"
'° Where this man threw Cogitosus says,
the piece of meat "in albatum ipsius sinu-
^ot^t r '
t$6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
'° Where this man threw Cogitosus says,
the piece of meat "in albatum ipsius sinu-
^ot^t r '
t$6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
51.
^" •' Hiberniensium Epis- Archiepiscopus
Brigidce,
ii. , cap, Ixii. , Ixiii. ,
Also n.
^°5 In the Fifth Life of St. Brigid, an ac-
count given, regarding the foregoing inci- dents, is somewhat different, and interpo- lated, it would appear, with observations and interpretations, not found in more an- cient authorities. It is there said, that Ninnid. exiled himself, at the request of St. Brigid ; that he went to Rome to visit the shrines
of the holy Apostles ; and, that he spent four years as a pilgrim, when he was warned by an angel of God to return into Ireland. This order he is said to have obeyed, finding St, Brigid, at the point of death, on his ar- rival. Soon after, giving her Communion, the holy priest himself was gathered to his fathers, See Quinta Vita S, Brigidse, cap. Ivii. , Iviii. , pp. 581, 582, idid.
"° As Cogitosus remarks.
coporum. "
Colgan's
"Trias Thauma- _
logus, p. 518.
"3 See his Life at the 3rd of May.
"4 In the "Life of St. Brigid," by an
Irish Priest, it is stated, this event took place, about the year 490, and probably in the Church of Kildare. See chap, vi. , p.
74.
"^ See the Italian "Breviarium Gienen-
sis," lect. ii. , where it is said, Bishop Con- leath was appointed by her to consecrate churches, he having been taken from the desert.
"° This is an opinion, entertained by Col-
gan,
"7 p,y Dr. Lanigan. "° By Cogitosus.
! 54 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [February i,
toaccountforthispresumedanomaly. Ithasbeenconjectured—andwith every appearance of credibiHty—that, as the church of Kildare had been built from funds supplied by the monastery, and as its community, besides holding possession of a proprietory right and title, appears to have been at the expense of providing requisites for religious worship ; it is only reason- able to imagine, that the church, which was used as a cathedral, had been under joint management both of the bishop and of the abbess. And this supposition is furthermore confirmed, by what is related in St. Brigid's Life"^ where we read, that she bestowed some very costly vestments"^ which were used by Conleath on the festivals of our Lord, and on those of the Apostles,
while the Divine engaged offering up
Mysteries.
"° It is almost
certain,
however, that our saint, on account of her singular prerogatives and virtues,
exercised a special jurisdiction, and enjoyed an extraordinary pre-eminence,
over all the religious women of her day in Ireland. "^ Not only Cogitosus,
but several other writers, will be found, applying epithets to St. Brigid, which indicate her exalted station and superiority,"' at least in some correlative
sense. Thus, as the representative of Irish female religious, St. Brigid ranks foremost ;"3 as St. Columkille represents the highest order of male mona- chism, and as St. Patrick crowns the hierarchy ; so these sacred three are united in popular veneration and in a supreme degree.
CHAPTER XI.
ST. brigid's benignity and prudence—rewards miraculously bestowed on the POOR AND ON HER ENTERTAINERS—ST. HINNA—MIRACULOUS OCCURRENCES—ST. DARIA's SIGHT PARTIALLY RESTORED—FAITH IN ST. BRIGID'S INTERCESSION JUSTIFIED.
The benignant Brigid regarded her religious daughters and her pupils with true affection ; the servants and labourers, about her establishment, she in- dulged as members of her own family. ^ Seldom when correcting faults did she use terms of reproach ; but, always considering the most practical means for removing evil to be the healing of a sinner's soul, her action was deemed more important than even her charitable direction or advice. She knew
"9 See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "La Santitk Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. " Libro Sesto, p. 539.
"° " Nam vestimenta transmarina et pere- grina Episcopi Conleath decorati himinis, quibus, solemnitatibus Domini, et vigiUis
"' wSee ibid. , Cogitosus or Secunda Vita S. Brigidaj. In Prologo, and in cap. xxxvi. , pp. 518, 524. The Bishop of Ossory, in his "Dissertation on St. Brigid," has similar remarks, in the commencement of his trea- tise, p. I. See Appendix Secunda ad Acta
sacra in altaribus ofiferens — S. l^>rigida>. , sec. xxxix. , p. 608, ibid.
Apostolorum my- steria utebatur, pauperibus largita est. " Cogitosus or Secunda Vita S. Brigidse, cap.
