Gumbert, Martyr, who with his wife Bertha, is
venerated
at the 29th of April, and at the ist of May, to be indi- cated.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
Maeltuille.
His well, and his yellow bell, his baculus, and his statue, were there, in the seventeenth century.
His baculus or pastoral staff worked miracles on perjurers,'3 before they left his church.
However, in our Calendar, at the 30th of July, the Martyrology of Tallagh '^ commemo- rates a Maoltuile mac Mochuire, without naming his place ; while the Martyr- ology of DonegaV^at the same date, has Maeltuile, son of Nochaire, of Disert Maeltuile,belongingtotheraceofLaeghaire,sonofNiall.
Inthelastvolume of his valuable work, the Rev.
Anthony Cogan seems to entertain the opinion, that he—and not the Maeltuile venerated on this day—had been the founder of Disert-Maeltuile, in Westmeath.
'^ The parish of Dysart ^7 extends along the west and south sides of the beautiful Lough Ennel, near MuUingar; and, it consists, for the most part, of profitable land.
'^
Article VI. St. Mobecce, of Trilick, County of Tyrone. An entry is found, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 29th of May, of Mobeccu, without any other addition. On the same authority, the Bollan- dists ^ enter Mo-beccus, at this date. He is said to have been reverenced at Trelic. This is thought to be identical with the present Trellick,3 in the
distinct baronies, viz. : Moyashel and Mag- punishment for their crime, and before they heiadernon, 5,834a. 2r. jip. ; JNIoycasliel, left the church. See the Martyrology of
598
1,245a. 3r. 34p. ; Rathconratli, 336a. or. 24p. It is shown, on the "Ordnance Survey Town- land Maps for the County of Westmeath," sheets 18, 25, 32. The townland proper is within Moyashel and Maglieradernon, sheet 25.
7 . See Rev. A . Cogan s " History of the Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern,'' vol. iii. , chap. Ixxiv. , p. 559.
* According to Pat. 2.
9 According to 2'at. 8.
" See Rev. Anthony Cogan's " Diocese of
Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. ii. , chap, xviii. , sect. 5, p. 424.
" Edited by Drs. Xodd and Reeves, pp. 140, 141.
" See Rev. Anthony Cogan's " Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern,'' vol. ii. , chap, xviii. , sect. 5, p. 424.
Donegal, edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 444, 445.
'* Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxx.
'5 Edited by Dis. Todd and Reeves, pp. 204, 205.
'" See the " Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. iii. , chap. Ixxiv. . p. 599. ' Its situation is shown, in Daniel Augus-
tus Beauford's " Map of the Diocese of Meath. "
'*' See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ire-
Townland Maps for the Couniy of Tyrone,'' '3 This is explained, tiiat when persons sheet 56.
swore falsclyon the baculus. tlicy were imme-
diately visited by some bodily infirmity, in 5 Such is the opinion of William
land," vol. ii. p. 167.
,— Article vi.
'
Edited by Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. XXV.
= See "Acta . Sanctorum," tomus vii. ,
Maii xxix. Among the pretermitted feasts,
P- 3-
^ It is shown on the " Ordnance Survey
* See //'/,/. . sheets 49, 50, 56, 57.
—s
May 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
599
parish of Kilskeery,^ and barony of Omagh East, in the county of Tyrone. The village, having an area of twenty-one acres, is situated on the south-west border of that county,^ and on the road from Omagh 7 to Enniskillen. ^ It owes its origin to the family ofMervyn, who settled at the neighbouring castle of Mervyn, in the reign of James I. The surrounding district is hilly and undulating, while it is embellished with several lakes. The land in cultivation is generally fertile, and near this neat village are the ruins of Castle Mervyn. It is said, that an abbey, called Trelickmore, was founded here, early in the seventh century;? but, no vestiges of it are now to be found. '° On this day was commemorated jNIobecce, as we find mentioned, likewise, in the Martyro- logy of Donegal. "
Article VIL—St. Dairius. A festival, in honour of Dairius, is found entered, at this date, in the Martyrology of Tallagh. ' From the same source, theBoUandists^ takeoccasiontoinserthisname,atthe2gthofMay,intheir great collection. We do not find any other source, to which the reader may be referred, or which might serve to throw any additional light on his age, family or race, place of residence, or transactions.
