" Both
editions
of the English Martyr-
* See "Fasti Belgici et Burgundici," x.
* See "Fasti Belgici et Burgundici," x.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
Sedna is placed third in order, among the bishops of Seirkieran, by Colgan,andabouta.
d.
570.
^3 However,whenquotingthisstatement,Arch- dall had no warrant for referring his death to the ist of March, in the same year.
'4 The name, S.
Setna, is the simple entry found in the Martyrology of Tallagh,'satthelothofMarch.
Heisclassedasabishop,bytheauthorof a Tract, on the Homonymous Saints of Ireland,'^ as also by Marianus O'Gorman.
It is recorded, in the Martyrology of Donegal,'?
that Sedna,
Bishop, had a festival on this day. Colgan is doubtful, however, regarding '^
the application of this festival, to the present Sedna, or to another, so called, who is mentioned in the Acts of St. Senan,'? Abbot of Scattery Island.
Article V. —Reputed Festival of a St. Sedonius, Bishop, and a Disciple of St. Senan, Abbot of Scattery Island. \Probably in the SixthCentury^ AmongthedisciplesofBlessedSenan,'AbbotofScattery
Scottish Saints," pp. 97, 113, 146, 194, 235.
? See the O'Longan MSS. , R. I. A. , vol. XV. , p. 172. This vol. contains 200 pages,
the son of Peter O'Lon-
* Asmall MS. 4to paper
«
p.
2.
3 His feast occurs, at the 13th of Decern-
'3 See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
'^ See
'* "
written
p. 70.
See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's
Lives of 208.
by Michael,
gan, about the year 1760.
March
the Saints," vol. — x. , p.
iii.
Article IV. 'See, "Acta Sanctorum A
folio
MS.
Hibemise," x, Martii. De S. Sedna sive
Sedonio Episcopo et Confessore, p. 572. *"
paper
'° A large 4to parchment MS.
See Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. ,
" See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xvii. Februarii, n. 10, p. 354.
Martii x.
Among the pretermitted saints,
" See his Life, at the 4th of August.
ber.
* See his Life, at the 17th of February.
s See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani Ab- batis de Cluain-Ednech, cap. iii. , iv. , p.
nix," Martii v. Appendix ad Vitam S.
Kierani, cap. v. , p. 473.
•• See " Monasticon Hibernicum,"p. 404. 'S Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xviii.
'* Lib. i. , cap. iii. , xlvii. This treatise
has been attributed to St. ^Engus the Cul- dee, by Colgan.
350. *
See his Life, at the 9th of June.
[6'«/-
288 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March io.
Island, was one Sedna or Sedonius, remarkable for his virtues and miracles, who dwelt with his master, and with a fellow-religious, called Libemus or Liberius,* on the Island, called Inismore. There the latter seems to have chiefly lived. Among St. Senan's disciples, at this place, were three holy bishops, Dalan,3 Sedonius, and Ere,* whom he brought away to live on the island,calledInis-Caorach. ButColgan,whohasafullernotice,ontheloth of MarchjS remarks, that he does not suppose they were bishops, when living underSt. Senan'srule; but,aftertheyhadpartedfromhim,toassumewhat- ever positions of responsibility had been assigned to each. The circum- stances of country and of time render it probable, in Colgan's opinion, that this St. Sedna or Sedonius was the son of Eren or Ere, a nobleman, and his mother was Magna, sister of St. David,^ of Kill-muine, following an account in the work of St. . ^ngus. 7 He is said, to have been bom in Altraige Cliach,^ in Muuster. He had two holy brothers, likewise ; one is called Mo- Gaban or Goban,9 and the other Melteoc or Eltin. '° This Sedna, to whom we allude, presided over the Church of Cluain, between the Mountains of Crot" and Mirge. It was situated within Munster. He is buried in Kinn- sale,^' a maritime town of southern Munster. What more confirms Colgan, in his attempted identification, is the account of that strict friendship and alliance, between St. Senan and St. David. No wonder, therefore, that the nephew of this latter should be ranked, among the favoured disciples of the great Abbot of Scattery Island. If all the foregoing speculations can be re- conciled, we may justly infer, that St. Sedna lived about the middle of the
sixth century.
Article VI. —St. Hymelin, or Himelinus, Confessor, of Vissen-
AEKEN, Brabant. \Eighth Century. \ Among the many holy Irishmen, who made their way to foreign countries in past ages, Hymelin or Himelinus was distinguished, and we have his Acts recorded, at the loth of March, in Colgan. ' ThesearetakenfiromanaccountofFatherHeribertRoaweyde, and from a Life, founded on notices in the Martyrologies, and fi'om popular
'7 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. county of Limerick.
" Martyrology
72, 73.
'^ See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," of
" treats of
Martii x. De S. Sedna sive Sedonio Epis-
copo et Confessore, p. 572, and n. 3.
