She
designed
bearing to Alsace this relic ; but when an attempt had been made to lift the covering over St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v1
Fleury's
clesiastique," tome v. , liv. xxxvii. , n. 27. Also Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xi. , § xlv. , p. 326.
'See "Britannia Sancta," part i. , pp.
52 to 55.
" Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
20,21.
" See " Historic Catholicse Ibemiae Com-
pendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , p. 49.
" Catalogus aliquorum Sanctorum Iber- niae, ibid. ^ cap. xii. , p. 53.
'3 "In Brittannia S. Deicolae Abbatis, discipuli B. Columbani. "
'^ For further notices of S. Dichul, the reader is referred to that date.
January i8. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
315
of November. "S The latter have probably some relation to a transference of his relics. *^
Having received the last sacraments with sentiments of great devotion, and calling his disciples to his bedside, Dichul exhorted them to observe fraternal charity towards one another, and love to that God whom they served. ^7 He advised them to a strict and faithful observance of conventual rules. Locked in the embraces of St. Columbin, the holy man then resigned his pure spirit into the hands of his Creator, amidst the tears and prayers of those who surrounded him. His remains were interred in the Holy Trinity Chapel,'^ and these were long afterwards resorted to by pious pilgrims. ''^ The life of our saint as written by a monk of Lure^° in the tenth century^' is found in the collection of Mabillon. This saint is variously called by the names Dichul, Deicolus, Deel and Diey. In the country about Lure, he is held in great veneration. The French name Deel is quite common there, among the male inhabitants, while the feminine termination Deele, given as a name to females in baptism, yet shows respect entertained towards his memory, in the place which he has rendered illustrious by his life and labours. ^* His chief festival is kept on the day of his death. '3 Various miracles are said to have occurred at his tomb, and long after his demise.
Notwithstanding the sanctity and immunities of the place, when the re- nowned spiritual school of St. Dichul had flourished at Lure, for a long
lapse of years, a war-devastating tempest arose. This caused the infliction of deplorable and wide-spreading evils. Fierce pagan warriors, bringing numerous forces, invaded the country with fire and sword. Behind them were left those fatal evidences of their prowess to be witnessed in the levelled wallsofcitiesandecclesiasticalbuildingsthatwereburned. AsAlmighty God had been offended by the actions of many false professing Christians, so did He permit this barbarian scourge to ovemm the province, like a fierce
monster, that tears with his teeth, or tramples under foot, everything that
comes in his way. ^-* WTien this large invading army entered the kingdom of Burgundy, all the natives young and old fled towards valley recesses, or to
'S See observations at that date. Tropicum Capricomi exire, et primam '* "
44, p. 127.
'7 See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of
sunt. "
•9 Mabillon acknowledges, that Deicolus
is called the brother of Gallus in the " Ne-
crologium Monasterii S. Galli," although this relationship is not found in the acts of
"
'^ See " Histoire Literaire de la France," tome vi. , p. 410.
dinis S. Benedicti," tomus ii. , p. 103.
" See Rev. Alban Butler's "Lives of the
Fathers,Martyrsandother Principal Saints," vol. i. , January xviii.
See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber- partam 'Aquarii per Zodiacum circulum niaf," xviii. Januarii. Vita S. Deicoli, n. praeterire. " This serves to give us some
the Saints," vol. i. , January xviii. , p. 283. The old writer of his acts " ibi
idea, regarding the astronomical knowledge of the middle ages, besides placing our saint's death at the l8th of January. Dr.
says, quippe ejus sacra lipsana in pace tumulata
— an
Lanigan doubtless, through —oversight
^''
Deicolus. See
dicti," tomus i. , lib. xi. , § xlv. , p. 326. It is noticed, however, in the saint's acts, as published by Colgan and Bollandus at the l8th of January.
or some typographical mistake gives the l6th of January, as the day for his death. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. xvi. § iv. , p. 440.
^^ I have followed the inverted order of the narrative, as found in our saint's acts ; although Colgan remarks, that by a para- chronism we find related, in the first instance, events that followed those, which are im- mediately afterwards recounted. For the Hungarians first invaded Germany under Amulph, king of this country, who died in the year 911. Again, in 919, as Flodoard, in his chronicle, and as other writers state,
they devastated that part of Gaul, which was subjected to Lothaire. However this ac- count must read entirely different, if we should say, that in the time of Columbin,
Annales Ordinis S. Bene-
" See Mabillon's "Acta Sanctorum Or-
"3 The acts of our saint
autem egregius Pater die quinto decimo Kalendarum Februarii, in quo solet Phoebus
Menard such de- writes,
state,
abbot,
Hugh
" Obiit
as
vastation was caused by the Huns, and not by the Hungarians. See "Acta Sanctorum
3i6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 1 8.
