3* TheinhabitantsofChamberylikewisebelieve,that
the Almighty has been pleased to grant special favours, to the intercession of theirholyCornelius.
the Almighty has been pleased to grant special favours, to the intercession of theirholyCornelius.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
TheholyArch- bishop had resolved on visiting Camberium or Camberiac—um.
s The Almighty
2
pretensions. Finding necessary
of
or Ciamberi as written Italians the capital of Savoy duchy, he should stop in that city, which stands in a fertile plain, near the confluence of the River Leysse with the rivuletOrbanne. Itis environedwithgentleeminencescoveredwithvine- yards, and having the Alps in the background. 6 There the dukes of Savoy resided, before the removal of their seat of government to Turin, and the French held possession of it from 1792 to 1815. During this period, it was the capital of Mont Blanc Department. 7 This western slope of the Alps has been ceded to France in i860. The ancient castle and its cathedral are objects
of interest in 8 The chosen for St. Concord's Chambery. place temporary
sojourn was at St. Peter's monastery of Lemenc, near that city . 9 According to one account,10 it was founded by a colony from a monastery in Lyons, called Athanacum. The Church of St. Peter at Lemenc, attached to the monastery,wasthenservedbyeightyBenedictines. 11 ThePriorandbrethren
—that in
decreed, passing by Chambery,
by
the
of November, vol. xi. , of this work, Art. i.
6
SeeFullarton's "Gazetteer of the World," vol. iii. , p. 445.
7 See Grillet's " Dictionnaire Historique
du Department du Mont Blanc et du
Leman," two vols. , published in 1807, 8vo. 8 See Elisee Reclus' " Nouvelle Geogra-
phie Universelle," tome ii. , liv. ii. , chap, iii. , sect, vi. , p. 342.
2
It is not at all improbable, that the efforts
to regain possession of those temporalities survived the times of St. Malachy, and con- tinued during the episcopacy of his sue- cessors, St. Gelasius and St. Concord.
3 The Most Rev. Dr. Dixon subjoins, as a
note to this pas. -age :
"
I have changed the
in the Life here, which, — an figures through
' About the
evident mistake, are written 1174. " "The Esq. , author of the "History of Ireland,"
Blessed Cornelius," &c, chap, xii. , p. 98.
4 We subjoin the Most Rev. Dr. Dixon's
"Travels in Spain," and other works,
passed through Chambery, and while staying in this ancient city, he drew a very exact out- line of its general features, as viewed from a height, which overlooked the place and the surrounding valley. Mr. Haverty has obliged the author with his sketch, which has been transferred from his Sketch-Eook to the wood by William F. Wakeman, and it has been engraved by Mrs. Millard. This subject forms the illustration in the text.
I0 This is in a written to Bol- given, letter,
landus, in 1653, by Father John Ferrand, of the Jesuit Society, and in which is stated.
some pari iculars regarding the Monastery of Lemenc.
" In the year 1809, when the French Life of our saint was written, that church was
note.
"
It would appear from these words
Italicized in the Life, and from other tradi-
tions at Chambery, that among the merits^of
Cornelius in the eyes of the Pope, one was,
the efforts which he had made to root out
heresy from his diocese; the heresy referred to appears to have been that of Pelagius, which it had beon attempted before to intro- duce into Ireland, as appears from the letter
addressed the of the Roman Church by clergy
in 640, during the vacancy of the Holy See, to the Archbishop of Armagh, an—d other Bishops and clergy of Ireland. " "The
Blessed Cornelius," &c, chap, xii. , p. 99.
5 These were the denominations of Cham-
beiy, during the Middle Ages.
Martin
year 1842, Haverty,
June 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 103
of the monastery received Blessed Cornelius, with that zeal and respect, due to his merit and virtues. When at the door of the church, he said in presence of
the whole of body
religious :
" I have served the Church of St. Peter at
Armagh, in Ireland ; I have visited the Church of St. Peter, at Rome ; and
I shall be buried in the Church of St. Peter, at Lemenc. " He then entered
this church, adored the Most Holy Sacrament, and afterwards, he went into
the monastery. On the day subsequent to his arrival, the prophecy he had
at the church door of St. at — to be realized. He
made, Peter, Lemenc, began
who were his
the journey from Rome instructions he had received from the Holy Father, for the welfare of the Church at Armagh. Having given them all these
then communicated to t
—he of
on
priests Armagh
companions
The City of Chambery, France.
instructions, he believed to be necessary, Cornelius withdrew to a chamber of the monastery, destined for his use, by the religious. From this moment, he was occupied in continual fasting and mortification, in meditation and prayer.
He climbed a height, and he went every day to prostrate himself at the foot of a cross, which stood on the solitude of a neighbouring mountain, from time immemorial. 12 There, he offered constantly his devotions. The cross
attended by the parish priest of Lemenc.
12" it be the Perhaps may asked, why
saint chose a place so steep and rugged, and assuredly he did not seek it in his long and daily excursions for idle pastime ; he did not walk so far to abandon himself to idle reve- ries ; for, in the lives of the saints, time is well disposed of, and each of their actions has a praiseworthy motive. Perhaps, the view from this hill, whence we can trace the lake of Bourget and its shores, recalled to him his distant island home, and his beloved flock ; and his fatherly heart transported itself in
spirit to the dear flock confided to him, which
he would never more see. his Perhaps holy
soul, foreseeing its approaching deliverance, loved better this elevated spot, whence it
might wing its flight to heaven. It may be presumed, that in contemplating from these heights our city and its suburbs at his feet, he had for them an earnest solicitude, and that he uttered ardent vows for their prosperity, calling down on them abundant blessings ; since he has merited to become their perpe- tual intercessor. But what we cannot doubt is, that he withdrew thus from al! eyes to
104 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 4.
has since been called after our saint. A chapel had been erected near it, andonasiteknownasSt. LouisoftheMount. Itwasheldingreatvene-
ration, by the people of Lemenc. Having persevered in these practices for a few days, a fever seized him, which soon proved fatal. When he was con- fined to bed, he desired to have the Holy Viaticum administered to him. This, he received with great fervour and interior peace, to the edification of thewholecommunity. Hedied,onthethirddayfollowing,the4thofJune, 1 1 76. It has been incorrectly stated, by the O'Clerys,13 that Conchobhar or Conor Mac Concoille died at Rome, in the year 1 1 75 ;*• and this mistake has been copied by Colgan. 's Regarding this sanctified Prelate, all Irish accounts have been hitherto taken from the Four Masters. Hence, nearly all our later writers have copied mistakes into which they fell, in supposing that Conor Mac-Concoille died at Rome. 16 As happened, in the case of many distin- guished Irishmen who departed this life, away from their native country, his very existence is ignored in some of our records ;*' and, as his rule in the See
of Armagh was only for a short time, he has been omitted even from its list of 18
prelates.
He had scarcely passed away to Heaven, however, when his adopted people 1
discovered, that they possessed a powerful Patron, in our saint. ^ For,
pray. "—Most Rev. Dr. Dixon's "Blessed destruction and eternal damnation ; banish
Cornelius," &c. , pp. 88, 89.
13 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. iti. , pp. 22, 23.
M In Harris' Ware, he is said to have died
at Rome, in 1175 or 11 76.
15 The entire notice concerning this Arch-
from me all thoughts of despair, which are so contrary to the merciful views which God ceases not to entertain towards His children, and which should deprive me for ever of the ineffable delights of that eternal glory re- served for the courageous : make me learn,
bishop runs as follows: " Conchovarius for the love of Jesus Christ, and after His
(Latinis Scriptoribus Cornelius) Mac-Con- chailleadh, Abbas Monasterii SS. Petri et
example, to submit as becomes a Christian, to the transitory afflictions of this vale 'of tears ; that thus, instead of being the subject
Pauli Ardmachae, et postea Archiepiscopus
Ardmachamus,obiitRomas,quosummum ofmycondemnation,theymaybecome,by
Pontirice—m,"de rebus Ecclesiae consulturus venerat. " TriasThaumaturga. "
16
See Most Rev. Dr. Dixon's "Blessed Cornelius," &c, chap, xii. , pp. 116 to 120.
