There, she
deposited
her candle on his tomb, and prostrated in tears before it, she prayed to both holy brothers for restoration of her sight.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
Gibrian, with his brothers and sisters, is said to have arrived in France, according to a Bre- viary of Rheims,^'^' in the time of Clovis I.
, and of St.
Remigius.
^3 His arrival is placed, at a.
d.
509, by Sigebertus Gemblacensis.
^^ It is thought to be pro-
Article II. — ' Throughout the whole diocese of Rheims, the Ecclesiastical Office of St. Gibrian was prescribed to be recited, as a Simplex, with three Lessons.
'In " Hibtoria Rhemensis," lib. iii. , cap. ix.
3 See " De probatis Sanctorum Vitis," vol. iii. , Maiiviii. , p. 116.
* See " Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum quse MS. habentur, ordine Mensium et Die- rum. "
5 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Maii viii. De S. Gibriano Presbytero in Diocesi Catalavensi e* Remensi, pp. 300 to 303.
* Under the heatling •• Vita et Miracula. Ex MS. Codice Remensi Monasterii S. Re- migii. "
^ See also tomus ii. , Appendix p. 843.
® See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. v. , May 8.
'Seep. 129.
'° See " Les Vies des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai, pp. 403, 404.
"See "Lives of the Saints," vol. v. , p. 114.
" Flodoardus and the Breviary of Rheims state, " ex Hibernia venisse. " A greater confusion of writing is in the Manuscript Codex belonging to the Monastery of St. Remigius at Rheims, where we read, that he came "de Ilibcrnia insula, in qua est Sco-
tia. " Notwithstanding, some Scotch writers claim St. Gibrian, as having been born in Scotland,
'' In the Life of St. Patrick, at the 17th of March, we do not read, however, about any of his converts, named Gibrian, or about the names of his holy brothers and sisters.
'•See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of the Saints," vol. v. , p. 114.
'S See his Life, in vol. ii. of this work, at the 7th of February, Art. i.
'* His feast is on the 7th of October,
'' See some notices of him, at the 30th of July> ^^d at the 3rd of December.
'^ The festival for Gcrmanus et Veranus is assigned, by Ferrarius and Saussay, to the 3rd of December.
'« The feast day of Abranus and Petranus does not seem to be known,
^^ Also called Franche, Fracla, or Franda.
" Promptia and Possenna are inscribed in the Scotch Menology of Camerarius, at the 3rd of January. But, because the 8th of May is set down for the least of St. Gibrian, their brother, all these three sisters are placed at the same date, by Artlnir de Monster, in his " Gynaecium Sacrum," and by Laherius, in his *'Menologium Virginum. "
'^ Referred to by the Bollandists.
"^ St. Remigius, or Renii, was the fifteenth
May 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 131
bable, that those holy pilgrims sojourned, at first, in Bretagne ; for, in this French province, many localities are called after them. There is a parish, known as St. Helen ; a parish is named St. Vran ; a parish and various other places are dedicated to St. Abraham—probably the same as Abram—the strand of St. Petran, and the grotto of the same saint, in Trezilide,'S have supposed relations with these Irish visitors to France. However, the pious brothers and sisters regarded St. Gibrian, as their leader ; because he had receivedHolyOrders,andbecausehewastheoldestamongthem. Hesought for settlement theterritoryabout Chalons-sur-Marne, and fixed hisdwellingnear arivulet,calledCole,^^whichflowsintotheRiverMarne. ^7 Onaccountof St. Gibrian's great sanctity, his habitation was the chief rendezvous for his brothers and sisters. He was especially the companion of the brother, named Tressan,^^ who lived in a retired village, supposed to be Murigny, in the formerDuchyofRheims,andontheRiverMarne. Astrongfamilyattach-
ment bound the saintly brothers and sisters to t-ach other ; so that, mutually desirous of visiting frequently their solitary places of retreat, these were selected within measurable distances, in this part of the country. Gibrian's love for prayer and for labour was most remarkable. He was indefatigable in the exercise of all virtues ; while his abstinence from food was a means he adopted, to render his life still more spiritual. Having led a very holy state, in the district of Chalons-sur-Marne, in Champagne, Gibrian died there, and he was buried in the place of solitude he had selected for his home while upon earth. That spot was indicated, by a sort of tumulus, or mound, near the public road. A stone sarcophagus had been prepared, to enclose his body,whichwasthendepositedintheearth. There,hismemoryisrevered, on the 8th day of May, which was probably that of his death, or as it is said of his deposition. "^9 A small oratory was built over his tomb, in course of time. On the anniversary of his happy departure, a great concourse of persons usually came to celebrate the occurrence, and it was converted into a religious festi- val. Soon after his departure, the Almighty was pleased to work great mira- cles,3°when the name and intercession of his holy servant had been invoked, by the faithful pilgrims. These kept vigil, with prayers or hymns, the night beforehisanniversaryfeast;theyalsobroughtvotiveofferings; andwhenthe sacred offices of Mass were over, on the day itself, all the people returned with rejoicing to their several homes. However, this saint is said by some tohavediedatRheims,a. d. 509;3i but,thisappearstohavebeensupposed, because his remains were subsequently removed to that city. In the tmie of Otho,3^ King of France, the Danes and Normans brought terror and destruc-
Archbishop of Rheims, and he is regarded as the Apostle of the Franks. He died, on the 13th of January, A. D. 533; but, his chief feast is on the 1st of October.