Article VIII. Reputed Feast of St. Daganus, Bishop of Gal- loway, Scotland. Camerarius in his Scottish Entries has Daganus,' a Bishop, in the district of Galloway, in Scotland, at the 29th of May. There he was celebrated, and he was educated at Banchory f although, this probably means the Irish Bangor. In like manner, and on his authority, the BoUandists 3 notice him, at this same date ; but, they think he is not a different person from a Dagan, whom they mention, at the 22nd of March, among the preter- mitted saints. There is also a notice of St. Dagamus, in Bishop Forbes' work ;+ and, the writer, who places him at this date, circiter a. d. 609, states, that he is the same as the Daganus of Bseda, who refused not only to eat with Lau- rentius Melitus and Justus, on account of differences on the Paschal question; but, even he would not take his repast in the same house, where they had
Hennessy.
^See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ire-
land," vol. iii. , p. 389.
' This town, in the parish of Drumragh,
and barony of Omagh East, is shown, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Tyrone," sheet 35.
^ The parish of Enniskillen is situated, partly in the barony of Mageraboy, where there are only 53a. ir. 34p. ; but, it is chiefly in the barony of Tirkennedy, where there are 26,386a. 3r. 32p. It is described, on the "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Fermanagh, "sheets 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 27. The town and townland are shown, on sheet 22 ; while a portion of the town is in the parish of Rossory, in the barony of Mngheiaboy.
9 See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiberni- cum," p. 683. For this statement, Arch- dall cites Conry.
" See Lewis' " Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 643.
'' Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
140,141. ' — Edited by Rev. Dr. Article vii. '
Kelly, p. xxv.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. ,
Mali xxix. Among the pretermitted feasts,
p. 3.
ARTICLE VIII. —' Thus: " Sanctus Da-
ganus Episcopus et Confessor in Galloidia Scotise provincia. "—-Bishop Forbes' "Ka- lendars of Scottish Saints," p. 237.
-The " Benchorensi Monasterio " of Camerarius, at p. 151.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Maii xxix. Among the pretermitted feasts, p. 2.
' See " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 320.
s See VenerabilisBedce ''Opera qucesuper- sunt omnia," Rev. Dr. J. A. Giles' edition, vol. ii. " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Ang- lorum," lib. ii. , cap. iv. , p. 185.
* Dempster quotes Venerable Bede's
—
6oo LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 29.
beenentertained. 5Thereisoftenaconfusionof«and;«intheScottishlists. He is indifferently named Dagamus or Daganus, by Thomas Dempster, who tells us, he was advanced to the episcopal dignity, and that he strenuously maintained against the English the British over the Roman rite,^ until the latter had been establislied by Augustine and by Mellitus. The same writer remarks, that Venerable Bede does not name his episcopal place or church, that the same Dagamus or Daganus wrote " Ad Britanorum Ecclesiam," lib. i. , and that he flourished a. d. 55 5. ^ However, for want of better evidence, we must re- gard the foregoing statements as inconclusive respecting the identity of this St. Dagan ; but, his name was common in Ireland, so that we may fairly claim him, in all probability, as one of our countrymen.
Article IX. Festival of St. Pollio. The ancient Martyrology of St. Jerome has simply the name of Pollio, venerated at the 29th of May; and, from this authority, it seems probable, St. . ^ngus ' inserted the feast of " PoUio's great host," which indicates, that he suffered with many other holy companions for the Faith. There are other Martyrologies, in which he is recorded, as the Bollandists observe,^ at this same date, but they consider him to be identical with a Pollio, who has a feast, at the 28th of April.
Article X, Reputed Feast of St. Gumbert, or Gundibert. \_Seventh or Eighth Century. '] At the 27th of March,' there are notices of St. Gumbert, or Gundibert, a Martyr in Ireland,^ whose festival is said to have been kept, also, on the 29th of May, as likewise on the 29th of April. 3 The Bollandists have an entry of St. Gundibert, mentioned by Father Henry Fitz- simon,4 at this date ; and, they suspect St.
Gumbert, Martyr, who with his wife Bertha, is venerated at the 29th of April, and at the ist of May, to be indi- cated. s Atthe29thofMay,ThomasDempster,inhisMenologiumScotorum, enters this holy man f and, quoting the Records or Tablets of Rheims, he is represented, as a Scottish bishop, who having been a pilgrim in Gaul crowned his career with martyrdom, his body being preserved at Rheims, ac- cording to historic monuments. Furthermore, his time and age were uncer- tain, 7 although his festival was celebrated, on the 29th of May. ^
" Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. ii. , cap. iv. , and also, John Lesley, lib. iv. , p. cliii.
this work, at this date, Art. xii.