*» As in the Annals of St. Mary's Abbey,
near Dublin, and in those at the end of
my resignation, my repentance, and my fidelity, an invincible rampart against the enemy of my salvation, and the object of my glory, to conduct me one day to everlasting
Camden.
18 " See Harris' Ware, vol. i. ,
"Prayer
of Armagh," p. 6*.
*9 As a proof of the veneration in which he
is held at Chambery, the Most Rev. Dr.
Dixon appends some prayers and hymns, which they have composed in his honour.
"Prayer
" To St. Concord, which one can sayjor Nine Days to obtain some special Graces in TimeofAffliction.
Archbishops
" To the same Saint, which Fathers and Mothers can say to obtain from God the Gracetobringuptheirchildrenwell.
"O Thou great Saint, who ceasest not to give us proofs of tender love for our children, by obtaining for them from God sometimes life, and sometimes the cureof themostgriev- ous maladies ; wilt thou refuse to ask for us the graces which we come to implore fer- vently for the salvation of their souls ; such as will dispel our darkness, and grant us the
' ' O Glorious St. Concord ! whom God lights necessaiy to second by our cares and
has conducted into our couutry to be our
vigilance the merciful designs which God has formed in their regard ; and wilt thou pre- serve us from placing an obstacle to those de- signs by our bad example and negligence in imparting to them the principles of a holy education? But above all, do thou great saint, who hast so well preached the truth and ab-
protector and our guide in our pressing
wants, I come profoundly humbled to pros-
trate myself at thy feet, to obtain through thy
powerful protection, a grace very necessary
for the salvation of my soul. [Here the par-
ticular favour which one seeks is specified. ]
Diawmefromthisurgentperil,andgiveme horredlying,obtainforusthegracetoinspire
the courage and strength necessary to over- them early with a horror for this vice, which cometheattacksoftheenemy,whoseeksmy isthesourceofallothers,andwhichbyde-
repose.
Amen.
"
June 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. i°5
through his intercession, striking miracles were wrought in favour of the blind,
the lame, the deaf, and children at the point of death whom he healed. 20
The religious of St. Peter at Lemenc have obtained from the Holy Father
his Office and Mass of the Major Rite, and this feast is celebrated, on the 4th
of June, each year. Such festival is calculated to perpetuate that veneration,
which the people have entertained towards this holy Prelate even to the pre-
21
In 1 1 78, the inhabitants of Chambery, and the parishes bordering on St. Peter of Lemenc, established an association, under the name of
St. Concord's Confraternity. At first, it was only composed of the most noble persons, and the most respectable citizens, at Chambery ; and, after the example of the patron, these persons exercised themselves daily, in works of charity and in the practice of every virtue. When the Benedictines were
expelled from this Monastery, they were succeeded by another community,
These
sent time.
called 22 Father Fullienses, by
the entire
body
Papebroch.
of St. Concord,23 our Irish Archbishop. It was religiously venerated by
them. 2-* These religious told Father Riondet,25 that they had foundations for Masses,20 to be celebrated in the chapel of St. Concord, which were estab- lished for three hundred 2 ? A 28 was inscribed, in front of the
years. hymn
altar dedicated to him. 20 A verbatim copy of this hymn 3° was sent to Bollan-
dus,byFatherFerrand. ThatthemembersoftheConfraternitycouldassist in a more becoming manner at the functions of the Church in Lemenc, per-
grees draws clown the greatest evils on families, so far as to deprive them of the happy quality of the children of God, and to render them unworthy of His love and His protection : it is from this evil, that we ear- nestly entreat of thee to preserve us, and to conduct us all in the way of truth, which cannot deceive, since it is God himself.
Concordius.
24 This Father Ferrand declares, in his
letter.
25 FatherPapebrochstates,thathecaused
further enquiries to be made from this com-
munity (the Fullienses) by Rev. Father Balthazar Riondet, Rector of the Jesuits,
College, in Chambery, a. d. 1689.
to St. Con-
Amen.
Thrice,
Our Father, and Hail
26 that it should be Papebroke adds,
very desirable to see authentic records, regarding those foundations for Masses, as they might lation that accompanies them, commence furnish so good an argument for the anti-
Mary. "
The Latin Hymns, with an English trans-
with the lines —
of that
:
veneration, paid 27 At the year 1689.
28
"Ave, Pater, gloriose," &c.
And,
"Sancte quern nobis hodie precamur," &c.
—See Most Rev. Dr. Dixon's " Blessed
Cornelius," &c, chap, xii. , pp. 104 to 115. 20 The Life tells us, that for six centuries
after his death, sick persons daily asked their cure of him ; and that, even at the date
of its publication, the efficacy of his protec-
tion was seen, when he was invoked, on
occasion of public calamities.
21
According to Father Ferrand, this hymn was disfigured by mistakes in spelling, characteristic of a time, when it was inscribed on this altar.
29 FatherPapebrochappendsacopyofthe hymn, which is the same as that given in Dr. Dixon's volume.
Not only the people of Chambery city, sometimes headed by their magistrates, but even the of the
cordis,ArchiepiscopiYllandise;'i. e. 'Prayer of the Confessor Bishop, B. Concord, Arch-
of " bishop Yllandiae (Ireland). '
"At the end of th—e hymn, after the ver-
sicle and responsory
"'V. Sancte Concors spes infirmorum.
"
'V. St. Concord, hope of the infirm,
'" R. Guide us to the Kingdom of
Heaven. ' "
The Life which Dr. Dixon brought from
population surrounding parishes, crowded to Lemenc, to invoke their
powerful protector.
:
22
of some Mendicant
Feuillans of the French, according to Most Rev. Dr. Dixon's note.
23 Father Papebroch observes, that the
name of this Archbishop is everywhere written Concord—in Latin, Concors—not
This name appears to designate Friars
"
In English
order, like the Prees
'
R. Dirige nos ad regna Ccelorum. '"
quity cord.
possessed
30 "Ave Pater Gloriosa " are the first words. The title of this hymn, says Pape- broch, on an ancient tablet, in the chapel of S. Concord, is : —
" ' Oratio Confessoris Episcopi B. Con-
:
—
io6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[June 4.
mission was obtained from Rome, 31 that they might wear a white habit and a
cinctureofpurplecolour.
3* TheinhabitantsofChamberylikewisebelieve,that
the Almighty has been pleased to grant special favours, to the intercession of theirholyCornelius. 33 Abeautifulpainting,representingSt. Concordgivinghis blessing to children, is to be seen over the altar of his chapel at Lemenc.
For a long time, nevertheless, his holy relics had reposed in a poor panelled walnut shrine, and they were covered with still poorer ornaments. A petition
was prepared, to ask for approval from the Sovereign Pontiff of that religious veneration, which had been rendered to the Blessed Concord to that time.
Then, the people of Chambery wrote to Hugh,34 the Archbishop of Armagh, for details of his life. 35 This petition from Chambery was granted in 167 1, by Clement X. The pious and charitable family of Rouen de St. Severin, who had a chapel in the church of St. Peter at Lemenc, gave it in 167 1, to the Confraternity of St. Concord, so that these associates might translate to it, the body of their holy Bishop. Then wa sestablished, in perpetuity, a grand annual festival for the day of this translation to the chapel. To mark the respect, which the people entertained towards their Patron, the Senate, the religious bodies and confraternities, and all the most distinguished persons of Cham- berycity,assembledatthisceremony. Atthesametime,ClementX. con- firmed the Confraternity of St. Concord, by a Bull, and granted to it many indulgences and privileges.
At one time—a little before the French Revolution—their celestial
Chambery has subjoined the usual prayer of and infirmities of mind and body, and to re- the Liturgy for a Bishop and Confessor, "Da joice with thee unceasingly in Heaven,
quaesumus ;" but, Papebroch subjoins the an- cient prayer of S. Concord, which is as
"•'Oratio.
'"Creator mundi Deus, qui in Sanctis tuis
semper es mirabilis, quique multa mirabilia in gloriosum Confessorem tuum Concordem atque Archipraesulem ostendere voluisti : et ut diem depositionis per universum orbem (faceres venerabilem, nomen ejus) in Martyr-
through our Lord Jesus,'
"
: follows —
&c.