"3 —to David Roth. According
'
Chapter xi. Such is the account as
furnish—ed by the metrical panegyrist, in these
Colgan's "Trias Thauma-
In the
said, from all the provinces of Ireland, that
"
xxix. , p. 522.
lurga. '^
"' **
:
Qualis erat pueris, famulis, hxc ipsa puellis
pillis. "
Breviarium Gienensis," it is a great multitude flocked to her monastery,
**
quod est caput pene Hiberniensium Eccle- "
Talis amore pio cunctis pulcherrima virgo Pauperibus fuerat et miseris, larga pu-
siarum, id est, Scotorum. " Again: Et
ipsa puellarum mater extitit, ut amborum
meritis Hiberniensis insula Christo devotis-
sime serviret," lect. i. , iii. See idid. Ap- Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Sexta pendix Prima ad Acta S. Brigidce, p. 601. Vita S. Brigidse, sec. v. , p. 583.
lines
February l] LIVES QF THE IRISH SAINTS \%%
how to compassionate the weakness of others. ' She sought to repair im-
prudence and crime, without causing scandal or exposing the dehnquent. An instance of such thoughtful interposition occurs, in the case of a certain youngperson,boundbyareligiousvow. 3 Theresultwasarewardforthat merciful interference ; as the person became penitent. '* And, because all things are rendered possible, on the ground of unwavering faith,5 so was the life of St. Brigid daily illustrated by miracles. Thus, as various poor and infirm creatures visited her, to have their several wants supplied, it happened on one occasion, that she afforded relief to a person, who required the useful condiment of salt, which was procured in a supernatural manner. ^
The following two miraculous incidents, attributed to our saint, are thus related. 7 While her mind was elevated to the contemplation of heavenly subjects, as was her frequent habit, the things of earth were altogether for- gotten. Suchbeingthecase,onacertainoccasion,andmostprobablywhile
engaged about some culinary affairs, a dog removed a large piece of bacon. When sought, this was not to be found, in its usual storing place ; but, after a month had expired, it was discovered, whole and untouched, in the kennel. That dog durst not eat this food, belonging to Brigid, and his natural appetite, for so long a period, seemed restrained by some wonderful and inexplicable intervention. ^ In season and out of season, St. Brigid's bounty had been taxed by the importunities of poor persons, and her charities seemed exhaustless, while the fame of her miracles still caused many destitute persons to approach her every day. Among these, a poor person, in need of alms, had been sent by the saint to her servants, who were engaged in cooking flesh-meat. Our saint directed that immediate relief should be given to the applicant. While herself was present, one of holy Brigid's servants, engaged in cooking, thoughtlessly threw9 a piece of undressed flesh-
meat, into the folds of her garments.
^°
This the abbess brought to that poor
person, as an alms, while her white robe," was found to preserve its purity, without a single speck or stain. "
= See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an
IrishPriest,chap,ix. ,p. 112.
3 Cases somewhat similar are recorded in
Santita Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Iber- nese. " LibroSesto,pp. 514to516.
^ Some of our Saint's Lives merely say, that the cook threw it into the bosom of the charitable abbess ; but, this act of dis-
a Life of St. Ailbe, at the 12th of Sep-
tember, and in a Life of St. Kieran of Saigir,
at the 5th of March. See Colgan's "Trias courtesy towards her, on the part of a
Thaumaturga. " Vita Secunda S. Brigidae, n. 12, p. 526, and Tertia Vita S. Brigidse, n. 60, p. 545, ibid.
* See this account, treated at more length,
in Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "La San-
titk Prodigiosa Vita di S. Brigida Iber- nese. ' Libro Sesto, pp. 507 to 512.
servant, can hardly be credible. The Latin word used, however, may admit of another
meaning; for "in sinu," may signify "in a fold. " The Iris—h line, in the First Life of
St. Brigid has it :
s See Hebrews, xi. In
English :
^
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
Vita Prima S. sec. Brigidae,
20, p, 516. Vita Secunda S. Brigidae, cap. x. , xi. , pp. 519, 520. Tertia Vita S. Brigidae, cap. cv. ,
atse vestis receptaculum," allusion seems cvi. , p. 540. This miracle is given, with made to her religious habit. This garment
additional particulars, in the Fifth Life.