the mountain heights, in order to conceal themselves, and with a hope of
preserving their lives. The religious of St. Dichul's monastery escaped in likemanner. ^VhenthosefiercebarbariansenteredLure,findingnomonks there after a diligent search, they resolved impiously to burn all before them. But, through the Divine mercy, its two oratories, dedicated to the Aposdes, were preserved from their profane attempts. On approaching with fury the tomb of St. Deicolus, they were suddenly awe-struck; for they supposed Divine punishment would immediately follow a commission of their meditated offence. At length on going out, those marauders endeavoured to bum the mortuary chapel of the saintly man ; but Almighty God so willed it, that they could not destroy a single tilers belonging to the building. Frenzy being added to their naturally savage dispositions, they filled this oratory with straw even to its roof Then they kindled a strong flame beneath, that thus they
"might accomplish their diabolical purposes. But wonderful to relate, the more those barbarians endeavoured to bum the building, the less did their fire prevail in the work of Vandalism. Beholding this miraculous inter- position of Divine Providence, the barbarians retreated in great fear. Still their baneful efforts were directed towards the destruction of other
When those ferocious hordes had carried fire and sword throughout almost the whole of France and through a great part of Germany, they returned in triumph and loaded with booty towards their own country. The Christians found themselves unable to cope with their invaders, nor could they even offer any effectual resistance. It was a lamentable sight to behold nettles, thoms and shrubs growing, as if in a desert, where some time before devout monks and clerics practised their re- ligious exercises. As only a few inhabitants remained, once populous places presented the appearance of lonely sohtudes. Lure, consecrated by the pre- sence and virtues of St. Deicolus, shared in this general calamity. Neither a monk nor a clergyman could there to be found. During this state of things a certain powerful chieftain of Alsace, named Eberhard, who was ac- customed to visit the Burgundian kingdom, unjustly claimed this place as his property. He invaded it with a great force. As no opponent could be found to resist his unjust claim, this Eberhard retained possession of the place, and mled it with tyrannical sway, so long as he lived. =7
This chieftain departed from life without relinquishing his ill-gotten gains. After death, his son Hugh assumed the chieftainry. He persistently re- tained in the same tyrannical manner all his father died possessed of,
whether justly or unjustly acquired. Among such possessions was this place of St. Deicolus. While the property of his church had been profaned by a conversion to secular uses, on the evening of a certain day, three sons of Hugh retumed very much fatigued to Lure. Having despatched their necessary business, these young men incautiously placed themselves near St. Dichul's tomb. At this time they were in excellent health and full of strength. But as they neglected giving due honour to Almighty God and to His holy servant, Dichul, so were they miraculously punished. '^ On this same night,'9 these
places. '^
Hibemiae," xviii. Januarii. Vita S. Deicoli,
n. 46, p. 127.
"5 This epithet would seem to indicate
that tiles were then used for covering churches.
"* The author of St. Dichul's acts adds, that this wonderful preservation of his tomb showed how honoured he was in God's pre- sence.
"^ The author of our saint's acts contrasts
with bitter regret the changed appearance of
Lure, when dogs and horses usurped the
quarters of venerable religious,
**
The author of our saint's acts, after
lauding the Almighty for a just retribution, visited on these impious young men, ob- serves, that he wished, without fear or favour, to speak the truth,
"^ From the writer's foregoing sentences, it would seem probable, that he was under
January i8. ] -LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 317
three sons of Eberhard,3° found themselves lapsing into a strange state of
weakness, after they awoke from a grateful sleep. This occurred previous to a hunting excursion which they meditated. These noble youths felt debilitated, and contracted in their limbs to such a degree, that they seemed paralysed and altogether deprived of strength. While these distinguished young cavaliers were suffering such punishment in expiation of their crimes, Eberhard, their father,3' began to feel that it was time to make his peace withHeaven. Hissonscomplained,thattheywereafflictedforhiscrimes, whilst acknowledging at the same time their own demerits. At last, moved by his sons' excessive grief, Eberhard penitently and in tears acknowledged
the of those He justice complaints.
attend to the words of your father.
" Hear
Know for certain, that this misfortune
exclaimed,
me,
O and my sons,
occurred to you, not through mere chance, but through the Almighty's just judgments, and as a punishment from Divine Providence. For my father was accustomed to tell me very frequently about the sort of tenure, whereby he held this place, which is sacred, since it formerly belonged to Deicolus, the servant of our Lord. But I see that injustice is now visited on your heads, because Almighty God will not allow any injury offered to His saints topassunavenged. Hewillvisitonchildrentothefourthandfifthgenera- tion, the iniquity of their fathers. However, I believe that since in His mercy He paternally chastises. He will not deliver us to everlasting damna- tion. He desires all to be saved and none to perish. Wherefore, by a good confession and with sincere tears of contrition, let us have recourse to God and to His saint, against whom we have offended. Perhaps you shall not only be —restored to your former strength, but to what is of far more con- sequence we may deserve to obtain the more perfect health of our souls. "
"
To these his sons words,
have
We are prepared heartily to acknowledge ourselves the servants of St.
Deicolus. Let us repent, therefore, of our evil actions, and sin shall no
longer prove injurious to the true penitent. Let us endeavour in all things to change the dispositions of those nobly born in the flesh for true nobility of the mind. Let us renounce the world, which is occupied with iniquity, and let us unite our efforts henceforth to live solely for God, according to the best of our ability. Let us embrace the monastic profession, and give ourselves to God, by making a vow to that effect. Let us walk, while we enjoy the light of this life, so that the darkness of eternal death may not overtake us. " These words being pronounced, the family retainers were greatly excited. These vented their sorrow in loud complaints and shed tears, as if bewailing the dead. Doubtless in this resolution of the young noblemen, they foresaw their own dismissal from service, as a necessary consequence. Thosehigh-bombarons3^weresoontobeobservedbound, as it were, with iron chains, and prostrate before the tomb of St. Deicolus. When they had there supplicated Divine clemency for a long while, and had acknowledged with tears that they had sinned and deserved punishment, which they now experienced ; owing to the merits and intervention of our holy saint, they were restored to their pristine health. To crown their penitence, the father and his sons agreed, by common vow and mutual consent, to give themselves up wholly to God, and to His saint Deicolus,
an apprehension of displeasing some power* fill persons at or adjoining Lure.
3° The eldest was named Eberhard, the second eldest was Hugh, and the third was called Guntramni
^ The wtlter remarks, that he was then an old man.
'^ They are said to have been a little while before swifter than eagles and stronger than lions*
replied,
Father, you
given
us a advice. good
3i8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i8.
not by military service, but rather in monastic subjection. Having put such
a resolution in practice, they unanimously vowed, and in a solemn manner, at his tomb, that whatever had been heretofore taken unjustly from the
monastery should instantly be restored. They also bound themselves by
vow, to subject themselves to his rule, tonsure, habit, profession, and obedience. Besides, they secured without reserve Lure itself for the order of the holy father St. Benedict. 33 Having again and again confirmed this binding covenant, by a solemn oath, they called St. Deicolus to witness from this day forward, that so long as the planets moved in their spheres, the place itself and its dependencies, with all claimed by their family or derived antecedently as an inheritance by descent, should be granted to the monks of St. Benedict. They declared, that not even a single foot of this land should remain as a lawful heir-loom in their family. With great satisfaction expressed, they embraced their respective professions, having completed this solemn compact, in the presence of many witnesses. 34
It is said, that after the lapse of some ages from the death of St. Deicolus,
when Hildegardes, Countess of Alsace,35 wished to have his sepulchre opened, in order to possess herself of some reHc belonging to the saint, this
attemptwasfollowedbyamiraculouspunishment. Morethroughcuriosity than devotion, Hildergardes entered St. DichuFs oratory with the priests and a great multitude of faithful.