=•* In his Chronicle.
'3 See Les Petits Bollandistes, "Vies des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai, p. 404.
°^ Its ancient name was Cosla, according to the Manuscript Codex of the Monastery of St. Remigius of Rheims.
'" An account of these may be seen, from the Manuscript todex of St. Reniigius' Monastery, at Rheims, as published by the Bollandists.
3i For such statement, the authority of Sigebertus and of Floratius is cited, by Father Henry Fitzsimon. See " Historian Catho- licce Ibernise Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , xii. , pp. 50, 54.
3= He was King of France, from 888 to =7 Formerly called Matrona or Materna. 89S, and he is also called Eudes. See an
It falls into the Seine, above the city of Paris.
=^ See the Bollandists' and Colgan's ac- count of him, at 7th of February.
account of his reign, in Bossuet's " Abrege de I'Histoire de France," liv. iii. , col. 1206, 1207. iEuvres Completes, tome x.
33 This onslaught is referred to A. D. 891, =9 According to the Manuscript Codex in the " Chronicon Besuensis. "
34 Even yet, this cathedral is under St. Rheims. Stephen's patronage.
of the Monastery of St. Remigius of
132 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[May 8,
tion among those Christians, living in the district about Chalons ; burned churches and villages, and also put many to the sword. 33
while they They set fire to the beautiful cathedral church of St. Stephen,34 in the city of Chalons, and also to the little oratory of St. Gibrian ; but, as his relics were sepulchred in tlie earth below it, these fortunately escaped their ravages. 35 Afterwards, while travellers journeyed by that spot, the sweetest sounds of music were heard by them, and as if these were issuing from St. Gibrian's grave; while, the sentinels on guard Avithin the fortifications of Chalons reported, that they had frequently observed bright lights streaming over C61e. 3° Such portents caused a general popular veneration for the holy exile, whose body still lay there. Afterwards, the religious Count Haderic obtained permission, from R6doard,37 bishop of Chalons, that he might remove the body of St. Gibrian to a place, where suitable honour might be rendered. His remains, in the latter end of the ninth century, were accordingly removed to Rheims. From Chalons, they were brought first to the village of Balbiac, where for three years, they were honourably preserved, and, afterwards, they were removed to
that city, selected for their final deposition. 3^ In those days, the removal of a saint's remains from one place to another was reluctantly submitted to by the people, among whom they had been preserved ; and, this will probably account for the secrecy observed, on that occasion, when it was resolved, to take St. Gibrian's body away by night. A boatman had been ordered to have his skifi"in readiness, before the dawn of day, and near the holy man's place of sepulture on the river's side. A priest and three men, sent by the Count, were waiting the boatman's arrival ; but, notwithstanding frequent shouts to guide him near their station, the skiff appears to have got aground, on the opposite bank, nor could it be moved. The priest and his companions then devoutly prayed, that means should be furnished them, to remove the body. As if by miracle, the skiff was detached from its fastenings, and it was driven over where they waited. Next, approaching'the tomb, the sacred relics were reverently raised from the sarcophagus, placed in a new shrine, and removed to the boat. When the bones of St. Gibrian had been kept for two years, at Balbiac, Count Haderic and his pious wife Heresinde went on a visit, to the cityofRheims. ThatremovalofSt. ^Gibrian'sremainstookplace,whenFulco,39 or Foulques, was Archbishop over the See,''° and, therefore, some time betw-een 882 4' and 900,4^ or 901. 43 His noble visitors preferred a request, that the shrine of the saint might be placed, on the right side of his church, near the opening to the crypt. Their petition was granted. The relics were reverently placed, within the basilica of St. Remigius ; while, an altar was built, in honour of the holy man,44 and most beautifully ornamented, even
35 For an account of their wars in this 39 The Bollandists state, tliat he was at century, the reader is referred to the "An- first Abbot of St. Berlin, at Silhieu, and nales Vedastini," in Pertz's "Monumenta Abbot elect of St. Vedast, at Arras, in 851. Germanise Ilistorica Scriptoium," tomus i. ,
pp. 516 to 531.
^ According to the Manuscript Codex
of the Monastery of St. Remigius, at Rheims.
3' Bishop Rodoard flourished in the ninth century. His successor Mancion was pre- sent at the consecration of Ilerivcius, Arch- bishop of Rheims, who succeeded Fulco, when the latter died, A. u. 900.
3^ In his " Historia Rhemtnsi," written in
the tenth century, the Priest Flodoardus,
lib. iii. , cap. ix. , gives a particular account of Haderic. See his "Historia Rhemensis," this Translation. lib. iii. , cap. ix.
^° According to St. Giberian's Acts,
41 This year was the first of his archiepis- copate, after the death of Hincmar.
•' According to the BoUantiists, on the 17th of June, a. d. 900, he was assassinated.
•'^ At tlie instigation of Baudouin, Count of Flanders, one Winemere committed this barbarous murder, a. d. 901, according to the Petits Bollandistes, " V^ies des Saints," tome vii. , Juin 17. See pp. 104, 105.