= See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Ililier-
nice," Martii xxvii. S. Gumbeiti sive Gun- 7 See "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis diberti Martyris Memoria, p. 771.
Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. iv. , num. 3S2, p. 209.
* See an account of him, at this day, in the Fourth Volume of this work, Art. ix.
* See " Catalogus aliquoium Sanctorum Hibernioe. "
s gee "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. ,
Maii xxix. Among the pretermitted saints,
pp. 2, 3.
* In these words: "xxix. Rhemis
Grundibeiti martyris B. "—Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 201.
? According to Thomas Dempster.
* See " Historia P^cclesiastica Gentis Sco- toruni. " tomus i. , lib. vii. , num. 591, pp. 317. 318.
Article ix. —' In his " Feiliie. " See "Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Oengus, by Dr. Whitley Stokes, p. ixxxi.
^ Thus ; "nudum nomen S. Pollionis, primo loco ante alios hujus diei Mailyres, in Martyrologiis, MSS. Aquisgranensi Augus- tano et I'arisiensi Labbrei, atque auctario Greveni at Vsuardum. "—"Acta Sancto- rum," tomus vii. , Maii xxix. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 2.
Articlex. —' SeetheThirdVolumeof
V
May 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 601
Cftirtiet! ) J3a|) of i¥lap»
ARTICLE I. —ST. MADELGISILUS, OR MAUGUILLE, SOLITARY IN PICARDY, FRANCE.
{SEVENTH CENTURY. ] CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—WRITERS OF THE ACTS OF ST. MADELGISILUS—HIS EARLY BIRTH AND EDUCATION—HE ACCOMPANIES ST. FURSEY TO FRANCE—THEIR UNITED LABOURS—AFTER ST. FURSEY'S DEATH, ST. MADELGISILUS SEEKS ADMISSION, AND HE IS RECEIVED AS A RELIGIOUS, IN THE MONASTERY AT CENTULE.
FROM earliest Christian times, some mysterious but natural sympathy seems to have attracted the Celts of Ireland to their kindred race both in Britain and on the Continent. Especially were the Gallic people and their true interests objects of deep and abiding affection for our holy and learned men, during those distant ages. In our own days, a celebrated French historian has remarked ^ on the strange mutability of things, in reference to different branches of the Celtic family ; the Irish—oldest of the stock—losing their liberty, language, prosperit}'', population—all but their indestructible spirit of nationality—while the younger sister France has emerged from factious contests and many a national disaster, to a life of renewed freedom, vigour, power and self-reliance. The latter nation owes much of her intellec- tual and material vigour to the former ; in ancient days, when Ireland's saints and scholars landed on the shores of Gaul, in later times when some Irish soldiers—hundreds of thousands—fought by the side of Frenchmen, on the battle-fields of Europe. While the cause for bloodshed was often a ques- tionable one, and when the efforts of valour were misapplied, in the waste of human life ; the fold of Christ was certainly extended and the reign of civili- zation was deep-rooted, in France, when the former saints and sages of Ire-
land migrated to her shores.
It was Father John Colgan's intention to treat about St. Madelgisilus,
atthe30thofMay. ^ Thelifeandactionsofthissaintwerewrittenafterhis death, by a monk of Centule, named Hariulfe, who flourished in the eleventh century. 3 Mabillon and D'Achery + have a Life of St. Madelgisilus, in thirteen chapters, with some previous observalions. The Bollandists,5 at this date, furnish the Acts of St. Madelgisilus, as written by Hariulphus,^ and giving a previous commentary,7 as also a supplement,^ from another writer, together with illustrative notes. At the 30th of May, Baillet has a Life of St.
Articlei. —Chapteri. —' Michelet, dicti,"tomusvi. ,sac. iv. ,a. d. Sooto900, in his " Histoire de France," tome i. , liv. i. , pars. ii. Appendix, pp. 537 to 544.
chap, iv. , pp. 158, 159. 5 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. ,
^ See " Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum qure Maii xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita,
MS. habentur, ordine Mensium et Die- rum. "
3 See an account of iiim and of his writings in " Histoire Literaire de la France," tome xii. , sect, i. , ii. , pp. 204 to 217.
* See " Acta Sanctorum Ordinis S. Bene-
Centula; in Picardia, pp. 264 to 269.