31 It is stated, in 1 175 ; but, it is evident,
Rules of the Confraternity erected in the
Parish Church of St. Peter of Lemenc, in
— 1, a Bull of Clement X. " 167 by Pope
Chambery, 1809.
33 Oneofthese the ofrainfor is, procuring
their parched crops, and hence the farmers
of the surrounding country entertained a par-
ticular devotion, towards this sainted Arch- liberari, tecumque firmiter in ccelis cum bishop. Other favours are the procuring of
tuos, eodem die mirabiliter scribere fecisti, clementiam tuam
Sanctos
ologiis per Angelos
ut meritis et inter- cessione ejusdem sancti Praesulis, mereamur in libro Vitae adscribi, et ab omnibus adver- sitatibus et infirmitatibus mentis et corporis
suppliciter imploramus,
Christo laetari. Per. Dom. nostrum Jesum,'
&c. "
"
a special blessing for children, to correct their naturaldeformities,whereanysuchexist; to heal their different diseases ; to make them obedient to parents, and virtuous in their en- tire conduct.
34 " The Hugh here referred to must have
In English thus :
— "Prayer.
" O God, Creator of the world !
been Hugh O'Reilly, who died about 1656. —immediate predecessor of Oliver Plunkett. "
who art
always wonderful in thy saints, and who He was succeeded by Edmund O'Reilly, the
wouldst show forth many wonders in thy
glorious Confessor and Archbishop, Con- eord ; that thou mightest make the day of his death venerable throughout the whole world, thou didst cause his name to be in- scribed, marvellously, on the same day, by thy holy angels, in Martyrologies, we hum- bly implore thy clemency, that owing to the merits and intercession of the same holy Pre- late, we may deserve to be inscribed in the Book of Life, to be freed from all adversities
"
The Blessed Cornelius," chap, xii. , note, p. 103.
35 They received for answer, from the
Vicar-General of the time, that nothing was
known regarding the particulars of his life, more than that he had been immediate suc- cessor to Gelasius, according to an account furnished by the reigning Archbishop of
Armagh.
36 To save the saint's body from rain, the
that the date for this been at a much later date.
must have
32 The foregoing particulars are procured
from a small work, printed in 1809, and pub-
lished at Chambery, with the following, as the title page rendered into English :
"
Abridgment of the Life of Saint Concord.
permission
June 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 107
benefactor was earnestly and unceasingly invoked, by the people, as the most powerful resource of the country, in an unusually dry season. During a procession, in which his holy relics were borne, the clouds gathered quickly, and then poured their refreshing shower upon the parched earth so bountifully, that St. Concord seemed even to forget the honour due to his mortal remains. 3° The people of Chambery feel it, likewise, as a peculiar favour, that the relics of their holy Patron had been preserved from indignity, during the period of the French Revolution.
Nothing of particular importance remains to be recorded subsequently, ex- cept what took place at Lemenc, previous to and during the year 1854. On the occasion of repairing the interesting church, a happy idea was adopted of replacing the precious treasure of St. Concord's relics in a more suitable case. Thewretchedpanel,whichformedtheoldfrontofhisshrine,wasreplaced with a handsome plate glass covering. Thanks to the zeal of several pious persons, the holy Bishop's reliquary is richly adorned, at present. Exertions were made by the confraternity and by the reverend rector of the parish, aided by some pious friends, to give all the solicitude and importance it merited, towards further honouring the blessed Cornelius. It had been re- solved, for reasons which will here be stated, to have the sacred relics removed for a time from Lemenc to Rome. Precautions had been taken, moreover, to secure their more artistic decoration and preservation. There they were recognised and authenticated, by the venerable prelate, who was charged to perform that duty. For this purpose, documents had been forwarded to the Eternal City, relative to the Life of this Saint, and the veneration in which he was held, by all the Savoyards, in virtue of authorization given by the Holy See. These were found to be highly interesting. To enter on a closer examination, the Roman authorities went so far, as to open the head of this reveredbody. Doubtless,theAlmightypermittedthisminuteinvestigation,
tomanifestmore
the —ofhisservant intheinterior
clearly glory
; for, portion
of this —of the sacred relics which had been for
part nearly
seven centuries entombed thebrainwasfoundhard,andstillcolouredwithbloodythough it is well known, that this organ is of a soft nature, and is consumed in
8
ordinary bodies, within a very short time after deaths
was preserved specially and returned, to increase the treasure of Lemenc parish church. There, it is now enshrined apart, and in a silver reliquary. These preliminaries terminated, the relics were enclosed in a waxen bust, re- presenting the saint with that natural and fine expression, they know so well how to give in the City of the Saints. 39 The relics of Cornelius were after- wardsreturnedandbroughttothecityofChambery. Thusdisposed,they were richly clad with vestments, suitable to the archiepiscopai dignity. Numerous and distinguished were the contributors to this decoration. ^ The
bearers were obliged to enter a house in the noble dignity, the serious and meditative air, suburbs, called Reclus. of the inhabitants belonging to the north of 37 Struck by this discovery, the Roman Europe. It is joined to a sweetness and serenity ofexpression, which recalls at once the distant birth-place of St. Cornelius, his
examiner, before whom the operation had been made, availing of his right to some por- tion of the holy relics, wished to retain this part ; but, the Rev. Father Alphonse, Capu- chin, charged with the commission, insisted on his making choice of some other por- tion.
38 The decayed face has been filled up with wax.
39 The head is a fine one, adds the writer of this account, and the beholder is pleased to see imprinted on the stranger's brow the
exemplary life, and his early death.
4° His Grace the Archbishop presented the pastoral ring, which he wore on the day of
his consecration, a touching mark of the alli- ance there is between our two pastors, one on earth and the other in heaven. But, other relations unite them more intimately, in the public veneration. The reverend parish priest of Lemenc has given the cross set in precious stones, which he wore for many
This interesting part
io8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[June 4.
saint's body was apparelled, in mitre and chasuble ; the latter was cut in an
antique form, and in texture, it was like that of the other accessories, being white silk, embroidered with gold. The alb appears to be beautifully worked ; and, the cushion that supports the head is of red damask, trimmed with gold fringe. The pallium is spread out near the mitre. In a word, all connected with the apparel shows perfect coincidence with the most approved taste.
The account of grand solemnities at Lemenc, in 1854, will be found con-
In this little brochure, we are informed concerning ceremonies accompanying the celebration of St. Cornelius' Feast, in the Church at Lemenc, on Sunday,
1 whic—h
oftheCityofS. Concord" theauthor'srealnamebeingtheCountdeFirnix.
tainedina
pamphlet,*
purports
tohavebeen
written, by
the second of the month in 1 s Some months had day July, 854. 4
elapsed since the relics were brought from Rome, while some delay was deemed necessary for preparing the ceremonial. On other occasions, it was held on that Sunday, immediately following the 4th of June, each year. Special care was taken to embellish the shrine. *3 The relics of blessed Cornelius were exposed that year, with more than ordinary magnificence. On Saturday, July 1st, 1854, the saint was replaced upon his altar, and next day his festival was celebrated with grand solemnity. At the early hour of four o'clock the follow- ing morning, Sunday, July 2nd, the faithful assembled around the shrine, which contained the relics of the blessed Archbishop of Armagh. In the morning, the church was filled ; but, in the evening, a still more numerous throng crowded to hear the panegyric of the saint, and to assist at the bene- diction given by the Lord Archbishop, who desired to take part in the festival.
An imposing procession was organized, and its march occupied a duration of twohours. Itledalongaroad,conductingtoSt. Louis-of-the-Mount,towards the cross of St. Cornelius. This was the end of the pilgrimage. The little statue of St. Cornelius, enriched with a portion of his holy relics, was borne by the celebrant. ** The author afterwards proceeds to relate, that a chapel hadbeenerectednearthecrossofSt. Concord thatitwasdecoratedwithall
;
luxuries of the field, that its columns were of boxwood, and its carpet of moss ;
while the wild flowers enhanced and embellished these verdant ornaments.