^-i We may infer, from the account of Flodoard, that this was the gift of Count
May 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
133
with the precious metals. Here was the noble monastery church,45 more ancient than the magnificent cathedral,"*^ and dedicated to that holy bishop, who was patron of Rheinis ; and, over the high altar—called the Golden Altar—of this church, the body of St. Gibrian was preserved within a shrine. When the body had been brought away from Cole, a blind woman, named Erentrude, came to that place, with a candle to present, as her humble offer- ing. Finding that Gibrian's remains had been removed from his sarcopha- gus, she asked why the saint had permitted it, or why he should desert the people, who had obtained such great benefits from his patronage. With ear- nest prayers for her recovery, she then went to the village of Matusgum, where his brother Veran was buried and greatly venerated.
There, she deposited her candle on his tomb, and prostrated in tears before it, she prayed to both holy brothers for restoration of her sight. Her petition was granted, and the afflicted woman left the spot, filled with a holy joy, when she again saw the light of day. "*? The body of St. Gibrian was transferred to a new shrine, in the year 11 14, and then, too, various miracles took place,4^ while a large con- gregation was present. "*? The shrine of St. Gibrian was preserved, until the period of the French Revolution ; but, at present, both the shrine and its sacred deposit have completely disappeared. s° At this time, a general system of robbery and plunder was organized in France : in various places, the churchesweredespoiledoftheirplateandvaluables. s^ Notfarfromhisancient tomb, in the diocese of Chalons, there is a village, known as St. Gibrien. s^ On the Continent, the feast of St. Gibrian is commemorated, at the 8th of May, by Usuard,53 as also in a Manuscript Martyrology of Rheims,54 and in anotherFlorariusSanctorum. BesidesGreven,Canisius,Saussay,Ferrarius,and Molanus, have his festival entered, for this same date. The Irish and Scotch also celebrate his memory. Thus, Thomas Dempster places him, in his " Menologium Scoticum,"5s as also, Adam King,5^ in his Kalendar, at this
''^ It is remarkable for its large nave, and fine stained glass windows.
** This grand structure is attributed to the genius of an architect, Robert de Coucy, who flourished in the earlier part of the thirteenth century. For an account of it, with a fine engraved illustration, the reader is referred to Elisee Reclus' "Nouvelle Geographie Universelle," liv. ii. , chap, xi. , sect, v. , pp. 705 to 709.
''7 See Flodoard's " Historia Rhemensis," lib. iii. , cap. ix.
"•^ Camerarias, in his work " De Scotorum Pietate," lib. iii. , at the 8th of May, refers to a History of this translation, which was contained in three Books. Father Hen- schenn hoped to obtain a transcript of that Tract, before printing the Acts of St. Gib- rian, at this date ; but, owing to wars then prevailing, and consequent interruption of commerce, he was unable to procure it. However, a promise is made, that if it came to hand, the account should be inserted, at the end of the volume, which he had been engaged in editing; and, ifnot, hestillhoped, that it should appear, in a supplement to some future volume. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Mail viii. De S. Gibriano Pres- bytero," &c. Commentarius Praevius, num. I, p. 300.
*9 At A. D. 1145. thi^ matter is thus related,
by an anonymous editor of the Chronicle of Sigebert of Gemblours : " Remis in caenobio B. Remigii S. Gibrianus Scotus multis claret virtutibus, et multo populi concursu fre- quentatur. "
^° See Les Petits Bollandistes, " Vies des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai, p. 403.
^i
gee Eyre Evans Crowe's "History of France," vol. iv. , chap, xxxix. , p. 520.
52 His brothers and his sisters are also publicly venerated ; for, in the dioceses of Rheims and of Chalons, many churches have been dedicated, under the invocation of St. Veran, ofSt. H«lain, of St. Tresain, and of St. Possene. See Les Petits Bollandistes, " Vies des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai, p. 403.
^3 It enters, "Remis depositio S. Gibriani Confessoris, in Ecclesia S. Remigii quies- centis.
^4 gaid to have belonged to the church of St. Timothy and of St. Apollinarus. It occurs under this form: "In pago Catalaunico depositio St. Gibriani Presbyteri et Con- fessoris. "
ss At the 8th of May : " Rhemensi terri- torio Gibriani confessoris cumseptem fratri- bus et duabus sororibus, qui omnes miraculis inclaruerunt et vel a sede Apostolica, vel a loci Antistite elevati, Sanctisque adnume- rati. "—Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars ofScot- tish Saints," pp. 198, 199.
——— —
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 8.
day. In the anonymous list, published by O'SuUevan Beare, at the 8th of May, Gibrianus is entered-^? He is also noticed, by Father Stephen White. s^ The Irish people cannot learn too much about their European missionaries those grand pillars of Faith and of truth—whose names stud the pages of Church history, like so many fixed landmarks of a past civilization, in which those servants of Christ have had a glorious share.