•9 His Life is already given, at the 8th of
March. Article v.
March.
—
'
See his Life, at the 8th of
' '° See an account of him, at the 1st of
August.
3 He was venerated, probably on the 14th
of December, according to Colgan's conjee- ture.
* Colgan thinks, he had been venerated, either on the 13th of July, or on the 17th of October.
5 See " Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," viiL MartiL Secunda Vita S. Senani, n. 19, p. 540 (nrrfe) 536. Also, x. MartiL De S. SedonioEpiscopoS. SenaniDiscipulo,' pp. 572. 573-
* See his Life, already given at the 1st of March. • -
' His " Opuscula," lib. iv. , cap. 81, we
find quoted.
His feast is referred, to the lith of December.
" Crota Cliach was the ancient name for the Galtee Mountains, in the county of Tipperary. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Topo- graphical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O Huidhrin," n. 753, p. Ixxxiii.
" The town of Kinsale, in the parishes of
Kinsale and Ringcurran, in the barony of Kinsale, is described on the "Ordnance
Survey Townland Maps for the County of
*
Very probably Ara-Cliach, in the
Hiberniae," x. Martii. Vita S. Hymelini Praesbyteri et Conf. authore Heriberto Ros-
wedio. Also, Alia Vita ejusdem, &c. , pp. 574 to 576.
9 Colgan tells us, that the
noted already, at that day ; or, according to Marianus and other authorities, he was the Goban, venerated on the 26th or 30th of March.
at the llth of February, where he is called Mogoboc or Goban, of Rath Lampaighe, as we have
Tallagh
him,
Cork. " (East Riding). Sheets 112, 125.
Article vi.
"
—'See AcU Sanctorum
March lo. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 289
traditions, by John Gillemann,' and written about 1480. The Belgian writers, Jean Ver Meulen, or John Molanus,3 and Autbertus Miraeus,* have recorded St. Himelin. The Bollandists have inserted his Acts, at the same date, as found in Gilleman's work ; and, these are preceded by two elucida-
toryparagraphs. 5 Saussay,^Willot,? andFerrarius,^notehimintheirCalen- dars. Bishop Challenors has an account, at the loth of March. Again, the Rev. S. Baring-Gould has some observations concerning him, at this date. ^° It is related, that not only was Hyraelin a Scot," or an Irishman," but that he was also related to the celebrated St Rumold,'3 the Aposde of Belgium. ** Inlikemannerwasheassimilatedbyvirtuesandmerits. Heappearstohave been desirous of following Rumold, to the country of his adoption. Little regarding his early life is knowoi. We are told, however, that he undertook a pilgrimage to Rome,'' to visit the shrines of the holy Apostles, Peter and Paul. He returned, afterwards, through the province of Brabant, at a time, too, when Pepin'^ ruled over France. '? Being greatly fatigued and very thirst)', he stopped on the way near Vissenacken. Here he was seized with a violent fever. He sank exhausted on a bank, and he seemed pale and worn
to extremity, when a girl passed by, while bearing water in a pitcher from a neighbouring fountain. This she brought as a household supply for her master, who is called Deculus, a Priest, and who was curate of that place. As a plague was then raging, she had received strict orders from her master, to let no person touch the pitcher, for he ieared infection. Hymelin asked for a drink of the water, as she passed, but the girl refused to give it, excusing herself, owing to the strict orders she received. Again, the sick traveller
"
languidly repeated his request, wheu the girl answered,
My friend, I cannot
at all give you water from the pitcher, because of the injunction I received
from my master ; yet, I beseech you to visit our house, and there you shall
be refreshed, not only with drink, which you need sorely, but with abundance
of food. " This invitation Hymelin refused, but he said confidentially to the
"
woman,
be satisfied with your action. " She was moved to compassion, and he drank from the vessel. Then was the pilgrim able to continue his journey. The servant brought the water he had tasted to her master's house. Some of it was presented, for his use ; but, on drinking, he found it had the taste of wine. Enquiring Irom the girl, she confessed what had occurred, and owned her
Daughter, have trust, and give what I ask for ; the Almighty shall
' He was a Canon Regular of the Monas- tery or Rubea Vallis, m Soignes Wood, near Bruxelles, and with great industry, he compiled the Acts of several saints. In the second part of his Brabantine Hagiolcgy, he gives the notice of St. Hymelin.
5 In the " Natales Sanctorum Belgii," p. 49, he has a single paragraph devotoi to St. Himelinus, at the loih of March.
of March.
" Both editions of the English Martyr-
* See "Fasti Belgici et Burgundici," x. distinguishes him as a Confessor. Yet, in
Martii
5 See "Acta Sanctorum," De S. Hime-
Imo Presbytero Fenaci in Brabantia, tomus IL, Martii x. , pp. 46, 47.
one account of this saint, he is styled a Priest.