Vita Quinta S. Brigidre, cap. xliv. , p. 578. In the Sixth Life, a miracle is recorded of a somewhat analogous character. However, this account does not appear applicable to the narrative, alluded to in the text. See Vita Sexta S. Brigidre, sec. xxiv. , p. 586.
^ See Cogitosus, or Secunda Vita S. Bri-
gidoe, cap. xiv. , p. 520, ibid.
^ See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's " La
would appear to have fallen about the per- sons of herself and of her nuns, in graceful folds.
" From the words of Cogitosus, allusion is seemingly made to the white dress of St.
Brigid's order.
" See, Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
Vita Secunda S. Brigidte, cap. xv. , p. 520. Vita Prima S. Brigidse, sec, xxiii. , xxiv. , p. 516. Vita Tertia S. Brigidte, cap. cvii. ,
» \i tro cneAr in ha hudc. "
11
" boiled meat, which was cast into her bosom.
"
'° Where this man threw Cogitosus says,
the piece of meat "in albatum ipsius sinu-
^ot^t r '
t$6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
In those primitive times, and when hospices were not numerous in country parts, while St. Brigid and her nuns were engaged on missionary visitations, they were frequently obliged to accept the hospitalities of very humble people. ^3 It was on an occasion of this sort, while lodging with a private family, a man, named Icessus, or Eccus, a poet, with his wife,^* happenedtosleepinthesamehouse. Theblessedabbess,attheirrequest, gave them her benediction. Afterwards, a renowned son, St. Echenus or
^^
Etchen^s was born to the religious parents.
Brigid was instrumental in having a stolen silver lunette,'7 restored to her hostess,andinamiraculousmanner. '^ Thishadbeentakenbyafugitive servant-maid. ^9 An injustice of a still more objectionable character, sought to be practised on an innocent woman,^° caused the latter to fly for refuge towards St. Brigid's sanctuary. There she received a welcome, and the property she lost was procured by a miracle. ^^
The following miracle was wrought by St. Brigid, while lodging at the
houseofacertainpoorandpiouswoman. ^^ Theabbesshadbeenengaged
on one of her religious missions. When evening overtook her travelling
over the extensive plain of Breg,''^ she entered the house of this poor woman,
to claim hospitality for that night. According to St. Brogan's Life of the saint, this happened in the plain of Caoil. ^'^ Holding out her hands in token
of welcome, the hostess joyfully and respectfully received Christ's holy servant,withhernuns. ShealsogavethankstoGod,fortheirhappyarrival. Having only one calf, it was immediately killed for the refreshment of those guests ; but, having no wood to prepare a meal, the poor woman broke a frameordistaffj^swhichhadbeenusedforweavingstuffs. Withitsmaterial, she kindled a fire, and proceeded to cook some meat, showing a right good will. After supper was over, passing the night in her accustomed vigils, holy
cviii. , p. 540. Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii. , cap. Ixxvii. , IxxviiL, p. 561.
*3 "En ce temps-la, les saints et les saintes
^4 Abbate D. Giacomo Certani, who has a detailed account of this incident, calls him
S. Brigidse, lib. ii. , cap. Ixxvi. , pp. 560, 561, and n. 20, p. 566.
^9 She had also lived with the family,
toute I'lrlande, evangelisant
=° A man had young
into her
s'en allaient
et prechant, edefiant les fideles par leur vertus et par leur miracles. "—L. Tachet de Bar- neval's " Histoire Legendaire de Tlrlande," chap, viii. , p. 78.
given
charge
con la — Principessa
See "Trias Colgan's
par
a of Leinster " prince
chiamata Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. " Libro Sesto, p. 517. 's His feast occurs on the nth of Febru-
ary.
"^ See his Life in
a valuable silver vessel, which he afterwards
took away without her knowledge, thus hop-
ing to make her his slave, when she failed to restore it. See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's " La Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. " Libro Sesto, pp.
to 529.
Moglie Briga. " "La Santiti Prodigiosa.
Thaumaturga. " Brigidoe, sec. xxxvi. , p. 517. Secunda Vita S. Brigidae, cap. xxvi. , p.
per sua
nome Mario Eccea
524 ="
" Acta Sane- torum Hibernise," xi. Februarii. Vita S.
This is related by Cogitosus.
Gemme. "—" La Santita
" of vol. History Drogheda," i. , p.
Colgan's
=3 was the name of the extend- Breg plain,
ing between Dublin and Pontana Civitas.
**
EtchjBnii, pp. 304 to 306.