Article III. Reputed Festival of Saints Fraxca, or Franda, Promptia and Possena, in France. {^Fi/th and Sixth Centuries. ] As already noticed, in our account of St. Gibrian at this day, his devoted sisters, Franca or Franda, Promptia and Possena, are accorded a feast, likewise, at the 8th of May, by Arthur de Monstier,' by Laherius,^ and by Saussay. 3 The Bollandists acknowledge, however, that elsewhere they find no warrant for this festival. 4
Article IV. St. Comman, of Tigh-mic-Fignnchain. In the pub- lished Martyrology of Tallagh,' we find no entry of the present saint, or of his feast. The copy of the Tallagh Martyrology, belonging to the Dublin Franciscan Convent, has a notice, however, at the eighth of the May Ides about Comman,* while his place is denominated—probably as given in the later Martyrology of Donegal. The locality, denominated Tig-mac- Fionnchain, does not appear to be known ; nor do we find any correspond- ing nomenclature for it, among the parochial or townland etymons, on the Ordnance Survey Maps for Ireland. The Bollandists ^ have a feast for Com- munus de Teghunc Fendchain, sive de domo filii Fianthaim, but, it seems pretty certain, they have mispelled some of the letters in the original entry, drawn from the Tallagh Martyrology. The Martyrology of Donegal * re- gisters a festival, on this day, in honour of Comman, of Tigh mic Fionn- chain.
Article V. St. Odhran, Bishop. The name of Odran, a Bishop, is entered in the published Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 8th of May. In the Franciscan copy,' a like notification appears, at same date—the eighth of the May Ides. The Bollandists ^ enter Odranus Episcopus, quoting the fore- going Martyrology. Where he exercised the episcopal office does not seem to be known, nor the time when he flourished. St. Odrian, Bishop, and Tutelar saint of Waterford, was revered, at tlie 8th of May, according to the
134
5* Thus :*' S. Gibriane Confess. Scotsman vnder KingConrannus. " Jbid. , p. 152.
57 See " Histori^e Catholire Ibernise Com- pendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , p. 50.
55 See "Apologia pro Hibernia," cap. iv. ,
p. 41. —
Article hi. ' In "Gynceceum Sa-
crum. "
' In " Menologium Virginum. "
3 In " M. irtyrologium Gallicanum. "
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Maii viii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 284. —
Article IV. ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, at p. xxiii.
' In the Franciscan copy, ComtriAni C15
111 ac pnclioii. The writer has a great doubt, if the first n in the latter patronymic should not be rather o or o ; but, he has set it down, to correspond with the entry, in the Martyrology of Donegal,
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Mail viii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 284
" Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 122,123.
Articlev. —' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiii.
-The entry is 0-o]\aiii epi.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Maii viii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 284.
——
May 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
135
Rev. Alban Butler's Lives of the Saints,'* and the Circle of the Seasons ;5 but, here, the present saint seems to have been confounded with St. Otteran, Bis- hop and Confessor, whose feast is rather referable to the 27th of October. ^ There was a holy well, called Tobar-Odran, near the churchyard of Kil- keeran,7 in the parish of Castlejordan,^ and Deanery of Mullingar. 9 It lies within the barony of Upper Moyfenrath. An aged ash tree spreads its branches over the ancient altar-site. ^° But, whether the well and former church had been dedicated to the present saint, or to some one of the other eight Odrans, mentioned in our calendars, does not appear to be readily ascer- tainable. A festival in honour of Odhran—without any other title—was celebrated on this day, accordijig to the Martyrology of Donegal. " The Very Rev. Laurence F. Renehan, D. D. , and former President of St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, most certainly fell into an error, when he states, that the Martyrologies of Tallagh and of Donegal mention a St. Odran, Bishop, whose feast was kept, on the 8th of July. '^ He probably meant the 8th of May.
Article VL—Feast of St. Indract, with his Sister, St. Domi- nica, AND his Companions, who were Martyrs. \_Seventh or Eighth Century. '\ In the Martyrology of Salisbury, the festival of these saints has been placed, at the 8th 'of May. This account is further sustained, by the authority of the Tallagh and Altempsian Martyrologies,' as the Bollandists remark, at the same date. ^ Already have we given their Acts, at the 5th of February ;3 which seems to be recognised, as the chief day for their com-
memoration. * At the 8th of May, Richard VVhitford s places the Festival of St. Indract, a King of Ireland, who abdicated his kingdom, and who is said to have set out with his sister St. Dominica, and with various other com- panions, who all suffered martyrdom. ^
Article VII. St. Brenann. Veneration was given on this day to Brenann,aswefindmentioned,intheMartyrologyofDonegal. ' Whohe was, and where or when he lived, have not transpired.
* See vol. v. , May viii.
5 See p. 129.
* See notices of him, at that date.
' It is shown, on the " Ordnance Survey
Townland Maps for the County of Meath," sheet 46.
" Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 122, 123.
" Dr. Renehan adds : " However, he is so unknown to other authorities, and his his- tory is so unknown even to these, that I think they mistook his rank and feast together. " Letter, dated Maynooth College, Feast of St. Otteran, 1845,' addressed to Mrs. Keshan, Lady Superioress of the Presentation Con- vent, Waterford. — "
* The larger portion of this parish is
within the Baronies of Coolestown and
Warrenstown, and this is described, on the
" Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for
the King's County," sheets 3, 4, 10, 11, 19;
while the other part, within the Barony of dractus, Dominica et Socii, Martyres, in
Upper Moylenraih is to be seen, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Meath, " sheets 46, 52.