'5 See Bishop Challenor's " Britannia
*
In his
to
Sancta," part i. , p. 167.
'* His ended in the
the Gallic Martyr- ' in a French Calendar,
768. Yet, Breviary of Aberdeen states the saint
ology.
Supplement
reign
' In " Generalis Catalogus
flourished under King Dungall, A-D. 822.
'' Molanus that he Uved states, however,
until the reign 01 Charlemagne. See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii, chap, xix. , sect xiv. , nn. 165, 166, pp. 194, 195, 197.
'^ In " Menoic^um Scoticum. " See t
Sanctorum. " ' See " Britannia bancta," part L, p. 167. "See "Lives of the Saints," vol. iii. .
March x. , pp. 210, 211.
" Mireus refers him to Scotia, in his work,
"Fasti Belgici et Burgundici," at the loth Vol. m. —No. 5.
ology say, that he was sprung nia. "
''
ex Hiber-
'^ See his Life, at the 1st of July,
* Such is the account of Ferrarius, who does not allude to Hjrmelin having been in orders. In like manner, the "English Martyrology," at the loth of March, only
290 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [March io.
disobediencetothecurate'sorders. Thepriestwasnotdispleased,however, but he instantly ran after the unknown holy pilgrim. The latter was over- taken, and conducted to the curate's home, where he received a hospitable welcome and refreshment. Yet, Hymelin refused the luxury of a comfortable bed, or any other comforts ; but, he expressed a wish, to lie down on some straw in a bam. There he rested for three days. His hour for departing this world had now come ; and, requesting the favour from the curate's hands,hereceivedthelastSacramentsoftheChurch. Lyingallalone,his happy si)irit passed away to the guardianship of his Creator. No sooner had he departed, than all the bells around began to toll of their own accord, and withoutahandtouchingthem. Thiswasasubjectofgreatastonishmentfor the people. The curate was the first to divine the cause, and he invited his parishioners to enter the barn, where Hymelin's corpse lay. There they saw his face and body, surrounded with a radiant light. Deeming him to be a true saint, they began to consider where his remains should be deposited. Going into the village church, they found a tomb, corresponding with the size of the pilgrim's body, and miraculously prepared for its reception. Citing the authority of John Molanus, we are told by Dempster,'^ that neither by the Roman Pontiff, nor by the bishop of the place, had Himelin been enrolled among the saints ; and, yet, his miracles made him celebrated, and his dedi- cated temples were frequented, by the people. In Convseus' list of Irish Saints, for the loth of March, he notices St. Himilius, a nobleman. '9 The name is written Himelinus, in the anonymous list, at the same day. '° In Henry Fitzsimons' list—apparently through mistake—and on the authority of Molanus, his feast is set down, at the 20th ot March. ^' The Manuscript Florarius, Canisius, and Molanus, in his edition of Usuard, have his feast, at the loth. In Adam King's Kalendar,*^ at the same day in March, we have entered S. Hemeiin, confess, scotisma vnder king dungallus. In like manner, Dempster's and Camerarius record Himelin, he having been revered asConfessor,inVissenaken. ^* Thitherwerethesacredremamsbroughtand
honourably interred, in a crypt, under the campanile. In after time, several miracles were wrought, through the merits of Hymelin, who —is regarded as the patron saint —of Vissenaeken. 's On the 10th of March probably the date for his death
Martyrology of Donegal,' on this day.
Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 194,
The place is now known as Clonti-
"3 See " Menologium Scoticum," p. 194. Ibid.
"^ Although they state, that he preached among the people of Brabant, there is no warrant for this in the popular legend.
'9 He adds Thenas. "
:
" Romuldi cognatus apud
^° See Hugo Menard's " Martyrologium Benedictinum," at this date.
a concourse of the and of is
pilgrims annually attracted to his tomb. On the altar his image was visible. None
great parishioners
but distinguished saints may go straightway to God, after death ; every one
"
of us, not being regarded as great saints, must be purified,
We shall have to tarry, to expiate, to suffer; yet, happy still, it our final rest be obtained.
Article VII. —St. Colman, of Clontibrin, or Clontivrin, County OF Fermanagh. The name, Colman, of Cluan Tibhrinn, appears in the
*5 See Bishop Challenor's "Britannia -^ See O'SuUevan Beare's " Historiae Sancta," part i,, p. 167, Molanus states,
Catholicse Ibernias Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv,, cap. x. , p, 48, and cap. xi. , p. 49, and cap. xii. , p. 55.
Forbes' "Kalendars of
that his death took place, at Fenac of St.
Martin. See "Natales Sanctorum Belgii,"
p, 49.
Article vii. —» Edited Drs. Todd by
and Reeves, pp. 72, 73.
=^ See
Scottish Saints," p, 147.