Art also was put in requisition, yet, through regard for the locality, it left first rank to nature. Some artificial bouquets were mixed with their inimitable
originals, and seemed placed there, to show the Creator's incomparable skill. Long ribbons were fixed on the summit of pillars, being destined to hang in gracefulfestoons; but,aninvisiblearchitectraisedtheminacontrarymanner, into elegant arcades, by which he divided into compartments of light the azure vault of the firmament. Above this rustic tabernacle, which had not
years, as a military chaplain ; and, we may truly say, that it was worthy of the guardian of the holy relics, to present this distinctive
badge.
during the month of July in the same year, Published at Chambery ; Government Print- ing Office, 1854.
*3 The following particulars are taken from this account,
41
It is intituled, in the English translation
from the French " A Tribute of language,
"A Tribute respect to the Blessed Cornelius. Arch- of Respect to the Blessed Cornelius," &c,
bishop of Armagh, Prelate of Ireland, who died in the odour of sanctity, at Lemenc ter-
ritory of the city of Chambery, the 4th June, 1 1 76, returning from Rome, where had gone on tbe affairs of his diocese. " Plis Relics are
exposed for public veneration in a chapel of theparochialchurchofLemenc. Theres- toration of that shrine, which contains them, took place in 1854, and on that occasion the present pamphlet was written, at Chambery,
proceeds to give an account regarding the local religious institutions, in the neighbour- hood of Lemenc. This portion of his little
work is extremely interesting. He then de- scribes that religious procession, in honour of St. Concord, in July, 1854, at which he hadthehappinessofassisting,
** A hymn proper for this occasion, and of recent composition, was entoned in honour of our saint.
43 The author of the
pamphlet,
"AnInhabitant
June 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 109
any other covering, the sport of elements appeared intentional, so'graceful and well supported it had been, as if designing to concur in the festal decora- tions. Owing to another attention of this amiable Providence, who often condescends to enter into the minutest details, especially on like occasions
; a light cloud, which did not make day in the least appear sombre, interposed between the sun and the worshippers/s The statue of St. Concord was placed by the celebrant on the rustic altar, when the procession had there arrived. Amid broken rocks, with which the ground in this place is strewn, an im-
mense surrounding crowd, by the diversity of its attitude, originality of its situation, and a uniform piety that appeared predominant, formed a picture, as striking as it was new. Raised on the heights of the Red Cross, men looked down on that rich valley, which extended from Chambery46 to the Lake of
Lemenc and St. Louis-of-the-Mount, near Chambery.
Bourget. Joining mortification to recollections, worshippers knelt on the naked rock, and had rough stones for benches. A return of the processionists
obliged them to descend by a sharp and deep ravine, especially remarkable, forunevennessofthesoil,4? andnumerousobstaclesthatwereopposedalong
45 A statue of the Blessed
the middle of this rural sanctuary.
8 passage. *
their
It was an account of the foregoing solemnities,4? which accidently reached
Virgin occupied
46 called Camerinum. See Lemenc be as a suburb of
" Anciently
Chroniqve de Savoye," liv. i. , chap, x. ,
p. 6.
47 The included illustration, copied from
and oratory of St. Concord. In fact, may regarded
Chambery.
48 After some pious reflections, the writer
adds: "Arrived at the end of our descent, the assistants, before taking their places, came to venerate, under fresh foliage, the holy relics
a local photograph and drawn on the wood,
by William F. Wakeman, has been engraved
by Mrs. Millard. The foreground repre- borne by the priest ; then the procession
sents Chambery ; on the rising ground in the middle distance and to the left is Lemenc,
having reformed, took the road to Aix,
chanting a sublime psalm entoned to the air
with its Church of St. Concord
beyond which rises St. Louis-of-the-Mount, probasti me,'" &c. See Most Rev. Dr
; immediately
whither are made to the cross pilgrimages
of the ' It was the ' Domine Magnificat.
110 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[June 4.
the Most Rev. Dr. Dixon,50 Archbishop of Armagh, that induced him to
write afterwards a valuable little work. 51 Towards the close of that
and about the end of December, few days before starting for Ireland, he re- ceived a communication,52 through the secretary of the Bishop," of St.
Maurienne, in Savoy, referring to St. Concord. A reply, containing some historic notices of him, wa—s sent to Monsieur de St. Sulpice. Then Dr. Dixonhadresolvedatonce havingbeenbeforeundeterminedinthematter —togohomethroughChambery,5* wherehecouldvisittheshrineoftheholy Archbishop. Healsohopedtoprocure,fromtheguardiansofConcord's blessedremains,aconsiderablerelicforhischurchofArmagh. Hearrived in Chambery, late on the night of Saturday, the 13th of January. 55 On the next morning, having celebrated the holy mysteries in a church belonging to the Capuchin Fathers, himself and his travelling companion were visited after breakfast by the pious Count de Firnex,56 accompanied by his son. The Irish ecclesiastics were visited, at the same time, by Monsieur de St. Sulpice. The parish priest of Lemenc also came to visit them. The Archbishop arranged with him, to celebrate Mass in his church, at the altar of Cornelius, Archbishop of Armagh, on the following morning, which was Monday. After- wards, the Most Rev. Dr. Dixon and his companion went to pay their respects to his Grace the Archbishop ofChambery. 57 This prelate was very devoted to blessed Concord ; yet, he graciously permitted, that Dr. Dixon should take with him a considerable relic of his holy predecessor. Early on Monday morning, the parish priest of Lemenc, accompanied by the Vicar-General and the Diocesan Chancellor, waited on the Irish prelate at his hotel. They con- ductedhimtotheresidenceoftheparishpriest,atLemenc. 58 Herehewaited, until a grand procession, composed of male and female confraternities of the
Dixon's "Blessed Cornelius," &c, pp. 90 governs it, a relic of Blessed Concord.
to 93.
49 An Irish gentleman, who had been re-
siding in Rome for some time, directed his attention to an extract, which he had trans- lated from the Courier des Alpes—a news-
referring
50 He was then at Rome, being invited in common with other Bishops of the Catholic world, to take part in solemnities accom- panying the celebrated decree, defining the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin, and published by Pope Pius IX. , on the memorable 8th of Decem- ber, 1854.
" The Blessed
They shall not cease to invoke their holy pro- tector for the prosperity of religion in Ire- land, and according to the intentions of its venerated primate.
"
paperpublished
to the celebrations of July, 1854.
"hi the name the of
in —and Chambery
(Signed),
&c. 52 It was to this effect, after giving the local traditions regarding their patron : "We have at Chambery but very few details on the life and labours of this holy personage. De- sirous of publishing a more complete Life of the Blessed Cornelius, commonly called Concord, the parish priest of Lemenc, and a great number of pious persons supplicate Monseigneur, the Archbishop of Armagh, his worthy and august successor, to have the kindness to transmit to them the documents which may be preserved in Ireland on the pontificate of the holy Archbishop, and on the church of Armagh at that epoch. The sup- pliants would be happy to offer to the church of Armagh, and to the august Pontiff who
de liv. i. , "Chroniqve Savoye," chap.
s1
Intituled,
Cornelius,"
54 A in the
description
of will be found Chambery
Suppliants, "A. De St. Sulpice,
" Canon Chancellor of the Archbishoprit of Chambery. "
53 His Lordship had been residing in the
Vatican, and he was then preparing for a return to his diocese.
xxvii. , p. 24.
55 See " The Blessed Cornelius," &c, in
the xi. chapter, which has for its heading,
" How—I came to hear of the Blessed Cor-
nelius visit to his relics at Chambery. "
6
s The Count came to present a number of
small pamphlets to the Archbishop, and of which this visitor was the author. The book was entitled, "A Tribute to the Blessed Concord. " It had been written during the precedingyear. Asanappendixtohischap- ter, Dr. Dixon published the greater part of this brochure, in an English dress, for which he felt indebted to a good religious, belong- ing to the Convent of the Sacred Heart, at Armagh.
year,
June 4. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. m
Blessed Concord, dressed in their habits and carrying several standards, formed in front of the house, whence they walked before him down to the church. 59 The Archbishop of Armagh was obliged to stop at the entrance of Blessed Cornelius' chapel, until the parish priest read an address to him in French. To this, the Archbishop replied in a few words of the same language. Then, approaching an altar, on which the body of the blessed Archbishop rested in a handsome shrine, dressed out with rich pontifical ornaments, Dr. Dixon celebrated Mass, assisted by the Vicar-General and Chancellor, in full canonicals. After Mass, he was obliged to put on a mitre of the Archbishop ofChambery,andwithapastoralstaffinhandhewenttothehighaltar.