^^ Abbate D. Giacomo Certani describes
t as "vn certo suo adornamento fabricate
d'argento lauorato da industriosa mano, che
I'haueua condotto in forma d'vna Luna non Thaumaturga. " Fontana Civitas is now plena incastonandoui dentro ricchissime known as Drogheda. See, Mr. D'Alton's
Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. " Libro . Sesto, p.
I.
See also the Bollandists' Acta Sanc- 522. A—great number of those laminated torum," tomus i. , Februarii. Vita iv. S.
lunettes but chiefly in gold —are yet to be seen in the Royal Irish Academy's Museum.
''=>
This incident serves to reveal one of
of an Irish house-
'^ See " Trias Colgan's
the
wife, in early times.
Thaumaturga. " Tertia Vita S. Brigidse, cap. cxi. , cxii. , p. 540, and nn. 61, 62, p. 545. Quarta Vita
ordinary occupations
Prodigiosa.
=-* " Brigidse, lib. ii. , cap. x,, p. 170.
Prima Vita S. 522.
^
During this visit, likewise,
Joceline writes
ac spatioso. " Vita Sexta S. Patricii, cap. xxxix. , p. 73. See also. Vita Secunda S. Brigidoe, n. 13, p. 526. Colgan's "Trias
in campo Breaghy specioso
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRI^H SAINTS. 157
Brigidaroseearlyonthefollowingmorning. Torewardthecheerfuland hospitable spirit of her entertainer, our saint caused another calf, like the one that had been killed, to appear in similar shape. The cow is stated to have receivedthisyounganimal,asifithadbeenherownoffspring. And,tothe hostess she presented an equally valuable weaving-frame, in every respect, like that one, which had been destroyed. For, she would not allow this hospitablewomantoundergoanyloss,inconsequenceofhercharity. Then, bidding farewell to her hostess and family, our saint happily and religiously proceeded on her journey. *^
Truly wonderful are many of the legends, which have been recorded by
her biographers. Those, which serve to display her extraordinary charities, arenottheleastnumerousandstrange. Brigidwouldhavebestowedalarge
quantity of silver on a religious, named Hymna or Hinna,=7 but this latter refused to accept it. Hereupon, the pious abbess threw her offering into a river,^^ through which it floated, to the cell of St. Hinna. ='9 This miraculous occurrences^ caused St. Hinna to accept the gift. 3^ A man had been con- demned to death, by a certain king's orders. Our saint interfered, in his behalf, and entreated that his life might be spared. s^* At this moment, a quantity of solid silver fell upon the bosom of Christ's compassionate servant. This miraculous gift she at once gave the king,33 as a ransom for the unhappy captive. The condemned man was liberated from death, in consequence of such merciful interference, on the part of our saint. On another occasion, St. Brigid divided her only cloak, between two poor persons, so that each one of them received half of it. But fully to reward the wishes of the pious
donor, it pleased God to cause each of those poor persons to possess an entire cloak. 34 Other equally extraordinary incidents are related, throughout our saint's Acts ; but, writers who record such incidents declare, that more particular accounts are avoided to abbreviate their respective biographies. 33 A more powerful ruler had driven a prince, who was a particular friend of St. Brigid, from his principality. Our saint undertook to intercede with the
»* See "Trias " Colgan's Thaumaturga.
Vita Secunda S. Brigidae, cap. xxvii. , p. 522. Vita Tertia S. Brigidoe, cap. cxiii. , p. 540. Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii. , cap. Ixxix. , p. 561. Vita Quinta S. Brigidse, cap. Iv. , p. 581.
=7 In the Third Life of St. Brigid, this pious virgin is called Hinna, and in the Fourth Life, Hymna.
pp. 547 to 549.
33 Most likely, he was the king of Northern
Leinster, who, usually in St. Brigid's time, resided in the Dun, at Naas. In an Irish Poem of Rev. Geoffrey Keating, translated into English verse, by J. C. Mangan, we
^ This is said to have been the Liffey in AbbateD. Giacomo Certani's "La Santitk Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. " Libro Sesto, p. 546.
find these lines
— :
" sed Kinna seu Kinnia videtur rectius legendum. " He also re* marks, that he is unable to find any Irish saint called Hymna or Hinna. But a St. Kinna or Kinnia is venerated at the 1st of February, according to the Irish Martyro- logists. Colgan gives her acts, at the same day. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," i. Februarii. Vita S. Cinnias, pp. 234, 235. 3' It is said to have a Providential gui-
Tertia S.