9 This parish, situated within the baronies of Fartullagh, Moyashel and Magherader- non, is described on the "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of West- meath," sheets 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, 27. The town and townland are on sheet 19.
'° See Rev.
Article II. — ' Throughout the whole diocese of Rheims, the Ecclesiastical Office of St. Gibrian was prescribed to be recited, as a Simplex, with three Lessons.
'In " Hibtoria Rhemensis," lib. iii. , cap. ix.
3 See " De probatis Sanctorum Vitis," vol. iii. , Maiiviii. , p. 116.
* See " Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum quse MS. habentur, ordine Mensium et Die- rum. "
5 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Maii viii. De S. Gibriano Presbytero in Diocesi Catalavensi e* Remensi, pp. 300 to 303.
* Under the heatling •• Vita et Miracula. Ex MS. Codice Remensi Monasterii S. Re- migii. "
^ See also tomus ii. , Appendix p. 843.
® See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. v. , May 8.
'Seep. 129.
'° See " Les Vies des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai, pp. 403, 404.
"See "Lives of the Saints," vol. v. , p. 114.
" Flodoardus and the Breviary of Rheims state, " ex Hibernia venisse. " A greater confusion of writing is in the Manuscript Codex belonging to the Monastery of St. Remigius at Rheims, where we read, that he came "de Ilibcrnia insula, in qua est Sco-
tia. " Notwithstanding, some Scotch writers claim St. Gibrian, as having been born in Scotland,
'' In the Life of St. Patrick, at the 17th of March, we do not read, however, about any of his converts, named Gibrian, or about the names of his holy brothers and sisters.
'•See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of the Saints," vol. v. , p. 114.
'S See his Life, in vol. ii. of this work, at the 7th of February, Art. i.
'* His feast is on the 7th of October,
'' See some notices of him, at the 30th of July> ^^d at the 3rd of December.
'^ The festival for Gcrmanus et Veranus is assigned, by Ferrarius and Saussay, to the 3rd of December.
'« The feast day of Abranus and Petranus does not seem to be known,
^^ Also called Franche, Fracla, or Franda.
" Promptia and Possenna are inscribed in the Scotch Menology of Camerarius, at the 3rd of January. But, because the 8th of May is set down for the least of St. Gibrian, their brother, all these three sisters are placed at the same date, by Artlnir de Monster, in his " Gynaecium Sacrum," and by Laherius, in his *'Menologium Virginum. "
'^ Referred to by the Bollandists.
"^ St. Remigius, or Renii, was the fifteenth
May 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 131
bable, that those holy pilgrims sojourned, at first, in Bretagne ; for, in this French province, many localities are called after them. There is a parish, known as St. Helen ; a parish is named St. Vran ; a parish and various other places are dedicated to St. Abraham—probably the same as Abram—the strand of St. Petran, and the grotto of the same saint, in Trezilide,'S have supposed relations with these Irish visitors to France. However, the pious brothers and sisters regarded St. Gibrian, as their leader ; because he had receivedHolyOrders,andbecausehewastheoldestamongthem. Hesought for settlement theterritoryabout Chalons-sur-Marne, and fixed hisdwellingnear arivulet,calledCole,^^whichflowsintotheRiverMarne. ^7 Onaccountof St. Gibrian's great sanctity, his habitation was the chief rendezvous for his brothers and sisters. He was especially the companion of the brother, named Tressan,^^ who lived in a retired village, supposed to be Murigny, in the formerDuchyofRheims,andontheRiverMarne. Astrongfamilyattach-
ment bound the saintly brothers and sisters to t-ach other ; so that, mutually desirous of visiting frequently their solitary places of retreat, these were selected within measurable distances, in this part of the country. Gibrian's love for prayer and for labour was most remarkable. He was indefatigable in the exercise of all virtues ; while his abstinence from food was a means he adopted, to render his life still more spiritual. Having led a very holy state, in the district of Chalons-sur-Marne, in Champagne, Gibrian died there, and he was buried in the place of solitude he had selected for his home while upon earth. That spot was indicated, by a sort of tumulus, or mound, near the public road. A stone sarcophagus had been prepared, to enclose his body,whichwasthendepositedintheearth. There,hismemoryisrevered, on the 8th day of May, which was probably that of his death, or as it is said of his deposition. "^9 A small oratory was built over his tomb, in course of time. On the anniversary of his happy departure, a great concourse of persons usually came to celebrate the occurrence, and it was converted into a religious festi- val. Soon after his departure, the Almighty was pleased to work great mira- cles,3°when the name and intercession of his holy servant had been invoked, by the faithful pilgrims. These kept vigil, with prayers or hymns, the night beforehisanniversaryfeast;theyalsobroughtvotiveofferings; andwhenthe sacred offices of Mass were over, on the day itself, all the people returned with rejoicing to their several homes. However, this saint is said by some tohavediedatRheims,a. d. 509;3i but,thisappearstohavebeensupposed, because his remains were subsequently removed to that city. In the tmie of Otho,3^ King of France, the Danes and Normans brought terror and destruc-
Archbishop of Rheims, and he is regarded as the Apostle of the Franks. He died, on the 13th of January, A. D. 533; but, his chief feast is on the 1st of October.
=•* In his Chronicle.
'3 See Les Petits Bollandistes, "Vies des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai, p. 404.