She designed bearing to Alsace this relic ; but when an attempt had been made to lift the covering over St. Dichul's sarcophagus, an earthquake shook the whole edifice. Fearful thunder and
lightning accompanied this shock. All engaged in the previous labour were rendered frantic, and they were struck with sudden blindness, to such a
degree, that almost for the space of two hours, no person present could see his next neighbour. The countess then felt compunction of heart for her rash act, having thus experienced the efficacy of St. Dichul's merits in God's sight. Afterwards his bones were allowed to remain undisturbed.
Mabillon passed through Lure, at one time, on the occasion of visiting Germany. He describes it as being fortified with strong towers and walls, while surrounded by water, after the manner of a citadel. The church, at that time, had every appearance of great antiquity. Two monuments of
one of these contained the remains
of the holy abbot, St. Deicolus, while the other held those of his disciple and
successor, St. Columbin. A short time previous to this visit, the neighbour-
ing church of St. Deicolus had been destroyed, and the relics of both saints
had been removed therefrom, to their subsequent place of deposition. 3^ What is not a little remarkable, the remains of both saints indicated that theymusthavebeenofcommandingstatureduringlife; andthecircumstance of St. Deicolus being a tall man is related by the anonymous writer of his acts. 37
We are filled with admiration and Christian joy, when we consider the
considerable size were to be seen there
;
33 This shows that the monks of Lure
to the order of St. Benedict in the tenth centUty. It seems singular, this tes- timony has been overlooked oral least not noticed by Mabillon, in his account of St. Deicolus in " Annales Ordinis S. Bene- dicti. " How long before the tenth century the monks of this house had embraced the Benedictine rule cannot with certainty be determined, but it is probable during his life-time, Deicolus followed the rule of his brother and spiritual superior, St. Colum-
banus.
34 See " Acta Sanctorum Hi« Colgan's
bernice," xviii. Janiiajii. Vita S. Deicoli, cap. vii. , pp. I2i, 122.
3S Xhis lady was wife to Count Hugh.
3* A few monks were then residing in the
monastery at Lure. They had been sent
from the Abbey Murbacensis, to which the house at Lure was then subject,
belonged
"
BeneJicti," lib. xi. , sec. 45, p. 326.
37 See Mabillon's
Annales Ordinis S.
JANUARY 1 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 31$
lives of the glorious ones that have gone by. Cheered with the eternity of bliss, their bodies are " buried in peace. " Their fame and their glorious deeds deserve to live generation after generation, until far into the future theirbrightexamplesmayinfluencethecoursesofmenyetunborn. Godper- mits the temporal afflictions and trials of His servants, but in His own good timereliefandrewardmustcome. ThepiousDeicoluspossessedahappy disposition in youth, with a mind calm and strong amidst the infirmities and decrepitude of age. Raised and sustained by the Almighty's power, he early enlisted the faculties of his soul, to spread the empire of faith and charity among sinners, while he closed life fortified by the sacraments, and reasonably assured of everlasting happiness.
Article II. —St. Ninnidh, or Nennius, Bishop of Inismacsaint, County of Fermanagh. \Sixth Century? \ A very capable writer' has re-
marked, that places which were before comparatively insignificant rise into unforeseen importance, through their association with the history of God's elect. Their names, formerly little known, float about the wide globe and throughout centuries of time, upon the tide of that fame, which the saints themselveswouldhaveshrunkfromcontemplating,iftheyhadforeseenit in theirdays. Yet,theChurchdelightstoacknowledgeandtospreadaftertheir departure from earth, the memory of her sainted children. Inismacsaint, on the beautiful Lough Erne, in the county of Fermanagh, still contains a
Inismacsaint, on Loch Erne.
ruined church, and a venerable antique stone-cross. * The name of this
"
island is said to be a corruption of Inis-muighe-samh, or
the island of the
plainoftheSorrel. "3 Judgingfromtheremainsofearth-works,andofthose
foundations, which may be traced, the monastery founded there in an early
age must have been one of great extent and importance. The church ap- pears to have been a small, oblong structure. A considerable portion of the
Article it. —' Rev. C. B. Garside, in
" The Rosary Magazine. "
^ The site of the " old church" and "stone
cross" are noted on the ishmd of Inishmac-
These objects are situated towards the south-eastern angle of the island.
3 See Dr. P. W. Joyce's "Origin and History of Irish Names of Places. " Part
iv. , chap, iii. , p. 427.
"
the County of Fermanagh," Sheet 15.
saint. See
Ordnance Survey Maps for
320 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i8.
masonry is characteristic of a remote period. But there is evidence of the
building having been greatly remodelled, about the close of the twelfth cen-
tury. One window is in a tolerably perfect state. -* The angles of the in-
terior jambs are rounded off in pillar-like fashion, with plain Norman-look-
ing capitals and bases. The eastern and western gables have fallen. s The
very situation of Inismacsaint^ seems at one time to have puzzled our ever-
to-be-remembered and our justly-renowned Irish topographer, John O'Dono-
van. 7 Our most celebrated Irish hagiologist^ has also confounded the local
patron, with a saint bearing a like name f although a difference of denomina-
tion and of ecclesiastical rank, applied to either, should mark sufficiently a
distinction of ^° we do not find allusion to St. persons. Although any
Nennidh," in the Feilire of St. -^ngus, at the i8th of Januarys yet, at this
date, both in the published" and in the unpublished'^ copies of the Tallagh Martyrology,heisdulycommemorated. HoweverMarianusO'Gormanand
Cathal Maguire place the festival of St. Nennius or Nennidh of Inis-mhuighe samh,atthei6thofOctober. '* Otherwritersofsaints'livesalsoadoptthis
arrangement. In the Martyrology of Donegal,'? on this day, occurs the feast ofNinnidh,BishopofInis-MuigheSamh,inLochEime. '^ Thecalendarist
adds, that he was Ninnidh Laebhruise, or Laobruise,'^ who belonged to the race of Enda, son to Niall. Usually he was called Nmnidh Laimhiodhan,'^
as O'Clery states. The book of hymns says, also, that Ninnidh, son of Eochaidh,wasNinnidhLaimhiodhan. Hisactsaregivenatsomelength, by Colgan, in his great collection of Irish saints j'^ but on the mistaken
* The accompanying sketch of those ruin- ous objects at Inismacsaint has been taken on the spot, by Wilham F. Wakeman, and drawn by him on wood for the engraver, William Oldham of Dublin.