* It is preceded by a Preface or Dedica- tion to Gervin, Bishop of Amiens, and it
comprises thirteen paragraphs,
' In six paragraphs.
^ This Latin tract gives an account of the
6o
LIVES OFTHEIRISHSATNTS. [May 3o.
2
Mauguille, a solitary, in Picardy. It is contained, in three sections. 9 Among other writers, the Rev. Alban Butler, '° and the " Petits Bollandistes," have notices of St. Mauguille, the Hermit, at the 30th of May. "
This saint is reputed to have been born in Ireland—as accounts regard- ing him seem to indicate—and apparently about the beginning of the seventh century. He is thought to have there received a religious education. He lived probably a monastic life, and exercised all the virtue of this state, before he embraced the design of devoting himself to the service of God, in a strange land. " When the celebrated St. Fursey '3 left Ireland, and went over to England, where he was graciously and in a friendly manner received by King Sigebert,'-* it would seem, that Madelgisilus accompanied him, in quality of a disciple. There, a missionary career was opened, so long as St. Fursey deemed it advisable to remain ; however, finding it to be the will of Heaven, that he should further proceed to France, asking leave from King Sigebert,andleavinghisreligiousestablishment'5 amongtheEastAngles,in charge of his holy brother Ultan,'^ who became its Abbot ; St. Fursey took with him a chosen band of disciples, and with them, he sailed over to western Gaul. Among these is stated to have been Madelgisius, by the author of his Acts, Hariulf; although, the Lives of St. Fursey liave no special notice of him. Notwithstanding, Madelgisilus is said to have followed St. Fursey to France. The tender friendship, that existed between both these holy persons, made them almost inseparable companions. They travelled together, engaged on missionary works ; they bore the heat and labours of the day, often suffer- ing from hunger, thirst and cold ; they watched and prayed ; while the disciple desired, -in all things, to imitate his master. '? When St. Fursey was about to proceed to England to visit his brothers, St. Mauguil accompanied himtoMasieres;'^ and,hewasthecarefulattendantonhismaster'slastsick- ness, being also present at his death. '9 With pious solicitude, he per- formed the last rites, and offered up his most earnest prayers for the deceased saint.
Mauguil was overwhelmed with grief, on the dissolution of those ties of friendship, that held both of them together in this life ; but, he felt not dis- consolate, on account of a hope he had of their reunion in Heaven, when his own course of mortality should be closed. However, he long and anxiously deliberated, as to whether he should continue his progress towards England, to visit the brothers of his deceased friend, and then associate himself with them, or to return once more towards the Abbey of Lagny. But, again, on a more matured consideration of the matter, he embraced a different resolu- tion.
Translation of our saint's relics, to the reigned over them from 623 to 653. See an
Church of St. Richarius, at Centule.
9 See the first edition of his work, " Les "Vies des Saints,'' tome v. , xxx. Jour de May, '° See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. v. , May xxx. , pp. 942 to 945, or Second Edition, in tome
ii. , pp. 470, 471.
" See " Vies des Saints," tome vi. ,
xxx«. Jour de Mai, p. 305.
"See Baillet's "Les Vies des Saints,"
tome V. xxx. Jour de May, sect i. , p. 942.
'5 See his Life, which occurs in the First Volume of this work, at the i6th of January, Art. i.
'* Sigebert I. , King of the East Saxons,
interesting account of this monarch, in Bishop Tanner's " Bibliotheca Britannico- Hibernica," &€. , pp. 671, 672.
's Known as Cnobhersberg.
'* Ills feast occurs, at the 1st of May. ''See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. ,
Maii xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, &c. , sect. 2, p. 264.
'" Its position is shown on a small chart, with a description in Eiisee Reclus' "Nou- velle Geographic Universelle. " tome ii. , chap, xiii. , sect, iv. , pp. 826 to S2S.
'' It is thought, St. Fursey departed this life, about the middle of the seventh cen- tury.
="' See an account of these holy men, and
Some time before the arrival of Madelgisilus in France, two of his countrymen, St. Caidoc and St. Fricor,^° had influenced a nobleman, Richarius ^' of Picardy, to found a religious establishment at Centule,*^ and over this the holy founder began to preside, abou—t a. d. 638. ^3 He was the son of Alquier—said to have been a Duke or Count
dis- but, his kind and hospitable reception of the two holy Irishmen, St. Caidoc and St. Fricor, led to his own great sanctification. Like them, he resolved, on devotinghislifetopreachingtheGospelofChrist. Hewasaccordinglyad- vanced to the priestly dignity, and soon he began to gi\'e missions in all the surrounding country, wliile with the good tidings of salvation, widows, orphans, pilgrims, strangers and the poor, were the objects of his tender solicitude and charity. After such excursions, he was accustomed to return home, and there devoting himself to prayer and other exercises of piety, he fasted on barley bread and water.