°^ Its ancient name was Cosla, according to the Manuscript Codex of the Monastery of St. Remigius of Rheims.
'" An account of these may be seen, from the Manuscript todex of St. Reniigius' Monastery, at Rheims, as published by the Bollandists.
3i For such statement, the authority of Sigebertus and of Floratius is cited, by Father Henry Fitzsimon. See " Historian Catho- licce Ibernise Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , xii. , pp. 50, 54.
3= He was King of France, from 888 to =7 Formerly called Matrona or Materna. 89S, and he is also called Eudes. See an
It falls into the Seine, above the city of Paris.
=^ See the Bollandists' and Colgan's ac- count of him, at 7th of February.
account of his reign, in Bossuet's " Abrege de I'Histoire de France," liv. iii. , col. 1206, 1207. iEuvres Completes, tome x.
33 This onslaught is referred to A. D. 891, =9 According to the Manuscript Codex in the " Chronicon Besuensis. "
34 Even yet, this cathedral is under St. Rheims. Stephen's patronage.
of the Monastery of St. Remigius of
132 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[May 8,
tion among those Christians, living in the district about Chalons ; burned churches and villages, and also put many to the sword. 33
while they They set fire to the beautiful cathedral church of St. Stephen,34 in the city of Chalons, and also to the little oratory of St. Gibrian ; but, as his relics were sepulchred in tlie earth below it, these fortunately escaped their ravages. 35 Afterwards, while travellers journeyed by that spot, the sweetest sounds of music were heard by them, and as if these were issuing from St. Gibrian's grave; while, the sentinels on guard Avithin the fortifications of Chalons reported, that they had frequently observed bright lights streaming over C61e. 3° Such portents caused a general popular veneration for the holy exile, whose body still lay there. Afterwards, the religious Count Haderic obtained permission, from R6doard,37 bishop of Chalons, that he might remove the body of St. Gibrian to a place, where suitable honour might be rendered. His remains, in the latter end of the ninth century, were accordingly removed to Rheims. From Chalons, they were brought first to the village of Balbiac, where for three years, they were honourably preserved, and, afterwards, they were removed to
that city, selected for their final deposition. 3^ In those days, the removal of a saint's remains from one place to another was reluctantly submitted to by the people, among whom they had been preserved ; and, this will probably account for the secrecy observed, on that occasion, when it was resolved, to take St. Gibrian's body away by night. A boatman had been ordered to have his skifi"in readiness, before the dawn of day, and near the holy man's place of sepulture on the river's side. A priest and three men, sent by the Count, were waiting the boatman's arrival ; but, notwithstanding frequent shouts to guide him near their station, the skiff appears to have got aground, on the opposite bank, nor could it be moved. The priest and his companions then devoutly prayed, that means should be furnished them, to remove the body. As if by miracle, the skiff was detached from its fastenings, and it was driven over where they waited. Next, approaching'the tomb, the sacred relics were reverently raised from the sarcophagus, placed in a new shrine, and removed to the boat. When the bones of St. Gibrian had been kept for two years, at Balbiac, Count Haderic and his pious wife Heresinde went on a visit, to the cityofRheims. ThatremovalofSt. ^Gibrian'sremainstookplace,whenFulco,39 or Foulques, was Archbishop over the See,''° and, therefore, some time betw-een 882 4' and 900,4^ or 901. 43 His noble visitors preferred a request, that the shrine of the saint might be placed, on the right side of his church, near the opening to the crypt. Their petition was granted. The relics were reverently placed, within the basilica of St. Remigius ; while, an altar was built, in honour of the holy man,44 and most beautifully ornamented, even
35 For an account of their wars in this 39 The Bollandists state, tliat he was at century, the reader is referred to the "An- first Abbot of St. Berlin, at Silhieu, and nales Vedastini," in Pertz's "Monumenta Abbot elect of St. Vedast, at Arras, in 851. Germanise Ilistorica Scriptoium," tomus i. ,
pp. 516 to 531.
^ According to the Manuscript Codex
of the Monastery of St. Remigius, at Rheims.
3' Bishop Rodoard flourished in the ninth century. His successor Mancion was pre- sent at the consecration of Ilerivcius, Arch- bishop of Rheims, who succeeded Fulco, when the latter died, A. u. 900.
3^ In his " Historia Rhemtnsi," written in
the tenth century, the Priest Flodoardus,
lib. iii. , cap. ix. , gives a particular account of Haderic. See his "Historia Rhemensis," this Translation. lib. iii. , cap. ix.
^° According to St. Giberian's Acts,
41 This year was the first of his archiepis- copate, after the death of Hincmar.
•' According to the BoUantiists, on the 17th of June, a. d. 900, he was assassinated.
•'^ At tlie instigation of Baudouin, Count of Flanders, one Winemere committed this barbarous murder, a. d. 901, according to the Petits Bollandistes, " V^ies des Saints," tome vii. , Juin 17. See pp. 104, 105.