2
pretensions. Finding necessary
of
or Ciamberi as written Italians the capital of Savoy duchy, he should stop in that city, which stands in a fertile plain, near the confluence of the River Leysse with the rivuletOrbanne. Itis environedwithgentleeminencescoveredwithvine- yards, and having the Alps in the background. 6 There the dukes of Savoy resided, before the removal of their seat of government to Turin, and the French held possession of it from 1792 to 1815. During this period, it was the capital of Mont Blanc Department. 7 This western slope of the Alps has been ceded to France in i860. The ancient castle and its cathedral are objects
of interest in 8 The chosen for St. Concord's Chambery. place temporary
sojourn was at St. Peter's monastery of Lemenc, near that city . 9 According to one account,10 it was founded by a colony from a monastery in Lyons, called Athanacum. The Church of St. Peter at Lemenc, attached to the monastery,wasthenservedbyeightyBenedictines. 11 ThePriorandbrethren
—that in
decreed, passing by Chambery,
by
the
of November, vol. xi. , of this work, Art. i.
6
SeeFullarton's "Gazetteer of the World," vol. iii. , p. 445.
7 See Grillet's " Dictionnaire Historique
du Department du Mont Blanc et du
Leman," two vols. , published in 1807, 8vo. 8 See Elisee Reclus' " Nouvelle Geogra-
phie Universelle," tome ii. , liv. ii. , chap, iii. , sect, vi. , p. 342.
2
It is not at all improbable, that the efforts
to regain possession of those temporalities survived the times of St. Malachy, and con- tinued during the episcopacy of his sue- cessors, St. Gelasius and St. Concord.
3 The Most Rev. Dr. Dixon subjoins, as a
note to this pas. -age :
"
I have changed the
in the Life here, which, — an figures through
' About the
evident mistake, are written 1174. " "The Esq. , author of the "History of Ireland,"
Blessed Cornelius," &c, chap, xii. , p. 98.
4 We subjoin the Most Rev. Dr. Dixon's
"Travels in Spain," and other works,
passed through Chambery, and while staying in this ancient city, he drew a very exact out- line of its general features, as viewed from a height, which overlooked the place and the surrounding valley. Mr. Haverty has obliged the author with his sketch, which has been transferred from his Sketch-Eook to the wood by William F. Wakeman, and it has been engraved by Mrs. Millard. This subject forms the illustration in the text.
I0 This is in a written to Bol- given, letter,
landus, in 1653, by Father John Ferrand, of the Jesuit Society, and in which is stated.
some pari iculars regarding the Monastery of Lemenc.
" In the year 1809, when the French Life of our saint was written, that church was
note.
"
It would appear from these words
Italicized in the Life, and from other tradi-
tions at Chambery, that among the merits^of
Cornelius in the eyes of the Pope, one was,
the efforts which he had made to root out
heresy from his diocese; the heresy referred to appears to have been that of Pelagius, which it had beon attempted before to intro- duce into Ireland, as appears from the letter
addressed the of the Roman Church by clergy
in 640, during the vacancy of the Holy See, to the Archbishop of Armagh, an—d other Bishops and clergy of Ireland. " "The
Blessed Cornelius," &c, chap, xii. , p. 99.
5 These were the denominations of Cham-
beiy, during the Middle Ages.
Martin
year 1842, Haverty,
June 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 103
of the monastery received Blessed Cornelius, with that zeal and respect, due to his merit and virtues. When at the door of the church, he said in presence of
the whole of body
religious :
" I have served the Church of St. Peter at
Armagh, in Ireland ; I have visited the Church of St. Peter, at Rome ; and
I shall be buried in the Church of St. Peter, at Lemenc. " He then entered
this church, adored the Most Holy Sacrament, and afterwards, he went into
the monastery. On the day subsequent to his arrival, the prophecy he had
at the church door of St. at — to be realized. He
made, Peter, Lemenc, began
who were his
the journey from Rome instructions he had received from the Holy Father, for the welfare of the Church at Armagh. Having given them all these
then communicated to t
—he of
on
priests Armagh
companions
The City of Chambery, France.
instructions, he believed to be necessary, Cornelius withdrew to a chamber of the monastery, destined for his use, by the religious. From this moment, he was occupied in continual fasting and mortification, in meditation and prayer.
He climbed a height, and he went every day to prostrate himself at the foot of a cross, which stood on the solitude of a neighbouring mountain, from time immemorial. 12 There, he offered constantly his devotions. The cross
attended by the parish priest of Lemenc.
12" it be the Perhaps may asked, why
saint chose a place so steep and rugged, and assuredly he did not seek it in his long and daily excursions for idle pastime ; he did not walk so far to abandon himself to idle reve- ries ; for, in the lives of the saints, time is well disposed of, and each of their actions has a praiseworthy motive. Perhaps, the view from this hill, whence we can trace the lake of Bourget and its shores, recalled to him his distant island home, and his beloved flock ; and his fatherly heart transported itself in
spirit to the dear flock confided to him, which
he would never more see. his Perhaps holy
soul, foreseeing its approaching deliverance, loved better this elevated spot, whence it
might wing its flight to heaven. It may be presumed, that in contemplating from these heights our city and its suburbs at his feet, he had for them an earnest solicitude, and that he uttered ardent vows for their prosperity, calling down on them abundant blessings ; since he has merited to become their perpe- tual intercessor. But what we cannot doubt is, that he withdrew thus from al! eyes to
104 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 4.
has since been called after our saint. A chapel had been erected near it, andonasiteknownasSt. LouisoftheMount. Itwasheldingreatvene-
ration, by the people of Lemenc. Having persevered in these practices for a few days, a fever seized him, which soon proved fatal. When he was con- fined to bed, he desired to have the Holy Viaticum administered to him. This, he received with great fervour and interior peace, to the edification of thewholecommunity. Hedied,onthethirddayfollowing,the4thofJune, 1 1 76. It has been incorrectly stated, by the O'Clerys,13 that Conchobhar or Conor Mac Concoille died at Rome, in the year 1 1 75 ;*• and this mistake has been copied by Colgan. 's Regarding this sanctified Prelate, all Irish accounts have been hitherto taken from the Four Masters. Hence, nearly all our later writers have copied mistakes into which they fell, in supposing that Conor Mac-Concoille died at Rome. 16 As happened, in the case of many distin- guished Irishmen who departed this life, away from their native country, his very existence is ignored in some of our records ;*' and, as his rule in the See
of Armagh was only for a short time, he has been omitted even from its list of 18
prelates.
He had scarcely passed away to Heaven, however, when his adopted people 1
discovered, that they possessed a powerful Patron, in our saint. ^ For,
pray. "—Most Rev. Dr. Dixon's "Blessed destruction and eternal damnation ; banish
Cornelius," &c. , pp. 88, 89.
13 See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. iti. , pp. 22, 23.
M In Harris' Ware, he is said to have died
at Rome, in 1175 or 11 76.
15 The entire notice concerning this Arch-
from me all thoughts of despair, which are so contrary to the merciful views which God ceases not to entertain towards His children, and which should deprive me for ever of the ineffable delights of that eternal glory re- served for the courageous : make me learn,
bishop runs as follows: " Conchovarius for the love of Jesus Christ, and after His
(Latinis Scriptoribus Cornelius) Mac-Con- chailleadh, Abbas Monasterii SS. Petri et
example, to submit as becomes a Christian, to the transitory afflictions of this vale 'of tears ; that thus, instead of being the subject
Pauli Ardmachae, et postea Archiepiscopus
Ardmachamus,obiitRomas,quosummum ofmycondemnation,theymaybecome,by
Pontirice—m,"de rebus Ecclesiae consulturus venerat. " TriasThaumaturga. "
16
See Most Rev. Dr. Dixon's "Blessed Cornelius," &c, chap, xii. , pp. 116 to 120.
*» As in the Annals of St. Mary's Abbey,
near Dublin, and in those at the end of
my resignation, my repentance, and my fidelity, an invincible rampart against the enemy of my salvation, and the object of my glory, to conduct me one day to everlasting
Camden.