Article VI. St. Mobecce, of Trilick, County of Tyrone. An entry is found, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,^ at the 29th of May, of Mobeccu, without any other addition. On the same authority, the Bollan- dists ^ enter Mo-beccus, at this date. He is said to have been reverenced at Trelic. This is thought to be identical with the present Trellick,3 in the
distinct baronies, viz. : Moyashel and Mag- punishment for their crime, and before they heiadernon, 5,834a. 2r. jip. ; JNIoycasliel, left the church. See the Martyrology of
598
1,245a. 3r. 34p. ; Rathconratli, 336a. or. 24p. It is shown, on the "Ordnance Survey Town- land Maps for the County of Westmeath," sheets 18, 25, 32. The townland proper is within Moyashel and Maglieradernon, sheet 25.
7 . See Rev. A . Cogan s " History of the Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern,'' vol. iii. , chap. Ixxiv. , p. 559.
* According to Pat. 2.
9 According to 2'at. 8.
" See Rev. Anthony Cogan's " Diocese of
Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. ii. , chap, xviii. , sect. 5, p. 424.
" Edited by Drs. Xodd and Reeves, pp. 140, 141.
" See Rev. Anthony Cogan's " Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern,'' vol. ii. , chap, xviii. , sect. 5, p. 424.
Donegal, edited by Rev. Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 444, 445.
'* Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxx.
'5 Edited by Dis. Todd and Reeves, pp. 204, 205.
'" See the " Diocese of Meath, Ancient and Modern," vol. iii. , chap. Ixxiv. . p. 599. ' Its situation is shown, in Daniel Augus-
tus Beauford's " Map of the Diocese of Meath. "
'*' See " Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ire-
Townland Maps for the Couniy of Tyrone,'' '3 This is explained, tiiat when persons sheet 56.
swore falsclyon the baculus. tlicy were imme-
diately visited by some bodily infirmity, in 5 Such is the opinion of William
land," vol. ii. p. 167.
,— Article vi.
'
Edited by Rev. Dr.
Kelly, p. XXV.
= See "Acta . Sanctorum," tomus vii. ,
Maii xxix. Among the pretermitted feasts,
P- 3-
^ It is shown on the " Ordnance Survey
* See //'/,/. . sheets 49, 50, 56, 57.
—s
May 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
599
parish of Kilskeery,^ and barony of Omagh East, in the county of Tyrone. The village, having an area of twenty-one acres, is situated on the south-west border of that county,^ and on the road from Omagh 7 to Enniskillen. ^ It owes its origin to the family ofMervyn, who settled at the neighbouring castle of Mervyn, in the reign of James I. The surrounding district is hilly and undulating, while it is embellished with several lakes. The land in cultivation is generally fertile, and near this neat village are the ruins of Castle Mervyn. It is said, that an abbey, called Trelickmore, was founded here, early in the seventh century;? but, no vestiges of it are now to be found. '° On this day was commemorated jNIobecce, as we find mentioned, likewise, in the Martyro- logy of Donegal. "
Article VIL—St. Dairius. A festival, in honour of Dairius, is found entered, at this date, in the Martyrology of Tallagh. ' From the same source, theBoUandists^ takeoccasiontoinserthisname,atthe2gthofMay,intheir great collection. We do not find any other source, to which the reader may be referred, or which might serve to throw any additional light on his age, family or race, place of residence, or transactions.
Article VIII. Reputed Feast of St. Daganus, Bishop of Gal- loway, Scotland. Camerarius in his Scottish Entries has Daganus,' a Bishop, in the district of Galloway, in Scotland, at the 29th of May. There he was celebrated, and he was educated at Banchory f although, this probably means the Irish Bangor. In like manner, and on his authority, the BoUandists 3 notice him, at this same date ; but, they think he is not a different person from a Dagan, whom they mention, at the 22nd of March, among the preter- mitted saints. There is also a notice of St. Dagamus, in Bishop Forbes' work ;+ and, the writer, who places him at this date, circiter a. d. 609, states, that he is the same as the Daganus of Bseda, who refused not only to eat with Lau- rentius Melitus and Justus, on account of differences on the Paschal question; but, even he would not take his repast in the same house, where they had
Hennessy.
