolk ;33 it was
formerly named Cnobhersberg. This monastery, surrounded by woods, overlooked the sea, and it was erected within the enclosure of a castle. 34
A stranger, who wanders on the dank, marshy shores of the oozy Yare, while contemplating the lichen-encrusted ruins of Roman castramentation, at Gariononum—now Burgh Castle—will scarcely think that those gray walls once enclosed the cell of the Milesian Scot, Fursaeus. Yet, says a distinguished Avriter, strangely is the chain of causation involved, for this obscure anchoret exercised a mighty influence, equally upon the opinion and genius of Roman Christendom. When received in East Anglia by King Sigebert, Fursaeus became emvrapped in those trances, which disclosed to him secrets of a world beyond the grave. 33 Thus, his celebrated visions^ served to kindle that spark, which transmitted to the inharmonious Dante of a barbarous age the first of those compositions, from the combination of which his Divina Coni7nedia arose. 37
Here, Fursey employed himself in preaching and missionary duties, and he brought many unbelievers to embrace the faith ; effecting, likewse, the real conversion of many nominal Christians. 3^ He continued, also, his watchingsandprayers; but,wishingtodevotehimselfaltogethertoheavenly contemplation, he resigned the charge of the monastery and his missions to his brother Fullan and to the priests Gobban and Dichul. 39 In company with his brother Ultan, he lived the life of an anchorite, during a whole year. This they passed in labour, prayer, and fasting. He continued his mode of life until about the time of the expedition of Penda, King of Mercia, against the East Angles.
ters of his history. Polydore Virgil also mentions these occurrences, lib. iv. Mat-
same authority ; and he perfected the en- dowment of this monastery, commenced by
his predecessor; not, however, until after the
succeeded to the East Anglian throne.
39 Gobban, who is erroneously called Gib-
thew of Westminster, in like manner, at
the " Flores year 652,
who to the died, according
death of
228.