^" •' Hiberniensium Epis- Archiepiscopus
Brigidce,
ii. , cap, Ixii. , Ixiii. ,
Also n.
^°5 In the Fifth Life of St. Brigid, an ac-
count given, regarding the foregoing inci- dents, is somewhat different, and interpo- lated, it would appear, with observations and interpretations, not found in more an- cient authorities. It is there said, that Ninnid. exiled himself, at the request of St. Brigid ; that he went to Rome to visit the shrines
of the holy Apostles ; and, that he spent four years as a pilgrim, when he was warned by an angel of God to return into Ireland. This order he is said to have obeyed, finding St, Brigid, at the point of death, on his ar- rival. Soon after, giving her Communion, the holy priest himself was gathered to his fathers, See Quinta Vita S, Brigidse, cap. Ivii. , Iviii. , pp. 581, 582, idid.
"° As Cogitosus remarks.
coporum. "
Colgan's
"Trias Thauma- _
logus, p. 518.
"3 See his Life at the 3rd of May.
"4 In the "Life of St. Brigid," by an
Irish Priest, it is stated, this event took place, about the year 490, and probably in the Church of Kildare. See chap, vi. , p.
74.
"^ See the Italian "Breviarium Gienen-
sis," lect. ii. , where it is said, Bishop Con- leath was appointed by her to consecrate churches, he having been taken from the desert.
"° This is an opinion, entertained by Col-
gan,
"7 p,y Dr. Lanigan. "° By Cogitosus.
! 54 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [February i,
toaccountforthispresumedanomaly. Ithasbeenconjectured—andwith every appearance of credibiHty—that, as the church of Kildare had been built from funds supplied by the monastery, and as its community, besides holding possession of a proprietory right and title, appears to have been at the expense of providing requisites for religious worship ; it is only reason- able to imagine, that the church, which was used as a cathedral, had been under joint management both of the bishop and of the abbess. And this supposition is furthermore confirmed, by what is related in St. Brigid's Life"^ where we read, that she bestowed some very costly vestments"^ which were used by Conleath on the festivals of our Lord, and on those of the Apostles,
while the Divine engaged offering up
Mysteries.
"° It is almost
certain,
however, that our saint, on account of her singular prerogatives and virtues,
exercised a special jurisdiction, and enjoyed an extraordinary pre-eminence,
over all the religious women of her day in Ireland. "^ Not only Cogitosus,
but several other writers, will be found, applying epithets to St. Brigid, which indicate her exalted station and superiority,"' at least in some correlative
sense. Thus, as the representative of Irish female religious, St. Brigid ranks foremost ;"3 as St. Columkille represents the highest order of male mona- chism, and as St. Patrick crowns the hierarchy ; so these sacred three are united in popular veneration and in a supreme degree.
CHAPTER XI.
ST. brigid's benignity and prudence—rewards miraculously bestowed on the POOR AND ON HER ENTERTAINERS—ST. HINNA—MIRACULOUS OCCURRENCES—ST. DARIA's SIGHT PARTIALLY RESTORED—FAITH IN ST. BRIGID'S INTERCESSION JUSTIFIED.
The benignant Brigid regarded her religious daughters and her pupils with true affection ; the servants and labourers, about her establishment, she in- dulged as members of her own family. ^ Seldom when correcting faults did she use terms of reproach ; but, always considering the most practical means for removing evil to be the healing of a sinner's soul, her action was deemed more important than even her charitable direction or advice. She knew
"9 See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "La Santitk Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. " Libro Sesto, p. 539.
"° " Nam vestimenta transmarina et pere- grina Episcopi Conleath decorati himinis, quibus, solemnitatibus Domini, et vigiUis
"' wSee ibid. , Cogitosus or Secunda Vita S. Brigidaj. In Prologo, and in cap. xxxvi. , pp. 518, 524. The Bishop of Ossory, in his "Dissertation on St. Brigid," has similar remarks, in the commencement of his trea- tise, p. I. See Appendix Secunda ad Acta
sacra in altaribus ofiferens — S. l^>rigida>. , sec. xxxix. , p. 608, ibid.
Apostolorum my- steria utebatur, pauperibus largita est. " Cogitosus or Secunda Vita S. Brigidse, cap.