tannia Sancta," part i. , January xvi. , pp.
*'
50, 5 1 ; and Rev. Alban Butler in
of the Fathers, Martyrs and other Principal Saints," vol. i. , xvii. January.
" This name is also written Nainnidh,
5 See W. F. Wakeman's "
and sometimes
the —mo particle
Lough Erne,
Enniskillen, Belleek, Ballyshannon, and being prefixed to denote affection or
Bundoran," &c. Third Excursion, pp. 78, 79-
Moneen—thus contracted. It is Latinized under these various forms, Nennidius,
Nennius, Nennio, Nennethus, Nannius, Nannidius and Monennius. Colgan refers
us to an appendix, chapter i. , for a list of
*
It is about half a mile from the shore,
in Magheraboy barony. See Archdall's "Monasticon Hibemicum," p. 262.
^ Nor has he more than the briefest al-
''
lusion to it, in the
formation relative to the Antiquities of the County of Fermanagh, collected during the
Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1834-5. "
various saints
this name. But we
See pp. 39, 102.
Yet, he refers for further
to Mr.
count of Inishmacsaint. "
^
" Statistical Ac-
'3 After the insertion of
foreign saints in it, we find first among the Irish entries, t1inr»it> Inp fAmh ):o|\ LocVi
e^ni.
'* These also add, that he was surnamed
Laoibh-dhearc.
'5 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
'7 See pp. 458, 459, of the index to the
" of Martyrology Donegal. "
'* The compiler of the Martyrology adds,
"
particulars
Taylor's
twenty-five
Letters Containing In-
bearing
do not find the appendix postfixed, in the
place indicated in his "Acta Sanctorum
Hibernise. " See at xviii. Januarii, n. i,
pp. 114, 115.
" By Rev. Dr. Kelly, see p. xii.
Father John Colgan.
5 See " Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," xviii.
Januarii. Vita S. Nennidhii seu Nennii, Ab. et Ep. , pp. Ill to 115.
•°
Their surnames, which were applied to distinguish the present holy man from St. Nennidh, Lamh-ghlan, or "the Clean hand," who was a priest and chaplain to the great St. Brigid, of Kildare, have caused
of Sir Ware's James
20, 21. '* See
to hold erroneous and impressions,
Colgan
he has in a great measure, however uncon- sciously, contributed to the misleading of other writers, such as Harris, in his edition
He quotes, likewise, the Life of St. Brigid, cap. 41.
vol. "Writers of Ireland," book i. , chap, iii. ,
'' " xviii. See ActaSanctorumHibernise,"
works,
p. 13; Bishop Challoner, in his "Bri- pp. Ill to 113.
ii. ,
Monennidh,
Colgan's
nise," xviii. Januarii, n. 22, p. 115.
' ' to my own knowledge.
Januarii. Vita S. Nennidhii seu Nennii,
Lives
January i8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 321
supposition, that the Bishop and Abbot of Inismacsaint, sometimes de-
nominated Laobh-dearc, was the same as Ninnidh, the priest/" who acted
as chaplain to the holy St. Brigid,^' first Abbess of Kildare,^^ and who is
sometimes called Xinnidh Lamhghlan, and sometimes Xinnidh Laoim-
hiodan. ^3 Under the head of Inis-]Muighe-Samh,^'^ Duald Mac Firbis
enters Xinnidh, bishop, at January i8th. This holy man would seem to
have been the son of Ethach,^5 and he was distinguished likewise by
the denomination of Laobh-dhearc. "^^ It is incorrect to state, that he
flourished so early as the fifth century, when possibly he was not then born.
He came into the world, it seems likely, either towards its close, or early
in the sixth century, for he is reputed as having been a disciple to St. Finian, of Clonard. ^7 He was contemporaneous therefore with the great St.
Columkille,^^ and he may have preceded by a little time, at the school of Clonard, St. Kieran of Clonmacnoise. -? Indeed it appears not improbable that both may have studied together under St. Finian. 3° The present St. Nennidh was a descendant of King Leogaire,^^ having been his great grand- son by the fathers side. This Colgan collects from old genealogical tables. Soon after this saint left St. Finian's religious estabHshment, he seems to have selected the Island of Inis-muighe-Samh, in Lough Erne, for the foundation of a monastery, with the governnaent of which he was charged. Here, at an early period of the sixth century, he was joined by St. Kieran of Clonmac- noise. 3^ It is not improbable, St. X'ennidh invited him to spend some time there, and to assist in managing that institution. Afterwards St. Kieran left this place, and went to live with St. Endeus,33 on the island of Arran. The holy founder of Inis-muighe-Samh34 was highly respected, and he is reckoned among the chief founders of our great Irish monasteries. That his religious establishment was in the island already mentioned is generally admitted. In an old Irish distich,35 he is called a doctor : and he is even distinguished as havmg been a bishop. 3^ The Abbot X'^ennidhius, having governed for some time his monastery in the island, was probably raised to the episcopal dignity,
tory 451.
463, by I'Abbe Ma-Geoghegan. He was killed by
°'
His feast i-eems referable rather to the
'^ See his Life at the 9th of September.