Bishop
so as by fire. "
March io. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 291
brin, or Clontivrin, in Clankelly barony, and in the county of Fermanagh. ^ I suspect this saint is not a different one from the Colman, recorded in the
Martyrology of Tallagh, on the day previous.
Article VIII. —Reputed Festival of a St. Saran or Seranus. In
Scotia, at the loth of March, Dempster' has an entry of Saran, a Bishop, whose precious reUcs were buried in Tungland. The Bollandists declare,^ while quoting this statement, at the same day, that they do not trust the quoted Breviary of this church, adduced by Dempster, as his warrant for the account. In the anonymous Catalogue of Irish Saints, published by O'SuUevan Beare, at the 10th of March, Seranus is entered. 3
Article IX,—Reputed Festival of St. Bosa, Archbishop of York, England. \Seventh and Eighth Centuries. ^ The festival of St. Bosa, Arch- bishop of York, has been referred to the loth of March, by Edward Mainew^ and by Bucelin, who regard this holy man, as belonging to the Benedictine Order. 2 At this date, the Bollandists merely notice the foregoing state- ments. 3
Article X. —St. ^milian, or ^milianus. Abbot of Lagny, France.
ySeventh Century. '] As we have already remarked, in the Life of St. Fursey,^ Abbot of Lagny, the fame of this holy man was reflected back upon his native
country, Ireland, where many of his pious and devoted compatriots desired to emulate his labours and virtues, and to follow him abroad. Among these was the present yEmilian, who, towards the middle of the seventh century, went over to France, it being generally assumed, that he had made the acquaintance of Si. Fursey, in Ireland, where, too, it is said, he had been a disciple ot the celebrated missionary. ^ ^milian was distinguished for his pious and simple character. He was accompanied by some religious Irish- men, and after they had landed m France, yEmilian directed his course to Lagny, where himself and his companions were joyfully received by the holy abbot, and trained in his monastic discipline. The virtues and sage character ofoursaintcausedFurseytonoticehisraremerits. Soontheabbotforecast his own death. From among all his religious children, Fursey chose ^milian as his most worthy successor, commending to him the charge of his commu- nity, after God should have called himself to bliss. Tnis proved a qualified source ot consolation for his religious, who were left to mourn a great loss. 3 St. ^milianthusbecamethesecondAbbotoverLagny. ** Howlonghecon- tinued to rule there is not very well ascertained. His name is found written Eminianus, Emmianus and Emianus, in the old Acts of St. Fursey. There, the little, that is told about St. ^milian, has been collected, by Colgan, at the loth ot March. 5 The Bollandists** have nearly similar notices, ^milian
*This is stated, from a MS. note, in William M. Hennessey's copy.
Menologlum Sco-
tomus ii. , Martii ix. De B. Bosa Episcopo Deirorum Eboraci in Anglia, num. 7, p. 12.
3 the
See ibid. , x. Martii. Among preter-
mitted saints, p. 2.
ARTICLE X. —' His feast occurs, at the
i6th of January, where in vol. i. ol this
work his Lile may be examined. See chap.
Articlevui. —• In"
ticum. " See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars
of Scottish Saints," p. 194.
'^ "
See Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. ,
Martii x. Among the pretermitted saints, P- 3-
viii. ==
3 See " Historic Catholicae Iberniae Com-
According
to Menard and other writers,
pendmm,"tomusi. , lib. iv. , xi. ,
" cap. p. 49.
Article IX—' See In Tropheeis Con-
gregaiionis Anglias. "
* See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum,"
" Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , sect, x,,
n. 89, p. 462.
3 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
See Rev. Dr.
Lanigan's
292
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March io.
is praised, as being a man of singular virtue, void of all selfishness, and versed in all degrees of Christian philosophy. 7 According to Desmay,^ the monks of Lagny, when informed about the death of their Abbot St. Fursey, elected St. Eloquius,9 as his immediate successor. If such be the case, ^Erai- lian must have resigned the administration. '° However, Colgan is of opinion, that the latter was Fursey's immediate successor, and that Eloquius was only called upon to rule at Lagny, after the death of ^milian. " This is said to have occurred, on the loth day of March, when Saussay" alludes to him in the Calendar ; while Menard'3 has marked him down, at the same day, and with similar commendation.
Article XL—Reputed Festival of St. Comgell, or St. Congell, Abbot. Itseemsquiteevident,thatagreatmistakehasbeencommittedby Arnold Wion," who has noted a festival for St. Congell, or Comgell, said to have been a Synchronos with St. Brendan, Dempster^ places a feast, at Bangor,fortheAbbotComgall,thefounder,onthelothofMarch. 3 Again, Philip Ferrarius'* quotes Molanus,s for the festival of St. Congellus, Abbas,_in Hibernia,atthisday,asColganremarks. ^ Hehasbeenconfounded,with the establisher of Bangor Monastery, whose real festival occurs on the loth of May ; while, it is stated,? also, that he lived in the time of St. Malachias,^ the Bishop, whose Life St. Bernard^ has written. Yet, an interval of five hundred years intervenes ; and, hence, it may be seen, how apocryphal are those statements, referring to this supposed saint.