18 " See Harris' Ware, vol. i. ,
"Prayer
of Armagh," p. 6*.
*9 As a proof of the veneration in which he
is held at Chambery, the Most Rev. Dr.
Dixon appends some prayers and hymns, which they have composed in his honour.
"Prayer
" To St. Concord, which one can sayjor Nine Days to obtain some special Graces in TimeofAffliction.
Archbishops
" To the same Saint, which Fathers and Mothers can say to obtain from God the Gracetobringuptheirchildrenwell.
"O Thou great Saint, who ceasest not to give us proofs of tender love for our children, by obtaining for them from God sometimes life, and sometimes the cureof themostgriev- ous maladies ; wilt thou refuse to ask for us the graces which we come to implore fer- vently for the salvation of their souls ; such as will dispel our darkness, and grant us the
' ' O Glorious St. Concord ! whom God lights necessaiy to second by our cares and
has conducted into our couutry to be our
vigilance the merciful designs which God has formed in their regard ; and wilt thou pre- serve us from placing an obstacle to those de- signs by our bad example and negligence in imparting to them the principles of a holy education? But above all, do thou great saint, who hast so well preached the truth and ab-
protector and our guide in our pressing
wants, I come profoundly humbled to pros-
trate myself at thy feet, to obtain through thy
powerful protection, a grace very necessary
for the salvation of my soul. [Here the par-
ticular favour which one seeks is specified. ]
Diawmefromthisurgentperil,andgiveme horredlying,obtainforusthegracetoinspire
the courage and strength necessary to over- them early with a horror for this vice, which cometheattacksoftheenemy,whoseeksmy isthesourceofallothers,andwhichbyde-
repose.
Amen.
"
June 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. i°5
through his intercession, striking miracles were wrought in favour of the blind,
the lame, the deaf, and children at the point of death whom he healed. 20
The religious of St. Peter at Lemenc have obtained from the Holy Father
his Office and Mass of the Major Rite, and this feast is celebrated, on the 4th
of June, each year. Such festival is calculated to perpetuate that veneration,
which the people have entertained towards this holy Prelate even to the pre-
21
In 1 1 78, the inhabitants of Chambery, and the parishes bordering on St. Peter of Lemenc, established an association, under the name of
St. Concord's Confraternity. At first, it was only composed of the most noble persons, and the most respectable citizens, at Chambery ; and, after the example of the patron, these persons exercised themselves daily, in works of charity and in the practice of every virtue. When the Benedictines were
expelled from this Monastery, they were succeeded by another community,
These
sent time.
called 22 Father Fullienses, by
the entire
body
Papebroch.
of St. Concord,23 our Irish Archbishop. It was religiously venerated by
them. 2-* These religious told Father Riondet,25 that they had foundations for Masses,20 to be celebrated in the chapel of St. Concord, which were estab- lished for three hundred 2 ? A 28 was inscribed, in front of the
years. hymn
altar dedicated to him. 20 A verbatim copy of this hymn 3° was sent to Bollan-
dus,byFatherFerrand. ThatthemembersoftheConfraternitycouldassist in a more becoming manner at the functions of the Church in Lemenc, per-
grees draws clown the greatest evils on families, so far as to deprive them of the happy quality of the children of God, and to render them unworthy of His love and His protection : it is from this evil, that we ear- nestly entreat of thee to preserve us, and to conduct us all in the way of truth, which cannot deceive, since it is God himself.
Concordius.
24 This Father Ferrand declares, in his
letter.
25 FatherPapebrochstates,thathecaused
further enquiries to be made from this com-
munity (the Fullienses) by Rev. Father Balthazar Riondet, Rector of the Jesuits,
College, in Chambery, a. d. 1689.
to St. Con-
Amen.
Thrice,
Our Father, and Hail
26 that it should be Papebroke adds,
very desirable to see authentic records, regarding those foundations for Masses, as they might lation that accompanies them, commence furnish so good an argument for the anti-
Mary. "
The Latin Hymns, with an English trans-
with the lines —
of that
:
veneration, paid 27 At the year 1689.
28
"Ave, Pater, gloriose," &c.
And,
"Sancte quern nobis hodie precamur," &c.
—See Most Rev. Dr. Dixon's " Blessed
Cornelius," &c, chap, xii. , pp. 104 to 115. 20 The Life tells us, that for six centuries
after his death, sick persons daily asked their cure of him ; and that, even at the date
of its publication, the efficacy of his protec-
tion was seen, when he was invoked, on
occasion of public calamities.
21
According to Father Ferrand, this hymn was disfigured by mistakes in spelling, characteristic of a time, when it was inscribed on this altar.
29 FatherPapebrochappendsacopyofthe hymn, which is the same as that given in Dr. Dixon's volume.
Not only the people of Chambery city, sometimes headed by their magistrates, but even the of the
cordis,ArchiepiscopiYllandise;'i. e. 'Prayer of the Confessor Bishop, B. Concord, Arch-
of " bishop Yllandiae (Ireland). '
"At the end of th—e hymn, after the ver-
sicle and responsory
"'V. Sancte Concors spes infirmorum.
"
'V. St. Concord, hope of the infirm,
'" R. Guide us to the Kingdom of
Heaven. ' "
The Life which Dr. Dixon brought from
population surrounding parishes, crowded to Lemenc, to invoke their
powerful protector.
:
22
of some Mendicant
Feuillans of the French, according to Most Rev. Dr. Dixon's note.
23 Father Papebroch observes, that the
name of this Archbishop is everywhere written Concord—in Latin, Concors—not
This name appears to designate Friars
"
In English
order, like the Prees
'
R. Dirige nos ad regna Ccelorum. '"
quity cord.
possessed
30 "Ave Pater Gloriosa " are the first words. The title of this hymn, says Pape- broch, on an ancient tablet, in the chapel of S. Concord, is : —
" ' Oratio Confessoris Episcopi B. Con-
:
—
io6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[June 4.
mission was obtained from Rome, 31 that they might wear a white habit and a
cinctureofpurplecolour.
3* TheinhabitantsofChamberylikewisebelieve,that
the Almighty has been pleased to grant special favours, to the intercession of theirholyCornelius. 33 Abeautifulpainting,representingSt. Concordgivinghis blessing to children, is to be seen over the altar of his chapel at Lemenc.
For a long time, nevertheless, his holy relics had reposed in a poor panelled walnut shrine, and they were covered with still poorer ornaments. A petition
was prepared, to ask for approval from the Sovereign Pontiff of that religious veneration, which had been rendered to the Blessed Concord to that time.
Then, the people of Chambery wrote to Hugh,34 the Archbishop of Armagh, for details of his life. 35 This petition from Chambery was granted in 167 1, by Clement X. The pious and charitable family of Rouen de St. Severin, who had a chapel in the church of St. Peter at Lemenc, gave it in 167 1, to the Confraternity of St. Concord, so that these associates might translate to it, the body of their holy Bishop. Then wa sestablished, in perpetuity, a grand annual festival for the day of this translation to the chapel. To mark the respect, which the people entertained towards their Patron, the Senate, the religious bodies and confraternities, and all the most distinguished persons of Cham- berycity,assembledatthisceremony. Atthesametime,ClementX. con- firmed the Confraternity of St. Concord, by a Bull, and granted to it many indulgences and privileges.
At one time—a little before the French Revolution—their celestial
Chambery has subjoined the usual prayer of and infirmities of mind and body, and to re- the Liturgy for a Bishop and Confessor, "Da joice with thee unceasingly in Heaven,
quaesumus ;" but, Papebroch subjoins the an- cient prayer of S. Concord, which is as
"•'Oratio.
'"Creator mundi Deus, qui in Sanctis tuis
semper es mirabilis, quique multa mirabilia in gloriosum Confessorem tuum Concordem atque Archipraesulem ostendere voluisti : et ut diem depositionis per universum orbem (faceres venerabilem, nomen ejus) in Martyr-
through our Lord Jesus,'
"
: follows —
&c.
31 It is stated, in 1 175 ; but, it is evident,
Rules of the Confraternity erected in the
Parish Church of St. Peter of Lemenc, in
— 1, a Bull of Clement X. " 167 by Pope
Chambery, 1809.