"3 —to David Roth. According
'
Chapter xi. Such is the account as
furnish—ed by the metrical panegyrist, in these
Colgan's "Trias Thauma-
In the
said, from all the provinces of Ireland, that
"
xxix. , p. 522.
lurga. '^
"' **
:
Qualis erat pueris, famulis, hxc ipsa puellis
pillis. "
Breviarium Gienensis," it is a great multitude flocked to her monastery,
**
quod est caput pene Hiberniensium Eccle- "
Talis amore pio cunctis pulcherrima virgo Pauperibus fuerat et miseris, larga pu-
siarum, id est, Scotorum. " Again: Et
ipsa puellarum mater extitit, ut amborum
meritis Hiberniensis insula Christo devotis-
sime serviret," lect. i. , iii. See idid. Ap- Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. " Sexta pendix Prima ad Acta S. Brigidce, p. 601. Vita S. Brigidse, sec. v. , p. 583.
lines
February l] LIVES QF THE IRISH SAINTS \%%
how to compassionate the weakness of others. ' She sought to repair im-
prudence and crime, without causing scandal or exposing the dehnquent. An instance of such thoughtful interposition occurs, in the case of a certain youngperson,boundbyareligiousvow. 3 Theresultwasarewardforthat merciful interference ; as the person became penitent. '* And, because all things are rendered possible, on the ground of unwavering faith,5 so was the life of St. Brigid daily illustrated by miracles. Thus, as various poor and infirm creatures visited her, to have their several wants supplied, it happened on one occasion, that she afforded relief to a person, who required the useful condiment of salt, which was procured in a supernatural manner. ^
The following two miraculous incidents, attributed to our saint, are thus related. 7 While her mind was elevated to the contemplation of heavenly subjects, as was her frequent habit, the things of earth were altogether for- gotten. Suchbeingthecase,onacertainoccasion,andmostprobablywhile
engaged about some culinary affairs, a dog removed a large piece of bacon. When sought, this was not to be found, in its usual storing place ; but, after a month had expired, it was discovered, whole and untouched, in the kennel. That dog durst not eat this food, belonging to Brigid, and his natural appetite, for so long a period, seemed restrained by some wonderful and inexplicable intervention. ^ In season and out of season, St. Brigid's bounty had been taxed by the importunities of poor persons, and her charities seemed exhaustless, while the fame of her miracles still caused many destitute persons to approach her every day. Among these, a poor person, in need of alms, had been sent by the saint to her servants, who were engaged in cooking flesh-meat. Our saint directed that immediate relief should be given to the applicant. While herself was present, one of holy Brigid's servants, engaged in cooking, thoughtlessly threw9 a piece of undressed flesh-
meat, into the folds of her garments.
^°
This the abbess brought to that poor
person, as an alms, while her white robe," was found to preserve its purity, without a single speck or stain. "
= See "The Life of St. Brigid," by an
IrishPriest,chap,ix. ,p. 112.
3 Cases somewhat similar are recorded in
Santita Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Iber- nese. " LibroSesto,pp. 514to516.
^ Some of our Saint's Lives merely say, that the cook threw it into the bosom of the charitable abbess ; but, this act of dis-
a Life of St. Ailbe, at the 12th of Sep-
tember, and in a Life of St. Kieran of Saigir,
at the 5th of March. See Colgan's "Trias courtesy towards her, on the part of a
Thaumaturga. " Vita Secunda S. Brigidae, n. 12, p. 526, and Tertia Vita S. Brigidse, n. 60, p. 545, ibid.
* See this account, treated at more length,
in Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's "La San-
titk Prodigiosa Vita di S. Brigida Iber- nese. ' Libro Sesto, pp. 507 to 512.
servant, can hardly be credible. The Latin word used, however, may admit of another
meaning; for "in sinu," may signify "in a fold. " The Iris—h line, in the First Life of
St. Brigid has it :
s See Hebrews, xi. In
English :
^
See Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
Vita Prima S. sec. Brigidae,
20, p, 516. Vita Secunda S. Brigidae, cap. x. , xi. , pp. 519, 520. Tertia Vita S. Brigidae, cap. cv. ,
atse vestis receptaculum," allusion seems cvi. , p. 540. This miracle is given, with made to her religious habit. This garment
additional particulars, in the Fifth Life.
Vita Quinta S. Brigidre, cap. xliv. , p. 578. In the Sixth Life, a miracle is recorded of a somewhat analogous character. However, this account does not appear applicable to the narrative, alluded to in the text. See Vita Sexta S. Brigidre, sec. xxiv. , p. 586.
^ See Cogitosus, or Secunda Vita S. Bri-
gidoe, cap. xiv. , p. 520, ibid.