3: St. Kieran is generally said to have
been born about a. d. 507.
clesiastique," tome v. , liv. xxxvii. , n. 27. Also Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xi. , § xlv. , p. 326.
'See "Britannia Sancta," part i. , pp.
52 to 55.
" Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
20,21.
" See " Historic Catholicse Ibemiae Com-
pendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , p. 49.
" Catalogus aliquorum Sanctorum Iber- niae, ibid. ^ cap. xii. , p. 53.
'3 "In Brittannia S. Deicolae Abbatis, discipuli B. Columbani. "
'^ For further notices of S. Dichul, the reader is referred to that date.
January i8. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
315
of November. "S The latter have probably some relation to a transference of his relics. *^
Having received the last sacraments with sentiments of great devotion, and calling his disciples to his bedside, Dichul exhorted them to observe fraternal charity towards one another, and love to that God whom they served. ^7 He advised them to a strict and faithful observance of conventual rules. Locked in the embraces of St. Columbin, the holy man then resigned his pure spirit into the hands of his Creator, amidst the tears and prayers of those who surrounded him. His remains were interred in the Holy Trinity Chapel,'^ and these were long afterwards resorted to by pious pilgrims. ''^ The life of our saint as written by a monk of Lure^° in the tenth century^' is found in the collection of Mabillon. This saint is variously called by the names Dichul, Deicolus, Deel and Diey. In the country about Lure, he is held in great veneration. The French name Deel is quite common there, among the male inhabitants, while the feminine termination Deele, given as a name to females in baptism, yet shows respect entertained towards his memory, in the place which he has rendered illustrious by his life and labours. ^* His chief festival is kept on the day of his death. '3 Various miracles are said to have occurred at his tomb, and long after his demise.
Notwithstanding the sanctity and immunities of the place, when the re- nowned spiritual school of St. Dichul had flourished at Lure, for a long
lapse of years, a war-devastating tempest arose. This caused the infliction of deplorable and wide-spreading evils. Fierce pagan warriors, bringing numerous forces, invaded the country with fire and sword. Behind them were left those fatal evidences of their prowess to be witnessed in the levelled wallsofcitiesandecclesiasticalbuildingsthatwereburned. AsAlmighty God had been offended by the actions of many false professing Christians, so did He permit this barbarian scourge to ovemm the province, like a fierce
monster, that tears with his teeth, or tramples under foot, everything that
comes in his way. ^-* WTien this large invading army entered the kingdom of Burgundy, all the natives young and old fled towards valley recesses, or to
'S See observations at that date. Tropicum Capricomi exire, et primam '* "
44, p. 127.
'7 See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of
sunt. "
•9 Mabillon acknowledges, that Deicolus
is called the brother of Gallus in the " Ne-
crologium Monasterii S. Galli," although this relationship is not found in the acts of
"
'^ See " Histoire Literaire de la France," tome vi. , p. 410.
dinis S. Benedicti," tomus ii. , p. 103.
" See Rev. Alban Butler's "Lives of the
Fathers,Martyrsandother Principal Saints," vol. i. , January xviii.
See Colgan's Acta Sanctorum Hiber- partam 'Aquarii per Zodiacum circulum niaf," xviii. Januarii. Vita S. Deicoli, n. praeterire. " This serves to give us some
the Saints," vol. i. , January xviii. , p. 283. The old writer of his acts " ibi
idea, regarding the astronomical knowledge of the middle ages, besides placing our saint's death at the l8th of January. Dr.
says, quippe ejus sacra lipsana in pace tumulata
— an
Lanigan doubtless, through —oversight
^''
Deicolus. See
dicti," tomus i. , lib. xi. , § xlv. , p. 326. It is noticed, however, in the saint's acts, as published by Colgan and Bollandus at the l8th of January.
or some typographical mistake gives the l6th of January, as the day for his death. See "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. xvi. § iv. , p. 440.
^^ I have followed the inverted order of the narrative, as found in our saint's acts ; although Colgan remarks, that by a para- chronism we find related, in the first instance, events that followed those, which are im- mediately afterwards recounted. For the Hungarians first invaded Germany under Amulph, king of this country, who died in the year 911. Again, in 919, as Flodoard, in his chronicle, and as other writers state,
they devastated that part of Gaul, which was subjected to Lothaire. However this ac- count must read entirely different, if we should say, that in the time of Columbin,
Annales Ordinis S. Bene-
" See Mabillon's "Acta Sanctorum Or-
"3 The acts of our saint
autem egregius Pater die quinto decimo Kalendarum Februarii, in quo solet Phoebus
Menard such de- writes,
state,
abbot,
Hugh
" Obiit
as
vastation was caused by the Huns, and not by the Hungarians. See "Acta Sanctorum
3i6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 1 8.