Bishop, had a festival on this day. Colgan is doubtful, however, regarding '^
the application of this festival, to the present Sedna, or to another, so called, who is mentioned in the Acts of St. Senan,'? Abbot of Scattery Island.
Article V. —Reputed Festival of a St. Sedonius, Bishop, and a Disciple of St. Senan, Abbot of Scattery Island. \Probably in the SixthCentury^ AmongthedisciplesofBlessedSenan,'AbbotofScattery
Scottish Saints," pp. 97, 113, 146, 194, 235.
? See the O'Longan MSS. , R. I. A. , vol. XV. , p. 172. This vol. contains 200 pages,
the son of Peter O'Lon-
* Asmall MS. 4to paper
«
p.
2.
3 His feast occurs, at the 13th of Decern-
'3 See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
'^ See
'* "
written
p. 70.
See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's
Lives of 208.
by Michael,
gan, about the year 1760.
March
the Saints," vol. — x. , p.
iii.
Article IV. 'See, "Acta Sanctorum A
folio
MS.
Hibemise," x, Martii. De S. Sedna sive
Sedonio Episcopo et Confessore, p. 572. *"
paper
'° A large 4to parchment MS.
See Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. ,
" See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- niae," xvii. Februarii, n. 10, p. 354.
Martii x.
Among the pretermitted saints,
" See his Life, at the 4th of August.
ber.
* See his Life, at the 17th of February.
s See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xvii. Februarii. Vita S. Fintani Ab- batis de Cluain-Ednech, cap. iii. , iv. , p.
nix," Martii v. Appendix ad Vitam S.
Kierani, cap. v. , p. 473.
•• See " Monasticon Hibernicum,"p. 404. 'S Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xviii.
'* Lib. i. , cap. iii. , xlvii. This treatise
has been attributed to St. ^Engus the Cul- dee, by Colgan.
350. *
See his Life, at the 9th of June.
[6'«/-
288 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March io.
Island, was one Sedna or Sedonius, remarkable for his virtues and miracles, who dwelt with his master, and with a fellow-religious, called Libemus or Liberius,* on the Island, called Inismore. There the latter seems to have chiefly lived. Among St. Senan's disciples, at this place, were three holy bishops, Dalan,3 Sedonius, and Ere,* whom he brought away to live on the island,calledInis-Caorach. ButColgan,whohasafullernotice,ontheloth of MarchjS remarks, that he does not suppose they were bishops, when living underSt. Senan'srule; but,aftertheyhadpartedfromhim,toassumewhat- ever positions of responsibility had been assigned to each. The circum- stances of country and of time render it probable, in Colgan's opinion, that this St. Sedna or Sedonius was the son of Eren or Ere, a nobleman, and his mother was Magna, sister of St. David,^ of Kill-muine, following an account in the work of St. . ^ngus. 7 He is said, to have been bom in Altraige Cliach,^ in Muuster. He had two holy brothers, likewise ; one is called Mo- Gaban or Goban,9 and the other Melteoc or Eltin. '° This Sedna, to whom we allude, presided over the Church of Cluain, between the Mountains of Crot" and Mirge. It was situated within Munster. He is buried in Kinn- sale,^' a maritime town of southern Munster. What more confirms Colgan, in his attempted identification, is the account of that strict friendship and alliance, between St. Senan and St. David. No wonder, therefore, that the nephew of this latter should be ranked, among the favoured disciples of the great Abbot of Scattery Island. If all the foregoing speculations can be re- conciled, we may justly infer, that St. Sedna lived about the middle of the
sixth century.
Article VI. —St. Hymelin, or Himelinus, Confessor, of Vissen-
AEKEN, Brabant. \Eighth Century. \ Among the many holy Irishmen, who made their way to foreign countries in past ages, Hymelin or Himelinus was distinguished, and we have his Acts recorded, at the loth of March, in Colgan. ' ThesearetakenfiromanaccountofFatherHeribertRoaweyde, and from a Life, founded on notices in the Martyrologies, and fi'om popular
'7 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. county of Limerick.
" Martyrology
72, 73.
'^ See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," of
" treats of
Martii x. De S. Sedna sive Sedonio Epis-
copo et Confessore, p. 572, and n. 3.
•9 His Life is already given, at the 8th of
March. Article v.
March.
—
'
See his Life, at the 8th of
' '° See an account of him, at the 1st of
August.
3 He was venerated, probably on the 14th
of December, according to Colgan's conjee- ture.
* Colgan thinks, he had been venerated, either on the 13th of July, or on the 17th of October.