33 Oneofthese the ofrainfor is, procuring
their parched crops, and hence the farmers
of the surrounding country entertained a par-
ticular devotion, towards this sainted Arch- liberari, tecumque firmiter in ccelis cum bishop. Other favours are the procuring of
tuos, eodem die mirabiliter scribere fecisti, clementiam tuam
Sanctos
ologiis per Angelos
ut meritis et inter- cessione ejusdem sancti Praesulis, mereamur in libro Vitae adscribi, et ab omnibus adver- sitatibus et infirmitatibus mentis et corporis
suppliciter imploramus,
Christo laetari. Per. Dom. nostrum Jesum,'
&c. "
"
a special blessing for children, to correct their naturaldeformities,whereanysuchexist; to heal their different diseases ; to make them obedient to parents, and virtuous in their en- tire conduct.
34 " The Hugh here referred to must have
In English thus :
— "Prayer.
" O God, Creator of the world !
been Hugh O'Reilly, who died about 1656. —immediate predecessor of Oliver Plunkett. "
who art
always wonderful in thy saints, and who He was succeeded by Edmund O'Reilly, the
wouldst show forth many wonders in thy
glorious Confessor and Archbishop, Con- eord ; that thou mightest make the day of his death venerable throughout the whole world, thou didst cause his name to be in- scribed, marvellously, on the same day, by thy holy angels, in Martyrologies, we hum- bly implore thy clemency, that owing to the merits and intercession of the same holy Pre- late, we may deserve to be inscribed in the Book of Life, to be freed from all adversities
"
The Blessed Cornelius," chap, xii. , note, p. 103.
35 They received for answer, from the
Vicar-General of the time, that nothing was
known regarding the particulars of his life, more than that he had been immediate suc- cessor to Gelasius, according to an account furnished by the reigning Archbishop of
Armagh.
36 To save the saint's body from rain, the
that the date for this been at a much later date.
must have
32 The foregoing particulars are procured
from a small work, printed in 1809, and pub-
lished at Chambery, with the following, as the title page rendered into English :
"
Abridgment of the Life of Saint Concord.
permission
June 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 107
benefactor was earnestly and unceasingly invoked, by the people, as the most powerful resource of the country, in an unusually dry season. During a procession, in which his holy relics were borne, the clouds gathered quickly, and then poured their refreshing shower upon the parched earth so bountifully, that St. Concord seemed even to forget the honour due to his mortal remains. 3° The people of Chambery feel it, likewise, as a peculiar favour, that the relics of their holy Patron had been preserved from indignity, during the period of the French Revolution.
Nothing of particular importance remains to be recorded subsequently, ex- cept what took place at Lemenc, previous to and during the year 1854. On the occasion of repairing the interesting church, a happy idea was adopted of replacing the precious treasure of St. Concord's relics in a more suitable case. Thewretchedpanel,whichformedtheoldfrontofhisshrine,wasreplaced with a handsome plate glass covering. Thanks to the zeal of several pious persons, the holy Bishop's reliquary is richly adorned, at present. Exertions were made by the confraternity and by the reverend rector of the parish, aided by some pious friends, to give all the solicitude and importance it merited, towards further honouring the blessed Cornelius. It had been re- solved, for reasons which will here be stated, to have the sacred relics removed for a time from Lemenc to Rome. Precautions had been taken, moreover, to secure their more artistic decoration and preservation. There they were recognised and authenticated, by the venerable prelate, who was charged to perform that duty. For this purpose, documents had been forwarded to the Eternal City, relative to the Life of this Saint, and the veneration in which he was held, by all the Savoyards, in virtue of authorization given by the Holy See. These were found to be highly interesting. To enter on a closer examination, the Roman authorities went so far, as to open the head of this reveredbody. Doubtless,theAlmightypermittedthisminuteinvestigation,
tomanifestmore
the —ofhisservant intheinterior
clearly glory
; for, portion
of this —of the sacred relics which had been for
part nearly
seven centuries entombed thebrainwasfoundhard,andstillcolouredwithbloodythough it is well known, that this organ is of a soft nature, and is consumed in
8
ordinary bodies, within a very short time after deaths
was preserved specially and returned, to increase the treasure of Lemenc parish church. There, it is now enshrined apart, and in a silver reliquary. These preliminaries terminated, the relics were enclosed in a waxen bust, re- presenting the saint with that natural and fine expression, they know so well how to give in the City of the Saints. 39 The relics of Cornelius were after- wardsreturnedandbroughttothecityofChambery. Thusdisposed,they were richly clad with vestments, suitable to the archiepiscopai dignity. Numerous and distinguished were the contributors to this decoration. ^ The
bearers were obliged to enter a house in the noble dignity, the serious and meditative air, suburbs, called Reclus. of the inhabitants belonging to the north of 37 Struck by this discovery, the Roman Europe. It is joined to a sweetness and serenity ofexpression, which recalls at once the distant birth-place of St. Cornelius, his
examiner, before whom the operation had been made, availing of his right to some por- tion of the holy relics, wished to retain this part ; but, the Rev. Father Alphonse, Capu- chin, charged with the commission, insisted on his making choice of some other por- tion.
38 The decayed face has been filled up with wax.
39 The head is a fine one, adds the writer of this account, and the beholder is pleased to see imprinted on the stranger's brow the
exemplary life, and his early death.
4° His Grace the Archbishop presented the pastoral ring, which he wore on the day of
his consecration, a touching mark of the alli- ance there is between our two pastors, one on earth and the other in heaven. But, other relations unite them more intimately, in the public veneration. The reverend parish priest of Lemenc has given the cross set in precious stones, which he wore for many
This interesting part
io8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[June 4.
saint's body was apparelled, in mitre and chasuble ; the latter was cut in an
antique form, and in texture, it was like that of the other accessories, being white silk, embroidered with gold. The alb appears to be beautifully worked ; and, the cushion that supports the head is of red damask, trimmed with gold fringe. The pallium is spread out near the mitre. In a word, all connected with the apparel shows perfect coincidence with the most approved taste.
The account of grand solemnities at Lemenc, in 1854, will be found con-
In this little brochure, we are informed concerning ceremonies accompanying the celebration of St. Cornelius' Feast, in the Church at Lemenc, on Sunday,
1 whic—h
oftheCityofS. Concord" theauthor'srealnamebeingtheCountdeFirnix.
tainedina
pamphlet,*
purports
tohavebeen
written, by
the second of the month in 1 s Some months had day July, 854. 4
elapsed since the relics were brought from Rome, while some delay was deemed necessary for preparing the ceremonial. On other occasions, it was held on that Sunday, immediately following the 4th of June, each year. Special care was taken to embellish the shrine. *3 The relics of blessed Cornelius were exposed that year, with more than ordinary magnificence. On Saturday, July 1st, 1854, the saint was replaced upon his altar, and next day his festival was celebrated with grand solemnity. At the early hour of four o'clock the follow- ing morning, Sunday, July 2nd, the faithful assembled around the shrine, which contained the relics of the blessed Archbishop of Armagh. In the morning, the church was filled ; but, in the evening, a still more numerous throng crowded to hear the panegyric of the saint, and to assist at the bene- diction given by the Lord Archbishop, who desired to take part in the festival.
An imposing procession was organized, and its march occupied a duration of twohours. Itledalongaroad,conductingtoSt. Louis-of-the-Mount,towards the cross of St. Cornelius. This was the end of the pilgrimage. The little statue of St. Cornelius, enriched with a portion of his holy relics, was borne by the celebrant. ** The author afterwards proceeds to relate, that a chapel hadbeenerectednearthecrossofSt. Concord thatitwasdecoratedwithall
;
luxuries of the field, that its columns were of boxwood, and its carpet of moss ;
while the wild flowers enhanced and embellished these verdant ornaments.
Art also was put in requisition, yet, through regard for the locality, it left first rank to nature. Some artificial bouquets were mixed with their inimitable
originals, and seemed placed there, to show the Creator's incomparable skill. Long ribbons were fixed on the summit of pillars, being destined to hang in gracefulfestoons; but,aninvisiblearchitectraisedtheminacontrarymanner, into elegant arcades, by which he divided into compartments of light the azure vault of the firmament. Above this rustic tabernacle, which had not
years, as a military chaplain ; and, we may truly say, that it was worthy of the guardian of the holy relics, to present this distinctive
badge.
during the month of July in the same year, Published at Chambery ; Government Print- ing Office, 1854.