^See "Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ire-
land," vol. iii. , p. 389.
' This town, in the parish of Drumragh,
and barony of Omagh East, is shown, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Tyrone," sheet 35.
^ The parish of Enniskillen is situated, partly in the barony of Mageraboy, where there are only 53a. ir. 34p. ; but, it is chiefly in the barony of Tirkennedy, where there are 26,386a. 3r. 32p. It is described, on the "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Fermanagh, "sheets 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 27. The town and townland are shown, on sheet 22 ; while a portion of the town is in the parish of Rossory, in the barony of Mngheiaboy.
9 See Archdall's " Monasticon Hiberni- cum," p. 683. For this statement, Arch- dall cites Conry.
" See Lewis' " Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 643.
'' Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
140,141. ' — Edited by Rev. Dr. Article vii. '
Kelly, p. xxv.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. ,
Mali xxix. Among the pretermitted feasts,
p. 3.
ARTICLE VIII. —' Thus: " Sanctus Da-
ganus Episcopus et Confessor in Galloidia Scotise provincia. "—-Bishop Forbes' "Ka- lendars of Scottish Saints," p. 237.
-The " Benchorensi Monasterio " of Camerarius, at p. 151.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Maii xxix. Among the pretermitted feasts, p. 2.
' See " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 320.
s See VenerabilisBedce ''Opera qucesuper- sunt omnia," Rev. Dr. J. A. Giles' edition, vol. ii. " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Ang- lorum," lib. ii. , cap. iv. , p. 185.
* Dempster quotes Venerable Bede's
—
6oo LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 29.
beenentertained. 5Thereisoftenaconfusionof«and;«intheScottishlists. He is indifferently named Dagamus or Daganus, by Thomas Dempster, who tells us, he was advanced to the episcopal dignity, and that he strenuously maintained against the English the British over the Roman rite,^ until the latter had been establislied by Augustine and by Mellitus. The same writer remarks, that Venerable Bede does not name his episcopal place or church, that the same Dagamus or Daganus wrote " Ad Britanorum Ecclesiam," lib. i. , and that he flourished a. d. 55 5. ^ However, for want of better evidence, we must re- gard the foregoing statements as inconclusive respecting the identity of this St. Dagan ; but, his name was common in Ireland, so that we may fairly claim him, in all probability, as one of our countrymen.
Article IX. Festival of St. Pollio. The ancient Martyrology of St. Jerome has simply the name of Pollio, venerated at the 29th of May; and, from this authority, it seems probable, St. . ^ngus ' inserted the feast of " PoUio's great host," which indicates, that he suffered with many other holy companions for the Faith. There are other Martyrologies, in which he is recorded, as the Bollandists observe,^ at this same date, but they consider him to be identical with a Pollio, who has a feast, at the 28th of April.
Article X, Reputed Feast of St. Gumbert, or Gundibert. \_Seventh or Eighth Century. '] At the 27th of March,' there are notices of St. Gumbert, or Gundibert, a Martyr in Ireland,^ whose festival is said to have been kept, also, on the 29th of May, as likewise on the 29th of April. 3 The Bollandists have an entry of St. Gundibert, mentioned by Father Henry Fitz- simon,4 at this date ; and, they suspect St.
Gumbert, Martyr, who with his wife Bertha, is venerated at the 29th of April, and at the ist of May, to be indi- cated. s Atthe29thofMay,ThomasDempster,inhisMenologiumScotorum, enters this holy man f and, quoting the Records or Tablets of Rheims, he is represented, as a Scottish bishop, who having been a pilgrim in Gaul crowned his career with martyrdom, his body being preserved at Rheims, ac- cording to historic monuments. Furthermore, his time and age were uncer- tain, 7 although his festival was celebrated, on the 29th of May. ^
" Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. ii. , cap. iv. , and also, John Lesley, lib. iv. , p. cliii.
this work, at this date, Art. xii.
= See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Ililier-
nice," Martii xxvii. S. Gumbeiti sive Gun- 7 See "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis diberti Martyris Memoria, p. 771.
Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. iv. , num. 3S2, p. 209.
* See an account of him, at this day, in the Fourth Volume of this work, Art. ix.