5 See " Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," viiL MartiL Secunda Vita S. Senani, n. 19, p. 540 (nrrfe) 536. Also, x. MartiL De S. SedonioEpiscopoS. SenaniDiscipulo,' pp. 572. 573-
* See his Life, already given at the 1st of March. • -
' His " Opuscula," lib. iv. , cap. 81, we
find quoted.
His feast is referred, to the lith of December.
" Crota Cliach was the ancient name for the Galtee Mountains, in the county of Tipperary. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Topo- graphical Poems of John O'Dubhagain and Giolla na Naomh O Huidhrin," n. 753, p. Ixxxiii.
" The town of Kinsale, in the parishes of
Kinsale and Ringcurran, in the barony of Kinsale, is described on the "Ordnance
Survey Townland Maps for the County of
*
Very probably Ara-Cliach, in the
Hiberniae," x. Martii. Vita S. Hymelini Praesbyteri et Conf. authore Heriberto Ros-
wedio. Also, Alia Vita ejusdem, &c. , pp. 574 to 576.
9 Colgan tells us, that the
noted already, at that day ; or, according to Marianus and other authorities, he was the Goban, venerated on the 26th or 30th of March.
at the llth of February, where he is called Mogoboc or Goban, of Rath Lampaighe, as we have
Tallagh
him,
Cork. " (East Riding). Sheets 112, 125.
Article vi.
"
—'See AcU Sanctorum
March lo. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 289
traditions, by John Gillemann,' and written about 1480. The Belgian writers, Jean Ver Meulen, or John Molanus,3 and Autbertus Miraeus,* have recorded St. Himelin. The Bollandists have inserted his Acts, at the same date, as found in Gilleman's work ; and, these are preceded by two elucida-
toryparagraphs. 5 Saussay,^Willot,? andFerrarius,^notehimintheirCalen- dars. Bishop Challenors has an account, at the loth of March. Again, the Rev. S. Baring-Gould has some observations concerning him, at this date. ^° It is related, that not only was Hyraelin a Scot," or an Irishman," but that he was also related to the celebrated St Rumold,'3 the Aposde of Belgium. ** Inlikemannerwasheassimilatedbyvirtuesandmerits. Heappearstohave been desirous of following Rumold, to the country of his adoption. Little regarding his early life is knowoi. We are told, however, that he undertook a pilgrimage to Rome,'' to visit the shrines of the holy Apostles, Peter and Paul. He returned, afterwards, through the province of Brabant, at a time, too, when Pepin'^ ruled over France. '? Being greatly fatigued and very thirst)', he stopped on the way near Vissenacken. Here he was seized with a violent fever. He sank exhausted on a bank, and he seemed pale and worn
to extremity, when a girl passed by, while bearing water in a pitcher from a neighbouring fountain. This she brought as a household supply for her master, who is called Deculus, a Priest, and who was curate of that place. As a plague was then raging, she had received strict orders from her master, to let no person touch the pitcher, for he ieared infection. Hymelin asked for a drink of the water, as she passed, but the girl refused to give it, excusing herself, owing to the strict orders she received. Again, the sick traveller
"
languidly repeated his request, wheu the girl answered,
My friend, I cannot
at all give you water from the pitcher, because of the injunction I received
from my master ; yet, I beseech you to visit our house, and there you shall
be refreshed, not only with drink, which you need sorely, but with abundance
of food. " This invitation Hymelin refused, but he said confidentially to the
"
woman,
be satisfied with your action. " She was moved to compassion, and he drank from the vessel. Then was the pilgrim able to continue his journey. The servant brought the water he had tasted to her master's house. Some of it was presented, for his use ; but, on drinking, he found it had the taste of wine. Enquiring Irom the girl, she confessed what had occurred, and owned her
Daughter, have trust, and give what I ask for ; the Almighty shall
' He was a Canon Regular of the Monas- tery or Rubea Vallis, m Soignes Wood, near Bruxelles, and with great industry, he compiled the Acts of several saints. In the second part of his Brabantine Hagiolcgy, he gives the notice of St. Hymelin.
5 In the " Natales Sanctorum Belgii," p. 49, he has a single paragraph devotoi to St. Himelinus, at the loih of March.
of March.
" Both editions of the English Martyr-
* See "Fasti Belgici et Burgundici," x. distinguishes him as a Confessor. Yet, in
Martii
5 See "Acta Sanctorum," De S. Hime-
Imo Presbytero Fenaci in Brabantia, tomus IL, Martii x. , pp. 46, 47.
one account of this saint, he is styled a Priest.
'5 See Bishop Challenor's " Britannia
*
In his
to
Sancta," part i. , p. 167.
'* His ended in the
the Gallic Martyr- ' in a French Calendar,
768. Yet, Breviary of Aberdeen states the saint
ology.