the mountain heights, in order to conceal themselves, and with a hope of
preserving their lives. The religious of St. Dichul's monastery escaped in likemanner. ^VhenthosefiercebarbariansenteredLure,findingnomonks there after a diligent search, they resolved impiously to burn all before them. But, through the Divine mercy, its two oratories, dedicated to the Aposdes, were preserved from their profane attempts. On approaching with fury the tomb of St. Deicolus, they were suddenly awe-struck; for they supposed Divine punishment would immediately follow a commission of their meditated offence. At length on going out, those marauders endeavoured to bum the mortuary chapel of the saintly man ; but Almighty God so willed it, that they could not destroy a single tilers belonging to the building. Frenzy being added to their naturally savage dispositions, they filled this oratory with straw even to its roof Then they kindled a strong flame beneath, that thus they
"might accomplish their diabolical purposes. But wonderful to relate, the more those barbarians endeavoured to bum the building, the less did their fire prevail in the work of Vandalism. Beholding this miraculous inter- position of Divine Providence, the barbarians retreated in great fear. Still their baneful efforts were directed towards the destruction of other
When those ferocious hordes had carried fire and sword throughout almost the whole of France and through a great part of Germany, they returned in triumph and loaded with booty towards their own country. The Christians found themselves unable to cope with their invaders, nor could they even offer any effectual resistance. It was a lamentable sight to behold nettles, thoms and shrubs growing, as if in a desert, where some time before devout monks and clerics practised their re- ligious exercises. As only a few inhabitants remained, once populous places presented the appearance of lonely sohtudes. Lure, consecrated by the pre- sence and virtues of St. Deicolus, shared in this general calamity. Neither a monk nor a clergyman could there to be found. During this state of things a certain powerful chieftain of Alsace, named Eberhard, who was ac- customed to visit the Burgundian kingdom, unjustly claimed this place as his property. He invaded it with a great force. As no opponent could be found to resist his unjust claim, this Eberhard retained possession of the place, and mled it with tyrannical sway, so long as he lived. =7
This chieftain departed from life without relinquishing his ill-gotten gains. After death, his son Hugh assumed the chieftainry. He persistently re- tained in the same tyrannical manner all his father died possessed of,
whether justly or unjustly acquired. Among such possessions was this place of St. Deicolus. While the property of his church had been profaned by a conversion to secular uses, on the evening of a certain day, three sons of Hugh retumed very much fatigued to Lure. Having despatched their necessary business, these young men incautiously placed themselves near St. Dichul's tomb. At this time they were in excellent health and full of strength. But as they neglected giving due honour to Almighty God and to His holy servant, Dichul, so were they miraculously punished. '^ On this same night,'9 these
places. '^
Hibemiae," xviii. Januarii. Vita S. Deicoli,
n. 46, p. 127.
"5 This epithet would seem to indicate
that tiles were then used for covering churches.
"* The author of St. Dichul's acts adds, that this wonderful preservation of his tomb showed how honoured he was in God's pre- sence.
"^ The author of our saint's acts contrasts
with bitter regret the changed appearance of
Lure, when dogs and horses usurped the
quarters of venerable religious,
**
The author of our saint's acts, after
lauding the Almighty for a just retribution, visited on these impious young men, ob- serves, that he wished, without fear or favour, to speak the truth,
"^ From the writer's foregoing sentences, it would seem probable, that he was under
January i8. ] -LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 317
three sons of Eberhard,3° found themselves lapsing into a strange state of
weakness, after they awoke from a grateful sleep. This occurred previous to a hunting excursion which they meditated. These noble youths felt debilitated, and contracted in their limbs to such a degree, that they seemed paralysed and altogether deprived of strength. While these distinguished young cavaliers were suffering such punishment in expiation of their crimes, Eberhard, their father,3' began to feel that it was time to make his peace withHeaven. Hissonscomplained,thattheywereafflictedforhiscrimes, whilst acknowledging at the same time their own demerits. At last, moved by his sons' excessive grief, Eberhard penitently and in tears acknowledged
the of those He justice complaints.
attend to the words of your father.
" Hear
Know for certain, that this misfortune
exclaimed,
me,
O and my sons,
occurred to you, not through mere chance, but through the Almighty's just judgments, and as a punishment from Divine Providence. For my father was accustomed to tell me very frequently about the sort of tenure, whereby he held this place, which is sacred, since it formerly belonged to Deicolus, the servant of our Lord. But I see that injustice is now visited on your heads, because Almighty God will not allow any injury offered to His saints topassunavenged. Hewillvisitonchildrentothefourthandfifthgenera- tion, the iniquity of their fathers. However, I believe that since in His mercy He paternally chastises. He will not deliver us to everlasting damna- tion. He desires all to be saved and none to perish. Wherefore, by a good confession and with sincere tears of contrition, let us have recourse to God and to His saint, against whom we have offended. Perhaps you shall not only be —restored to your former strength, but to what is of far more con- sequence we may deserve to obtain the more perfect health of our souls. "
"
To these his sons words,
have
We are prepared heartily to acknowledge ourselves the servants of St.
Deicolus. Let us repent, therefore, of our evil actions, and sin shall no
longer prove injurious to the true penitent. Let us endeavour in all things to change the dispositions of those nobly born in the flesh for true nobility of the mind. Let us renounce the world, which is occupied with iniquity, and let us unite our efforts henceforth to live solely for God, according to the best of our ability. Let us embrace the monastic profession, and give ourselves to God, by making a vow to that effect. Let us walk, while we enjoy the light of this life, so that the darkness of eternal death may not overtake us. " These words being pronounced, the family retainers were greatly excited. These vented their sorrow in loud complaints and shed tears, as if bewailing the dead. Doubtless in this resolution of the young noblemen, they foresaw their own dismissal from service, as a necessary consequence. Thosehigh-bombarons3^weresoontobeobservedbound, as it were, with iron chains, and prostrate before the tomb of St. Deicolus. When they had there supplicated Divine clemency for a long while, and had acknowledged with tears that they had sinned and deserved punishment, which they now experienced ; owing to the merits and intervention of our holy saint, they were restored to their pristine health. To crown their penitence, the father and his sons agreed, by common vow and mutual consent, to give themselves up wholly to God, and to His saint Deicolus,
an apprehension of displeasing some power* fill persons at or adjoining Lure.
3° The eldest was named Eberhard, the second eldest was Hugh, and the third was called Guntramni
^ The wtlter remarks, that he was then an old man.
'^ They are said to have been a little while before swifter than eagles and stronger than lions*
replied,
Father, you
given
us a advice. good
3i8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i8.
not by military service, but rather in monastic subjection. Having put such
a resolution in practice, they unanimously vowed, and in a solemn manner, at his tomb, that whatever had been heretofore taken unjustly from the
monastery should instantly be restored. They also bound themselves by
vow, to subject themselves to his rule, tonsure, habit, profession, and obedience. Besides, they secured without reserve Lure itself for the order of the holy father St. Benedict. 33 Having again and again confirmed this binding covenant, by a solemn oath, they called St. Deicolus to witness from this day forward, that so long as the planets moved in their spheres, the place itself and its dependencies, with all claimed by their family or derived antecedently as an inheritance by descent, should be granted to the monks of St. Benedict. They declared, that not even a single foot of this land should remain as a lawful heir-loom in their family. With great satisfaction expressed, they embraced their respective professions, having completed this solemn compact, in the presence of many witnesses. 34
It is said, that after the lapse of some ages from the death of St. Deicolus,
when Hildegardes, Countess of Alsace,35 wished to have his sepulchre opened, in order to possess herself of some reHc belonging to the saint, this
attemptwasfollowedbyamiraculouspunishment. Morethroughcuriosity than devotion, Hildergardes entered St. DichuFs oratory with the priests and a great multitude of faithful.