* See " Catalogus aliquoium Sanctorum Hibernioe. "
s gee "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. ,
Maii xxix. Among the pretermitted saints,
pp. 2, 3.
* In these words: "xxix. Rhemis
Grundibeiti martyris B. "—Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 201.
? According to Thomas Dempster.
* See " Historia P^cclesiastica Gentis Sco- toruni. " tomus i. , lib. vii. , num. 591, pp. 317. 318.
Article ix. —' In his " Feiliie. " See "Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i. On the Calendar of Oengus, by Dr. Whitley Stokes, p. ixxxi.
^ Thus ; "nudum nomen S. Pollionis, primo loco ante alios hujus diei Mailyres, in Martyrologiis, MSS. Aquisgranensi Augus- tano et I'arisiensi Labbrei, atque auctario Greveni at Vsuardum. "—"Acta Sancto- rum," tomus vii. , Maii xxix. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 2.
Articlex. —' SeetheThirdVolumeof
V
May 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 601
Cftirtiet! ) J3a|) of i¥lap»
ARTICLE I. —ST. MADELGISILUS, OR MAUGUILLE, SOLITARY IN PICARDY, FRANCE.
{SEVENTH CENTURY. ] CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—WRITERS OF THE ACTS OF ST. MADELGISILUS—HIS EARLY BIRTH AND EDUCATION—HE ACCOMPANIES ST. FURSEY TO FRANCE—THEIR UNITED LABOURS—AFTER ST. FURSEY'S DEATH, ST. MADELGISILUS SEEKS ADMISSION, AND HE IS RECEIVED AS A RELIGIOUS, IN THE MONASTERY AT CENTULE.
FROM earliest Christian times, some mysterious but natural sympathy seems to have attracted the Celts of Ireland to their kindred race both in Britain and on the Continent. Especially were the Gallic people and their true interests objects of deep and abiding affection for our holy and learned men, during those distant ages. In our own days, a celebrated French historian has remarked ^ on the strange mutability of things, in reference to different branches of the Celtic family ; the Irish—oldest of the stock—losing their liberty, language, prosperit}'', population—all but their indestructible spirit of nationality—while the younger sister France has emerged from factious contests and many a national disaster, to a life of renewed freedom, vigour, power and self-reliance. The latter nation owes much of her intellec- tual and material vigour to the former ; in ancient days, when Ireland's saints and scholars landed on the shores of Gaul, in later times when some Irish soldiers—hundreds of thousands—fought by the side of Frenchmen, on the battle-fields of Europe. While the cause for bloodshed was often a ques- tionable one, and when the efforts of valour were misapplied, in the waste of human life ; the fold of Christ was certainly extended and the reign of civili- zation was deep-rooted, in France, when the former saints and sages of Ire-
land migrated to her shores.
It was Father John Colgan's intention to treat about St. Madelgisilus,
atthe30thofMay. ^ Thelifeandactionsofthissaintwerewrittenafterhis death, by a monk of Centule, named Hariulfe, who flourished in the eleventh century. 3 Mabillon and D'Achery + have a Life of St. Madelgisilus, in thirteen chapters, with some previous observalions. The Bollandists,5 at this date, furnish the Acts of St. Madelgisilus, as written by Hariulphus,^ and giving a previous commentary,7 as also a supplement,^ from another writer, together with illustrative notes. At the 30th of May, Baillet has a Life of St.
Articlei. —Chapteri. —' Michelet, dicti,"tomusvi. ,sac. iv. ,a. d. Sooto900, in his " Histoire de France," tome i. , liv. i. , pars. ii. Appendix, pp. 537 to 544.
chap, iv. , pp. 158, 159. 5 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. ,
^ See " Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum qure Maii xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita,
MS. habentur, ordine Mensium et Die- rum. "
3 See an account of iiim and of his writings in " Histoire Literaire de la France," tome xii. , sect, i. , ii. , pp. 204 to 217.
* See " Acta Sanctorum Ordinis S. Bene-
Centula; in Picardia, pp. 264 to 269.
* It is preceded by a Preface or Dedica- tion to Gervin, Bishop of Amiens, and it
comprises thirteen paragraphs,
' In six paragraphs.
^ This Latin tract gives an account of the
6o
LIVES OFTHEIRISHSATNTS. [May 3o.