Supplement
reign
' In " Generalis Catalogus
flourished under King Dungall, A-D. 822.
'' Molanus that he Uved states, however,
until the reign 01 Charlemagne. See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii, chap, xix. , sect xiv. , nn. 165, 166, pp. 194, 195, 197.
'^ In " Menoic^um Scoticum. " See t
Sanctorum. " ' See " Britannia bancta," part L, p. 167. "See "Lives of the Saints," vol. iii. .
March x. , pp. 210, 211.
" Mireus refers him to Scotia, in his work,
"Fasti Belgici et Burgundici," at the loth Vol. m. —No. 5.
ology say, that he was sprung nia. "
''
ex Hiber-
'^ See his Life, at the 1st of July,
* Such is the account of Ferrarius, who does not allude to Hjrmelin having been in orders. In like manner, the "English Martyrology," at the loth of March, only
290 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, [March io.
disobediencetothecurate'sorders. Thepriestwasnotdispleased,however, but he instantly ran after the unknown holy pilgrim. The latter was over- taken, and conducted to the curate's home, where he received a hospitable welcome and refreshment. Yet, Hymelin refused the luxury of a comfortable bed, or any other comforts ; but, he expressed a wish, to lie down on some straw in a bam. There he rested for three days. His hour for departing this world had now come ; and, requesting the favour from the curate's hands,hereceivedthelastSacramentsoftheChurch. Lyingallalone,his happy si)irit passed away to the guardianship of his Creator. No sooner had he departed, than all the bells around began to toll of their own accord, and withoutahandtouchingthem. Thiswasasubjectofgreatastonishmentfor the people. The curate was the first to divine the cause, and he invited his parishioners to enter the barn, where Hymelin's corpse lay. There they saw his face and body, surrounded with a radiant light. Deeming him to be a true saint, they began to consider where his remains should be deposited. Going into the village church, they found a tomb, corresponding with the size of the pilgrim's body, and miraculously prepared for its reception. Citing the authority of John Molanus, we are told by Dempster,'^ that neither by the Roman Pontiff, nor by the bishop of the place, had Himelin been enrolled among the saints ; and, yet, his miracles made him celebrated, and his dedi- cated temples were frequented, by the people. In Convseus' list of Irish Saints, for the loth of March, he notices St. Himilius, a nobleman. '9 The name is written Himelinus, in the anonymous list, at the same day. '° In Henry Fitzsimons' list—apparently through mistake—and on the authority of Molanus, his feast is set down, at the 20th ot March. ^' The Manuscript Florarius, Canisius, and Molanus, in his edition of Usuard, have his feast, at the loth. In Adam King's Kalendar,*^ at the same day in March, we have entered S. Hemeiin, confess, scotisma vnder king dungallus. In like manner, Dempster's and Camerarius record Himelin, he having been revered asConfessor,inVissenaken. ^* Thitherwerethesacredremamsbroughtand
honourably interred, in a crypt, under the campanile. In after time, several miracles were wrought, through the merits of Hymelin, who —is regarded as the patron saint —of Vissenaeken. 's On the 10th of March probably the date for his death
Martyrology of Donegal,' on this day.
Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 194,
The place is now known as Clonti-
"3 See " Menologium Scoticum," p. 194. Ibid.
"^ Although they state, that he preached among the people of Brabant, there is no warrant for this in the popular legend.
'9 He adds Thenas. "
:
" Romuldi cognatus apud
^° See Hugo Menard's " Martyrologium Benedictinum," at this date.
a concourse of the and of is
pilgrims annually attracted to his tomb. On the altar his image was visible. None
great parishioners
but distinguished saints may go straightway to God, after death ; every one
"
of us, not being regarded as great saints, must be purified,
We shall have to tarry, to expiate, to suffer; yet, happy still, it our final rest be obtained.
Article VII. —St. Colman, of Clontibrin, or Clontivrin, County OF Fermanagh. The name, Colman, of Cluan Tibhrinn, appears in the
*5 See Bishop Challenor's "Britannia -^ See O'SuUevan Beare's " Historiae Sancta," part i,, p. 167, Molanus states,
Catholicse Ibernias Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv,, cap. x. , p, 48, and cap. xi. , p. 49, and cap. xii. , p. 55.
Forbes' "Kalendars of
that his death took place, at Fenac of St.
Martin. See "Natales Sanctorum Belgii,"
p, 49.
Article vii. —» Edited Drs. Todd by
and Reeves, pp. 72, 73.
=^ See
Scottish Saints," p, 147.
Bishop
so as by fire. "
March io. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 291
brin, or Clontivrin, in Clankelly barony, and in the county of Fermanagh. ^ I suspect this saint is not a different one from the Colman, recorded in the
Martyrology of Tallagh, on the day previous.