^ See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's " La
would appear to have fallen about the per- sons of herself and of her nuns, in graceful folds.
" From the words of Cogitosus, allusion is seemingly made to the white dress of St.
Brigid's order.
" See, Colgan's "Trias Thaumaturga. "
Vita Secunda S. Brigidte, cap. xv. , p. 520. Vita Prima S. Brigidse, sec, xxiii. , xxiv. , p. 516. Vita Tertia S. Brigidte, cap. cvii. ,
» \i tro cneAr in ha hudc. "
11
" boiled meat, which was cast into her bosom.
"
'° Where this man threw Cogitosus says,
the piece of meat "in albatum ipsius sinu-
^ot^t r '
t$6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February i.
In those primitive times, and when hospices were not numerous in country parts, while St. Brigid and her nuns were engaged on missionary visitations, they were frequently obliged to accept the hospitalities of very humble people. ^3 It was on an occasion of this sort, while lodging with a private family, a man, named Icessus, or Eccus, a poet, with his wife,^* happenedtosleepinthesamehouse. Theblessedabbess,attheirrequest, gave them her benediction. Afterwards, a renowned son, St. Echenus or
^^
Etchen^s was born to the religious parents.
Brigid was instrumental in having a stolen silver lunette,'7 restored to her hostess,andinamiraculousmanner. '^ Thishadbeentakenbyafugitive servant-maid. ^9 An injustice of a still more objectionable character, sought to be practised on an innocent woman,^° caused the latter to fly for refuge towards St. Brigid's sanctuary. There she received a welcome, and the property she lost was procured by a miracle. ^^
The following miracle was wrought by St. Brigid, while lodging at the
houseofacertainpoorandpiouswoman. ^^ Theabbesshadbeenengaged
on one of her religious missions. When evening overtook her travelling
over the extensive plain of Breg,''^ she entered the house of this poor woman,
to claim hospitality for that night. According to St. Brogan's Life of the saint, this happened in the plain of Caoil. ^'^ Holding out her hands in token
of welcome, the hostess joyfully and respectfully received Christ's holy servant,withhernuns. ShealsogavethankstoGod,fortheirhappyarrival. Having only one calf, it was immediately killed for the refreshment of those guests ; but, having no wood to prepare a meal, the poor woman broke a frameordistaffj^swhichhadbeenusedforweavingstuffs. Withitsmaterial, she kindled a fire, and proceeded to cook some meat, showing a right good will. After supper was over, passing the night in her accustomed vigils, holy
cviii. , p. 540. Vita Quarta S. Brigidse, lib. ii. , cap. Ixxvii. , IxxviiL, p. 561.
*3 "En ce temps-la, les saints et les saintes
^4 Abbate D. Giacomo Certani, who has a detailed account of this incident, calls him
S. Brigidse, lib. ii. , cap. Ixxvi. , pp. 560, 561, and n. 20, p. 566.
^9 She had also lived with the family,
toute I'lrlande, evangelisant
=° A man had young
into her
s'en allaient
et prechant, edefiant les fideles par leur vertus et par leur miracles. "—L. Tachet de Bar- neval's " Histoire Legendaire de Tlrlande," chap, viii. , p. 78.
given
charge
con la — Principessa
See "Trias Colgan's
par
a of Leinster " prince
chiamata Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. " Libro Sesto, p. 517. 's His feast occurs on the nth of Febru-
ary.
"^ See his Life in
a valuable silver vessel, which he afterwards
took away without her knowledge, thus hop-
ing to make her his slave, when she failed to restore it. See Abbate D. Giacomo Certani's " La Santiti Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. " Libro Sesto, pp.
to 529.
Moglie Briga. " "La Santiti Prodigiosa.
Thaumaturga. " Brigidoe, sec. xxxvi. , p. 517. Secunda Vita S. Brigidae, cap. xxvi. , p.
per sua
nome Mario Eccea
524 ="
" Acta Sane- torum Hibernise," xi. Februarii. Vita S.
This is related by Cogitosus.
Gemme. "—" La Santita
" of vol. History Drogheda," i. , p.
Colgan's
=3 was the name of the extend- Breg plain,
ing between Dublin and Pontana Civitas.
**
EtchjBnii, pp. 304 to 306.
^^ Abbate D. Giacomo Certani describes
t as "vn certo suo adornamento fabricate
d'argento lauorato da industriosa mano, che
I'haueua condotto in forma d'vna Luna non Thaumaturga. " Fontana Civitas is now plena incastonandoui dentro ricchissime known as Drogheda. See, Mr. D'Alton's
Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. " Libro . Sesto, p.