*3 The following particulars are taken from this account,
41
It is intituled, in the English translation
from the French " A Tribute of language,
"A Tribute respect to the Blessed Cornelius. Arch- of Respect to the Blessed Cornelius," &c,
bishop of Armagh, Prelate of Ireland, who died in the odour of sanctity, at Lemenc ter-
ritory of the city of Chambery, the 4th June, 1 1 76, returning from Rome, where had gone on tbe affairs of his diocese. " Plis Relics are
exposed for public veneration in a chapel of theparochialchurchofLemenc. Theres- toration of that shrine, which contains them, took place in 1854, and on that occasion the present pamphlet was written, at Chambery,
proceeds to give an account regarding the local religious institutions, in the neighbour- hood of Lemenc. This portion of his little
work is extremely interesting. He then de- scribes that religious procession, in honour of St. Concord, in July, 1854, at which he hadthehappinessofassisting,
** A hymn proper for this occasion, and of recent composition, was entoned in honour of our saint.
43 The author of the
pamphlet,
"AnInhabitant
June 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 109
any other covering, the sport of elements appeared intentional, so'graceful and well supported it had been, as if designing to concur in the festal decora- tions. Owing to another attention of this amiable Providence, who often condescends to enter into the minutest details, especially on like occasions
; a light cloud, which did not make day in the least appear sombre, interposed between the sun and the worshippers/s The statue of St. Concord was placed by the celebrant on the rustic altar, when the procession had there arrived. Amid broken rocks, with which the ground in this place is strewn, an im-
mense surrounding crowd, by the diversity of its attitude, originality of its situation, and a uniform piety that appeared predominant, formed a picture, as striking as it was new. Raised on the heights of the Red Cross, men looked down on that rich valley, which extended from Chambery46 to the Lake of
Lemenc and St. Louis-of-the-Mount, near Chambery.
Bourget. Joining mortification to recollections, worshippers knelt on the naked rock, and had rough stones for benches. A return of the processionists
obliged them to descend by a sharp and deep ravine, especially remarkable, forunevennessofthesoil,4? andnumerousobstaclesthatwereopposedalong
45 A statue of the Blessed
the middle of this rural sanctuary.
8 passage. *
their
It was an account of the foregoing solemnities,4? which accidently reached
Virgin occupied
46 called Camerinum. See Lemenc be as a suburb of
" Anciently
Chroniqve de Savoye," liv. i. , chap, x. ,
p. 6.
47 The included illustration, copied from
and oratory of St. Concord. In fact, may regarded
Chambery.
48 After some pious reflections, the writer
adds: "Arrived at the end of our descent, the assistants, before taking their places, came to venerate, under fresh foliage, the holy relics
a local photograph and drawn on the wood,
by William F. Wakeman, has been engraved
by Mrs. Millard. The foreground repre- borne by the priest ; then the procession
sents Chambery ; on the rising ground in the middle distance and to the left is Lemenc,
having reformed, took the road to Aix,
chanting a sublime psalm entoned to the air
with its Church of St. Concord
beyond which rises St. Louis-of-the-Mount, probasti me,'" &c. See Most Rev. Dr
; immediately
whither are made to the cross pilgrimages
of the ' It was the ' Domine Magnificat.
110 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[June 4.
the Most Rev. Dr. Dixon,50 Archbishop of Armagh, that induced him to
write afterwards a valuable little work. 51 Towards the close of that
and about the end of December, few days before starting for Ireland, he re- ceived a communication,52 through the secretary of the Bishop," of St.
Maurienne, in Savoy, referring to St. Concord. A reply, containing some historic notices of him, wa—s sent to Monsieur de St. Sulpice. Then Dr. Dixonhadresolvedatonce havingbeenbeforeundeterminedinthematter —togohomethroughChambery,5* wherehecouldvisittheshrineoftheholy Archbishop. Healsohopedtoprocure,fromtheguardiansofConcord's blessedremains,aconsiderablerelicforhischurchofArmagh. Hearrived in Chambery, late on the night of Saturday, the 13th of January. 55 On the next morning, having celebrated the holy mysteries in a church belonging to the Capuchin Fathers, himself and his travelling companion were visited after breakfast by the pious Count de Firnex,56 accompanied by his son. The Irish ecclesiastics were visited, at the same time, by Monsieur de St. Sulpice. The parish priest of Lemenc also came to visit them. The Archbishop arranged with him, to celebrate Mass in his church, at the altar of Cornelius, Archbishop of Armagh, on the following morning, which was Monday. After- wards, the Most Rev. Dr. Dixon and his companion went to pay their respects to his Grace the Archbishop ofChambery. 57 This prelate was very devoted to blessed Concord ; yet, he graciously permitted, that Dr. Dixon should take with him a considerable relic of his holy predecessor. Early on Monday morning, the parish priest of Lemenc, accompanied by the Vicar-General and the Diocesan Chancellor, waited on the Irish prelate at his hotel. They con- ductedhimtotheresidenceoftheparishpriest,atLemenc. 58 Herehewaited, until a grand procession, composed of male and female confraternities of the
Dixon's "Blessed Cornelius," &c, pp. 90 governs it, a relic of Blessed Concord.
to 93.
49 An Irish gentleman, who had been re-
siding in Rome for some time, directed his attention to an extract, which he had trans- lated from the Courier des Alpes—a news-
referring
50 He was then at Rome, being invited in common with other Bishops of the Catholic world, to take part in solemnities accom- panying the celebrated decree, defining the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin, and published by Pope Pius IX. , on the memorable 8th of Decem- ber, 1854.
" The Blessed
They shall not cease to invoke their holy pro- tector for the prosperity of religion in Ire- land, and according to the intentions of its venerated primate.
"
paperpublished
to the celebrations of July, 1854.
"hi the name the of
in —and Chambery
(Signed),
&c. 52 It was to this effect, after giving the local traditions regarding their patron : "We have at Chambery but very few details on the life and labours of this holy personage. De- sirous of publishing a more complete Life of the Blessed Cornelius, commonly called Concord, the parish priest of Lemenc, and a great number of pious persons supplicate Monseigneur, the Archbishop of Armagh, his worthy and august successor, to have the kindness to transmit to them the documents which may be preserved in Ireland on the pontificate of the holy Archbishop, and on the church of Armagh at that epoch. The sup- pliants would be happy to offer to the church of Armagh, and to the august Pontiff who
de liv. i. , "Chroniqve Savoye," chap.
s1
Intituled,
Cornelius,"
54 A in the
description
of will be found Chambery
Suppliants, "A. De St. Sulpice,
" Canon Chancellor of the Archbishoprit of Chambery. "
53 His Lordship had been residing in the
Vatican, and he was then preparing for a return to his diocese.
xxvii. , p. 24.
55 See " The Blessed Cornelius," &c, in
the xi. chapter, which has for its heading,
" How—I came to hear of the Blessed Cor-
nelius visit to his relics at Chambery. "
6
s The Count came to present a number of
small pamphlets to the Archbishop, and of which this visitor was the author. The book was entitled, "A Tribute to the Blessed Concord. " It had been written during the precedingyear. Asanappendixtohischap- ter, Dr. Dixon published the greater part of this brochure, in an English dress, for which he felt indebted to a good religious, belong- ing to the Convent of the Sacred Heart, at Armagh.
year,
June 4. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. m
Blessed Concord, dressed in their habits and carrying several standards, formed in front of the house, whence they walked before him down to the church. 59 The Archbishop of Armagh was obliged to stop at the entrance of Blessed Cornelius' chapel, until the parish priest read an address to him in French. To this, the Archbishop replied in a few words of the same language. Then, approaching an altar, on which the body of the blessed Archbishop rested in a handsome shrine, dressed out with rich pontifical ornaments, Dr. Dixon celebrated Mass, assisted by the Vicar-General and Chancellor, in full canonicals. After Mass, he was obliged to put on a mitre of the Archbishop ofChambery,andwithapastoralstaffinhandhewenttothehighaltar.