Article VIII. —Reputed Festival of a St. Saran or Seranus. In
Scotia, at the loth of March, Dempster' has an entry of Saran, a Bishop, whose precious reUcs were buried in Tungland. The Bollandists declare,^ while quoting this statement, at the same day, that they do not trust the quoted Breviary of this church, adduced by Dempster, as his warrant for the account. In the anonymous Catalogue of Irish Saints, published by O'SuUevan Beare, at the 10th of March, Seranus is entered. 3
Article IX,—Reputed Festival of St. Bosa, Archbishop of York, England. \Seventh and Eighth Centuries. ^ The festival of St. Bosa, Arch- bishop of York, has been referred to the loth of March, by Edward Mainew^ and by Bucelin, who regard this holy man, as belonging to the Benedictine Order. 2 At this date, the Bollandists merely notice the foregoing state- ments. 3
Article X. —St. ^milian, or ^milianus. Abbot of Lagny, France.
ySeventh Century. '] As we have already remarked, in the Life of St. Fursey,^ Abbot of Lagny, the fame of this holy man was reflected back upon his native
country, Ireland, where many of his pious and devoted compatriots desired to emulate his labours and virtues, and to follow him abroad. Among these was the present yEmilian, who, towards the middle of the seventh century, went over to France, it being generally assumed, that he had made the acquaintance of Si. Fursey, in Ireland, where, too, it is said, he had been a disciple ot the celebrated missionary. ^ ^milian was distinguished for his pious and simple character. He was accompanied by some religious Irish- men, and after they had landed m France, yEmilian directed his course to Lagny, where himself and his companions were joyfully received by the holy abbot, and trained in his monastic discipline. The virtues and sage character ofoursaintcausedFurseytonoticehisraremerits. Soontheabbotforecast his own death. From among all his religious children, Fursey chose ^milian as his most worthy successor, commending to him the charge of his commu- nity, after God should have called himself to bliss. Tnis proved a qualified source ot consolation for his religious, who were left to mourn a great loss. 3 St. ^milianthusbecamethesecondAbbotoverLagny. ** Howlonghecon- tinued to rule there is not very well ascertained. His name is found written Eminianus, Emmianus and Emianus, in the old Acts of St. Fursey. There, the little, that is told about St. ^milian, has been collected, by Colgan, at the loth ot March. 5 The Bollandists** have nearly similar notices, ^milian
*This is stated, from a MS. note, in William M. Hennessey's copy.
Menologlum Sco-
tomus ii. , Martii ix. De B. Bosa Episcopo Deirorum Eboraci in Anglia, num. 7, p. 12.
3 the
See ibid. , x. Martii. Among preter-
mitted saints, p. 2.
ARTICLE X. —' His feast occurs, at the
i6th of January, where in vol. i. ol this
work his Lile may be examined. See chap.
Articlevui. —• In"
ticum. " See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars
of Scottish Saints," p. 194.
'^ "
See Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. ,
Martii x. Among the pretermitted saints, P- 3-
viii. ==
3 See " Historic Catholicae Iberniae Com-
According
to Menard and other writers,
pendmm,"tomusi. , lib. iv. , xi. ,
" cap. p. 49.
Article IX—' See In Tropheeis Con-
gregaiionis Anglias. "
* See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum,"
" Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , sect, x,,
n. 89, p. 462.
3 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
See Rev. Dr.
Lanigan's
292
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March io.
is praised, as being a man of singular virtue, void of all selfishness, and versed in all degrees of Christian philosophy. 7 According to Desmay,^ the monks of Lagny, when informed about the death of their Abbot St. Fursey, elected St. Eloquius,9 as his immediate successor. If such be the case, ^Erai- lian must have resigned the administration. '° However, Colgan is of opinion, that the latter was Fursey's immediate successor, and that Eloquius was only called upon to rule at Lagny, after the death of ^milian. " This is said to have occurred, on the loth day of March, when Saussay" alludes to him in the Calendar ; while Menard'3 has marked him down, at the same day, and with similar commendation.
Article XL—Reputed Festival of St. Comgell, or St. Congell, Abbot. Itseemsquiteevident,thatagreatmistakehasbeencommittedby Arnold Wion," who has noted a festival for St. Congell, or Comgell, said to have been a Synchronos with St. Brendan, Dempster^ places a feast, at Bangor,fortheAbbotComgall,thefounder,onthelothofMarch. 3 Again, Philip Ferrarius'* quotes Molanus,s for the festival of St. Congellus, Abbas,_in Hibernia,atthisday,asColganremarks. ^ Hehasbeenconfounded,with the establisher of Bangor Monastery, whose real festival occurs on the loth of May ; while, it is stated,? also, that he lived in the time of St. Malachias,^ the Bishop, whose Life St. Bernard^ has written. Yet, an interval of five hundred years intervenes ; and, hence, it may be seen, how apocryphal are those statements, referring to this supposed saint.