^-i We may infer, from the account of Flodoard, that this was the gift of Count
May 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
133
with the precious metals. Here was the noble monastery church,45 more ancient than the magnificent cathedral,"*^ and dedicated to that holy bishop, who was patron of Rheinis ; and, over the high altar—called the Golden Altar—of this church, the body of St. Gibrian was preserved within a shrine. When the body had been brought away from Cole, a blind woman, named Erentrude, came to that place, with a candle to present, as her humble offer- ing. Finding that Gibrian's remains had been removed from his sarcopha- gus, she asked why the saint had permitted it, or why he should desert the people, who had obtained such great benefits from his patronage. With ear- nest prayers for her recovery, she then went to the village of Matusgum, where his brother Veran was buried and greatly venerated.
There, she deposited her candle on his tomb, and prostrated in tears before it, she prayed to both holy brothers for restoration of her sight. Her petition was granted, and the afflicted woman left the spot, filled with a holy joy, when she again saw the light of day. "*? The body of St. Gibrian was transferred to a new shrine, in the year 11 14, and then, too, various miracles took place,4^ while a large con- gregation was present. "*? The shrine of St. Gibrian was preserved, until the period of the French Revolution ; but, at present, both the shrine and its sacred deposit have completely disappeared. s° At this time, a general system of robbery and plunder was organized in France : in various places, the churchesweredespoiledoftheirplateandvaluables. s^ Notfarfromhisancient tomb, in the diocese of Chalons, there is a village, known as St. Gibrien. s^ On the Continent, the feast of St. Gibrian is commemorated, at the 8th of May, by Usuard,53 as also in a Manuscript Martyrology of Rheims,54 and in anotherFlorariusSanctorum. BesidesGreven,Canisius,Saussay,Ferrarius,and Molanus, have his festival entered, for this same date. The Irish and Scotch also celebrate his memory. Thus, Thomas Dempster places him, in his " Menologium Scoticum,"5s as also, Adam King,5^ in his Kalendar, at this
''^ It is remarkable for its large nave, and fine stained glass windows.
** This grand structure is attributed to the genius of an architect, Robert de Coucy, who flourished in the earlier part of the thirteenth century. For an account of it, with a fine engraved illustration, the reader is referred to Elisee Reclus' "Nouvelle Geographie Universelle," liv. ii. , chap, xi. , sect, v. , pp. 705 to 709.
''7 See Flodoard's " Historia Rhemensis," lib. iii. , cap. ix.
"•^ Camerarias, in his work " De Scotorum Pietate," lib. iii. , at the 8th of May, refers to a History of this translation, which was contained in three Books. Father Hen- schenn hoped to obtain a transcript of that Tract, before printing the Acts of St. Gib- rian, at this date ; but, owing to wars then prevailing, and consequent interruption of commerce, he was unable to procure it. However, a promise is made, that if it came to hand, the account should be inserted, at the end of the volume, which he had been engaged in editing; and, ifnot, hestillhoped, that it should appear, in a supplement to some future volume. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Mail viii. De S. Gibriano Pres- bytero," &c. Commentarius Praevius, num. I, p. 300.
*9 At A. D. 1145. thi^ matter is thus related,
by an anonymous editor of the Chronicle of Sigebert of Gemblours : " Remis in caenobio B. Remigii S. Gibrianus Scotus multis claret virtutibus, et multo populi concursu fre- quentatur. "
^° See Les Petits Bollandistes, " Vies des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai, p. 403.
^i
gee Eyre Evans Crowe's "History of France," vol. iv. , chap, xxxix. , p. 520.
52 His brothers and his sisters are also publicly venerated ; for, in the dioceses of Rheims and of Chalons, many churches have been dedicated, under the invocation of St. Veran, ofSt. H«lain, of St. Tresain, and of St. Possene. See Les Petits Bollandistes, " Vies des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai, p. 403.
^3 It enters, "Remis depositio S. Gibriani Confessoris, in Ecclesia S. Remigii quies- centis.
^4 gaid to have belonged to the church of St. Timothy and of St. Apollinarus. It occurs under this form: "In pago Catalaunico depositio St. Gibriani Presbyteri et Con- fessoris. "
ss At the 8th of May : " Rhemensi terri- torio Gibriani confessoris cumseptem fratri- bus et duabus sororibus, qui omnes miraculis inclaruerunt et vel a sede Apostolica, vel a loci Antistite elevati, Sanctisque adnume- rati. "—Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars ofScot- tish Saints," pp. 198, 199.
——— —
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 8.
day. In the anonymous list, published by O'SuUevan Beare, at the 8th of May, Gibrianus is entered-^? He is also noticed, by Father Stephen White. s^ The Irish people cannot learn too much about their European missionaries those grand pillars of Faith and of truth—whose names stud the pages of Church history, like so many fixed landmarks of a past civilization, in which those servants of Christ have had a glorious share.