2
Mauguille, a solitary, in Picardy. It is contained, in three sections. 9 Among other writers, the Rev. Alban Butler, '° and the " Petits Bollandistes," have notices of St. Mauguille, the Hermit, at the 30th of May. "
This saint is reputed to have been born in Ireland—as accounts regard- ing him seem to indicate—and apparently about the beginning of the seventh century. He is thought to have there received a religious education. He lived probably a monastic life, and exercised all the virtue of this state, before he embraced the design of devoting himself to the service of God, in a strange land. " When the celebrated St. Fursey '3 left Ireland, and went over to England, where he was graciously and in a friendly manner received by King Sigebert,'-* it would seem, that Madelgisilus accompanied him, in quality of a disciple. There, a missionary career was opened, so long as St. Fursey deemed it advisable to remain ; however, finding it to be the will of Heaven, that he should further proceed to France, asking leave from King Sigebert,andleavinghisreligiousestablishment'5 amongtheEastAngles,in charge of his holy brother Ultan,'^ who became its Abbot ; St. Fursey took with him a chosen band of disciples, and with them, he sailed over to western Gaul. Among these is stated to have been Madelgisius, by the author of his Acts, Hariulf; although, the Lives of St. Fursey liave no special notice of him. Notwithstanding, Madelgisilus is said to have followed St. Fursey to France. The tender friendship, that existed between both these holy persons, made them almost inseparable companions. They travelled together, engaged on missionary works ; they bore the heat and labours of the day, often suffer- ing from hunger, thirst and cold ; they watched and prayed ; while the disciple desired, -in all things, to imitate his master. '? When St. Fursey was about to proceed to England to visit his brothers, St. Mauguil accompanied himtoMasieres;'^ and,hewasthecarefulattendantonhismaster'slastsick- ness, being also present at his death. '9 With pious solicitude, he per- formed the last rites, and offered up his most earnest prayers for the deceased saint.
Mauguil was overwhelmed with grief, on the dissolution of those ties of friendship, that held both of them together in this life ; but, he felt not dis- consolate, on account of a hope he had of their reunion in Heaven, when his own course of mortality should be closed. However, he long and anxiously deliberated, as to whether he should continue his progress towards England, to visit the brothers of his deceased friend, and then associate himself with them, or to return once more towards the Abbey of Lagny. But, again, on a more matured consideration of the matter, he embraced a different resolu- tion.
Translation of our saint's relics, to the reigned over them from 623 to 653. See an
Church of St. Richarius, at Centule.
9 See the first edition of his work, " Les "Vies des Saints,'' tome v. , xxx. Jour de May, '° See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. v. , May xxx. , pp. 942 to 945, or Second Edition, in tome
ii. , pp. 470, 471.
" See " Vies des Saints," tome vi. ,
xxx«. Jour de Mai, p. 305.
"See Baillet's "Les Vies des Saints,"
tome V. xxx. Jour de May, sect i. , p. 942.
'5 See his Life, which occurs in the First Volume of this work, at the i6th of January, Art. i.
'* Sigebert I. , King of the East Saxons,
interesting account of this monarch, in Bishop Tanner's " Bibliotheca Britannico- Hibernica," &€. , pp. 671, 672.
's Known as Cnobhersberg.
'* Ills feast occurs, at the 1st of May. ''See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. ,
Maii xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, &c. , sect. 2, p. 264.
'" Its position is shown on a small chart, with a description in Eiisee Reclus' "Nou- velle Geographic Universelle. " tome ii. , chap, xiii. , sect, iv. , pp. 826 to S2S.
'' It is thought, St. Fursey departed this life, about the middle of the seventh cen- tury.
="' See an account of these holy men, and
Some time before the arrival of Madelgisilus in France, two of his countrymen, St. Caidoc and St. Fricor,^° had influenced a nobleman, Richarius ^' of Picardy, to found a religious establishment at Centule,*^ and over this the holy founder began to preside, abou—t a. d. 638. ^3 He was the son of Alquier—said to have been a Duke or Count
dis- but, his kind and hospitable reception of the two holy Irishmen, St. Caidoc and St. Fricor, led to his own great sanctification. Like them, he resolved, on devotinghislifetopreachingtheGospelofChrist. Hewasaccordinglyad- vanced to the priestly dignity, and soon he began to gi\'e missions in all the surrounding country, wliile with the good tidings of salvation, widows, orphans, pilgrims, strangers and the poor, were the objects of his tender solicitude and charity. After such excursions, he was accustomed to return home, and there devoting himself to prayer and other exercises of piety, he fasted on barley bread and water.