She designed bearing to Alsace this relic ; but when an attempt had been made to lift the covering over St. Dichul's sarcophagus, an earthquake shook the whole edifice. Fearful thunder and
lightning accompanied this shock. All engaged in the previous labour were rendered frantic, and they were struck with sudden blindness, to such a
degree, that almost for the space of two hours, no person present could see his next neighbour. The countess then felt compunction of heart for her rash act, having thus experienced the efficacy of St. Dichul's merits in God's sight. Afterwards his bones were allowed to remain undisturbed.
Mabillon passed through Lure, at one time, on the occasion of visiting Germany. He describes it as being fortified with strong towers and walls, while surrounded by water, after the manner of a citadel. The church, at that time, had every appearance of great antiquity. Two monuments of
one of these contained the remains
of the holy abbot, St. Deicolus, while the other held those of his disciple and
successor, St. Columbin. A short time previous to this visit, the neighbour-
ing church of St. Deicolus had been destroyed, and the relics of both saints
had been removed therefrom, to their subsequent place of deposition. 3^ What is not a little remarkable, the remains of both saints indicated that theymusthavebeenofcommandingstatureduringlife; andthecircumstance of St. Deicolus being a tall man is related by the anonymous writer of his acts. 37
We are filled with admiration and Christian joy, when we consider the
considerable size were to be seen there
;
33 This shows that the monks of Lure
to the order of St. Benedict in the tenth centUty. It seems singular, this tes- timony has been overlooked oral least not noticed by Mabillon, in his account of St. Deicolus in " Annales Ordinis S. Bene- dicti. " How long before the tenth century the monks of this house had embraced the Benedictine rule cannot with certainty be determined, but it is probable during his life-time, Deicolus followed the rule of his brother and spiritual superior, St. Colum-
banus.
34 See " Acta Sanctorum Hi« Colgan's
bernice," xviii. Janiiajii. Vita S. Deicoli, cap. vii. , pp. I2i, 122.
3S Xhis lady was wife to Count Hugh.
3* A few monks were then residing in the
monastery at Lure. They had been sent
from the Abbey Murbacensis, to which the house at Lure was then subject,
belonged
"
BeneJicti," lib. xi. , sec. 45, p. 326.
37 See Mabillon's
Annales Ordinis S.
JANUARY 1 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 31$
lives of the glorious ones that have gone by. Cheered with the eternity of bliss, their bodies are " buried in peace. " Their fame and their glorious deeds deserve to live generation after generation, until far into the future theirbrightexamplesmayinfluencethecoursesofmenyetunborn. Godper- mits the temporal afflictions and trials of His servants, but in His own good timereliefandrewardmustcome. ThepiousDeicoluspossessedahappy disposition in youth, with a mind calm and strong amidst the infirmities and decrepitude of age. Raised and sustained by the Almighty's power, he early enlisted the faculties of his soul, to spread the empire of faith and charity among sinners, while he closed life fortified by the sacraments, and reasonably assured of everlasting happiness.
Article II. —St. Ninnidh, or Nennius, Bishop of Inismacsaint, County of Fermanagh. \Sixth Century? \ A very capable writer' has re-
marked, that places which were before comparatively insignificant rise into unforeseen importance, through their association with the history of God's elect. Their names, formerly little known, float about the wide globe and throughout centuries of time, upon the tide of that fame, which the saints themselveswouldhaveshrunkfromcontemplating,iftheyhadforeseenit in theirdays. Yet,theChurchdelightstoacknowledgeandtospreadaftertheir departure from earth, the memory of her sainted children. Inismacsaint, on the beautiful Lough Erne, in the county of Fermanagh, still contains a
Inismacsaint, on Loch Erne.
ruined church, and a venerable antique stone-cross. * The name of this
"
island is said to be a corruption of Inis-muighe-samh, or
the island of the
plainoftheSorrel. "3 Judgingfromtheremainsofearth-works,andofthose
foundations, which may be traced, the monastery founded there in an early
age must have been one of great extent and importance. The church ap- pears to have been a small, oblong structure. A considerable portion of the
Article it. —' Rev. C. B. Garside, in
" The Rosary Magazine. "
^ The site of the " old church" and "stone
cross" are noted on the ishmd of Inishmac-
These objects are situated towards the south-eastern angle of the island.
3 See Dr. P. W. Joyce's "Origin and History of Irish Names of Places. " Part
iv. , chap, iii. , p. 427.
"
the County of Fermanagh," Sheet 15.
saint. See
Ordnance Survey Maps for
320 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i8.
masonry is characteristic of a remote period. But there is evidence of the
building having been greatly remodelled, about the close of the twelfth cen-
tury. One window is in a tolerably perfect state. -* The angles of the in-
terior jambs are rounded off in pillar-like fashion, with plain Norman-look-
ing capitals and bases. The eastern and western gables have fallen. s The
very situation of Inismacsaint^ seems at one time to have puzzled our ever-
to-be-remembered and our justly-renowned Irish topographer, John O'Dono-
van. 7 Our most celebrated Irish hagiologist^ has also confounded the local
patron, with a saint bearing a like name f although a difference of denomina-
tion and of ecclesiastical rank, applied to either, should mark sufficiently a
distinction of ^° we do not find allusion to St. persons. Although any
Nennidh," in the Feilire of St. -^ngus, at the i8th of Januarys yet, at this
date, both in the published" and in the unpublished'^ copies of the Tallagh Martyrology,heisdulycommemorated. HoweverMarianusO'Gormanand
Cathal Maguire place the festival of St. Nennius or Nennidh of Inis-mhuighe samh,atthei6thofOctober. '* Otherwritersofsaints'livesalsoadoptthis
arrangement. In the Martyrology of Donegal,'? on this day, occurs the feast ofNinnidh,BishopofInis-MuigheSamh,inLochEime. '^ Thecalendarist
adds, that he was Ninnidh Laebhruise, or Laobruise,'^ who belonged to the race of Enda, son to Niall. Usually he was called Nmnidh Laimhiodhan,'^
as O'Clery states. The book of hymns says, also, that Ninnidh, son of Eochaidh,wasNinnidhLaimhiodhan. Hisactsaregivenatsomelength, by Colgan, in his great collection of Irish saints j'^ but on the mistaken
* The accompanying sketch of those ruin- ous objects at Inismacsaint has been taken on the spot, by Wilham F. Wakeman, and drawn by him on wood for the engraver, William Oldham of Dublin.
tannia Sancta," part i. , January xvi. , pp.