Article III. Reputed Festival of Saints Fraxca, or Franda, Promptia and Possena, in France. {^Fi/th and Sixth Centuries. ] As already noticed, in our account of St. Gibrian at this day, his devoted sisters, Franca or Franda, Promptia and Possena, are accorded a feast, likewise, at the 8th of May, by Arthur de Monstier,' by Laherius,^ and by Saussay. 3 The Bollandists acknowledge, however, that elsewhere they find no warrant for this festival. 4
Article IV. St. Comman, of Tigh-mic-Fignnchain. In the pub- lished Martyrology of Tallagh,' we find no entry of the present saint, or of his feast. The copy of the Tallagh Martyrology, belonging to the Dublin Franciscan Convent, has a notice, however, at the eighth of the May Ides about Comman,* while his place is denominated—probably as given in the later Martyrology of Donegal. The locality, denominated Tig-mac- Fionnchain, does not appear to be known ; nor do we find any correspond- ing nomenclature for it, among the parochial or townland etymons, on the Ordnance Survey Maps for Ireland. The Bollandists ^ have a feast for Com- munus de Teghunc Fendchain, sive de domo filii Fianthaim, but, it seems pretty certain, they have mispelled some of the letters in the original entry, drawn from the Tallagh Martyrology. The Martyrology of Donegal * re- gisters a festival, on this day, in honour of Comman, of Tigh mic Fionn- chain.
Article V. St. Odhran, Bishop. The name of Odran, a Bishop, is entered in the published Martyrology of Tallagh,' at the 8th of May. In the Franciscan copy,' a like notification appears, at same date—the eighth of the May Ides. The Bollandists ^ enter Odranus Episcopus, quoting the fore- going Martyrology. Where he exercised the episcopal office does not seem to be known, nor the time when he flourished. St. Odrian, Bishop, and Tutelar saint of Waterford, was revered, at tlie 8th of May, according to the
134
5* Thus :*' S. Gibriane Confess. Scotsman vnder KingConrannus. " Jbid. , p. 152.
57 See " Histori^e Catholire Ibernise Com- pendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , p. 50.
55 See "Apologia pro Hibernia," cap. iv. ,
p. 41. —
Article hi. ' In "Gynceceum Sa-
crum. "
' In " Menologium Virginum. "
3 In " M. irtyrologium Gallicanum. "
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Maii viii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 284. —
Article IV. ' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, at p. xxiii.
' In the Franciscan copy, ComtriAni C15
111 ac pnclioii. The writer has a great doubt, if the first n in the latter patronymic should not be rather o or o ; but, he has set it down, to correspond with the entry, in the Martyrology of Donegal,
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Mail viii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 284
" Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 122,123.
Articlev. —' Edited by Rev. Dr. Kelly, p. xxiii.
-The entry is 0-o]\aiii epi.
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Maii viii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 284.
——
May 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
135
Rev. Alban Butler's Lives of the Saints,'* and the Circle of the Seasons ;5 but, here, the present saint seems to have been confounded with St. Otteran, Bis- hop and Confessor, whose feast is rather referable to the 27th of October. ^ There was a holy well, called Tobar-Odran, near the churchyard of Kil- keeran,7 in the parish of Castlejordan,^ and Deanery of Mullingar. 9 It lies within the barony of Upper Moyfenrath. An aged ash tree spreads its branches over the ancient altar-site. ^° But, whether the well and former church had been dedicated to the present saint, or to some one of the other eight Odrans, mentioned in our calendars, does not appear to be readily ascer- tainable. A festival in honour of Odhran—without any other title—was celebrated on this day, accordijig to the Martyrology of Donegal. " The Very Rev. Laurence F. Renehan, D. D. , and former President of St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, most certainly fell into an error, when he states, that the Martyrologies of Tallagh and of Donegal mention a St. Odran, Bishop, whose feast was kept, on the 8th of July. '^ He probably meant the 8th of May.
Article VL—Feast of St. Indract, with his Sister, St. Domi- nica, AND his Companions, who were Martyrs. \_Seventh or Eighth Century. '\ In the Martyrology of Salisbury, the festival of these saints has been placed, at the 8th 'of May. This account is further sustained, by the authority of the Tallagh and Altempsian Martyrologies,' as the Bollandists remark, at the same date. ^ Already have we given their Acts, at the 5th of February ;3 which seems to be recognised, as the chief day for their com-
memoration. * At the 8th of May, Richard VVhitford s places the Festival of St. Indract, a King of Ireland, who abdicated his kingdom, and who is said to have set out with his sister St. Dominica, and with various other com- panions, who all suffered martyrdom. ^
Article VII. St. Brenann. Veneration was given on this day to Brenann,aswefindmentioned,intheMartyrologyofDonegal. ' Whohe was, and where or when he lived, have not transpired.
* See vol. v. , May viii.
5 See p. 129.
* See notices of him, at that date.
' It is shown, on the " Ordnance Survey
Townland Maps for the County of Meath," sheet 46.
" Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 122, 123.
" Dr. Renehan adds : " However, he is so unknown to other authorities, and his his- tory is so unknown even to these, that I think they mistook his rank and feast together. " Letter, dated Maynooth College, Feast of St. Otteran, 1845,' addressed to Mrs. Keshan, Lady Superioress of the Presentation Con- vent, Waterford. — "
* The larger portion of this parish is
within the Baronies of Coolestown and
Warrenstown, and this is described, on the
" Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for
the King's County," sheets 3, 4, 10, 11, 19;
while the other part, within the Barony of dractus, Dominica et Socii, Martyres, in
Upper Moylenraih is to be seen, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of Meath, " sheets 46, 52.
9 This parish, situated within the baronies of Fartullagh, Moyashel and Magherader- non, is described on the "Ordnance Survey Townland Maps for the County of West- meath," sheets 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, 27. The town and townland are on sheet 19.
'° See Rev.