I.
See also the Bollandists' Acta Sanc- 522. A—great number of those laminated torum," tomus i. , Februarii. Vita iv. S.
lunettes but chiefly in gold —are yet to be seen in the Royal Irish Academy's Museum.
''=>
This incident serves to reveal one of
of an Irish house-
'^ See " Trias Colgan's
the
wife, in early times.
Thaumaturga. " Tertia Vita S. Brigidse, cap. cxi. , cxii. , p. 540, and nn. 61, 62, p. 545. Quarta Vita
ordinary occupations
Prodigiosa.
=-* " Brigidse, lib. ii. , cap. x,, p. 170.
Prima Vita S. 522.
^
During this visit, likewise,
Joceline writes
ac spatioso. " Vita Sexta S. Patricii, cap. xxxix. , p. 73. See also. Vita Secunda S. Brigidoe, n. 13, p. 526. Colgan's "Trias
in campo Breaghy specioso
February i. ] LIVES OF THE IRI^H SAINTS. 157
Brigidaroseearlyonthefollowingmorning. Torewardthecheerfuland hospitable spirit of her entertainer, our saint caused another calf, like the one that had been killed, to appear in similar shape. The cow is stated to have receivedthisyounganimal,asifithadbeenherownoffspring. And,tothe hostess she presented an equally valuable weaving-frame, in every respect, like that one, which had been destroyed. For, she would not allow this hospitablewomantoundergoanyloss,inconsequenceofhercharity. Then, bidding farewell to her hostess and family, our saint happily and religiously proceeded on her journey. *^
Truly wonderful are many of the legends, which have been recorded by
her biographers. Those, which serve to display her extraordinary charities, arenottheleastnumerousandstrange. Brigidwouldhavebestowedalarge
quantity of silver on a religious, named Hymna or Hinna,=7 but this latter refused to accept it. Hereupon, the pious abbess threw her offering into a river,^^ through which it floated, to the cell of St. Hinna. ='9 This miraculous occurrences^ caused St. Hinna to accept the gift. 3^ A man had been con- demned to death, by a certain king's orders. Our saint interfered, in his behalf, and entreated that his life might be spared. s^* At this moment, a quantity of solid silver fell upon the bosom of Christ's compassionate servant. This miraculous gift she at once gave the king,33 as a ransom for the unhappy captive. The condemned man was liberated from death, in consequence of such merciful interference, on the part of our saint. On another occasion, St. Brigid divided her only cloak, between two poor persons, so that each one of them received half of it. But fully to reward the wishes of the pious
donor, it pleased God to cause each of those poor persons to possess an entire cloak. 34 Other equally extraordinary incidents are related, throughout our saint's Acts ; but, writers who record such incidents declare, that more particular accounts are avoided to abbreviate their respective biographies. 33 A more powerful ruler had driven a prince, who was a particular friend of St. Brigid, from his principality. Our saint undertook to intercede with the
»* See "Trias " Colgan's Thaumaturga.
Vita Secunda S. Brigidae, cap. xxvii. , p. 522. Vita Tertia S. Brigidoe, cap. cxiii. , p. 540. Vita Quarta S. Brigidae, lib. ii. , cap. Ixxix. , p. 561. Vita Quinta S. Brigidse, cap. Iv. , p. 581.
=7 In the Third Life of St. Brigid, this pious virgin is called Hinna, and in the Fourth Life, Hymna.
pp. 547 to 549.
33 Most likely, he was the king of Northern
Leinster, who, usually in St. Brigid's time, resided in the Dun, at Naas. In an Irish Poem of Rev. Geoffrey Keating, translated into English verse, by J. C. Mangan, we
^ This is said to have been the Liffey in AbbateD. Giacomo Certani's "La Santitk Prodigiosa. Vita di S. Brigida Ibernese. " Libro Sesto, p. 546.
find these lines
— :
" sed Kinna seu Kinnia videtur rectius legendum. " He also re* marks, that he is unable to find any Irish saint called Hymna or Hinna. But a St. Kinna or Kinnia is venerated at the 1st of February, according to the Irish Martyro- logists. Colgan gives her acts, at the same day. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," i. Februarii. Vita S. Cinnias, pp. 234, 235. 3' It is said to have a Providential gui-
Tertia S.