*'
50, 5 1 ; and Rev. Alban Butler in
of the Fathers, Martyrs and other Principal Saints," vol. i. , xvii. January.
" This name is also written Nainnidh,
5 See W. F. Wakeman's "
and sometimes
the —mo particle
Lough Erne,
Enniskillen, Belleek, Ballyshannon, and being prefixed to denote affection or
Bundoran," &c. Third Excursion, pp. 78, 79-
Moneen—thus contracted. It is Latinized under these various forms, Nennidius,
Nennius, Nennio, Nennethus, Nannius, Nannidius and Monennius. Colgan refers
us to an appendix, chapter i. , for a list of
*
It is about half a mile from the shore,
in Magheraboy barony. See Archdall's "Monasticon Hibemicum," p. 262.
^ Nor has he more than the briefest al-
''
lusion to it, in the
formation relative to the Antiquities of the County of Fermanagh, collected during the
Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1834-5. "
various saints
this name. But we
See pp. 39, 102.
Yet, he refers for further
to Mr.
count of Inishmacsaint. "
^
" Statistical Ac-
'3 After the insertion of
foreign saints in it, we find first among the Irish entries, t1inr»it> Inp fAmh ):o|\ LocVi
e^ni.
'* These also add, that he was surnamed
Laoibh-dhearc.
'5 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
'7 See pp. 458, 459, of the index to the
" of Martyrology Donegal. "
'* The compiler of the Martyrology adds,
"
particulars
Taylor's
twenty-five
Letters Containing In-
bearing
do not find the appendix postfixed, in the
place indicated in his "Acta Sanctorum
Hibernise. " See at xviii. Januarii, n. i,
pp. 114, 115.
" By Rev. Dr. Kelly, see p. xii.
Father John Colgan.
5 See " Acta Sanctorum Hibemise," xviii.
Januarii. Vita S. Nennidhii seu Nennii, Ab. et Ep. , pp. Ill to 115.
•°
Their surnames, which were applied to distinguish the present holy man from St. Nennidh, Lamh-ghlan, or "the Clean hand," who was a priest and chaplain to the great St. Brigid, of Kildare, have caused
of Sir Ware's James
20, 21. '* See
to hold erroneous and impressions,
Colgan
he has in a great measure, however uncon- sciously, contributed to the misleading of other writers, such as Harris, in his edition
He quotes, likewise, the Life of St. Brigid, cap. 41.
vol. "Writers of Ireland," book i. , chap, iii. ,
'' " xviii. See ActaSanctorumHibernise,"
works,
p. 13; Bishop Challoner, in his "Bri- pp. Ill to 113.
ii. ,
Monennidh,
Colgan's
nise," xviii. Januarii, n. 22, p. 115.
' ' to my own knowledge.
Januarii. Vita S. Nennidhii seu Nennii,
Lives
January i8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 321
supposition, that the Bishop and Abbot of Inismacsaint, sometimes de-
nominated Laobh-dearc, was the same as Ninnidh, the priest/" who acted
as chaplain to the holy St. Brigid,^' first Abbess of Kildare,^^ and who is
sometimes called Xinnidh Lamhghlan, and sometimes Xinnidh Laoim-
hiodan. ^3 Under the head of Inis-]Muighe-Samh,^'^ Duald Mac Firbis
enters Xinnidh, bishop, at January i8th. This holy man would seem to
have been the son of Ethach,^5 and he was distinguished likewise by
the denomination of Laobh-dhearc. "^^ It is incorrect to state, that he
flourished so early as the fifth century, when possibly he was not then born.
He came into the world, it seems likely, either towards its close, or early
in the sixth century, for he is reputed as having been a disciple to St. Finian, of Clonard. ^7 He was contemporaneous therefore with the great St.
Columkille,^^ and he may have preceded by a little time, at the school of Clonard, St. Kieran of Clonmacnoise. -? Indeed it appears not improbable that both may have studied together under St. Finian. 3° The present St. Nennidh was a descendant of King Leogaire,^^ having been his great grand- son by the fathers side. This Colgan collects from old genealogical tables. Soon after this saint left St. Finian's religious estabHshment, he seems to have selected the Island of Inis-muighe-Samh, in Lough Erne, for the foundation of a monastery, with the governnaent of which he was charged. Here, at an early period of the sixth century, he was joined by St. Kieran of Clonmac- noise. 3^ It is not improbable, St. X'ennidh invited him to spend some time there, and to assist in managing that institution. Afterwards St. Kieran left this place, and went to live with St. Endeus,33 on the island of Arran. The holy founder of Inis-muighe-Samh34 was highly respected, and he is reckoned among the chief founders of our great Irish monasteries. That his religious establishment was in the island already mentioned is generally admitted. In an old Irish distich,35 he is called a doctor : and he is even distinguished as havmg been a bishop. 3^ The Abbot X'^ennidhius, having governed for some time his monastery in the island, was probably raised to the episcopal dignity,
tory 451.
463, by I'Abbe Ma-Geoghegan. He was killed by
°'
His feast i-eems referable rather to the
'^ See his Life at the 9th of September.
3: St. Kieran is generally said to have
been born about a. d. 507.
